Birth Control - Birth Control (1970)

Birth Control - Birth Control (1970)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Birth Control is a German rock band known for their progressive hard rock sound and provocative album covers (such as that of Two Eggs – Two Concerts which depicts a hen cooking eggs).

Birth Control formed in 1966 in West Berlin from two other bands, the Earls and the Gents. The band was founded with a lineup consisting of Bernd Koschmidder (bass), Reinhold Sobotta (organ), Rolf Gurra (saxophone, vocals), Fritz Gröger (vocals), Reiner Borchert (guitar), Hugo Egon Balder (drums), and Klaus Orso (guitar). Within five years of the band's formation all seven of the original members had departed, but the band continued under the leadership of long-standing members drummer (and later lead vocalist) Bernd Noske (who replaced Balder in late 1968) and guitarist Bruno Frenzel (who replaced Borchert in 1969).

Following the death of Frenzel in 1983, the group disbanded, but reunited in 1993 with only Noske remaining from the previous lineup. Other members of the reformed band included returning bassist/vocalist Horst Stachelhaus, as well as guitarist Rocco Zodiak and keyboardist Xaver Fischer.

Despite the death of mainstay Stachelhaus in 1999, the band continued under Noske's guidance, touring Germany and release new albums periodically following the turn of the century. In later years, former members Peter Föller (bass, vocals) and Zeus B. Held (keyboards) both returned to the fold as guest musicians at occasional concerts. The band came to an end on February 18, 2014 with the death of Noske. The final lineup of the band consisted of Noske, bassist Hannes Vesper, keyboardist Sascha Kuhn, and guitarist Martin Ettrich.

In 2016 the band regrouped and started performing again. The new lineup consisted of several members who at some point where part of the band's history: Peter Föller (vocals), Martin Ettrich (guitar, talkbox), Sascha Kühn (keyboards), Hannes Vesper (bass) and Manni von Bohr (drums). In the same year they released a new studio album ("Here and Now") for the first time in 13 years.

Birth Control Band Members / Musicians

Peter Föller – bass, vocals (1973–1977, 2016–present)

Manfred von Bohr – drums (1977–1980, 2016–present)

Hannes Vesper – bass, organ (1999–2000, 2002–present)

Sascha Kuhn – keyboards (1999–present)

Martin Ettrich – guitar, talk box (2011–present)

Bernd Koschmidder – bass, vocals (1968–1973)

Reinhold Sobotta – organ (1968–1972)

Rolf Gurra – saxophone, vocals (1968–1969)

Fritz Gröger – vocals (1968–1969)

Reiner Borchert – guitar (1968–1969)

Hugo Egon Balder – drums (1968)

Klaus Orso – guitar (1968)

Gerd Alsheimer – guitar (1968)

Bernd Noske – drums, percussion, vocals (1968–1983, 1993–2014; died 2014)

Bruno Frenzel – guitar (1969–1983; died 1983)

Hartmut Schölgens - organ (1972)

Wolfgang Neuser – organ (1972–1973; died 2018)

Zeus B. Held – organ (1973–1978)

Dirk Steffens – guitar (1973–1974)

Horst Stachelhaus – bass, vocals (1977–1980, 1993–1999; died 1999)

Wolfgang Horn – organ (1979–1981)

Jurgen Goldschmidt – bass, vocals (1980–1983)

Stefan Linke – guitar, vocals (1981–1983)

Harald Meurer - keyboards (1981–82)

Ulrich Klein – keyboards, vocals (1981–1983)

Jörg Becker - keyboards (1983–84)

Xaver Fischer – keyboards (1993–1999)

Rocco Zodiak – guitar (1993–1995)

Peter Engelhardt – guitar (1995–2011)

Rainer Wind – bass (2000–2002)

Birth Control Discography Full

Birth Control (1970)

Operation (1971)

Hoodoo Man (1972)

Rebirth (1973)

Plastic People (1975)

Backdoor Possibilities (1976)

Increase (1977)

Titanic (1978)

Count on Dracula (1980)

Deal Done at Night (1981)

Bäng (1982)

Two Worlds (1995)

Jungle Life (1996)

Getting There (1999)

Alsatian (2003)

Here and Now (2016)

Open Up (2022)

Live albums

Live (1974)

Live 79 (1979)

Condomium (1994)

Live Abortion (2000)

Live in Lachendorf (2000)

Live in Fulda (2004)

Live at Rockpalast (35th Anniversary Tour) (2005)

We Are Family (40th Anniversary Tour) (2009)

Two Eggs - Two Concerts - The Ultimate Live Collection (2013)

Live Harmonie Bonn (2018)

Compilations

Believe in the Pill (1972)

Best of (1977)

Best of Vol 2 (1978)

Rock on Brain (1980)

The Very Best of (1990)

Definitive Collection (1996)

Birth Control – Birth Control (1970): The Explosive Birth of German Progressive Rock

Released in 1970, Birth Control is the self-titled debut album by the German progressive rock band Birth Control, marking the arrival of one of the most powerful and politically charged groups to emerge from the early Krautrock and European prog scene. Raw, aggressive, and unapologetically experimental, the album stands as a document of a turbulent era—both musically and socially.

While many German bands of the late 1960s were moving toward psychedelic abstraction or electronic minimalism, Birth Control chose a heavier, more confrontational sound rooted in hard rock, progressive structures, and political urgency. Their debut announced a band unwilling to compromise, laying the foundation for a cult legacy that still resonates with fans of classic progressive and heavy rock.

Band Background and Formation

Birth Control was formed in 1966 in Berlin, Germany, originally under the name The Earls. By the late 1960s, the group rebranded themselves as Birth Control—a deliberately provocative name reflecting their anti-authoritarian, anti-establishment stance during a time of political unrest and generational conflict in Europe.

The band emerged in a Germany still reckoning with its post-war identity, and their music reflected frustration, rebellion, and a desire for artistic freedom. Unlike British or American acts, Birth Control developed a distinctly European progressive rock sound, blending heavy riffs with classical influences and philosophical themes.

Musical Style and Sound

The debut album Birth Control is a heavy, organ-driven progressive rock record, featuring:

• Distorted guitar riffs

• Prominent Hammond organ

• Extended instrumental passages

• Aggressive vocals

• Sudden tempo and mood shifts

Musically, it sits at the crossroads of hard rock, psychedelic rock, and early prog, drawing comparisons to Deep Purple, Vanilla Fudge, Atomic Rooster, and early Uriah Heep, while still maintaining a unique German identity.

The album’s production is raw and direct, emphasizing power and intensity rather than polish—perfectly suited to the band’s confrontational message.

Tracklist Overview

Key tracks include:

• “Just Before the Sun Will Rise”

• “Birth Control”

• “Fine Feeling”

• “The Work Is Done”

Although relatively short by later prog standards, the album packs a punch, favoring impact over excess.

Lyrical Themes

Lyrically, Birth Control addresses:

• Political disillusionment

• Social conformity

• Individual freedom

• Authority and resistance

The band’s name itself symbolized control imposed by systems of power, a recurring theme in their lyrics. Rather than abstract fantasy, the album focuses on real-world tension and rebellion, making it more direct than many progressive contemporaries.

Standout Tracks

“Just Before the Sun Will Rise”

One of the band’s most powerful early songs, combining heavy organ riffs with dramatic tension. It later became a staple of their live performances.

“Birth Control”

The title track encapsulates the band’s philosophy—urgent, loud, and uncompromising.

“Fine Feeling”

A slightly more melodic moment, showcasing the group’s ability to balance aggression with atmosphere.

Fun Facts & Trivia

• Birth Control chose their controversial name to provoke discussion and challenge social norms.

• The band was part of the first wave of German progressive rock, predating many better-known acts.

• Early album covers often caused controversy due to their graphic imagery.

• The Hammond organ became a defining element of their sound.

• The band toured extensively across Europe in the early 1970s.

Did You Know?

• Birth Control were pioneers of heavy progressive rock in Germany.

• Their early albums were more successful in continental Europe than in the UK or US.

• The band survived numerous lineup changes while maintaining their identity.

• Birth Control (1970) is considered one of the heaviest German rock debuts of its era.

• The group influenced later European prog and hard rock bands.

Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums

While Birth Control did not achieve massive international sales upon release, it helped establish the band’s reputation and paved the way for greater commercial success later in the decade.

Birth Control’s most commercially successful and best-known albums include:

• Hoodoo Man (1972) – their biggest seller

• Rebirth (1971)

• Plastic People (1975)

Hoodoo Man in particular became a European prog rock classic, often cited as their definitive work.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Birth Control occupy a unique position in rock history. They were too heavy for traditional prog, too complex for straightforward hard rock, and too political to be purely psychedelic. As a result, they became a cult band, deeply respected by musicians and dedicated fans.

Their debut album represents the raw birth of German heavy prog, a style that would later evolve into more sophisticated forms but never lose its confrontational edge.

In hindsight, Birth Control stands as a bold artistic statement from a band unafraid to challenge conventions—musical or societal.

Most Famous Songs by Birth Control

• Gamma Ray

• Hoodoo Man

• Just Before the Sun Will Rise

• Plastic People

• Back from Hell

“Gamma Ray” remains their most iconic track, still played on classic rock and prog radio stations.

Full Discography (Studio Albums)

• Birth Control (1970)

• Operation (1971)

• Rebirth (1971)

• Hoodoo Man (1972)

• Rebirth (1971)

• Plastic People (1975)

• Backdoor Possibilities (1977)

• Increase (1978)

• Conventional Lies (1982)

• Get Ahead (1983)

• Bang! (1995)

• Live 2000 (2000)

• Birth Control (2016 – comeback album)

Band Timeline

• Formed: 1966, Berlin, Germany

• Disbanded: 1983

• Reformed: 1993 (intermittently active since)

Keywords

Birth Control debut album 1970, Birth Control band review, German progressive rock, Krautrock hard rock, Birth Control discography, 1970 progressive rock albums, European prog classics