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West Berlin's Underground Scene Loses a Pioneer
1 Apr
Summary
- Bettina Köster, a key figure of 1980s West Berlin's underground, has died.
- She co-founded influential bands Mania D and Malaria!.
- Köster's career spanned music, fashion, and art, embodying DIY creativity.
Bettina Köster, a prominent figure in the cultural vanguard of 1980s West Berlin, died on March 16 at her home in Italy. She was 66. Köster was a singer, songwriter, and saxophonist who co-founded the influential all-female band Mania D in 1979, embodying the era's raw, D.I.Y. spirit.
In 1981, Köster and Gudrun Gut formed Malaria!, a band that evolved the city's underground sound towards post-punk and new wave. Despite limited commercial success, their single "Kaltes Klares Wasser" became a touchstone for the Berlin post-punk movement, with Köster famously stating, "The Eighties sounded like us."
Beyond music, Köster and Gut opened Eisengrau, a clothing store that served as a cultural hub. After relocating to New York City in 1983 and leaving Malaria! in 1984, she pursued other ventures before slowly re-engaging with music in the late 1980s, releasing solo projects and film scores.
Köster, who identified as nonbinary in 2021, embraced artistic freedom over financial security. She relocated to Italy in her later years. Her commitment to her craft, even amidst financial hardship, left an indelible mark on the avant-garde landscape.
