Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung

Few bands were more successful in Europe in the '80s than Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung (often abbreviated as E.A.V.), a German-language rock outfit primarily seen as a fun band, with humorous, often intentionally silly lyrics and extravagant stage shows, but whose catchy pop songs often included political and social criticism beneath a clownish surface. In its native Austria, the band scored five gold albums and ten platinum or multi-platinum albums (1987's Liebe, Tod & Teufel went platinum sixfold) and had three number one chart hits and 11 more Top Ten singles. Despite the strong Austrian dialect of their lyrics, they found success in Germany and in Switzerland as well. ~ Christian Genzel