Dune (German band)

Dune was a German Rave/Techno/progressive trance band.

History

The band formed in 1995 and divided with the departure of Verena von Strenge, their lead singer, in 2000, before they could release their album "Reunion" (the album was never released due to a court order that stopped the single "Heaven").

The latest single released was "Rainbow To The Stars 2003", which was released on 23 June 2003.

Many people credit the song "Starchild" to Dune, but it was actually released in 1995 by a Swedish group with the same name as the song.

The band took its name from the science fiction novels by Frank Herbert, Dune.

Hardcore Vibes:The very first DUNE single and foundation for all future successes of the Münster-based band. This track was produced in 1994 and coincidentally fell into the hands of Münster producer Bernd Burhoff (Plutone, Raver's nature, Marusha, Andreas Dorau). It was eventually released in 1995 and reached number 5 in the Media Control Charts. It stayed in the charts for 19 weeks and achieved Gold status. In the same year as the release of the original single, DUNE created four more exciting mixes, including an eleven minute version entitled "Eleven Minutes Of Hardcore Madness"- DUNE remix, and the Raver's Nature version.

Are you ready to fly:The second DUNE single, a new version of the 1992 Rozalla hit of the same name. The track reached number 12 in the Media Control Single Charts in 1995 and stayed in the charts for 12 weeks.

Can’t stop raving:This third single was released shortly after the debut album "DUNE" and reached number 10 in the sales charts. The media circus became too much for Jens Oettrich, so he decided to continue to work solely as producer and songwriter for the band. His place in the spotlight is taken by dancer/singer Verena von Strenge.

Dune (1995)Shortly after the release of their second single "Are You Ready To Fly" , the band released their debut album "DUNE". The album starts with a loud banging of a door to remind us of the band's first video where a girl runs along a wall and finds a door. Oliver: "You can see it metaphorically: our debut album has a beginning ("In The Beginning") and an end (...."In The End"). And in the middle you get what's behind the door - good party music." And in the case of this album that means a further three successful singles, "Hardcore Vibes", "Are You Ready To Fly" and "Can't Stop Raving" as well as eight new DUNE songs. The year 1995 proved successful: "Hardcore Vibes" climbed to number 5 in the German charts and stayed in the Top 100 for 19 weeks, "Are You Ready To Fly", a successful version of the Rozalla hit of the same name, reached number 12 in the Media Control Charts and stayed in the Top 100 for 12 weeks. Jens Oettrich remembers: "We were completely taken by surprise by the success of our first single and had to produce a second single relatively quickly, so we chose a song which had been a chart hit for the British singer Rozalla in 1992". "Can't Stop Raving" also achieved notable chart success.

Expedicion (1996)The second DUNE-album was produced and recorded at the 'Plutonic Island Studio' in Hamburg. All tracks were composed by Bernd Burhoff, Jens Oettrich and Oliver Froning. As with the first album "DUNE" (1995) the CD contains three hit singles: "Rainbow To The Stars" was released at the beginning of April, reached number 12 and stayed in the charts for 14 weeks. "Expedicion" , DUNE's first album with their new record company ORBIT Records, went to number 16 in the album charts. On this album the band concentrated first and foremost on melody and atmospheric harmonies.Rainbow to the stars:Released April 1996, DUNE's first release on the newly-founded ORBIT-Label placed more importance on melody and vocal harmonies. The track reached number 12 and stayed in the charts for 14 weeks.

Hand in Hand:DUNE achieved yet another Top 10 hit with this track, the second single from the album "Expedicion" . The video was directed by Matt Broadley. In an imaginary underworld, Oliver and Verena liberate children from the claws of an evil despot. The sound of Oliver's flute entices the suppressed children away from their captor. At the end of a mysterious corridor they finally discover paradise.

Million miles from home:In the summer of 1996 the third single "Million Miles From Home" was released. Produced in the Hamburg 'Plutonic Island Studios', the track was not only a chart hit (number 17, 11 weeks in the charts), but also became the official trailer for the 30th STAR TREK Anniversary celebrations.

Live! (1996)1996 was the year of DUNE's "superstardom". They spent a lot of time on tour, being one the few acts of their kind able to present their electronic music on stage as well as on record and were in demand all over Europe. "DUNE Live" is the first live Rave album and was recorded in Rastatt. The album reflects the laid-back atmosphere at the DUNE shows and completely captures the vibe of a Rave party, giving the listener 45 minutes of real techno-fun which doesn't hurt even at full volume!

Forever (1997)"Forever" is the album for all time. DUNE play their favorite ballads of the last 20 years and include 8 new tracks, each of which go under the skin. This very un-typical DUNE album was not conceived at a drawing-board, but is considered a present to all the new fans won over by DUNE's first single release from the album, "Who Wants To Live Forever" . It was first thought of as a parting gift for Verena von Strenge. The success of the single led to the creation of a whole album containing the biggest pop ballads in history. The tracks were recorded in the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, where the Beatles recorded their greatest hits and where in 1992 the original version of the Queen classic was recorded. This classically instrumental album was recorded with the 66 piece London Session Orchestra and arranged by Will Malone (who has worked with Paul McCartney, The Who, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Depeche Mode a.o.). The media and fans were ecstatic. "BRAVO"-magazine raved: DUNE and the London Session Orchestra – one album you must have!"

Who wants to live forever:In late 1996 DUNE added to their star-status with this brilliant cover version of the Queen classic, written by guitarist Brian May. The track was recorded in the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, where once the Beatles recorded their hits. Arranged by Will Malone (Paul McCartney, The Who, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Neneh Cherry, Depeche Mode a.o.), the single was recorded with the London Session Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Wright. The cover shows a still from the video, which DUNE shot in the Scottish highlands. More than 500.000 copies of the song were sold, after which it was nominated by the German phonographic industry for an "Echo" award in the category "Most Successful National Dance single 1996". The album achieved Gold status and peaked at number 2 in the German charts.

Nothing compares to U:In February 1997 DUNE released this track, a new version of the Sinead O'Connor classic "Nothing Compares 2U", as the second single from their mega-album "Forever". The song was recorded in the legendary Abbey Road studios under the direction of Will Malone and Steve Price. An enthusiastic BRAVO-magazine praises the song for its bombastic synthy-orchestra sound and memorable vocals.

Forever and Ever (1998)"'Keep the secret:"'The first single featuring the new singer Vanessa Hörster. Vanessa had been working in sales in a clothing store as well as singing songs by a.o. Mariah Carey, Alanis Morissette and Melissa Etheridge in a cover band. "Keep The Secret" takes the fans on a journey through time, telling of the myths and legends of the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Pyramids of the Nile and the Sphinx. The opening lyrics: "For 2000 years and more, everyone is searching for secrets and the history, all this happened long ago, all the stories that we know, history goes on and on". The track was recorded in the 'Plutonic Island Studios' in Hamburg and entered the charts in the week of release at number 38, quickly becoming a bestseller.

Electric Heaven:Latest single to date, taking the fans back to the Eighties, back to Electro-Pop. The track combines the dance beats of the Nineties with the electronic musical style of the Eighties, resulting in a fresh, new song suitable for the summer. The video-clip was directed by Eric Will in France. Produced in the Hamburg 'Plutonic Island Studios'.

Dark side of the moon (2000)DUNE is back!After a short break Dune announces not only the new single "Dark Side Of The Moon" but also the return of Verena von Strenge - from now on next to Dune's front man Oliver Froning again.

Their paths crossed in spring this year and they decided to work together again with the same cast Dune was able to celebrate their biggest success. The new single "Dark Side Of The Moon" shows that the reunion was absolutely worth it: Verena's charismatic and smooth voice merges with spherical choirs, melodic organ sounds and pulsating beats into a dance single that reminds one inevitably on the former Dune days that won't get off your head once you have listened to it.

Members

* Oliver Froning (1995-)
* Jens Oettrich (1995-)
* Bernd Burhoff (1995-)
* Verena von Strenge (1995-1997, 1999-2000)
* Vanessa Hörster (1997-1998)
* Tina Lacebal (1998)

Discography

ingles

*"Hardcore Vibes" (1995)
*"Are you ready to fly" (1995)
*"Can't Stop Raving" (1995)
*"Rainbow to the stars" (1996)
*"Hand in Hand" (1996)
*"Million miles from home" (1996)
*"Who Wants to Live Forever" (1996)
*"Nothing compares 2 U" (1997)
*"Keep the secret" (1997)
*"Electric heaven" (1998)
*"One of us" (1998)
*"Dark Side of the Moon" (1999)
*"Heaven" (Never released due to a court order)
*"Hardcore Vibes 2000" (2000)
*"Rainbow to the stars 2003" (2003)

Albums

*"Dune" (1995)
*"Expedicion" (1996)
*"Live!" (1996)
*"Forever" (1997)
*"Forever and Ever" (1998)
*"5" (planned for August 1998 but was never released)
*"Reunion" (Planned for 2000, but was never released due to a court order that stopped the single "Heaven")
*"History" (2000)

External links

* [http://www.dune.de/ Official site]
* [http://www.dunestar.de/ Fanpage]
* [http://www.danceartistinfo.com/dune.htm Dune at Danceartistinfo.com]
* [http://www.pixcom.dk/dune/Lyrics.htm Dune lyrics]
* [http://dmoz.org/Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/D/Dune/ Dune at Dmoz.org]
* [http://members.tripod.com/DuneRaver/StoryOfHeaven.html The story behind the cancellation of "Reunion"]