Kernkraft 400

"Kernkraft 400" (English: Nuclear Energy 400) is a song performed by German electronic artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. It is commonly used as a sports chant at sport stadiums (such as in American football, football, basketball, and hockey) all over the world. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", which is a remix of the soundtrack of the 1984 Commodore 64 game Lazy Jones by David Whittaker called "Star Dust" which was made with the SID chip. Florian Senfter ("Splank!") paid an undisclosed sum to David Whittaker for the use of the melody.^[2]

Release

	Lazy Jones – "Star Dust" (1984) "Star Dust", from the Commodore 64 game Lazy Jones.
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"Kernkraft 400" was released as a 12-inch single by Gigolo Records on 15 March 1999.^[1] The single was released in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2000 by Data Records.^[3]

Music video

The music video of Kernkraft 400 starts out inside a nuclear power plant room where an infomercial guy (Florian Senfter) dressed in '70s disco clothing comes out and later two models (Cindy and Mindy) come onto scene dancing. The models put a plate full of food into a trademarked Kernkraft 400™ microwave. Cindy then pushes Mindy into a Kernkraft 400™ tanning bed and Cindy later proceeds to do so herself. Minutes later, both models come out fully tanned and continue dancing.

Reception

Select gave the single a review noting its widespread popularity stating that it was "as welcome in Pacha as in the Munich underpass, Tongo and Coxo like this Teutonic techno," as well as noting it was "Not bad for a couple of DJs called Splank and Mooner".^[3]

In popular culture

"Kernkraft 400" has been sampled by various artists, including rapper The Game in the single "Red Nation".^[4] It is featured in the soundtrack of the 2012 video game NHL 13, which uses the "Stadium Chant Mix" version.^[5] The Pittsburgh Steelers have played this song pre-game kickoff since before 2010. The Seattle Mariners also play the song after a big hit or during rallies at Safeco Field.^[6][7] The Los Angeles Dodgers play the song after a home run.^[8] The Boston Bruins will also play the song after they score at a home game.^[9]

Kernkraft 400 has become a semi-official anthem for Welsh football fans during their country's qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2016. This stems from an incident after their 0–0 draw with Belgium at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels, in which the travelling Welsh fans danced enthusiastically to the song being played over the stadium's public address system.^[10] As a result, the song would be played before the return fixture at Cardiff City Stadium on 12 June 2015.^[11]

Track listing

1. "Kernkraft 400" (DJ Gius Video Cut) – 3:31
2. "Kernkraft 400" (Dave Clarke Remix) – 5:42
3. "Kernkraft 400" (DJ Gius Remix) – 6:09
4. "Kernkraft 400" (Original Mix) – 4:46
5. "Kernkraft 400" (Miss Kittin and The Hacker Remix) – 5:17
6. "Kernkraft 400" (Live In Berlin) – 5:34

Official versions

• "Kernkraft 400" (Original Mix) – 4:46
• "Kernkraft 400" (Dave Clarke Remix) – 5:42
• "Kernkraft 400" (DJ Gius Remix) – 6:09
• "Kernkraft 400" (DJ Gius Video Cut) – 3:31
• "Kernkraft 400" (Live In Berlin) – 5:34
• "Kernkraft 400" (Miss Kittin and The Hacker Remix) – 5:17
• "Kernkraft 400" (Sport Chant Stadium Remix) – 5:31

Unofficial versions

• "Kernkraft 400" (Chris Schweizer Bootleg)
• "Kernkraft 400" (Keon Akoum 4AM Mix)
• "Boston, GET UP! – Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup Champs Anthem" (Flem Remix)
• "Kernkraft 400" (Technoboy Bootleg)
• "Kernkraft 400" (W&W Remix)*
• "Kernkraft 400" (Shadowraver Remix)

Charts

References