One of German
Wave's most important legacies, Malari! inspired countless others
in its wake, with their brand of cold, abrupt, and harsh apocalytic
punk. An all female group, the vocals did not consist of sweet,
seductive pop notes. Just the opposite. The halted, deep vocal
style paired with dynamic lyrics was as artistic as their music.
Alongside contemporaries X-Mal
Deutschland, German gothic was established permanently.
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Berlin, 1981.
BETTINA K…STER and GUDRUN GUT disbanded MANIA D after one 7"(GUDRUN
GUT performed with Einsturzende Neubauten during their first year),
and with MANON P. DUURSMA of "O.U.T." (Nina Hagen), CHRISTINE
HAHN and SUSANNE KUHNKE, (Die Haut) absorbing formed MALARIA!
Their earliest achievements were a pair of 12"s and a single,
a European tour, and a BBC recording session for John Peel.
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An American tour landed them supporting slots for bands like the Birthday
Party, John Cale, and Nina Hagen, culminating in the recording
of 'The New York Passage' featuring one of their biggest hits, 'Your
Turn To Run'. Back in Europe, 'White Water' was recorded, introducing
the cult club hit 'Kalte Klare Wasser (Cold Clear Water). Next, their
first and only LP, 'Emotion', which the video for ;Geld' was cut from.
A second US tour brought 'Revisited', a live recording performed at
the legendary New York City Danceteria and a video of 'You You'. |
Back in Germany
again, 'Beat the Distance' would be the last the world heard of
Malaria!... for seven years. Reuniting after the 'Compiled' best
of... was released, in New Orleans, Malaria recorded 'Elation'
(featuring 'Old Man River' produced by Feotus' Jim Thirwell) and
returning to Berlin for 'Cheerio'.
The primary members of Malaria! have stayed involved with music
over the years, solo projects, other bands (Matador, Miasma, etc.).
In recent years, Malaria! remix projects have been hitting record
shelves, as their influence begins to become made blatantly clear
by DJs and bands of all genres.
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Links
Discography
Lyrics
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