The German synth pop band C.C.C.P. separated themselves from '80s Depeche Mode and Erasure wannabes by having a tougher, more energetic sound. Led by vocalist Rasputin Stoy, C.C.C.P. released their debut singles "American-Soviets I" and "American-Soviets II" in 1986, both hits in alternative dance clubs. Although C.C.C.P. received scant airplay in the U.S., they remained a favorite of club DJs throughout the '80s, and tracks like 1987's "Made in Russia" and 1989's "United States of Europe" further expanded the group's following among post-punk partygoers. As with their electronic peers, C.C.C.P.'s records were frequently remixed, appearing in countless versions before the band finally released their first album, The World, in 1990. Two years later, Best of C.C.C.P.: 1985-1992 provided a summary of the mysterious group's career. C.C.C.P. recorded The Hallucinogenic Toreador in 1992 and The Cosmos in 1996, neither of which had the impact of their earlier material. ~ Michael Sutton