Propaganda

The PROPAGANDA saga began in 1982, when the project was founded by Ralf Dörper and Andreas Thein. It gained momentum when Dörper, the punk-informed synthesist met the classically-trained musician Michael Mertens, who became Propagandas main songwriters. Propaganda hat multiple hits, like "Dr Mabuse", "Duel", "P-Machinery" and with their newfound partners Derek Forbes, Brian McGee, and Betsi Miller, "Wound in my Heart" and "Heaven give me words". They’ve been powered by top producers (Horn, Lipson, Stanley, Hughes), graced by talented singers (Brücken, Freytag, and Miller) and by famous guests (David Gilmour, Steve Howe, David Sylvian, Stewart Copeland). When the PROPAGANDA machinery ran cold in the early '90s, Dörper and Mertens went separate ways. While Dörper re-activated the band DIE KRUPPS, Mertens prioritised work for TV, film, and advertisement. He began a record label "Amontillado Music", which released "Valley of the Machine Gods" in 2005 - the last PROPAGANDA record for a while. A remix for a friend would reactivate the Dörper/Mertens songwriting partnership. Holly Johnson, friend and singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, needed a remix. Dörper and Mertens met in the studio, providing a truly PROPAGANDA mix for "Dancing with no Fear". In a process, they created new songs in Düsseldorf. The fortunate finding of an exciting voice resulted in a new entry to the list of talented guests: Thunder Bae. In early 2024, PROPAGANDA signed with the German label Bureau B.