Log in to your account
Stats
Biography
Formed as Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid (No Pity For The Majority) to serve as the opening act for a Parisian art exhibition (of course), few band stories are as gleefully surreal as the first months of KMFDM’s existence. Vacuum Cleaners were used as instruments, entrails were thrown into the audience, fire was eaten and breathed in equal measure, and at one show a quartet of Polish coal miners were employed to hammer on the foundations of the venue itself as percussion. Needless to say, the band quickly gained a reputation for themselves as one of the must-see live acts of their scene. So with barely any fanfare, the band self-released 200 cassette copies of their debut album “Opium” and circulated them around the underground clubs of their native Hamburg fuelling the hype for their live shows all the more.
The band wouldn’t release another album until 1986, when they signed to Z Records for the release of “What Do You Know, Deutschland?”. While not raved about in their home country, it was the first of their albums to receive widespread release over Europe, leading to a cult following in the U.K in particular. However, the band were to spread even further thanks to their 1988 album “Don’t Blow Your Top”, which thanks to its release on Wax Trax! Records, was licensed for U.S Distribution. By 1991 the band had relocated to Chicago and become the hottest name on Chicago’s thriving industrial scene, with a number of their singles becoming unlikely hits on the Billboard Dace/Club Play Songs.
The rest of the 90’s were very kind to KMFDM, beginning with their 1993 album “Angst” selling well over 100’000 copies by 1995, and peaking with their single “Juke Joint Jezebel”, a song which has sold three million copies on various formats. Ever since then the band have remained cult heroes, revered by far more than just die-hard industrial fans but by rock fans of all shapes and tastes. The band briefly split in 1999 before reforming in 2002, and to this very day, they remain vital artists in every sense of the word. After over 30 years of pushing every boundary they can find, KMFDM come highly recommended.
Live reviews
Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid known simply as KMFDM for the non-German speakers are an industrial band with almost thirty years of experience onstage. The group is now revered internationally and has played hundreds of times in the States as well as clocking up numerous shows across mainland Europe.
This is not due to their commercial successes but more down to the innovation and uniqueness of their live performance. Spanning boundaries of rock and electro, it is a real spectacle to behold as the five musicians go about recreating their complex recorded material. It is no easy task yet they manage it mostly due to the fact they have played so many shows so have had the time to develop and work on their music. It is a great show with a lot of variation to keep the audience interested, it is not particularly interactive due to the band remaining within their musical zones yet this does not detract anything from the huge reaction received to the finale of 'Megalomaniac'.
sean-ward
The band were very good and attracted a lively crowd. The choice of songs was ideal. As a long time fan, I was very pleased to hear many of my favorites from the 90s played, such as Money, Godlike, Drug Against War, and Light, and in general, these songs were the most over with the audience. Later songs from the 00s like Hau Ruck and WW III were still quit well received, but the most recent songs had a more muted reaction, though this was probably more just that no one recognized them. They only played one encore, which was a little disappointing considering the breadth of their catalog, but they hit enough high notes that I really can't complain too much. Excellent show if you are a fan of industrial rock, and even the staunchest fans of KMFDM MK1 would have been pleased with this setlist.
MoeHartman
This was my first time seeing KMFDM, and it was an incredible, energy-filled concert. The pit was tons of fun (up until one guy got too excited and forced security to patrol it for the rest of the evening), the set list was excellent, and the light-show component was thrilling and perfectly matched the music and vocals. And the best part was, I was so close to the stage, I could almost touch Lucia's hand! Fantastic show, definitely catch them live if you can!
The opening act "Chant" was a great band too, first time I'd heard of them, they're definitely worth looking into if you're a fan of industrial and like novel types of percussion ;)
qhapaqinka
Once again, KMFDM put on a great show. There's something special about being able to catch them at the last show of their previous tour and the first show of their new tour.
The light show has gotten positively hypnotic, and the unbelievable energy they put into a two hour set is infectious. As always, the show is a healthy mix of their new stuff and the "stuff everybody knows" (Drug Against War, Light and Megalomaniac.)
If you have never seen them live you must. The live versions are harder, more visceral and a total sensory overload. If you have seen them live you know, and you really shouldn't miss this one.
sjan
yoo shit was hella dope, god damm, the mosh pit was fuckin RAGING hard as hell like cannibal corpse tier tbh haha i got a concussion in the pit i’m deadass in the waiting room of a hospital as i write this i swear to god ahahaha if i could attach a pic i’d show you
cooper-tweedie
Had a great time, 2nd time seeing them in philly. What a phenomenal performance; high energy and loads of fun. The opening act CHANT was awesome, glad I got the opportunity to hear a new group. "KMFDM, better than the best"
corinne-hooks
I had waited 25 years to see KMFDM and finally got my chance last night. They slammed us hard hitting from start to finish with Megalomaniac, Salvation, and Drug against War.
Now waiting for KMFDM all over againnnnn.
forest-sponseller
Amazing show!! Highly recommend seeing them. The sound was refined, the energy fantastic, and their attitude mature. This only comes from a band that has had MANY years of experience under their belt.
noeticfront
