Die Kreuzen (prouounced Dee-Kroytzen) formed in mid-1981 by vocalist Dan Kubinski and guitarist Brian Egeness aka "Herman," from Rockford, IL, and two from Brookfield, WI, bassist Keith Brammer and drummer Erik Tunison. They became acquainted through the varied Milwaukee 'new music' scene and realized a common interest, not only music but also in escaping the boring reality of nine-to-five life. They set about practicing and playing wherever and whenever they could