ICYMI: FEX made their interview with NDR1 Welle Nord, which also featured their first-ever live (video) performance of "Subways Of Your Mind". If you haven't check it out, feel free to do so: ruclips.net/video/bXtF_2CC278/видео.htmlsi=4mTHDFtrE7AH0Xvv
It is incredible. Those hundreds of comments on RUclips or Reddit with thoughts like 'song from a parallel universe' or 'long-ago dead musicians', all those years of searching around many countries have led us to this interview, providing world-wide fame to the group. Imagine how the members of the band feel now. Internet is a fantastic phenomenon.
It’s crazy to think that the Lostwave community was one of the only ones to know about this song and so many people are just now hearing about this multi year search that we’ve been tracking this entire time. I only joined the community a year ago, but it’s wild to think that a lot of people are just now hearing about this
This is possibly one of the coolest things in a long time. I've followed this search for a long time, and having this sort of end-state -- the band still available, with multiple versions available, and the entire band intending to rerecord the song, and a HUGE amount of unreleased material -- is like a dream. Especially since the music, as the kids say, slaps.
THE MYSTERY & DISCOVERY: 1. Song History and Search: - The song “Subways of Your Mind” by German band FEX was recorded in 1983 - Known as “the most mysterious song on the internet” for about 25 years (not 17 as initially stated) - Worldwide internet search started around 2007 from a song help forum post - Played on NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, a public radio station in Germany) but couldn't be found in their archives - Services like Shazam couldn't identify it - Generated thousands of views on RUclips and extensive Reddit discussions. 2. Recent Discovery (as of November 2024): - Mystery solved through Reddit users' investigation - Michael Hädrich learned about the mystery only 9 days before the interview - Parallel discovery efforts: - Dutch Reddit user contacted Hädrich requesting demo tapes - Czech Reddit user in the US contacted the lead singer Ture Rückwart - Reddit users waited for band's permission before revealing the solution BAND HISTORY & CONTEXT: 3. Band Background: - FEX was a semi-professional German band from early 1980s - Key members included: - Michael Hädrich (backing vocals, keyboards) - Norbert Ziermann (bass player) - Ture Rückwart (vocalist, guitars) - Hans Sievers (drums) - Members maintained day jobs as music wasn't enough to live on - Practiced regularly in a cold practice room - Maintained professional standards and punctuality - The song“Jenny” was part of a Zeus compilation (Zeus was a local German performer in the early '80s) 4. Professional Development: - Won the “Hörfest” contest, leading to: - Agency representation - Two-week Northern Germany tour - Professional studio recording opportunity - Recorded several songs including: - “Subways of Your Mind” - “Heart” - “Danger” - Biggest performance was as the pre-opener for Eric Burdon at a festival - Recorded demos in practice room before studio work 5. Philadelphia Connection: - Michael Hädrich studied at Penn State University in 1981 - Formed band “Mr. Fred” in Pennsylvania - Performed ~3 times weekly in Pennsylvania clubs - Gained valuable experience in US music business and club scene - Still has newspaper articles about Mr. Fred THE SONG & RECORDINGS: 6. Song Context & Meaning: - Written during Cold War era - Reflects “no future atmosphere” of 1980s - Combines themes of fear and hope - Includes lyrics about “sun will never shine” and “young and restless dreamers” - Simplistic charm with contrasting positive and melancholic elements. 7. Available Versions: - Original studio recording (the “internet version”) - Live version from 1985 - Recent NDR studios performance recording (performed last week) - Additional version (possibly demo) given to radio stations - Recently discovered live tapes with full performance repertoire CULTURAL CONTEXT: 8. German Musical Climate: - Post-war German mentality affected music scene: - General reservation about “sticking out” - Changed later with bands like Nena and Kraftwerk - 2000s-2020s saw more mature relationship with music - Political climate didn't directly limit reach - Post-war mentality was more influential. PRESENT & FUTURE: 9. Current Projects: - Michael Hädrich works on: - TV and film music - “Silk Vision” project: - Duo with female saxophone player - Modern music with melodic/melancholic elements - Includes video production. 10. Band's Current Status: - Recently performed at NDR studios - Creating Facebook and RUclips presence - Plans to re-record old material - Has pool of unreleased songs to work with 11. Advice for Musicians: - Success is unpredictable - Difficult to plan or predict what resonates - Importance of experimentation and risk-taking - Patience required for success
The band lineup are as follows: - Ture Rückwart: vocalist, guitars - Michael Hädrich: backing vocals, keyboards - Hans Sievers: drums - Norbert Ziermann: bass The "T" mentioned is Ture. In their interview with NDR1, he himself mentioned about being contacted alongside Michael. The festival was simply called "Hörfest". It ran all throughout the 80s until the reunification of Germany.
Was not a major fan of the song, i am more of a Metal guy, but its so cool, to see this Mystery has been solved. I would like to see "The Fall of the King" be solved.
The Compact Disc format was released in Europe in March 1983, whereupon CD Players and equipment spawned both suddenly and immediately into every home and studio.
![FEX - Interview + Unplugged Version "Subways of Your Mind" on NDR (07.11.2024) [with English Subs]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mT9k-cnXFfU/mqdefault.jpg)
ICYMI: FEX made their interview with NDR1 Welle Nord, which also featured their first-ever live (video) performance of "Subways Of Your Mind". If you haven't check it out, feel free to do so: ruclips.net/video/bXtF_2CC278/видео.htmlsi=4mTHDFtrE7AH0Xvv
Surely you mean second performance?
Beautiful, just BEAUTIFUL
Thank you for posting. I am the interviewer here. Michael was a great interview and had a lot of interesting things to say about Fex. Enjoy!
It is incredible. Those hundreds of comments on RUclips or Reddit with thoughts like 'song from a parallel universe' or 'long-ago dead musicians', all those years of searching around many countries have led us to this interview, providing world-wide fame to the group. Imagine how the members of the band feel now. Internet is a fantastic phenomenon.
They were all caught off guard because they were unaware of the search! Their music was definitely a product of the time, but fantastic, nonetheless.
What a story, what a happy end!
Imagine an Internet 80's Night concert, FEX and Christopher Saint Booth. Any others?
Johan Lindell
“Subways Of Your Mind” is literally as old as I am…😍🥰
I was 13 and would have loved it back then
It’s crazy to think that the Lostwave community was one of the only ones to know about this song and so many people are just now hearing about this multi year search that we’ve been tracking this entire time. I only joined the community a year ago, but it’s wild to think that a lot of people are just now hearing about this
I’m one who just learned about this…and it’s now my new fave song! 😍🥰❤️
@ I honestly don’t know which song is my favorite. I don’t really like Jenny, but I’m giving it a shot and hoping I’ll warm up to it
FEX still gaining fans even now…I know because I’m one of those new fans! 😅😍🥰❤️
This is possibly one of the coolest things in a long time. I've followed this search for a long time, and having this sort of end-state -- the band still available, with multiple versions available, and the entire band intending to rerecord the song, and a HUGE amount of unreleased material -- is like a dream. Especially since the music, as the kids say, slaps.
Oh yeah, it def slaps, is hella fire and MAX GAS! It is ANYTHING but mid! 😅😍🥰❤️😁
This is a brilliant interview
This is awesome! Such a great interview.
Wow! What an awesome interview. All on some local radio station too. That's really cool.
Thanks for posting this
THE MYSTERY & DISCOVERY:
1. Song History and Search:
- The song “Subways of Your Mind” by German band FEX was recorded in 1983
- Known as “the most mysterious song on the internet” for about 25 years (not 17 as initially stated)
- Worldwide internet search started around 2007 from a song help forum post
- Played on NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, a public radio station in Germany) but couldn't be found in their archives
- Services like Shazam couldn't identify it
- Generated thousands of views on RUclips and extensive Reddit discussions.
2. Recent Discovery (as of November 2024):
- Mystery solved through Reddit users' investigation
- Michael Hädrich learned about the mystery only 9 days before the interview
- Parallel discovery efforts:
- Dutch Reddit user contacted Hädrich requesting demo tapes
- Czech Reddit user in the US contacted the lead singer Ture Rückwart
- Reddit users waited for band's permission before revealing the solution
BAND HISTORY & CONTEXT:
3. Band Background:
- FEX was a semi-professional German band from early 1980s
- Key members included:
- Michael Hädrich (backing vocals, keyboards)
- Norbert Ziermann (bass player)
- Ture Rückwart (vocalist, guitars)
- Hans Sievers (drums)
- Members maintained day jobs as music wasn't enough to live on
- Practiced regularly in a cold practice room
- Maintained professional standards and punctuality
- The song“Jenny” was part of a Zeus compilation (Zeus was a local German performer in the early '80s)
4. Professional Development:
- Won the “Hörfest” contest, leading to:
- Agency representation
- Two-week Northern Germany tour
- Professional studio recording opportunity
- Recorded several songs including:
- “Subways of Your Mind”
- “Heart”
- “Danger”
- Biggest performance was as the pre-opener for Eric Burdon at a festival
- Recorded demos in practice room before studio work
5. Philadelphia Connection:
- Michael Hädrich studied at Penn State University in 1981
- Formed band “Mr. Fred” in Pennsylvania
- Performed ~3 times weekly in Pennsylvania clubs
- Gained valuable experience in US music business and club scene
- Still has newspaper articles about Mr. Fred
THE SONG & RECORDINGS:
6. Song Context & Meaning:
- Written during Cold War era
- Reflects “no future atmosphere” of 1980s
- Combines themes of fear and hope
- Includes lyrics about “sun will never shine” and “young and restless dreamers”
- Simplistic charm with contrasting positive and melancholic elements.
7. Available Versions:
- Original studio recording (the “internet version”)
- Live version from 1985
- Recent NDR studios performance recording (performed last week)
- Additional version (possibly demo) given to radio stations
- Recently discovered live tapes with full performance repertoire
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
8. German Musical Climate:
- Post-war German mentality affected music scene:
- General reservation about “sticking out”
- Changed later with bands like Nena and Kraftwerk
- 2000s-2020s saw more mature relationship with music
- Political climate didn't directly limit reach
- Post-war mentality was more influential.
PRESENT & FUTURE:
9. Current Projects:
- Michael Hädrich works on:
- TV and film music
- “Silk Vision” project:
- Duo with female saxophone player
- Modern music with melodic/melancholic elements
- Includes video production.
10. Band's Current Status:
- Recently performed at NDR studios
- Creating Facebook and RUclips presence
- Plans to re-record old material
- Has pool of unreleased songs to work with
11. Advice for Musicians:
- Success is unpredictable
- Difficult to plan or predict what resonates
- Importance of experimentation and risk-taking
- Patience required for success
The band lineup are as follows:
- Ture Rückwart: vocalist, guitars
- Michael Hädrich: backing vocals, keyboards
- Hans Sievers: drums
- Norbert Ziermann: bass
The "T" mentioned is Ture. In their interview with NDR1, he himself mentioned about being contacted alongside Michael.
The festival was simply called "Hörfest". It ran all throughout the 80s until the reunification of Germany.
11:01 and 11:20 just to make sure the song is never "lost" again.
Was not a major fan of the song, i am more of a Metal guy, but its so cool, to see this Mystery has been solved. I would like to see "The Fall of the King" be solved.
1:17: “CD obviously wasn't around back then.”
The Compact Disc format was released in Europe in March 1983.
He likely meant that CD wasn't mainstream, since cassettes were the dominating recording media until the early 90s.
The Compact Disc format was released in Europe in March 1983, whereupon CD Players and equipment spawned both suddenly and immediately into every home and studio.
@@curiouslyhigh I was addressing his literal statement. I don't dispute that the format was not yet widely adopted.
"The Compact Disc format was released in Europe in March 1983. " 🤓☝
It was there, but it wasn't "around" like widely known and used
Say hi to the people of the future researching this song