The Band : Kraftwerk

The band Kraftwerk,formed in 1970 by Florian Schneider-Esleben (flute) and Ralf Hütter (keyboards), were one of the first, if not the first "pop" band to make music simply by using electronic (or electronically processed) instruments and sounds effects, as well as introducing the use of backing tracks that were created by electronic sequencing of purely synthetic sounds. They also initiated the usage of computer graphics as a backdrop during their live performances. Kraftwerk's music style has been sampled by influential musicians and bands such as Beck, The Orb, KLF, Madonna, Depeche Mode, De La Soul, R.E.M, Fatboy Slim,and the Bloodhound Gang, to name even a few. They have been a influence on mainstream popular culture to the extent that they were referred to in the shows , "The Simpsons" and "Father Ted."
Throught their career, the band recorded and produced 12 albums thus far, and started to tour again in the late 1990's. In 2004, they commented on the fact that they were possibly working on new material, though which members and when they were going to perform have not yet been confirmed.