Propaganda biography
Propaganda are a German synthpop group, formed in 1982. They were one of the initial roster of acts signed to Trevor Horn's ZTT label, between 1984 and 1986, during which they released the critically acclaimed album A Secret Wish.
Early history: 1982-1984
Propaganda was formed in Düsseldorf, West Germany, in 1982 by Ralf Dörper (a member of the German industrial band Die Krupps). As a trio, with artist Andreas Thein and vocalist Susanne Freytag, they made initial recordings in Germany which were deemed for future release in UK, where Ralf Dörper's early experimental recordings had met critical acclaim. With the inclusion of classically trained musician and composer Michael Mertens and singer Claudia Brücken (who had worked with Freytag in her previous band, The Tripolinas), music-journalist Paul Morley signed the band to Trevor Horn's newly-formed ZTT Records label.
The group relocated to the United Kingdom and released the single "Dr. Mabuse", named after the fictional character made famous by film maker Fritz Lang. The single reached number 27 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1984, and number 7 in Germany. The group appeared on various TV shows in the UK, including Channel 4's "The Tube". Here, as well as performing "Dr. Mabuse", they also gave one of their few performances of a cover version of Throbbing Gristle's song "Disziplin".
Before the year was out, Thein had left the band, and with Mertens now filling the gap left by his departure, the band forged ahead with recording their follow-up single and debut album. However both of these were to be delayed as a result of the unexpectedly huge success of ZTT's most famous signing, Frankie Goes to Hollywood. As the label was still in its infancy, ZTT were forced to spend all their limited resources on promoting and marketing FGTH, and this also meant that Trevor Horn was not available to produce Propaganda's album. Stephen Lipson, one of Horn's established studio engineers, took his place, but the delay meant that Propaganda's second single, the more pop-oriented "Duel", didn't surface until April 1985. Perhaps the band's most recognisable release, it was also their highest-charting single in the UK, reaching number 21. The band made their one and only appearance on the flagship BBC music programme "Top of the Pops" in June of that year. It was also used as the theme music for the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2005, the alternate version; "Jewel" having also been used as the theme music for the BBC's Top Gear RAC Rally Report programmes in the late 1980s.
In May 1985, with Frankie Goes to Hollywood becoming tax exiles in Ireland, the band effectively headlined "The Value of Entertainment", a series of showcase gigs of ZTT signings, held at the Ambassadors Theatre in London. The shows also featured Art of Noise (Paul Morley addressing the audience after three dancers had performed to AON tracks), Anne Pigalle, Andrew Poppy and Instinct. Propaganda were joined on stage by former Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes and ex-Japan drummer Steve Jansen.
Biography from 
, the free encyclopedia.
It may not have been reviewed by a professional editor, and recent changes may not show up straight away. See the latest version of this article. Used under licence. Subject to disclaimers.