Founded in 1977 by singer Philippe Pascal and guitarist Franck Darcel, Marquis de Sade did head the bill of the rock scene of the city of Rennes (France).
Their post punk music mixed different influences such as white funk (Talking Heads),Velvet Underground, and The Stranglers.
The band was the first in France to propose a dark and depressive music and to sing in 3 langages (french, english, german) because the musicians claimed european roots.
After 2 albums became cult, the band splitted in 2 other entities : Marc Seberg and Octobre (2) constituing Marquis de Sade's continuation.