Killerpilze

Killerpilze, the German pop-punk band also known as Killer Fungus, originated in 2002 within the Bavarian community of Dillingen an der Donau. Singer and guitarist Johannes Halbig formed the initial roster by first adding his brother Fabian on drums, then bringing aboard lead guitarist Max Schlichter and bassist Andreas Schlagenhaft. Although the four musicians were still between 13 and 16 years old when their understated debut Von Vorne Durch die Punkalle surfaced in 2004, the album nevertheless appeared that year.

Universal Records signed the group by 2005, resulting in the arrival of Invasion der Killerpilze the next year together with the hit single "Richtig Scheiße." The second major-label studio album, Mit Pauken und Raketen, followed in 2007, the same year bassist Schlagenhaft exited the lineup.

Throughout those years the remaining trio maintained an active European touring schedule until their departure from Universal prompted the creation of Killerpilzerecords and the delivery of their fourth album, Lautonom, toward the end of 2010. That same busy year included festival appearances across Germany, a tour through Turkey, and the beginning of work on a fifth record. Ein Bisschen Zeitgeist arrived in spring 2011 ahead of another extended European trek that eventually produced an extended break from live performances.

Choosing to focus exclusively on songwriting without concurrent concert dates, Killerpilze devoted all of 2012 to developing the material that became Grell. Issued in March 2013, the album represented their most mature effort to that point by blending indie-rock elements with their established pop-punk approach.