• cassette tape, exploded diagram
    • doncampau.com
    • mission statement
    • before the beginning
    • a brief history of cassette culture
    • no pigeonholes radio
    • contact don

    site design and development by allegra media

  • The Living Archive of Underground Music

    tape labels

    IRRE Tapes

    By Don Campau | 24 September 2011

    Matthias Lang and I first got in contact in the mid 1980s. I can’t remember how it all started but I may have written him based on one of Andy Xport’s ISC compilations. He was always affable, approachable and worked as hard as anyone in the underground with his IRRE tape label.

    To me, IRRE is perhaps the greatest European tape label of the 80s and 90s. Sure, there is Alain Neffe’s Insane Music, Eriek Van Havere’s EE Tapes, Rudolfo Protti’s Old Europa Cafe and others but for me, IRRE encapsulated the entire movement with its eclectic and prolific releases of high quality music and presentation.

    selected discography below

    Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Lang of Germany.

    Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Lang of Germany.


    Above, one of my favorite IRRE compilations was “Welcome To Sleepy Eye”, an all instrumental outing with spacey sounds, some sound collage, drone and more. Featured artists : Moisten Before Use, Stefano Barban, Mental Anguish, Terrorplan, Big City Orchestra, Treble King and more.

    Above, one of my favorite IRRE compilations was “Welcome To Sleepy Eye”, an all instrumental outing with spacey sounds, some sound collage, drone and more. Featured artists : Moisten Before Use, Stefano Barban, Mental Anguish, Terrorplan, Big City Orchestra, Treble King and more.


    I remember regretting not sending a song for the “Rambo” compilation because it’s such a fun ride. A real mix of styles on this theme tape by X Ray POp, Lord Litter, M. Nomized, Nostalgie Eternelle, Sack and others.

    I remember regretting not sending a song for the “Rambo” compilation because it’s such a fun ride. A real mix of styles on this theme tape by X Ray POp, Lord Litter, M. Nomized, Nostalgie Eternelle, Sack and others.


    The tape above is a collection of tracks that first appeared on other cassette labels. The labels involved : Monif ( Czech Republic), Color ( U.K.), Servil ( Germany) and Insane ( Belgium). A lot of unknown artists to me on this 1988 cassette, a playful and joyous collection from The Shrubberys, Modern Art, Fit & Limo, Bene Gesserit and more.

    The tape above is a collection of tracks that first appeared on other cassette labels. The labels involved : Monif ( Czech Republic), Color ( U.K.), Servil ( Germany) and Insane ( Belgium). A lot of unknown artists to me on this 1988 cassette, a playful and joyous collection from The Shrubberys, Modern Art, Fit & Limo, Bene Gesserit and more.


    Hailing out of Frankfurt, Solanaceae Tau combined rock impulses with some electro elements for a slightly edgy sound. The tape above from 1990.

    Hailing out of Frankfurt, Solanaceae Tau combined rock impulses with some electro elements for a slightly edgy sound. The tape above from 1990.


    One of my favorite artists on IRRE was Unpleasant Surprise.Two sisters ( Daniela Schwabel, Jeanette Schwabel) and one guy ( Martin Trapp) teamed up for some very Euro sounding cafe music and strummed folkisms. They released several tapes , this one from 1991.

    One of my favorite artists on IRRE was Unpleasant Surprise.Two sisters ( Daniela Schwabel, Jeanette Schwabel) and one guy ( Martin Trapp) teamed up for some very Euro sounding cafe music and strummed folkisms. They released several tapes , this one from 1991.


    IRRE also released a few split tapes, one artist per side. On the tape above from the late 80s, underground mainstay Lord Litter dishes his country trash rock and on the flip side is some swinging indie pop from Joachim Reinbold aka JAR who also ran the JAR music label out of Berlin. A really solid tape of good time music.

    IRRE also released a few split tapes, one artist per side. On the tape above from the late 80s, underground mainstay Lord Litter dishes his country trash rock and on the flip side is some swinging indie pop from Joachim Reinbold aka JAR who also ran the JAR music label out of Berlin. A really solid tape of good time music.


    The tape above may have been the first one I ever received from Matthias and it’s also a split release with German funk rockers Kronstadt on side one and Japanese guitarist Toshiyuki Hiraoka on side two. This one  still rocks and moves after all these years.

    The tape above may have been the first one I ever received from Matthias and it’s also a split release with German funk rockers Kronstadt on side one and Japanese guitarist Toshiyuki Hiraoka on side two. This one still rocks and moves after all these years.


    Michael Renzel was the one man project known as Heat Beat Cut. I loved this tape right away with its progressive jazz rock feel all home taped in 1991 in Bocholt,Germany.

    Michael Renzel was the one man project known as Heat Beat Cut. I loved this tape right away with its progressive jazz rock feel all home taped in 1991 in Bocholt,Germany.


    I believe WF & The Question was also a one man band but I did not know the guy’s name. Recorded in 1992 in Cologne he hammers out the drum machine rhythms suggesting that we dance. There are also moments of electronic tomfoolery as well, a pretty nice release.

    I believe WF & The Question was also a one man band but I did not know the guy’s name. Recorded in 1992 in Cologne he hammers out the drum machine rhythms suggesting that we dance. There are also moments of electronic tomfoolery as well, a pretty nice release.



    two more cassettes by Unpleasant Surprise. First, a live tape from 1992 and below that a release called “Without Classical Instruction” also from 1992.

    two more cassettes by Unpleasant Surprise. First, a live tape from 1992 and below that a release called “Without Classical Instruction” also from 1992.


    Italian artist ( and I believe cellist) Stefano Baisin offered this tape of moody instrumentals

    Italian artist ( and I believe cellist) Stefano Baisin offered this tape of moody instrumentals


    A more recent picture of Matthias Lang of IRRE Tapes overlooking his gigantic underground tape catalog below.

    A more recent picture of Matthias Lang of IRRE Tapes overlooking his gigantic underground tape catalog below.


    From Belgium, long time underground music champion and EE Tapes label owner, Eriek Van Havere.

    From Belgium, long time underground music champion and EE Tapes label owner, Eriek Van Havere.

    interview with Matthias Lang, IRRE Tapes

    translated by Siegmar Fricke.

    What years did IRRE operate? Why did you start a tape label?
    In welchen Jahren war das IRRE-Label aktiv ? Was veranlaßte Dich, das Label ins Leben zu rufen?

    Nachdem ich 1982 das Irre Fanzine (8 Ausgaben) eingestellt hatte – ich zudem eher in der Provinz (und das gerne) zuhause und zudem kein Musiker war/- wollte ich etwas neben den üblichen Tätigkeiten (Familie/ Beruf/ Sport..) irgendwas „neues“ nach Möglichkeit kreatives beginnen. Damals gab es einige – ich nenn sie mal liebevoll Tapetäter – (vor allemGraf Haufen!!/ Alpdruck/ Molto Menz u.a.), die mich unheimlich inspiriert hatten – es gab Tapereleases, tolle unabhängig mit Pritstift und Schere erstellte Fanzines, jede Menge kleinere Vertriebe, Ideen…. und das alles hat mich letztendlich zum Start des Irre-Tapes Labels inspiriert…eine Entscheidung die ich zunächst nicht bereuen sollte……

    After I stopped the IRRE-fanzine in 1982 (8 editions) and being at home in my province (which I liked), my aim was to start something new and creative as a non-musician beside the usual daily taks (family/profession/sport). At that time there were already many tape-artists like Graf Haufen/Alpdruck/Molto Merz who inspired me most. There were tape-releases realized with pritstick and fanzines made with scissors, many small distributors, ideas…and all these things inspired me for the start of my IRRE-tape-label, a decision I should not regret first…

    What does IRRE mean?
    Wofür steht der Begriff “IRRE”?

    Keine spezielle Bedeutung. Als ich das IRRE Fanzine Nr. 1 erstellte (bestehend größtenteils aus vielen Collagen), suchte ich einfach eine schöne Schlagzeile in einer Zeitschrift, da stand dann irgendwo groß IRRE und so hab ich das ausgeschnippelt, aufs Titelbild geklebt und das Fanzine IRRE genannt – später war es naheliegend auch das Tape Label so zu benennen, aber große Gedanken hab ich mir damals wirklich nicht gemacht…

    There is no special meaning. When I worked on the IRRE-fanzine No.1 (consisting of many collages) I was searching for a nice headline in a magazine…some time later there was the title IRRE in it which I cut out and glued on the cover picture while changing the fanzine-title to IRRE as well…later it was obvious that the tape-label should have the same name but to be honest I was not thinking about it so much…

    How did you spread the word of the tape label? Magazines, other labels, radio?
    Wie hattest Du das Label bekannt gemacht? Durch Magazine, andere Labels, Radio?

    Tja ob IRRE Tapes je bekannt war? Wenn dann eher durch das unabhängige Netzwerk in der ganzen Welt, damals konnte man auch noch kostengünstig Tapes in andere Länder schicken… die Mehrzahl der Tapes wurde mit Gleichgesinnten in der ganzen Welt getauscht, so richtig kommerziell verkauft wurden die wenigsten – dafür hab ich heute aber auch noch unzählige Kisten alter Tapes die ich im Tausch damals bekommen hatte. Es gab zwar auch kommerziellere Vertriebe, die aber nie wirklich lange z.B. der tolle 235 Laden ich glaube in Bad Honnef. Die hatten auch mit tolle Mailorder-Kataloge, geniale Ideen z.B. gab es da das Tape des Monats das man per Dauerauftrag bekommen konnte……

    Well, if IRRE-tapes were really that popular? If so, the independent network all around the world helped to make the label popular…at that time postage for tapes to be sent to other countries was quite cheap…the majority of tapes was swapped with artists all around the world and only a very few were really commercially sold. I still have many boxes full of old tapes that I received by trade. There were also more commercial distributors that never existed so long, like the 235-shop in Bad Honnef. They had great mailorder-catalogues and it was even possible to get there the „tape of the month“ by periodical payment order.

    Did you get much interest from outside of Germany?
    War das Interesse außerhalb Deutschland groß?

    Wie schon erwähnt – damals waren die Portokosten noch bezahlbar, vor allem in den Staaten gab es jede Menge teilweise heute noch aktiver Menschen (Don Campau/ Harsh Reality/ Audiofile Tapes und unzählige mehr), da gabs dann einen regen Musikaustausch; man hat auch gegenseitig Tapes releast; es gab Kooperationen und eine richtig gute vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit, da hab ich jede Menge toller Erfahrungen gemacht, und nicht eine negative…. beinahe hätte ich sogar mal eine Cassette von Al Perry releasen können – das wärs gewesen was?

    As mentioned before: at that time postage could still be paid…especially in the States there were a lot of active people (even until now) like Don Campau, Harsh Reality and Audiofile Tapes…there was a lot of activity in exchanging and realising material. There were excellent trustful collaborations and I could make a lot of positive experiences in them… not even one was negative…and I even almost managed to release a tape by Al Perry which would have been really sensational.

    How did you decide on releasing artists? Did bands/artists send you tapes that you liked and re-released? Or, did you ask people to make tapes for IRRE?
    Wie kam es dazu, die Arbeiten von Künstlern zu veröffentlichen? Hatten Bands/Künstler Dir Tapes geschickt, die Dir gefielen und die Du daraufhin wiederveröffentlicht hast? Oder hattest Du Leute kontaktiert, um Tapes von ihnen auf IRRE herauszubringen?

    Ganz unterschiedlich, teilweise sind Bands/Musiker auf mich zugekommen, teilweise ging die Initivative von mir aus. Bei Samplern hab ich manchmal spezial eingeladen (Themensampler), teilweise was da war zusammengestellt… auch wieder ganz individuell – Marktstudien gabs keine ha ha.

    That varied…partly bands or musicians contacted me, partly I took the initiative…For some samplers I sometimes invited some special artists and things were combined to a kind of compilations with a special subject…there were no market-studies…haha…

    IRRE released several compilation tapes. How did you choose the selections? Were they simply favorites of yours?
    IRRE hatte mehrere Compilation-Tapes herausgebracht. Wie hattest Du die Auswahl getroffen? Waren es insbesondere Deine Favoriten?

    Sampler waren immer ein wichtiger Bestandteil bei IRRE Tapes. Gerade die ganz (ganz) frühen Compilations (Sommerzeit/ Das Ende vom Anfang/ Ein Herz in Not) sind natürlich meine Favoriten, man muß sich mal vorstellen welche Bands da zusammengestellt wurden? Ganz toll (ja ja ich weiß) auch der Lifestyle you need Sampler, da gabs Musik von vier tollen Labels aus unterschiedlichen Ländern (Monif/ Schweiz – Servil/ Deutschland – Insane/ Belgien – Color/ England). Sehr schön m.E. auch die Samplerserie „The power and the passion“ (10 Ausgaben)….. und natürlich so Themensampler wie die beiden Rambo Compilations, wahnsinn was da tolle Beiträge gekommen sind— unglaublich! Oder „Panic“, oder „Welcome to sleepy-eye“ oder oder oder…

    Samplers were always a main part of IRRE-tapes. Especially the oldest compilations such as Sommerzeit or Das Anfang vom Ende/Ein Herz in Not are my favourites, of course…one just has to think about the way which bands have been combined. And really cool was the Lifestyle you need-sampler that consisted of music from four different countries (Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and England). Furthermore I like the 10 editions of The power and the passion and other samples with a certain subject like Rambo, Panic or Welcome to sleepy eye…incredible what the artists created for these tapes.

    You released tapes of pop, electronic, noise, rock and more. Was there a philosophy behind IRRE? Did you want IRRE to be associated with a certain sound?
    Du hast Tapes mit Pop, Elektronik, Noise, Rock usw. herausgebracht. Gab es eine Philosophie hinter IRRE? Sollte IRRE mit einem bestimmten Sound in Verbindung gebracht werden?

    Die Philosophie war eher keinen „bestimmten“ Sound zu releasen; veröffentlicht wurde was gefiel, das konnte Schweizer Welttraumpop sein, englischer Indie Rock, Spacerock (Alien Planetscapes/ Magic moments at twilight time) bizarre Elektronik (Frankreich/Italien), gut hörbare Soundkünstler. Punk, Experimentelles, Dilentantisches —— eine unglaubliche Vielfalt, das würde sich heute wohl keiner mehr trauen, das ging nur damals…

    The philosophy was rather not to concentrate on a special sound…I published what I liked…that could have been space-pop from Switzerland, English indie rock, spacerock (Alien Planetscapes/Magic moments at twilight time), bizarre electronics from France or Italy and sound-artists. Punk, experimental music, dilettant works…an incredible variety that really worked in the past…nowadays nobody would dare to release such a mixture.

    What were some of your favorite releases on IRRE?
    Welches waren Deine Lieblingsveröffentlichungen auf IRRE?

    Die früheren meiner Meinung nach richtig interessanten weil innovativen Releases (Kratzer/ Psycho 2000/ Die Regierung/ Attrition/ Stress/ Poison Dwarfs/ Guz/ Der böse Bub Eugen) gehören zu meinen Lieblingen, abundzu hör ich mal so alte Sachen und denke, wow – das war/ ist echt klasse Musik – Kronstadt (IT008 – auf der B Seite Toshiyuki Hiraoka aus Japan!!!- welch schräger Gitarrensound, unglaublich!) ist jedoch mein absolutes Highlight – sowas von genial was dieser Musiker da gemacht hat, unglaublich. Und wenn ich es noch sagen darf, der The Perfect Day Sampler mit u.a. einem Stück der Deep Freeze Mice, Wow! Stolz! und Almost Human aus Wuppertal – und Siegmar Fricke aus Wilhelmshaven und The Rorschach Garden und Fit und Limo und Der böse Bub Eugen und GUZ und Stress und Attrition aus England und Der Böse Bub Eugen und GUZ aus der Schweiz…

    The earlier really interesting and innovative releases (Kratzer/ Psycho 2000/ Die Regierung/ Attrition/ Stress/ Poison Dwarfs/ Guz/ Der böse Bub Eugen) belong to my absolute favourites, sometimes I listen to this old stuff and think „wow that was great music“. Kronstadt (IT008 on the B-side Toshiyuki Hiraoka from Japan, what a bizarre guitarsound, incredible!) is my Abolute highlight…he’s simply pure genius, incredible! And other highlights I have to mention: The Perfect Day Sampler with a track by Deep Freeze Mice, Wow! Proud! and Almost Human from Wuppertal – and Siegmar Fricke fromWilhelmshaven and The Rorschach Garden and Fit und Limo and Der böse Bub Eugen and Stress and Attrition from England and Der Böse Bub Eugen and GUZ from Switzerland…

    Did you ever receive enough sales to offset the costs of doing business?
    Hattest Du durch den Verkauf die Kosten wieder kompensieren können/Gewinn machen können?

    Nein! es war ein reines Zuschußgeschäft – ich hab jede Menge Geld reingesteckt aber da es ein Hobby war und viel Spaß gemacht hat, es gab viele Freundschaften, Kontakte….das zählt mehr als kommerzielle Gewinne…..und ich war nie Raucher— andere pustens in die Luft, ich habs für Briefmarken und Leertapes ausgegeben..

    No! It was pure investment, and hobby! It made a lot of fun; there were many friendships and contacts and this counts much more than commercial profit…I have never been a smoker…while others just blew their smoke into the air I invested the money in stamps and spare tapes.

    Why did you decide to stop IRRE?
    Aus welchem Grund hattest Du die Labelaktivitäten gestoppt?

    private Gründe – die Zeit – es war 1995 – war reif, die Labelarbeit zuenden!

    Private reasons…in 1995 it was time to stop all the label-activities.

    Do you think there is any lasting legacy to cassette culture?
    Gibt es Deiner Meinung nach ein bleibendes Erbe aus der Kassettenkultur?

    Nein – lediglich die ganzen Cassetten die in diversen Haushälten noch rumfliegen; manche halten sie heilig (meine Tapekisten stehen seit Jahrzehnten schön ordentlich auf dem Speicher), bei anderen hat man gehört das alles in die Tonne flog, unverzeihlich!

    No, all what remains are the tapes that still belong to the households…for some people they are a kind of holy treasure. My tapeboxes are well placed at the attic for decades), whereas others simply threw them all away…inexcusable!

    What projects interest you now?
    An welchen Projekten bist Du zur Zeit interessiert?

    Nun, natürlich bin ich der Musik weiterhin treu geblieben aber eher als „Hörer“ – selbst aktiv in irgendeiner Art und Weise bin ich nicht! Obwohl es da mal einige Jahre das Musikprojekt Mr. Moto gab mit einigen Releases und jeder Menge Samplerbeiträgen… damals hatten mich die sogenannten „Krach-Kult-Bands“ wie Haters inspiriert. Aber musikalisch war das eher bescheiden… hat aber irgendwie auch einwenig Spaß gemacht…

    Well, of course I remained true to the music but rather as a listener…I am no longer active in a musical way. Although there has been the musicproject Mr.Moto for some years (with some releases + sampler-contributions)…well I was inspired by the cult-noise bands like The Haters. But musically it was rather modest…however it was funny…

    Is there any thought of re-issuing some IRRE tapes as CDs or downloads?
    Hast Du die Wiederveröffentlichung von IRRE-Tapes als CDs oder Downloads in Erwägung gezogen?

    Nein – die Zeiten sind einfach andere geworden. Früher ging auch alles ohne Finanzamt, ohne Ausweis der Mehrwertsteuer, heute ging das nicht mehr und den Stress tue ich mir nicht mehr. Es gibt ja aber einige Labels die Tapemusik der frühen Jahre neu veröffentlichen (WSDP/ Kernkrach/ Back Again…); vielleicht kommt da mal noch mehr. Vielleicht wenn ich mal in Rente bin, solange dauert das ja auch nicht mehr…

    No, simply times have changed. In the past everything worked without internal revenue, without tax documents…today it would not be as easy and I simply don’t need that bureaucratic stress. However there are labels that republish their works of the early years (WSDP/ Kernkrach/ Back Again…); perhaps there will be more in the furture…perhaps when I am in pension…not so far away…

    Do you think the internet can offer the same feeling of community as the cassette scene?
    Denkst Du, daß das Internet das gleiche Gefühl einer Gemeinschaft wie die damalige Kassettenszene schaffen kann?

    NEIN – die Zeit damals war eigenartig, schön für jeden der mit dabei war, aber sowas kommt defintiv nicht wieder….Gruß an die Menschen die den Flair von damals versuchen aufrechtzuerhalten…

    No, that period was simply unique…great for everyone who took part but those times will definitely never come back. Greetings to the people who try to reactivate the good old spirit of the past.

    Anything else you would like to mention?
    Gibt es weitere Punkte, die Du uns mitteilen möchtest?

    Erwähnen möchte ich noch das es auf IRRE Records eine 7“ von The Unpleasant Surprise (lim. 500 St.) gab – das war eine Band aus Berlin die ganz happy waren hier eine 7“ veröffentlichen zu können; und es war auch eine traumhafte schöne Zusammenarbeit mit der Band, echt stark. Die 7“ kam im Klappcover mit Photos/ Textblatt und fünf wunderschönen Pop Stücken. Weiterhin gab es eine ganze Zeit den IT-Newsletter d.h. alle 2 Monate wurde ein 8-seitiger Newsletter g/ Portokostenerstattung verteilt; da wurden Adressen, Reviews, Berichte etc. in komprimierter Form weitergeben – der ITN war sehr beliebt damals (es gab noch kein Internet!!) und hat mir ebenso wie das Label großen Spaß gemacht.

    I still have to mention that there has been a 7“-single by The Unpleasant Surprise (lim. 500 copies) on IRRE, that was a band from Berlin who were happy to release a 7“ on my label…and it was a beautiful collaboration. The 7“ was released in a foldout-cover with pictures/textsheet and five wonderful popsongs. Furthermore thare has been the IT-newsletter…every two months another newsletter of 8 pages was distributed in the mail against postage fee; addresses, reviews and reports were included…this ITN was a hit at that time (as internet did not exist) and it made a lot of fun…

    Natürlich hat alles zwei Seiten im Leben, so möchte ich zumindest ganz kurz auch andere! Sachen vorstellen, die mich damals beschäftigten: einmal habe ich eine C30 einer Band veröffentlicht die mich dann des „Kommerzes“ (beinahe) angeklagt hat – natürlich völlig zu Unrecht, aber nachdem mir mit Anwalt gedroht wurde hab ich sogar alle Cover und Unterlagen und Master an die Band bzw. deren obskuren Manager zurückgeschickt, ganz ganz seltsam, aber dieser Manager da und sein Umfeld (ich hab den Brief noch heute!!!) – eine ganz eigene und total doofe unnötige Aufregung, egal! Ich hab gelernt draus. Dann hab ich mal eine Split MC mit Fit und Limo (eigenbrötlerischer sehr minimaler Pop) und Stratis (ernst gemeintere Elektronikmusik) veröffentlicht, ich glaube diese Kombination war keine so gute Idee und Stratis waren damals auch nicht so glücklich darüber, egal, man kann auch mal daneben schießen, böse gemeint war es nicht…

    Of course, there also have been things that were less pleasant: after I released a C30 by a band, I was later almost accused by this band for „commercialisation“ as they wrote. Of course, this was all ridiculous and wrongful. I sent them all covers, masters and scripts back after I even have been threatened by their lawyer. Their manager was really obsure…it was all really strange and I still have their letter…a purely unnecessary excitement from their side…I drew my conclusions from that…

    Another story was a split MC of FIT UND LIMO (minimal, unique pop) and STRATIS ( more serious electronic music). I think that this combination was not the best idea and STRATIS were not very happy with the result…well, sometimes I also missed the aim but…well it was not intended.

    Aber die ersten Klänge von Die Regierung (zahlreiche Vinyl/ CD Alben bei der Industrie) auf MC zu veröffentlichen, oder einen Song der Deep Freeze Mice exclusiv zu bekommen, Chaos Z hatten mal was für einen Sampler geschickt! oder Attrition (mit Alu) als Split MC gemacht zu haben – auch die Poison Dwarfs hatten mit Cut eine tolle K7 gemacht (die aktuell als CD in Deutschland wieder veröffentlicht wurde)… schön schön! The Rorschach Garden sind ja noch gut im Geschäft, auch die eifrigen Maeror Tri waren auf IRRE-Tapes, ebenso Opera Multi Steel – - und in einschlägen Verkaufsforen wird dann die eine oder andere Original Irre Cassette schon mal recht teuer angeboten…

    I published the first sounds from Die Regierung (many Vinyl/CD publications until now) on MC an got an exclusive song from Deep Freeze Mice…even Chaos Z sent a contribution to one of my samplers…or a split-MC of Attrition with Alu…, even the Poison Dwarfs made a great cassette with Cut (that has been rereleased in Germany)…really beautiful…The Rorschach Garden are still well in business, also Maeror Tri were on Irre-tapes, also Opera Multi Steel…sometimes early original IRRE-tapes are offered for high prices on online-platforms.

    Danke an Siegmar Fricke/ Don Campau und ganz speziell und besonders herzlich (er weiß warum) Thomas Gerlach „er lebe hoch“:

    Thank you to Siegmar Fricke/Don Campau and especially kind regards to Thomas Gerlach (he knows why)…long live Thomas!

    Matthias Lang, February 2011

    Matthias Lang
    Bärendellstr.35
    66862 Kindsbach
    West-Germany
    dasappartment@gmx.de

    selected discography

    T120 Tiegelmann NIE ERSCHIENEN

    IT119 Olaf Seider/ Obskurität C60 (Zusammenstellung div. Tracks 1990-1994, stilistisch schwer einzuordnende Experimentalmusik)

    IT118 The Matching Five/ Part II C60 (The Hahamandat/ Harsh Reality Side of “5” – the number of communication) mit Booklet

    IT117 Matching Five/ Part I C60 (The EE Tapes/ Old Europa Side of “5” – the number of communication) mit Booklet

    IT116 Substanz T/ Live in der Metzgerstraße C60 (Live Performance vom März 1994, faszinierender 60minütiger Auftritt einer großen Band)

    IT115 Browning Mummery/ Browning mummory C46 (Kult Industrial/Electronics from Australia’s best label ZERO CABAL)

    IT114 Psy*Phalanx/ All our sins remembered C46 (Kult Industrial/ Electronics from Australia’s best label ZERO CABAL)

    IT113 Monteferro Coilco/ Katatoner Stupor NIE ERSCHIENEN

    IT112 Cosmic Dance Society/ Dilemma & the king of thing C46 (Bärenstarker sehr tanzbarer abwechlsungsreicher Sound eines tollen Duos)

    IT111 Never no stop to play/ Compilation C60 (Heat Beat Cut/ Siegmar Fricke/ 1SBH/ WF and the ?/ Mill valley taters/ Finnegan’s wake…)

    IT110 The Rorschach Garden/ Rain culture C46 (Absolute phantastic music between dark-elektronic, technology and classical monuments)

    IT109 Lord Litter/ The Grover in on the right side C60 (The lost litter album, 12 great songs from Lord Litter – Photo-Cover limitiert 50 St.)

    IT108 Nothing but lost music/ Compilation C60 (The Rorschach Garden/ S. Fricke/ Steel kiss cart/ G.P.U./ The Conspiracy/ Nomuzic…)

    IT107 The Evasion on stake/ Sometimes I feel my thoughts. And it hurts C46 (The best tape of The Evasion on stake so far..)

    IT106 The Conspiracy/ Live and unplugged C46 (name = programm, with lots of covertunes by Neil Young, Beatles, T.Rex…)

    IT105 Sabotage/ In your world! C46 (germany’s best techno and more band with some remixes and unreleased tracks)

    IT104 Porno/Yes-ographie/ Vol. 3 Compilation C46 (“american version” with music by Arttek/ Jim Jean/ Spilling static orchestra/ L.G. Mair, Jr. +

    as german special guest L’Edarps A Moth – limited first edition <30> with real color picture and contact zones for wild sex people)

    IT103 Porno/Yes-ographie/ Vol. 2 Compilation C46 (“hardcore version” with music by The C.V. Army Mixing Service, Markus Schwill, Die

    Rache, Olaf Seider + Endzeitgeneration – limited first edition <30> with 15 × 15 cm cover and hardcore picture and more surprises)

    IT102 Porno/Yes-ographie/ Vol. 1 Compilation C46 (music by Schmertz der Welten/ Siegmer Fricke/ L’Edarps A Moth/ Edition Grundmann

    + Neubert – limited first edition <30> with booklet and cover with real color softcore pictures – a real surprise with fantastic soundideas)

    IT101 Markus Schwill/ und sein Künstler töten Künstler C60 (bizarr-electronics/vocals from this very know musican from berlin)

    IT100 Jubliläumscompilation “A tribute to IRRE-Tapes” C90 – 37 Songs, Cover by Kix Multimedia!!

    (mit Sack/ Into the abyss/ Halo Svevo/ The Swoons/ L’Edarps A Moth/ Lord Litter/ Doc Wör Mirran/ Tesendalo/ Siegmar Fricke u.a.)

    IT099 Paracon/ Waiting for a sign of spirit C60 (Das Trauma Syndrom + L.G. Mair, jr with endless-spheric-rhythm-sound, wonderful!!)

    IT098 Patternclear/ Halo Svevo – Split Cassette C46 (Great electronic pop from england and germany )

    IT097 Invisible Universe/ Transient Age C46 (very great electronicmusic from finland)

    IT096 Siegmar Fricke/ Booster C60 (technopop from germany’s best dance master)

    IT095 Endzeitgeneration/ Basis C46 (industrial overkill from Alex Frick, Neuzeitliche Tonkonstruktionen)

    IT094 Crawling with tarts/ 2 snak 2 rider C46 (live performance from san francisco/ USA, live 25.2.1992)

    IT093 L.G. Mair, Jr./ Music for winefriede C46 (great electronic sounds with lots of good rhythmics, very powerful)

    IT092 D.S.I.P./ Comarousal C60 (brandnew release by siegmar fricke and dieter mauson)

    IT091 Dead goldfish ensemble/ Listen ‘Ear C46 (absolute killer k7 by this band from england, like rimarimba or philipp glass)

    IT090 Eric Hausmann/ Mr. Coffee C60 (lots of good tracks from this US-artist, with harmonica, accordion and trumpet)

    IT089 Blowhole/ Truth is beauty C60 (indsutrial noise jazz with lots of saxophones, it blows you from your chair.., jeph jerman + friends)

    IT088 Unpleasant Surprise/ Don’t ask why C46 (12 livetracks from 1992, hear this lovely berlin band live, an absolute must)

    IT087 Idle State/ Brain drops C46 ( keyboards, midi-guitar, voices, flutes, effects, great minimal-music)

    IT086 Arttek/ Six is nine C60 (experimental-electronics from the states, with lots of surprising sounds)

    IT085 Dauerfisch/ Der Traum der Halbtagsharfenistin C60 (XTC meets Foyer des Arts? The very best of this absolute great band!!)

    IT084 WF & the question/ Trash C60 (space-echoes? guitar trash? great release from a musican from cologne/ germany)

    IT083 Deutsches Kulturgut – Tesendalo/ Rückwärts – Vorwärts C60 (split k7 by Wurzer/ Clockwork-Tapes and Schuster/ Prion-Tapes)

    IT082 The Power and the Passion/ Vol. 10 Compilation C46 (Siegmar Fricke/ Unpleasant Surprise/ Liquid sound system..)

    IT081 Cancerous Growth/ Versowomesh C60 (Chris Phinney and Michael Jackson from the USA, very ambient collages)

    IT080 Doc Wör Mirran/ Brocolli June Harvest C60 (industrial-guitar-sounds from the best industrial-guitar-sounds-band! feat. Jello Biafra…)

    IT079 F. Lopez + M.A. Ruiz/ La primera… C60 (original motion soundtrack from a film I’ve never seen, both musicians from spain)

    IT078 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 9 Compilation C46 (X-Ray Pop/ Didi/ Autumn/ Aftermath/ Memento/ Phil Clarke…)

    IT077 Siegmar Fricke/ Electrohome europe C60 (techno-experimental-beat-pop, who does it better than Siegmar Fricke)

    IT076 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 8 Compilation C46 (Almost Human/ Christopher Cooper/ Didi/ The bugs know best…)

    IT075 South Africa/ Swedish – Compilation C60 (Sphinx holotronic/ Paul Wiggens/ P.P.P./ systema scrotum/ Overlords/ Virsors Inc…)

    IT074 Recursos Ajenos/ 84-86 + Tecnica Material/ Espectros C60 (limited edition 100, legendary tapesounds from 1986/spain)

    IT073 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 7 Compilation C46 (Umpire/ Mental Anguish/ Megaphobia/ Ambulatorio Segreto/ PP?…)

    IT072 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 6 Compilation C46 (Halo Svevo/ Almost Human/ PP?/ Sha 261/ Passion Arrows…)

    IT071 5 – The number of communication C60 (side A: birds of a feather, side B: amanda, messy + friends, released on 5 labels worldwide)

    IT070 Heat Beat Cut/ Too late to scream C60 (cabaret voltaire, eno, zappa, joy division, hendrix, SPK = limited edition: 100! go for it)

    IT069 Bernd Böhm/ Soundtracks C46 (6 various soundtracks for films and art exhibition)

    IT068 The Drum Fondu/ The singer just left the band C46 (17 instrumental tracks from this belgium band, music with 1oo% power)

    IT067 Magic moments at twilight time/ Flashbax Vol. 3 C46 (the worlds best space-rock-band, I’m in love with this very fine people)

    IT066 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 5 Compilation C46 (No Comment/ Terrorplan/ Sack/ Didi/ This Shrinking Feeling…)

    IT065 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 4 Compilation C46 (Alvaro/ L’Edarps A Moth/ Unpleasant Surprise/ M. Nomized…)

    IT064 M. Nomized/ Patchwork C60 (no voices, no rhythms, believe me, the best sound from m. nomized/ france)

    IT063 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 3 Compilation C46 (Solanaceae Tau/ L’Edarps A Moth/ Darkstar/ Chainsaw…)

    IT062 New tits on the cock/ Grollende Erde lallende Götter C60 (masters of the industrial universe: S. Fricke/ M. Wurzer/ A. Vogel,)

    IT061 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 2 Compilation C46 (X-Ray Pop/ Council Anderson/ Siegmar Fricke/ Lord Litter…)

    IT060 Viktimized Karcass/ Forsaken and alone C60 (very hot space-guitar-rock from the states, go and rock with it)

    IT059 Daniel Triana/ Snap shots and short stories C60 (2nd release from Daniel Triana from the states, I like this music very much)

    IT058 Sphinx/ The secret of.. C60 (from south africa, very various and mysterious songs in very different dimensions I think)

    IT057 The Power and the passion/ Vol. 1 Compilation C46 (Phil Clarke/ Ripzmag/ L.G. Mair, Jr./ Das Trauma Syndrom…)

    IT056 Technostria + Telepherique/ 1986 C46 ( a real industrial project about tschernobyl, strictly limited edition: 60)

    IT055 Brume/ Electrogoaculation C60 (from france: realised with electronics, tapes, metal, horns…+ guestmusicans…)

    IT054 Dark Enigma/ Revelations C46 (great dark electronic from uk, like lustmord, or better than them., who knows it)

    IT053 Unpleasant Surprise/ Wrong way right picture C46 (more than surprise pop from berlin, hear their first 7” on IRRE RECORDS!!)

    IT052 L.G. Mair, Jr./ Electronic dreamscapes C60 (two long and very electronic symphonies from the USA with streetsounds from spain)

    IT051 Donald Campau/ Mixed messages C46 (european version from this us-release, with 5 bonustracks feat. Lord Litter)

    IT050 The Kitchen/ Tape jazz planet 3 C46 (killercassette, the best music irre-tapes has ever released! you must buy it!)

    IT049 XTSW-If Bwana/ Reaper C46 (A: XTSW – live, B: Al Margolis: violin/ trompones …, if you love us-experimental music, a must for you)

    IT048 Monochrome Bleu/ Stay or go C60 (limited edition 100, also released on DIE IND/A + LADD-FRITH/USA, great cover artwork)

    IT047 Daniel Triana/ Selections C60 (20 songs from this member of Bellas Artes, hear IT033 please)

    IT046 L’Edarps A Moth/ Konstruierte Musik C46 (dark funk,techno light and “wohnzimmer ethno beat”, one of his best releases so far)

    IT045 Herd of ether space/ Dada’s little psycho C60 (a great music adventure with very crazy songs, have no words for it)

    IT044 EELO/ Turn it on C46 (a collection of killertracks from this mysterious band from states)

    IT043 Engine off/ Compilation C60 (Didi/ Arttek/ The Smells from hell/ Baltus…)

    IT042 Mental Anguish/ Rufuscent C60 (spaceelectronics from harsh reality mastermind chris phinney/US)

    IT041 Maeror Tri-Nostalgie Eternelle/ Somnia et expergisci C60 (split k7 with two great bands from germany, with photo-cover)

    IT040 An introduction to EE-Tapes/ Compilation C46 (Frontline assembly/ Klimperei/ Psyclones/ Human flesh/ Dead goldfish ensemble…)

    IT039 Solanaceae Tau/ Outdoor expressions C46 (bestseller k7 from a band from germany, like siouxsie, creatures, x-mal deutschland…)

    IT038 Nomuzic/ News you can choose C60 (great pop and more music from america’s best, america’s wildest carl howard/ audiofile tapes)

    IT037 Almost Human/ No style music C46 (guitarmusic like early cure, in the meantime they have a great cd release)

    IT036 Siegmar Fricke/ Speedhouse + exoticore C46 (electronic-dance-beat with a little pop-feeling)

    IT035 This Window/ Morning C60 (best of + remixes + new tracks by this great uk band, one of the best irre releases)

    IT034 The Whirlpool Defender/ Compilation C46 (Franktireur/ Henry Hektik/ This Window/ Solanaceae Tau…)

    IT033 The Perfect Day/ Compilation C60 (The Deep Freeze Mice/ Due/ Almost Human/ Crew/ D.S.I.P./ Lord Litter/ Siegmar Fricke…)

    IT032 The Fuckedtones/ Live 89-90 C46 (14 livetracks from this hot rockin US-guitar/bluesband)

    IT031 Square Sun/ – C46 (very dark and mysterious musicscapes, a walk through a new dimension of music, from england)

    IT030 Sack feat. Martin Martin/ Live in Germany 1988 C60 (complete concert feat. martin martin on guitar, 23 hits, any questions?)

    IT029 Silent talking/ Compilation C60 (Terrorplan/ Big City Orchestra/ Gypsy/ Square Sun…)

    IT028 Terrorplan/ Acidity C46 (fantastic release by ray taylor from uk, music between loop and new order)

    IT027 D.S.I.P./ Abduction of mind C60 (one of the first releases by dieter mauson and siegmar fricke, and one of the absolute best…)

    IT026 Flagrants D’Eli/ Carnaval C60 (the best of this great french punkband, very melodic poppunk with fantastic female singer)

    IT025 Cephalic Index & Nomuzic/ A better way to die C90 (five long soundscapes from michael jackson + nomuzic, both from the states)

    IT024 M. Nomized/ Sample 4 C60 (great music from france, 16 songs about love, sex, death and more)

    IT023 Panic/ Compilation C60 (Ditto/ Glatze des Willens/ Rattus Rexx/ Poison Dwarfs…)

    IT022 City of Worms/ Quester C90 (dark US-industrial, side a studio, side b live 1987 – killertape, irre-tapes bestseller)

    IT021 Gregorian George/ Aluminum Eden C46 (wonderful relaxed music from us-artist gregorian george, turns direct into your mind)

    IT020 Welcome to sleepy eye/ Compilation C60 (PCR/ Big City Orchestra/ Mental Anguish/ Terrorplan…)

    IT019 The big deal/ Compilation C60 (Idol eyes/ Nomuzic/ Viktimized Karcass/ Sebastian Gandera…)

    IT018 Alien Planetscapes/ Celestial dance hits C60 (70s spacerock from the states like amon düül, gong or can)

    IT017 Stefano Biasin/ Nana bobo C46 (dark soundscapes from italy with violin and samplings)

    IT016 X-Ray Pop/ June 89 repetitions C60 (live concert from this french band – limited edition with photocover)

    IT015 Opera Multi Steel/ The very best of C60 (great melodic pop from france, limited edition 100 with photocover)

    IT014 Rambo – I want you to listen/ Compilation C60 (Due/ Traumspiel/ Doc Wör Mirran/ Brain Ink/ Trigger-B/ Flagrants D’eli…)

    IT013 Rambo – The real soundtrack/ Compilation C60 (Monochrome bleu/ Trigger-B/ Sack/ Nostalgie Eternelle/ Die Rache/ Inutil…)

    IT012 Night and day (dreams)/ Compilation C60 (GV/ X-Ray Pop/ Angels of the odd/ Josef boys…, great photo-cover)

    IT011 Ventral Metaphor/ Paradox – Splitcassette C60 (Two long and very mysterious soundscapes from Israel and Spain, limited Edition: 200)

    IT010 Now: a new style of music/ Compilation C60 (Paradox/ K Double M/ Lord Litter/ Sektor/ De Fabriek…, limited edition: 200)

    IT009 Poison Dwarfs/ Cut C46 (A collection of unreleased killertunes, with booklet incl. all lyrics)

    IT008 Kronstadt/ Toshiyuki Hiraoka – Splitcassette C60 (Heavy Guitarfunk/jazz by japanese artist T.H. and great pop from Kronstadt)

    IT007 Guz/ Der böse bub Eugen – Splitcassette C60 (Rare demotracks by Eugen and the best of GUZ, tapeking from switzerland)

    IT006 Lifestyle you need/ Compilation C60 (4-label compilation: MONIF/INSANE/SERVIL/COLOR: Shiny Gnomes/ Welttraumforscher/ WR7/

    Fit und Limo/ Unwillings/ Modern Art/ Mystery Plane/ CP..)

    IT005 Jar/ Lord Litter – Splitcassette C60 (The best of + rare + unreleased tracks by Jar and Lord Litter)

    IT004 Alu/ Attrition – Splitcassette C60

    IT003 Stress/ Thomas Struszka – Splitcassette C60

    IT002 Das Ende vom Anfang/ Compilation C60 (Alu/ Neros tanzende Elektropäpste/ Wilde Spiele/ Keine Ahnung/ Sinalco Fluor S/ Sonne Mond

    und Sterne/ Nahkampf/ Ich…)

    IT001 Ein Herz in Not/ Compilation C60 (Part form/ Attrition/ Demian/ Neros tanzende Elektropäpste/ BGS/ Leidende Angestellte…)

    Kratzer/ Nie wieder Irrtum C20

    Die Regierung/ Nie wieder Euphorie C20 (Minimal synth)

    Pseudo 2000/ Pseudo 2000 C40

    Sommerzeit/ Compilation C60 (Last Exit/ Chaos Z/ Nahkampf/ Die Regierung/ Poison Dwarfs/ Thomas Struszka..)

    Vermillion Virago/ Thomas Struszka – Splitcassette C10

    Stratis/ Fit und Limo Split – Splitcassette C60

    IRRE-Records

    Unpleasant Surpise/ The fear 5-track 7” limited Edition 500

    A more recent picture of Matthias Lang of IRRE Tapes overlooking his gigantic underground tape catalog below.

    back to top
  • Features

    news

    Last update: 23 February 2018

    artist spotlights

    tape of the month

    With free downloads!

    cassettes - USA

    cassettes - INTL

    feature articles

    perspectives

    interviews

    early experiences

    Departments

    tape labels

    publications

    mail art

    lost & forgotten

    special packaging

    home taper vinyl

    resources

    Atom | RSS