Tue 10/29 @ 8PM
Hamburg, Germany’s KMFDM is one of the bands that made the ’90s one of the greatest eras for rock music. Founded and led by Sascha Konietsko they have been making some of the slyest and most irresistible industrial rock since they formed in 1984. They were one of the pioneers of the abrasive style that broke through to the mainstream in the early ’90s, largely thanks to the success of Trent Reznor’s 1989 Pretty Hate Machine, recorded while he was living in Cleveland.
But KMFDM, basically Konietzko and various partners in crime who have changed over the years, aren’t into all that “I’m miserable scum and I want to die” stuff like the parade of Nine Inch Nails wannabes that followed in Reznor’s wake. Instead, they leaven their thunderous beats with social, cultural and political commentary satire that’s genuinely humorous while conveying a serious message against violence, oppression and bigotry. Who can’t like a band that put out a song called “KMFDM Sucks,” with lyrics like “We’re KMFDM and all other bands stink/Our music is sampled, totally fake/It’s done by machines ’cause they don’t make mistakes.”
They’re returning to the Agora on their 40th anniversary tour. Swedish industrial band Morlocks opens. Get tickets here.
Cleveland, OH 44103