Letter to Klaus Dinger from John K., U.S.A., July 6th, 1998:

Dear Klaus Dinger,

Right now I am listening to "D.-22.12.'93" off the first la! NEU?-album, and I suddenly got the urge to write You a letter and tell You just how fantastic Your music is. I absolutely love the two la! NEU?-albums: Düsseldorf and Zeeland, and have listened to each one at least 100 times since I got them both at the end of '97. I wish I was a talented enough writer to capture in words what these two albums mean to me, but instead I'll just say that the songs on those albums are among the best I have ever heard. Everything about them is so inspiring; it gives me such a feeling of confidence whenever I hear them... Your music recharges me and gives me strength to deal with the hypocrisy and bullshit all around me, and most of all Your music is a celebration of staying true to one's own vision. I love on "Hero '96" when You're going "I'll piss on..."

To me, that is such a strong statement about being true to yourself despite the consequences. Listening to You say that motivates me to trust myself and follow my own instincts. Thanks for making such a fantastic song!

I love all the songs on the two la! NEU?-albums, but some of my favorite moments are in "Hero '96" when You start ripping off the Velvet's "Sister Ray" and sing "I'm searching for my main line"... I think that is a fantastic way of showing where You're coming from and perhaps "Hero '96" can be kinda seen as a "Sister Ray" of the 90's... I also really like the bits of static You put in "Mayday '95". On "Zeeland" my favorite songs are "Dank je Sanne" and "Satellite of Mine", especially the guitar part in the later. I also really like Your guitar in "Silly Face".

The thing I like best about Your music is the sense of freedom it has - especially on songs like "Mayday '96" when it is recorded so minimal, and yet every note seems to echo and fill up its environment. And I love the breathless speed in Your songs, like in "D.-22.12.'95" when the guitar and drums are tearing shit up, going faster and faster with complete efficiency until the song hits me like a drug giving a massive rush to my brain.

Anyway, I have a lot of Your albums. The 4 La Düsseldorf-albums, NEU! 4, Die Engel des Herrn. My favorite stuff by You is "Néondian" and la! NEU?. I hope the first three NEU!-albums get released soon, and I really hope You make another la! NEU?-album with Viktoria and Andreas. la! NEU? is my favorite band right now... If, on the small chance You ever play live in Ohio, U.S.A., I will come see You. But since that will probably never happen, maybe You can release a live-la! NEU?-album to ride me over until Your next studio work... Alright, "D.-22.12.'95" is almost over, so I'm gonna go thanks again for sharing Your vision... You are a star!

Take care, John K.

P.S.: When I first heard "Hero '96", I was really really high... There's a part in the later half of the song when Viktoria sings something in French, but the first time I heard it, I thought she sang "God is gone; Klaus Dinger lives on". See You...