Formed in 1997 by Felix Räuber (guitar, vocals, and piano), Bernhard Wenzel (keyboards and programming), and Uwe Pasora (bass), Polarkreis 18 went through a number of stylistic changes and formats before settling on a name and the notion that a ‘live' band was still viable. That band, rounded out with the addition of players Philipp Makolis (piano and guitar) and Christian Grochau (drums) took its new sound and new moniker and released its first album, Look, in 2005. (The group also released a free five-track download EP in 2004.) In 2006, Polarkreis 18 finished second at a music competition (the F6 Music Awards) which helped them score a record deal with Motor Music Revue. Their first ‘official' album followed in 2007, entitled Polarkreis 18. February 2008 found the group securing an opening slot on the Smashing Pumpkins' tour of Germany.