EBM stands for Electronic Body Music and describes a style of music that is very rhythmic and danceable and aims to get the body moving.
It is rumoured that DAF (Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft) made music that characterises this genre: hard, fast beats, underpinned by a synth carpet and fuelled by aggressive-looking spoken vocals. The limitation to the body - with posture and muscle power - is also reflected in the visual appearance of the bands and fans. They look like soldiers and often even wear uniforms. However, they rarely have anything to do with the military.
In the early 90s, the EBM scene dissolved into the emerging techno and rave scene. However, some bands survived in the black scene and still provide fans with fresh music today.
Typical clothes
Although the EBMer looks military, he usually is not. He wears cargo trousers in a patch camouflage look, heavy combat boots and covers his upper body with shirts or just tank tops. To protect himself from the cold, he wears the classic bomber jackets that found their way into the subculture back in the 80s. Those who want to keep it simple put on a uniform.
The appearance of female EBM fans is similar to that of men, but appears more feminine. The most feminine dress variant is a uniform with a tight, long skirt and a "little ship" as headgear.
Typical make-up
The male EBMer shines through the complete absence of makeup. Only the ladies wear discreet makeup and lipstick with their uniforms. The classic role models are also visually clear in EBM.
Typical hairstyle
As a male EBMer, Mann wears flattop, the typical military-length bikini hairstyle that reminds a few of the young Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode). If you come across a perfectionist EBMer, you can check the function of a ruler on his briquette. Female EBM fans wear their hair short, or in braided pigtails, so that it doesn't fling around uncontrollably during the bodacious dance.
Typical music
DAF laid an important milestone on the way to EBM with their music and influenced the later style of many bands. The track "Verschwende Deine Jugend", for example, shows all the characteristics of a typical EBM song.
With elements of industrial, like the music of Throbbing Gristle, a typical EBM sound emerged, as played by Nitzer Ebb and Front 242, for example. Later, Bigod 20, Pouppée Fabrikk and Vomito Nergro came along, while Spetsnaz, for example, only appeared shortly before the end of the EBM heyday. Most of the earlier EBM bands have not disappeared, but have switched to more popular techno labels. Nevertheless, there is still new EBM music in the scene, or the old heroes are celebrated on stage. DAF still perform at scene events today.
