Kraftklub

The year 2009 marked the formation of Kraftklub, as rapper Felix Brummer—performing under the alias Bernd Bass at the time—joined forces with the rock band Neon Blocks to create several tracks that blended indie rock with German-language rap. Drummer Max Marschk, guitarist Steffen Israel, singer/guitarist Karl Schumann, and bassist Till Brummer made up the lineup; the latter, Felix’s brother and originally named Kummer, shared parentage with him as sons of Jan Kummer from the avant-garde band AG Geige. Their debut EP, Adonis Maximus, arrived in February 2010, followed seven months later by a win at the New Music Award that secured a January 2011 recording contract with Universal/Vertigo. The group served as support on tours by the Beatsteaks, Fettes Brot, and Casper while also competing in Stefan Raab’s Bundesvision Song Contest 2011 with the song “Ich Will Nicht Nach Berlin,” finishing in fifth place. January 2012 brought the release of their first full-length album, Mit K, which ascended to the top position on the German album charts.