Cybotron were an electronic Australian group formed in 1976 by German expat Steve Maxwell Von Braund (synthesiser, sax) and Geoff Green (synthesiser, organ, piano, mellotron). Their pulsing, synth-heavy eponymous debut was obviously influenced by droney ‘kosmische’ groups like Tangerine Dream or Ash Ra Tempel—and Jean-Michel Jarre—but there can be a distinct Hawkwind vibe to their music at times as well as shades of Van der Graaf Generator, Camel, Can, and The Alan Parsons Project. Cybotron’s music has a lot in common with much of what was going on in experimental music at that time around the globe, they should be better known than they are.
 

Beware Aussie prog-rockers in capes…

The duo of Von Braund and Green were joined by Colin Butcher (drums, percussion, synthesiser) for their second studio album Colossus which saw the group move towards a more overtly symphonic sound.
 

 
Apparently their albums sold better as somewhat exotic Australian imports to American and British prog fans, but they didn’t do that well at home and disbanded in 1980, the same year that another Cybotron, Detroit’s legendary early techno group was formed by Juan Atkins and Richard “3070” Davis.

A description of their final days from All Music.com:

Unfortunately, shortly after Colossus was released, Braund decided he didn’t want to tour any more, and the band split into a “performing” Cybotron led by Green and a recording project led by Braund. To add to the confusion, the “performing” group rapidly developed new material, a huge theatrical show which included dancers, and a different sound which included synthesized voices played by Ian Macfarlane and the oboe of new drummer Greg Faringdon.

Here are a few clips of Cybotron in action. Steve Maxwell Von Braund on sax, Geoff Green on keyboards and Colin Butcher on drums.

“Gods of Norse”

 
More after the jump…