The Germans

The group is established in the summer of 2002.

After a few home-recorded demos and several well-received shows, the Germans find themselves in the finale of the Eastern-Flemish rockconcours 2003 and in the semi-finals of Humo's Rock Rally 2004.

After receiving a great deal of critical acclaim they start performing all over Flanders, Wallonia and the Netherlands. The Germans perform their ‘noiserock' in lots of cafés and youth centres, but they also play a number of high-profile gigs. During the summer of 2005 they play a few big festivals such as ‘Marktrock' in Leuven and ‘Feest in het Park' in Oudenaarde

In the fall of 2005 the Germans self-release their first EP ‘The Next Superstar', receiving a lot of  positive reviews.

Meanwhile, the Germans keep working on their excellent live reputation and in 2005-2006 they play support slots for such bands as Thou, A Brand, Millionaire and the Constantines. One of the highlights includes a very satisfying improvshow in the Netwerk artcentre in Aalst, where they accompany Damo Suzuki, the legendary Japanese singer of krautrock-pioneers Can.

At the end of 2006 the Germans participate in the Poppunt-project ‘Raymond & zijn jonge helden' (‘Raymond & his young heroes'). This project takes them to national television and they provide the opening track on the accompanying cd with their cover of Raymond van 't Groenewoud's ‘Leidseplein'. In the fall of 2006 the Germans play live at a Pixies tribute night in the Vooruit in Ghent.

After nearly 100 shows, the Germans decide in 2007 to focus on recording their long-awaited debut. ‘Elf shot lame witch' is partly recorded in Antwerp by Pascal Deweze (Sukilove,  Pawlowski, Black Cassette, Metal Molly, Mitsoobishy Jacson, Nemo, Chitlin' Fooks, ...) and partly in their own home-studio. Finally, in December, they head down to the Einstürzende Neubauten studio in Berlin, where Boris Wilsdorf - Neubauten's steady producer and soundmixer for 15 years - takes care of the final mix.

The album reveals a new, rich sound in which the widely varying musical tastes of all four bandmembers are represented. The Germans shift from soft to loud and they manage to combine ‘real songs' with experimental bursts of noise. Immediate references are Sonic Youth, Brainiac, Liars, Captain Beefheart and early krautrock (Can, Faust, Neu!, ...), but also more pop-oriented artists such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd and David Bowie.

The Germans are Jakob Ampe (vocals, guitar, synths), Vincent Cauwels (guitar, backing vocals), Lennert Jacobs (drums, synths) and Timothy Jacobs (bass).