The Formative Years – Trio
Neue Deutsche Welle not merely dominated my youth but my childhood as when it first emerged, much to my delight it was omnipresent both on mainstream radio and TV.
Trio was a German, formed in the town of Großenkneten in 1979 and three years later they created a world hit with what became their signature and most memorable song, i.e. "Da Da Da".
What resonated instantaneously with me was not merely the primal, stripped down nature of Trio’s songs, devoid or any ornamental flourishings but their strange sense of humour and their quirky, Dadaistic appearances on prime time TV with the lead singer, droll voiced Stephan Remmler, playing pre-programmed simplistic ditties on a Casio keyboard backed by the disinterested drummer playing simple beer garden rhythms singlehanded while eating an apple with the other one.
Essentially, Trio presented a deconstructed version of rock’n roll and with their idiosyncratic personalities appeared otherworldly doing so.
Depending on your point of view, it could be classified as highly conceptual performance art or alternatively as nonsensical minimalism reminiscent of the Plastic Ono band – a comparison that is given a further dimension by the fact that their overlooked classic first record was produced by Beatles collaborator and ex-Manfred Mann bassist Klaus Voormann.
Trio’ first album is essential for anyone interested in late seventies and early eighties new wave with punk, post punk, rockabilly, comical Schlager, reggae and synth pop sensibilities as it managed to artfully merge the aforementioned influences to an explosive melange that while showing appreciation also poked fun at anyone taking the individual genres too seriously.
A unique, fun and essential album.
