Influenced by American bands like Nirvana, R.E.M., and Galaxie 500, German indie rockers Tocotronic started in Hamburg in 1993 when drummer Arne Zank and bassist Jan Müller, who had played together previously, added singer and guitarist Dirk Von Lowtzow to complete their lineup. Taking their moniker from the German name for the Nintendo-made precursor to the Game Boy, Tricotronic, Tocotronic released their debut single, "Meine Freundin und Ihr Freund," in 1994, and soon they had signed to L'Age d'Or Records -- a label right at the heart of the Hamburger Schule movement. ~ Marisa Brown