German gothic/darkwave cult act Silke Bischoff has signed with Dependent Records, who will reissue the band’s long‑unavailable catalogue. Formed in 1990 by Axel Kretschmann and the late Felix Flaucher, Silke Bischoff became one of the defining voices of Europe’s early ’90s dark electronic movement.
Kretschmann describes the new partnership as a long‑overdue return: “Our material has been withheld from the public for too long. It belongs to the fans—they are the heartbeat of this band.” He adds that Dependent’s reputation within the underground makes them “the only label that truly fits us.”
Label founder Stefan Herwig emphasises the band’s lasting cultural impact: “Silke Bischoff didn’t just fill dance floors—they shaped a way of life. Their music and imagery defined the aesthetic of the ’90s black scene.”
Silke Bischoff rose quickly after three demo tapes and the underground hit “I Don’t Love You Anymore”. Their 1991 debut cemented their status, while “On the Other Side (I’ll See You Again)” became an anthem of the European gothic scene. Later albums such as The Man On The Wooden Cross (1993), To Protect And To Serve (1995), and Northern Lights (2001) expanded their reach, even drawing mainstream attention—and occasional controversy.
The band name itself sparked debate in Germany, referencing a victim of the 1988 Gladbeck hostage crisis. Over time, it became understood as an artistic memorial rather than a provocation.
After internal changes and a brief continuation as 18 Summers, the original members reunited privately in 2017 shortly before Flaucher’s passing. In 2025, Kretschmann revived Silke Bischoff with a celebrated performance at Wave‑Gotik‑Treffen, joined by Alexander Veljanov (Deine Lakaien) and Sven Friedrich (Solar Fake, Zeraphine, Dreadful Shadows).
With Dependent Records now preparing the reissues, Silke Bischoff’s legacy is finally set to return to the audience that kept their flame alive. Link
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"I'm quite obsessive, and when I work on music, I can overwork and get myself in trouble. I always had a breakdown when I finished an album, because I drove myself to the brink." - Mick Moss
"Goth people want to have fun sometimes too. I guess if your listening time is 99% dark, sad songs or evil black metal songs, sometimes you want 1% joy, and here I come." - Franck Hueso
"I always wanted to express my emotions with my music, and this is what I do. And I think true music lovers feel when music is coming from the heart." - Tilo Wolff
"It's my kind of duty to provoke people and to make sure they feel something — to dance, cry, do whatever they feel. I do motivate them, because that's my purpose." - Chris Corner
