Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the late 1980s, Germany’s music scene had already become a vibrant melting pot of synths, glossy production, and sometimes melancholic vocals. Bands like State Of The Art may not have become household names globally, but within the synth-pop / new wave circuit, they crafted songs that captured both the energy and the restlessness of that time. One standout among their catalog is “Shout And Run,” released around 1988/1989.

Background: Who are State Of The Art

State Of The Art formed in the mid-1980s in Cologne. The core members included Stephan Koch (keyboard, vocals, production), Frank Schmitz (guitar, vocals), and Georg Koch (drums, programming).

They released a handful of singles: “Love Remains A Rebel” (1987), “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1988), and then “Shout And Run” toward the tail end of their activity before their disbandment/reformation under a new name (“Boys On Parade”).

The Song: Atmosphere, Themes, and Style

“Shout And Run” is built on the classic synth-pop foundation: synthesizers, upbeat drum machines, catchy melodies, and a blend of urgency and gloss that was characteristic of late ’80s pop in Germany (and elsewhere). The title alone suggests motion, tension, desire to break free (“run”) paired with a kind of confrontation or exclamation (“shout”).

Though full lyrics aren’t widely circulated, the song’s drift seems to contrast restlessness with a need for expression. The “shout” is a metaphor for being heard; the “run” implies escape or distancing. There’s something energetic—maybe even defiant—in that combination.

Chart Reception and Legacy

Though State Of The Art never released a full LP before their first disbandment, their singles had modest success in radio charts. “Shout And Run” came after “Love Remains A Rebel” and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” It was their third single and helped cement their place in the German synth/pop / radio music ecosystem of the time.

“Shout And Run” charted (Germany, radio) around #20 in early 1989.

Though the band would eventually change form (later becoming Boys On Parade) and evolve, songs like “Shout And Run” remain interesting touchpoints—they hint at what could have been had the band had more exposure, or had the LP followed through.

Why “Shout And Run” Matters

• It encapsulates the tension of the era: between moving forward and being heard, between the synthetic and the human.

• It shows how even bands without massive international fame contributed depth to the synth-pop movement.

• For listeners today, it offers nostalgia but also relevance: themes of escape, expression vs suppression, urgency — those still resonate.

If you’re exploring the history of synth-pop, particularly in Germany, “Shout And Run” is one of those gems that’s worth rediscovery. It may not have topped global charts, but it’s part of the tapestry of that musical moment: electronic textures, emotional pulses, and a voice that wants to break through.

SIDE A:
Shout And Run (Pattern Event Mix) 5:34

SIDE B:
Shout And Run (Extended Mix) 5:00

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI Electrola – 1C 060-1 47417 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

• Lyrics By – Stephan Koch
• Music By – Henry Parlan, Stephan Koch, Ulrich Herter
• Producer – Ulrich Herter

NOTES:
State Of The Art are: Frank Schmitz, Georg Koch, Stephan Koch
Made in EEC

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for Burning The Ground

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

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