Can was a German experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany, in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first Krautrock groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music. Can constructed their music largely through collective spontaneous composition—which the band differentiated from improvisation in the jazz sense—sampling themselves in the studio and editing down the results; bassist/chief engineer Holger Czukay referred to Can's live and studio performances as "instant compositions". (Read more at Wikipedia.)
In the first half of the 1970s, "krautrock" pioneers like Can, Faust, and Neu! were regularly featured in the playlists of Peel's shows. The DJ was known to like bands with an experimental approach and, indeed, he continued to play Can's music into the 21st century. The band also became a widely acknowledged influence on later generations of musicians featured on Peel's shows.[1]
For their first session, Can recorded a long track which was unnamed (although it was listed as "Spare a Light" on BBC logs[3]). During the 29 October 2004 tribute, DJ and Peel friend Anne Nightingale recounted the episode:
"Apparently, during a Peel session a long, long time ago, recorded a track that doesn't have a title. So John has a competition for someone to suggest a title for this track, and for years and years and years I never even knew about this and now it's somewhat of a classic. Again, this is another story featuring a competition winner, and I don't know who the competition winner was, but they came up with a title 'Up The Bakerloo Line With Annie Nightingale'."
In later years, Can's singer was namechecked by Peel favourites the Fall on 'I Am Damo Suzuki'. Mark E. Smith said in a 1990 interview: "I've liked Can since I was about 13 or 14. I got into them through listening to Peel."[4]
Sessions[]
Can - Peel Sessions
Four sessions. Officially released on "The Peel Sessions" (Strange Fruit, 1995)
↑For example, Pete Shelley of punk pioneers Buzzcocks contributed sleevenotes to the 1978 2xLP compilation 'Cannibalism'.[1] In later years, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream did the same thing for CD reissues of Can's 1973 album 'Tango Mango'.[2]. Among many solo collaborations, former Can members Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit worked with former Public Image bassist Jah Wobble.
