Similar in spirit and geography to Der Plan, Palais Schaumburg was a German post-punk/electronic-pop band that has since become known as the launching pad for the career of cult figure Holger Hiller. The Hamburg-based band debuted in 1981 with Das Single Kabinett, a six-song EP on ZickZack. They released their first full-length album, Palais Schaumburg, the following year on Kamera. After its release, Hiller defected for a solo career. The band quickly got to work on the LP Lupa, which was released later in 1982 through the German branch of the Phonogram label. Rather surprisingly, the album added horns and a slight jazz fusion influence to their sound. Their third and final album, 1984's Parlez-Vouz Schaumburg? (also released through Phonogram), threw some Latin and big band touches into the mix. ~ Andy Kellman