CAMOUFLAGE HISTORY
Part six 1994-1996: |  |
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Pop music took a distant back seat for Camouflage. Contact was made with the organizer of an
opera project by means of a common friend. Excited by the proposal, Camouflage invested more
than half a year into the opera project and created visual concepts, experimental sounds and
numerous demo recordings. Frustration became widespread when legal disputes between the
shareholders and organizers prevented any performance from taking place. After these many
experiences Heiko and Marcus had the thought to leave the music business entirely.
The manager of the band "Die Fantastischen 4", A. "Bär" Läsker, had become aware of the band
through their song "Suspicious Love". He heard that Camouflage was without a recording
contract and worked to secure a contract in 1994 with the firm BMG for the German market.
Starting in October Heiko and Marcus recorded the fifth album "Spice Crackers" in their studio
in Hamburg. The new record company allowed complete freedom for the production. The music
that had been written for the opera project (e.g. "Je Suis Le Dieu") and the more open and
playful work approach could now be used on their own new album. Electronic songs were
created based on inspiration from science fiction films. In March 1995 Camouflage played live
in Stuttgart and presented the new material to the public.
August brought the release of the
single "Bad News", September brought the album "Spice Crackers" and at the beginning of
1996 the second single "X-Ray" was released. Due to misdirected projections and marketing
strategies from the new record company and a difficult album concept for the mainstream
market "Spice Crackers" also failed to see success. Work ended with BMG. During 1996 the
Various Artist Compilation CD "Treasury" was also released; this compilation contains the
exclusive song "Winter". Heiko and Marcus changed their residence from Hamburg to Stuttgart.
Marcus worked there as the product manager for the record firm of the group die Fantastischen 4
known as "Four Music". Heiko remained a freelance musician and also produced music for other
groups with the most diverse styles including House and Hip-Hop.
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