The band originally called Inner Space became Can. The German experimental rock group formed in Cologne in 1968, initially bringing together Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt, Jaki Liebezeit, and Michael Karoli.
The group was working under the name Inner Space when American artist and vocalist Malcolm Mooney became involved. According to the band’s history, Mooney suggested the shorter name Can, which the musicians adopted. The name also carried several associations: in English it suggests ability, while in Turkish "can" can mean soul, spirit, or life.
Can became one of the defining groups of the German krautrock movement. Their music combined rock, jazz, electronic experimentation, tape manipulation, and extended improvisation. Albums such as "Monster Movie," "Tago Mago," and "Future Days" established their influence far beyond Germany. Inner Space can also cause confusion because it was the name of the band’s early identity and later the name of its recording studio; a 1979 Can album was also widely known as "Inner Space."