Faust
Producer/advisor Uwe Nettelbeck formed this group in Wumme, Germany in 1971. The initial line-up—Werner Diermaier, Jean Herve Peron, Rudolf Sosna, Hans Joachim Irmler, Gunther Wusthoff and Armulf Meifert—worked from a custom-built studio, sited in a converted schoolhouse. FAUST was a conscious attempt to forge a new western ‘rock’ music wherein fragments of sound were spliced together to create a radical collage. Released in a clear sleeve and clear vinyl, the album was viewed as an experimental masterpiece, or grossly self-indulgent, dependant on taste. SO FAR proved less obtuse, and the group subsequently secured a high-profile recording deal with Virgin. THE FAUST TAPES, a collection of private recordings reassembled by a fan in the UK, retailed at the price of a single (49p) and this inspired marketing ploy not unnaturally generated considerable interest. The label also issued OUTSIDE THE DREAM SYNDICATE on which the group accompanied Tony Conrad, a former colleague of John Cale. Faust's music remained distanced from mainstream acceptance, as evinced on FAUST 4, and subsequent recordings, as well as items drawn from their back catalogue, were later issued by Recommended Records, specialists in avant garderecordings. Faust remained active throughout the '70s and '80s, albeit with a different line-up. In 1988 they reduced the price of admission to those persons arriving at live concerts with a musical instrument who were prepared to play it during the performance.