Nitzer Ebb

Nitzer Ebb is an electronic and industrial group from Essex, England, formed in Chelmsford in 1982 by Douglas McCarthy, Bon Harris and drummer David Gooday while they are still at school. The group becomes one of the key names associated with electronic body music, with a sound that combines driving rhythm, aggressive vocals and a precise, stripped-back approach.

Early releases and label history

The group begins by experimenting with synthesizers and samples, drawing on acts such as Abwärts, Einstürzende Neubauten, Malaria!, DAF, Cabaret Voltaire, Killing Joke and Bauhaus. Before signing to Mute, they release four singles on their own Power of Voice Communications label, which is set up as a joint venture with producer Phil Harding. Daniel Miller later signs them to Mute, where they issue five studio albums.

Their first single is Isn’t It Funny How Your Body Works in 1984. Their debut album, That Total Age, appears in 1987 and is followed by singles including Murderous, Let Your Body Learn and Join In The Chant, the last of which becomes a club staple in acid house and techno circles in a Phil Harding remix.

Albums and collaborators

After winning a strong club reputation, Nitzer Ebb move into larger live work, including support slots for Depeche Mode on the Music for the Masses tour. David Gooday leaves and Julian Beeston takes over for live performances. McCarthy and Harris then work with producer Flood on the follow-up to That Total Age, which becomes Belief. The album extends their partnership with Flood and also leads to remixes of Control I’m Here, Hearts & Minds and Shame, with additional mixes by William Orbit.

The 1990 album Showtime continues their development, combining their harsh energy with a more pronounced musicality on tracks such as Getting Closer and Lightning Man. It also includes a remix of Fun To Be Had by George Clinton, known for Parliament and Funkadelic. The EP As Is follows, with mixes from four different contributors, including Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke and Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode.

Released in 1991, Ebbhead is produced by Alan Wilder and Flood and broadens the group’s use of instrumentation. The song Godhead becomes especially associated with their live impact in the United States. Their final studio album, Big Hit, arrives in 1995 and includes Kick It. It also reflects a shift towards grunge-inspired guitars alongside their electronics.

Later activity and line-up

Following Big Hit, tensions between McCarthy and Harris lead to a long period without new material. The group returns to live performance in 2006, with Kourtney Klein on drums for the reunion shows. A compilation, Body of Work, and a remix album, Body Reworked, are released during that period. Recording for new material begins in 2007.

Style and legacy

Nitzer Ebb are known for their militaristic, forceful style and for helping define a harder form of electronic music in the 1980s and 1990s. Their work influences later artists and is closely associated with the development of EBM, industrial, electro and techno scenes.

Membership

The group’s members are David Gooday, Douglas J. McCarthy, Bon Harris and Simon Granger.