Though they sound like they are a German industrial band Stromkern is actually based in Madison, WI. Formed in 1994 by James "Ned" Kirby. Kirby was originally a DJ in Madison, Wisconsin as a teenager, experimenting under the moniker "Flowers for Ravers" before founding Stromkern. Disenchanted with the music he was receiving as a DJ, he decided to start his own industrial act. His early compositions included the German-language Konzentrationslagen and Aussicht vom Rande der Nacht as well as a cover of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' The Mercy Seat