Petra Zieger & Smokings

Petra Zieger & Smokings emerged from Erfurt in East Germany during the mid-1980s, blending synth-pop and new wave aesthetics during a pivotal era for electronic music in the GDR. Led by vocalist Petra Zieger, the group crafted melodic, synthesizer-driven pop that reflected the electronic experimentation flourishing in East German music scenes.

The band’s work exemplified the synth-pop movement’s reach across both Eastern and Western Europe, contributing to the broader wave of electronic pop that defined the decade. Their sound combined accessible pop sensibilities with the cutting-edge synthesizer production characteristic of 1980s new wave.