Codec & Flexor

Ten years before the neo-industrial duo Codec & Flexor released their first record, the pair founded the German indie rock band Atomic Comic. After a few live shows, Christian Morgenstern (Codec) became entranced by the burgeoning techno scene and soon left; Flexor stayed on for a while, but later became the lead singer of a new band, De Luxe. They stayed in touch, though, and after Morgenstern joined the band during 1996-1997, they decided to strike out on their own as a duo. Codec & Flexor signed to Morgenstern's own Forte label (also home to several of his solo productions) and released the synth pop update single "Crazy Girls" in 2001. Hot on its heels came "Eldar," a collaboration with respected moody techno maestro Michael Mayer. Debut album Tubed followed on Forte, and was distributed by Emperor Norton for an American release early in 2003.