Renft

In continuous existence from 1967 to 1975, the Leipzig-based Klaus Renft Combo (RENFT from 1974) was one of the first "beat bands" whose singers sang in German, and developed into one of the best-known and most popular rock groups in the GDR. Always wild and unpredictable, RENFT became a legend when they were banned in 1975.

There is no doubt that RENFT is an East German cultural asset and lives on in the memories of many. Everyone in East Germany knows the band. No record collection is complete without their songs, still a beacon of hope for their ageing fans, stylistically independent of fashion and trends, their songs testify to indomitability and remind us of civil courage.
In the early 1970s, the band RENFT achieved cult status in the GDR, becoming a byword for opposition and rebellion against a state-imposed cultural doctrine. Under this pressure, a band was formed from 1971 to 1975 that was simply called RENFT. Their songs, multi-faceted, from folk and blues to ballads and rock, stormed the charts. No other band occupied so many top positions in the East German charts from 1971 (the first No. 1 was "Wer die Rose ehrt") to 1975. RENFT became a beacon of hope for an up-and-coming generation, creating a bridge for their integration into a society dominated by the socialist daily grind.

Always wild and unpredictable, RENFT became a legend when they were banned in 1975.
Now that six former band members have died and two can no longer perform live for health reasons, lead singer Thomas "Monster" Schoppe is the last survivor of a band that was formative for the development of rock music in the GDR. Today, he is more aware than ever of the importance of the RENFT songs as cultural heritage. He is supported by two veterans of the GDR rock music scene: the popular guitarist Gisbert "Pitti" Piatkowski, ex-Puhdys bassist Peter Rasym since the beginning of 2020 and the equally well-known drummer Olli Becker since the end of 2021.

In order to give the lyrical content of the songs even more expressiveness, but also to meet the atmospheric demands of theater and cabaret stages, the band deliberately chooses the musical-acoustic form of performance at many of their concerts.

This is visibly good for the ears of the musicians and the more mature fan base.
RENFT concerts are still extraordinary concert events, loved by fans and admired by concert-goers due to the intensity and brute force typical of Renft and the unpredictability of lead singer Thomas "Monster" Schoppe.

Of course, the good old RENFT songs such as: "Wer die Rose ehrt", "Zwischen Liebe und Zorn", "Apfeltraum", "Gänselieschen", "Nach der Schlacht" or "Als ich wie ein Vogel war" will all be heard. No longer with the original line-up, but still with outstanding musicians.