Room 101 was founded in 1995 by Jörg Abendroth on Keyboards and Sven Haustedt on Vocals & Guitars. Packed with influences from the 80's gothic masters such as »The Cure« and »The Sisters of Mercy« plus the electronica of bands like »Depeche Mode«, the duet set out to record their first ep »Fragment« quickly after its foundation in summer of the same year. For »Fragment« they collaborated with Mirco Dalos with whom Jörg had already worked previously in the electronic quartet »40 Measures«. In fact he Songs »Theme from Fragment« and »Fossils?« survived from the pre-101 era and were given the fresh romantic undertone that would become the trademark of Jörg's compositions for the band.

The ep was finally released in August 1995 as the first release on Dalos' newly established »Data File Music« Label. Even though it wasn't quite commercial success, the 5-track got a lot of attention from magazines and critical acclaim. Only weeks later the band premiered live at the »Tatarus« Festival were an extra guitarist was recruited to give the songs more density as provided by the compositions. Since then the band's loyal live-fellowship began to grow steadily.

By the end of 1995 it was clear that another permanent guitarist and backing singer was desperately needed. The band just started to composed and record what was to become their debut album »Decay of Conscience« when Michael Tegge of »Fenris« fame jumped aboard. His precise rhythm guitar-playing and richly texture voice would immediatly contribute to the growing complexity of the compositions.

In the midst of the production the relationships within the band began to deteriorate and after peaking on disagreements, founding member Sven left the band in summer of 1996. Jörg & Michael decided to carry on and would begin to replace already recorded vocals of Sven by those of Michael who now took over the lead singer's duties. The rest of the production went on smooth and in December 1996 the band's debut saw the light of the day. Shortly after the release the band set out for more live performances peaking with an appearance at the »WGT« in Leipzig in the year 1998.

By the time of the »WGT« gig label owner and producer Mirco Dalos joined the band as an extra capacity, first only assisting multi-intrumental at live performances but then becoming a permanent member. As a trio they began to write and record again in autumn 1998 what would become their second album »Bringer of Ages« to massive critical acclaim. Jörg & Mirco had many songs originally composed in the pre-101 era that due to their complexity have never been recorded properly before. On »BOA« songs of depth and density like »Your Bigot« and »Dynamique« were produced in their full glory for the first time.

Jörg & Mirco both had updated their respective studios so that the band now had access to 24-tracks for the first time to lay out all the dimensions of their vast compositions. For the recording of the album a host of guest musicians would join in the studio and on stage such as guitarist Maik Burkhardt of »Tonsucht« fame and bassist Alexander Wieczorek of »Scaffold«. By composition the band moved to a more guitar-layered sound moving away from the original electronica constructed on the previous records. Strong influences of comporary composers of classical music and film-soundtracks were easily audible.

After spending almost 16 months on recording & mixing the band's finest album to date, the eleven track "Bringer of Ages" would see the light of the day in April 2000. Very busy months of touring and promoting began. Simultaneously the band started working on new material which finally resulted in six huge and beautifully haunting tracks which haven't seen the light of the day yet. In 2001 after the burden of all the duties involved in musicianship overwhelmed the band by sunrise of a hot summer's day all activities were brought to a complete halt. The band broke apart and the tapes were shelfed.

During the following years Jörg started to concentrate on his new project »Some Bizarre«, named after Stevø's influencial record label with music reminiscant to the 80's electronica. Up until today he summed up quite a pile of material together with his musical collaborator Martin of Beriln's »Out Of Line« label. The public is still awaiting an album to see release, for the soundscapes is a true timewarp into 80's dance electronica.

It wasn't until 2006 when Dalos, after updating his studio according to modern technology standards, began to dust down all old 8- & 24-track mastertapes to high definition digital standard when the contact between Jörg & Mirco reestablished. In-house engineer Etch began to research the archives of dozens of DATs and tapes and along restoring and setting all the old material for remastering processes, he discover the rich vault of unfinished "101" business: Not only those songs of 2001 were refound, yet an unfinished remix of »Self-Deception« by ?u1086 ?u1072 , Dalos' musical brainchild, slumbered on an old DAT-tape and waited desperately for completion.

Discussions were lead about a retrospective SACD which turn to a full production process of »Infinite Definitive«, the upcoming double SACD to be released in early summer of 2007. »Infinite Definitive« is not only wiping out the gaps but gives also breath to the most beautiful and richly textures songs from their catalogue in full glory for the first time. Abendroth & Dalos set out with new guest musicians to enhance some songs in just the way they always wanted them to sound. The object is to make »Infinite Definitive« a full new album counting for itself, instead of simply restroing and remastering the old catalogue.

By the end of 2006 the band has now completed around 20 songs and there will be more in the coming months. We are happy to announce that »Room 101« is back on the road again in is going to perform live in 2007. More information to come soon.

Visit the AURALS & VISUALS section for a first taste of what »101« is going to sound like now.