Techniques Berlin is a Minimal Synth-pop band based in Toronto, Ontario, Ca… Read Full Bio ↴Techniques Berlin is a Minimal Synth-pop band based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Formed in 1984 by high school buddies Andreas Gregor and David Rout, the band started experimenting with synthesizers, drum machines and guitars. In the early stages, Techniques Berlin was heavily influenced by UK new romantic acts Japan, Spandau Ballet, Visage, The Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Yazoo and Depeche Mode as well as rising Canadian synthpop bands Rational Youth, Men Without Hats and Trans-X. It took them a few years to master their electronic toys and create a unique blend of addictive electropop melodies and beautifully crafted alternative beats.

In the late 80s, Techniques Berlin played live on a regular basis, and their 3 self-released tapes received frequent local airplay in Canada. Despite their moderate success, the band failed to secure a record deal. A&R reps would comment that their songs were either too alternative to be classified as pop, or too pop to be alternative, which became rather discouraging in the long run. By late 1991, the band members had developed a strong interest in the burgeoning electro-industrial scene. Both Dave and Andreas founded !Bang Elektronika and were working with Digital Poodle as live drummers. Both of these projects were soon picked up by record labels. Techniques Berlin played their last show at the University of Toronto in November of 1991, debuting the last track they had recorded, fittingly called Time Fades to Nothing.

Now over two decades later, Toronto-based Techniques Berlin is on the verge of staging a remarkable comeback! Encouraged by the growing interest in the long out-of-print “Back Issue Volume 1 and 2” (now available on iTunes) and the highly sought-after compilation “Suburban Playgrounds and Concrete Beaches” released by Fabrika Records on vinyl, Dave and Andreas have decided to bring Techniques Berlin back to life. To celebrate the anniversary of the label that they founded, they included an unreleased track on the 7” EP, Future Past, on the Bombshelter Productions label.

Andreas, Dave, and Dina Naskos are currently awaiting the release of their new 2LP "Breathing" which will come with a bonus disc featuring revamped unreleased material. If this isn’t enough, Nadanna is assembling a best of TECHNIQUES BERLIN 2CD featuring remixes by the best of the minimal synth, electropop and Italo Disco scene!

Techniques Berlin Lyrics