The Beatsteaks formed in 1995 in their native Germany, playing local shows at food festivals, and by the end of that summer, the punk-popsters were recording a demo Beatsteaks: Die Erste which went on to sell more than 1000 copies. Still only in high school during this time, the Beatsteaks steered straight for their musical dreams, constantly participating in area competitions and talent shows, culminating in an opening slot for the Sex Pistols' 1996 reunion tour in Berlin. The latter '90s were also spent recording and touring, and by 1999, the band had inked a deal with Epitaph and recorded their major-label debut, Launch. ~ MacKenzie Wilson