Element of Crime

German rock group Element of Crime began in 1985, shortly after a different Berlin-based band to which Sven Regener (vocals, guitar, and trumpet) and Jakob Ilja (guitar) belonged, dissolved. Not wanting to quit music, however, the duo added other members, called themselves Element of Crime, and started playing around town. In 1986, their debut full-length, Basically Sad, was released on indie label ATA TAK, after which Polydor began to take interest in the group. ~ Marisa Brown