Propaganda

History

Discography

Listen

conceived and accomplished in Düsseldorf
by Ralf Dörper & Michael Mertens

Gallery

Imprint

The PROPAGANDA saga began as early as 1982 when the music project was founded by Ralf Dörper and Andreas Thein.

It did gain momentum when Dörper, the synthesist with a punk background,
met by chance the classically trained musician Michael Mertens, who, at that time, was a percussionist in the Düsseldorf Symphonic Orchestra.

They formed a songwriting partnership.

PROPAGANDA became part of the pop machinery when they were discovered by the British Record Label ZTT, which was owned by the top music producer Trevor Horn. A short-lived era of successful productions was followed by eclat, row, and legal dispute. It ended with PROPAGANDA finding a new home at Virgin Records - all within not more than six years.

In their short timespan, PROPAGANDA left a bundle of international hits such as
"Dr Mabuse", "Duel", "P-Machinery" and with their newfound partners Derek Forbes, Brian McGee, and Betsi Miller, "Wound in my Heart" and "Heaven give me words". All of which had been powered by top producers (Horn, Lipson, Stanley, Hughes), graced by talented singers (Brücken, Freytag, and Miller), and by
famous guests (David Gilmour, Steve Howe, David Sylvain, Stewart Copeland).
You can find these on the albums "A Secret Wish" (1985) resp. "1234" (1990).
When the PROPAGANDA pop machinery went out of steam in the early '90s,
the two protagonists went separate ways.

While Dörper re-activated the electro-industrial band DIE KRUPPS (he still tours
and records with them), Mertens concentrated on commission work for TV, film, and advertisement. And he started a record label: "Amontillado Music", which released "Valley of the Machine Gods" in 2005 - the last PROPAGANDA record
for quite a while.

A remix for a friend should become the trigger for the reactivation of the Dörper/Mertens songwriting partnership. Holly Johnson, former singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and friend since the ZTT-days, needed a remix for one of his songs. Dörper and Mertens joined in the studio to provide a true PROPAGANDA
mix to "Dancing with no Fear".

Then they shared ideas. That was in 2015.

In a process, which was hindered by the corona years and other mischief, they conceived and accomplished new songs in Düsseldorf. The fortunate encounter
of an exciting voice resulted in a new entry to the list of talented guests:
Thunder Bae.

In early 2024, PROPAGANDA signed with the German label Bureau B, which is also home to electronic luminaries Martin Rev, Karl Bartos, Dieter Moebius, Pyrolator, and Faust.

PROPAGANDA HISTORY