Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 25, 2026

18th Dye

18th Dye was a Berlin-based German/Danish noise rock band formed in 1992 by Sebastian Büttrich, Heike Rädeker and Piet Breinholm-Bendtsen (drums). They broke up in 1999 after two albums and an EP, but reformed in 2005. A third album, Amorine Queen, was released in 2008 but they split up again in 2009.

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Jul 25, 2026
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18th Dye
OriginGermany / Denmark
GenresNoise rock, alternative rock
Years active1992–2009
LabelsMatador (1994–1995)
Cloudland (1995–1999)
Crunchy Frog (2007–2009)
MembersSebastian Büttrich
Heike Rädeker
Piet Breinholm-Bendtsen

18th Dye was a Berlin-based German/Danish noise rock band formed in 1992 by Sebastian Büttrich (vocals, guitar), Heike Rädeker (vocals, bass) and Piet Breinholm-Bendtsen (drums). They broke up in 1999 after two albums and an EP, but reformed in 2005. A third album, Amorine Queen, was released in 2008 but they split up again in 2009.1

Biography

Drone-heavy, fuzzed out debut LP Done, produced by Iain Burgess (Naked Raygun, Ministry, Big Black), was released in Germany in 1992 before the band gained a recording and distribution deal with US Independent label Matador Records in 1994, having been championed by Yo La Tengo. The self-produced six song EP Crayon followed in 1994.

In 1995, 18th Dye moved to Danish label Cloudland Records and recorded their second album, Tribute to a Bus, recorded by Steve Albini at Black Box Recording Studio in Noyant-La-Gravoyère, France.2 More dynamic and diverse than previous recordings, its blend of noise and melody suggest influences such as Sonic Youth, The Wedding Present and Wire. It is characterised by oblique English-as-second-language, maths based lyrics.

The band recorded three Peel sessions: in July 1994, March 1995 and February 1999.345 They broke up in 1999 with Büttrich and Breinholm-Bendtsen going on to form Kikkert and later Test, while Rädeker has played with the bands Evonike and Wuhling.67 They reformed in the summer of 2005 and have begun to debut new songs at recent shows around Europe. In November 2007, 18th Dye signed a new recording contract with Danish-based record label Crunchy Frog Records (The Raveonettes, Junior Senior, Heavy Trash, PowerSolo, The Naked, epo-555).

In 2008, a third album Amorine Queen was released and the band toured the US before breaking up again in 2009.89 A press statement said of the split "It is not possible for us to compose, create and act as a band any more. We have decided to stop the band at this point.1

After the split Breinholm-Bendtsen established a company in Copenhagen where he designs leather bags.10

Discography

Albums/EPs

Singles

  • Whole Wide World / Fragile Stars – 1994
  • Dive / Coffee Cup Revisited – 1994
  • Dive / Can You Wink? / Plumbing & Soon Forgetting – 1994
  • Play W/ You / Gout S.F. / F. – 1995
References

References

  1. "The Official Crunchy Frog Site". 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2018. 18TH DYE – THE LEGENDARY TRIO BREAKS UP
  2. Jenkins, Mark (9 June 1995). "18TH DYE'S NOISY BUS' RIDE". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "18th Dye at John Peel Sessions 1994". BBC – Radio 1. 24 July 1994. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "18th Dye at John Peel Sessions 1995". BBC – Radio 1. 26 March 1995. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "18th Dye at John Peel Sessions 1999". BBC – Radio 1. 28 February 1999. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "Test's Official Website". 2005. Archived from the original on 7 August 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2018. Büttrich and Breinholm-Bendtsen's band
  7. Jarman, David (August 1997). "Wuhling – Extra 6 Review". CMJ New Music Monthly. Vol. 48. Great Neck, NY: College Media Inc. p. 44. ISSN 1074-6978.
  8. "18th Dye – reunited & touring (dates)". 24 November 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2018. at brooklynvegan.com
  9. "PUNKCAST#1486". 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2018. live video from NYC – 29 November 2008
  10. Honigman, Ana Finel (24 August 2009). "Bag Man – Piet Breinholm". tmagazine. The New York Times. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
External links