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In February 1981, group member Walter Hammerl committed [[suicide]] after attempting once before. He was a close friend of Klaus Eberhartinger, who took over his duties. Band-mate Thomas Spitzer commented that it was worrying how the band got on and felt so close to Walter Hammerl, but without actually knowing him. Hammerl had mainly done managing and stage directing work for the band, however he did sing on a few tracks.
In February 1981, group member Walter Hammerl committed [[suicide]] after attempting once before. He was a close friend of Klaus Eberhartinger, who took over his duties. Band-mate Thomas Spitzer commented that it was worrying how the band got on and felt so close to Walter Hammerl, but without actually knowing him. Hammerl had mainly done managing and stage directing work for the band, however he did sing on a few tracks.


=== heart attack of Andy Töfferl ===
=== Heart attack of Andy Töfferl ===
In May 2012, group member Andy Töfferl died of a heart attack at the age of 56 years.
In May 2012, former group member Andy Töfferl died of a heart attack at the age of 56 years.


===Timeline of members===
===Timeline of members===

Revision as of 04:56, 23 January 2014

Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
Singer Klaus Eberhartinger
Singer Klaus Eberhartinger
Background information
OriginAustria
GenresPop music/Pop rap
Years active1977–present
LabelsEMI Austria 1978-1980, 1983-2005

Mood Records 1980-1982
UN-Platte 1982-1983

Sony BMG Ariola since 2005
MembersThomas Spitzer

Klaus Eberhartinger (since 1981)
Kurt Keinrath (since 1994)
Leo Bei (since 1996)
Robert Baumgartner (since 1999)
Franz Kreimer (since 2001)

Reinhard Stranzinger (since 2010)
Past membersEik Breit (1977-1996)

Nino Holm (1977-1998)
Anders Stenmo (1977-1998)
Wilfried Schheutz (1978-1979)
Walter Hammerl (1978-†1981)
Günter Schönberger (1978-1996)
Gert Steinbäcker (1979-1983)
Schiffkowitz (1979-1986)
Mario Bottazzi (1983-1990)
Peter Müller (1983-1994)
Andy Töfferl (1990-2001, †2012)
David Bronner (1994-2004)
Alex Deutsch (1998-1999)

Franz Zettl (1998-2001)
Websiteeav.at

The EAV (Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung, German for "First General Uncertainty") is an Austrian band that was formed in 1977.

Nino Holm first established a band called "Anti-Pasta", but it was not successful and it dissolved after three years. Holm then decided together with his friend Thomas Spitzer to create a new band. While they were undecided on a name, they saw a bus stop in a branch of "Erste Allgemeine Versicherung", abbreviated EAV, and so they came to the name "Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung-EAV".

They initially faced legal difficulty in Austria due to the (obviously intended) similarity of their band name to that of the corporation "Erste Allgemeine Versicherung" ("First Public Insurance"). This was later dropped and the insurance company was even known to sponsor them on a few occasions.

The EAV often changed their members. Their members as of today are Klaus Eberhartinger (Vocals), Thomas Spitzer (Guitar, backing vocals), Kurt Keinrath (Guitar, bass guitar), Leo Bei (Bass guitar), Franz Kreimer (Keyboard) and Robert Baumgartner (Drums).

Despite the band's failed attempt to gain international fame, they still remain quite popular in Germany and Austria.

Style

Their songs are mostly anti social and weird in nature, but the lyrics contain hints of social criticism as well. For example, "Cinderella" (1994) is one of their "fun" songs, in which they tell the tale of Cinderella in a funny way: "Sie schlief im Kohlenkeller, trotzdem war sie bettelarm, weil sie von der vielen Kohle, die da lag, zu wenig nahm" ("She slept in the coal cellar, but she was dirt-poor, because she didn't take much of the plentiful coal that lay there"). The word "Kohle" ("coal") is a colloquial word for money in German.

More critical lyrics can be seen in the song "Burli" (1987), which tells the story of a boy born shortly after the Chernobyl accident in an exaggerated and humorous way: "Herr Anton hat ein Häuschen mit einem Gartenzwerg und davor, da steht ein Kernkraftwerk. Da gab es eines Tages eine kleine Havarie, die Tomaten war'n so groß wie nie…" ("Mr. Anton has a small house with a garden gnome, and nearby there's a nuclear power plant. One day there was a small accident - the tomatoes were bigger than ever before…"). Both "Burli" and the song "Afrika" led radio stations to boycott the band.

The band is known for open statements against political extremism especially on the right ("bacillus nationalis") and was sued by prominent politicians of the political right like Kurt Waldheim for drawing attention to his past in the 3rd Reich and Jörg Haider then head of the right-leaning FPÖ. Songs on this topic include e.g. "Eierkopf-Rudi" or "Wir marschieren".

The stage shows are known for lavishness in both backdrop and costumes, the latter often selected and changed for specific songs that are then acted out by either the vocalist or other members.

Members

suicide of Walter Hammerl

In February 1981, group member Walter Hammerl committed suicide after attempting once before. He was a close friend of Klaus Eberhartinger, who took over his duties. Band-mate Thomas Spitzer commented that it was worrying how the band got on and felt so close to Walter Hammerl, but without actually knowing him. Hammerl had mainly done managing and stage directing work for the band, however he did sing on a few tracks.

Heart attack of Andy Töfferl

In May 2012, former group member Andy Töfferl died of a heart attack at the age of 56 years.

Timeline of members

Discography

Main article: Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung discography
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