Westbam - Loveparade - Jul 2008

Biography of Westbam

WestBam, a.k.a. Maximilian Lenz, was born on 4 March 1965 in Münster, Westphalia. Not only is he Germany's most successful and most popular DJ and avantgardist of the Raving Society, he is also the most innovative producer and co-founder of Berlin's Indie Dance label, Low Spirit.

WestBam is in fact the abbreviated form of Westphalia Bambaataa and derives from the artist's home state in Germany and his role model Afrika Bambaataa.

1983 marked the beginning of his DJ career in the Odeon Club in Münster. In 1984 he made a permanent move to Berlin which was still divided by the Wall at that time. WestBam started as DJ at Berlin's famous Metropol and his sophisticated mixing techniques brought him fame far beyond the borders of the divided city.

In 1985 WestBam worked with Klaus Jankuhn to produce his first 12' entitled '17' which was inspired by Paul Hardcastle's '19', one of the first 'sampling' hits of the time. One of the climaxes of those early years was undoubtedly his performance at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul (South Korea) where he gave a German cultural contribution at the invitation of the Goethe Institute.

In 1989 he made his first album 'The Cabinet'. This was the first DJ-concept album to be launched on the German market. This album included the number 'The Roof Is On Fire' and marked the breakthrough for both DJ WestBam as well as Low Spirit Recordings.

After that, things really started moving. 'Monkey Say Monkey Do', 'And Party' and 'No More Fucking Rock 'n Roll' are just some of the titles known to everyone who danced not just in German discos at the time. 1991 saw the arrival of his second album entitled 'A Practising Maniac At Work'. The first Mayday also took place in 1991 (14 December) and WestBam was decisively involved in the artistic concept of this and the following Maydays. WestBam and Klaus Jankuhn teamed up under the name 'Members of Mayday' to produce an anthem for each Mayday event. These Mayday anthems are so popular that they have now reached cult status.

WestBam's album 'Bam Bam Bam' appeared in 1994 containing his most successful single until then 'Celebration Generation' (21 Media Control Charts). The album 'Bam Bam Bam' even reached fourteenth place in the German LP charts and sold over 140 000 times in Germany.

In 1995 WestBam again entered the charts with the remix of the Yello classic 'Bostich'. The first 'Members Of Mayday' LP entitled 'Members only' appeared with all the 'Members' hits. In the same year 'Westbam, Koon and Stephenson' cut 'Always Music'. For this production the two famous studio stars WestBam and Jankuhn joined forces with the Belgian DJ, Axel Stephenson' (Bonzai Rec.).

The highlight of 1995 was unquestionably the tenth anniversary of the Low Spirit label commemorated by the double CD 'The Age Of The DJ Mixer - 10 Years Of Low Spirit' which included ten titles with WestBam.

DJ WestBam's success story continued through 1996. In January Maximilian Lenz received the highly esteemed cultural award from Berlin's biggest daily paper (BZ) and took his place alongside other award holders such as Mario Adorf, Bernhard Minetti and Otto Sander.

1997 surpassed everything previously achieved. In February WestBam's first book was published by Merve. Under the title 'Mixes Cuts & Scratches' WestBam talks about art, life and work as a DJ - interviewed by Rainald Goetz and adding some of his own prose - anecdotes, clips and finds.

June 1997: The Members of Mayday hit the top of German sales charts with 'Sonic Empire' on June 10th. WestBam has made it: Number one in Germany, and with 500.000 copies sold 'Sonic Empire' was awarded platinum.

Just one month later he managed what only a few artists ever achieve. On July,22nd WestBam, together with Dr. Motte, entered the top ten of the German Charts once more. Their anthem for the Love Parade 1997 'Sunshine' was noted number ten - but at this time 'Sonic Empire' was still among the ten bestselling tracks of the country. So WestBam had positioned himself with two tracks among the Top Ten!

The climax of the year 1997 was definitely marked by the album 'We'll Never Stop Livin This Way', notably not only the title of this record but far beyond that WestBam's leitmotiv towards music and record art. A concern that especially during the beginning of his musical career has frequently been misenterpreted or misunderstood.

1998 Max continued no less promising than before - 'Crash Course' marked another chart success.

The by now party-experienced fusion of Electro and Techno was further enhanced by elements from the realm of New Wave sounds, which the Master inimataby blended into formerly unheard audible vistas.

After the unforgettable 'Sunshine', the hit from Love Parade 97, the official anthem for the Love Parade 1998 was again produced by Westbam, together with Dr. Motte and Klaus Jankuhn.

The trio turned out the track 'Love Parade 1998 (One World One Future)' a piece that included new fresh sounds, a wonderful vocal hook and a kicking Electro-House beat.

In August 1998 it was time for - WestBam meets Afrika Bambaataa!

Calling the project I.F.O. the two sound-authorities produced - 'Agharta, The City Of Shamballa (Subterranean World)'. With 'Agharta' the founder of German DJ-culture, WestBam, and the living ancestor of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa, presented their first collaboration. The result was one of the best New-Electro tracks of the year. We call it Technolectro!!!

In 1999 WestBam started out with another Technolectro - cracker hardly to equal. 'Beatbox Rocker' was released at the end of January and hit the top twenty of the German charts right away. Coming Mayday 1999 under the synonym 'Members of Mayday' Max Lenz once more released the anthem for this by now annual event in Dormund. 'Soundtropolis' as the track (and the event) was titled, was well positioned in the dance charts and confirmed this success in the media control charts.

But the biggest highlight of the year 1999 was Maximilian's cooperation with Africa Islam, calling their project Mr. X & Mr. Y.

The partycrowd was quickly convinced by the brilliant show of the two turntable activists. English magazines from Melody Maker to ID were in a flap and also the German audience was able to satisfy themselves by investigation of the live qualities of Mr. X & Mr. Y, especially during their Electric Kingdom club-tour.

As a DJ, Maximilian Lenz is now known and in demand around the world. He already looks back on many successful tours of the USA, Japan, Australia and Africa. He is regular DJ performer at the Berlin Club 'E-Werk' and his gigs at the Mayday events twice a year are always among the highlights.

Without exaggeration, WestBam has had a decisive influence on the techno house cultural movement and his creative impulse is still very much alive and kicking. WestBam is by no means a dedicated follower of fashion but a genuinely creative trendsetter.