Cabaret Voltaire (band)

Cabaret Voltaire
Left to right: Richard H. Kirk, Stephen Mallinder, Chris Watson
Background information
Origin	Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Genres	Industrial post-punk EBM electro acid house techno
Years active	1973–1994 2009–2021
Labels	Industrial Rough Trade Factory Some Bizzare/Virgin Parlophone/EMI Group Mute Les Disques du Crépuscule Doublevision Plastex Instinct
Spinoffs	Acid Horse Hafler Trio Sandoz Sweet Exorcist
Past members	Richard H. Kirk Stephen Mallinder Chris Watson

Cabaret Voltaire were an English music group formed in Sheffield in 1973 and initially composed of Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk, and Chris Watson.^[1] Named for the Zürich nightclub that fostered the early Dada movement, the band are often characterized as among the most innovative and influential electronic acts of their era.^[2]

The band's early work consisted of experimentation with DIY electronics and tape recorders, as well as Dada-influenced performance art, helping to pioneer industrial music in the mid-1970s.^[2] Finding an audience during the post-punk era, they gradually incorporated more conventional elements of synthpop, dance, house and funk styles.^[2][3] After Watson's departure in 1981, the group continued as a two-piece until disbanding in 1994. Kirk revived the name as a solo project from 2009 until his death in 2021.