Today’s video of the day is D.A.F. (Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft) – "Sato Sato" released in 1981.
The video for “Sato Sato” by Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft, or D.A.F., captures the raw intensity of early ‘80s electropunk. Released in 1981, the song appears on the band’s third album, Alles ist gut. This record marked a turning point in their sound—stripped down, pulsing, and aggressively minimal. Formed in Düsseldorf in 1978, D.A.F. was part of the Neue Deutsche Welle movement. The original lineup featured Gabi Delgado-López, Robert Görl, Kurt Dahlke, Michael Kemner, and Wolfgang Spelmans. In 1979, Chrislo Haas replaced Dahlke. By 1981, the group became a duo: Delgado-López on vocals and Görl handling drums and electronics. This lineup defined their signature sound.
“Sato Sato” shows D.A.F.’s bold use of repetition and rhythm. The lyrics mean little by design. Delgado-López often built songs around how a word sounded, not its meaning. This approach is also clear in “Der Mussolini,” another standout track from Alles ist gut. Both songs helped cement D.A.F.’s place in music history as pioneers of EBM and electropunk. The video for “Sato Sato” reflects the band’s stark aesthetic. It’s raw, mechanical, and hypnotic—like the music itself. D.A.F. rejected traditional pop visuals. Instead, they embraced a stripped-back, confrontational look. Their minimal sound matched their minimal image.
Alles ist gut set the tone for the rest of their work. Later albums like Gold und Liebe and Für Immer built on this style. However, Alles ist gut remains the essential D.A.F. album. It won the prestigious Schallplattenpreis from the German Phono-Academy. The album proved that aggressive, experimental music could also be influential. Though they reunited and released music after 1982, nothing captured the raw power of their early ‘80s work. “Sato Sato” is more than a song. It’s a statement. It shows how far a band can go with just rhythm, voice, and attitude. Today, D.A.F. stands as a major influence on industrial, EBM, and techno. Gabi Delgado-López passed away in 2020, but his voice and vision live on. “Sato Sato” remains a vital piece of their legacy.
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