Groove Coverage

The German Euro-trance pair Groove Coverage rose swiftly among the leading club outfits from their homeland, propelled by multiple crossover smashes on the charts. In summer 2001 DJ Novus, born Markus Schafferzyk, and producer Axel Konrad launched the project together. Following the underground club successes “Hit Me” and “Are U Ready,” the duo brought in vocalist Mell, whose performance anchored their breakthrough single “Moonlight Shadow,” a Mike Oldfield cover that delivered the act’s first German Top Ten placement. Mell’s pregnancy soon required a temporary break, so pinch-hitter vocalist Verena stepped in and helped secure a second straight Top Ten hit with “God Is a Girl,” which Lou Bega of “Mambo No. 5” fame co-wrote. During autumn 2002 the duo released its first album, Covergirl, and backed the project with concerts throughout western and central Europe. Although Mell rejoined in 2003, Verena kept supplying extra vocals on the 2004 set 7 Years and 50 Days, whose standout track was a blockbuster cover of Alice Cooper’s “Poison.” The same LP also spawned the singles “She” and “Runaway,” with the latter achieving major success in Australia, Canada, and Japan. After further releases such as “Holy Virgin,” “On the Radio,” and “21st Century Digital Girl,” Groove Coverage delivered its third full-length, also titled 21st Century Digital Girl, in mid-2006.