VARIOUS -
einfrieren
(2CD,
Kapu)
For some time now there are rumours about a book to be
published by the Kapu which shall document the history, events and artefacts
staged at this underground institution located in the wonderful city of Linz
in Upper Austria. While the release of this book seems to be delayed forever
and then some, almost out of nowhere (my impression, but as usual I could be
dead wrong, because me not knowing does not mean them not showing, right!?)
a double CD chock full with great music from the area and with connections
to the Kapu comes around.
Actually, there is only a minimal number of great and
meaningful bands from this area that do not have connections to the Kapu,
such is the status and importance of this site. I mean, this is one of the
few remaining places that still lets the old DIY-spirit flow, still keeps
the faith in the vision that progressive music can change something to the
better and rock or roll at the same time, still puts friendship and artistic
endeavour high above selling points. As I said, an underground insitution in
the best sense of the word.
Musically, the Kapu hosts a wide variety of styles,
that reflect the wide horizon that the active people in Linz have. Maybe
because the town is big enough to give rise to enough people with energy and
power to do something new and on their own, yet still small enough to keep
the danger of anonymity and sloth away. Rock, electronica, rapping, Punk,
Noise, jazz, actually it doesn’t matter as long as it is done with
heartfelt honesty, emotion and energy, any kind of music can be cool to
listen to. And “Einfrieren”, so the title of the compilation, proves
that very well. I’ll give you a few short glimpses, because with two CDs
filled with music it is hard to give anybody a full overview.
First, there are of course, quite a bunch of old
friends and bands that are frequently featured on this here website. Yes,
that means Valina,
who rock out “Never never land” with a simple but very effective
guitar/bass riff and some heavy drumming. Probably the best recorded song on
whole compilation (hint hint) and an exclusive, so for all the fans like me,
enough reason to lay hands on this album alone. The track features HP
Falkner on harmonica, who you might know from Attwenger, the well known drum
/ harmonica duo whose unique approach to folkloristic music made my father a
big fan. Attwenger are to be found in a collaboration with one of the oldest
hip hop crews from Austria, Texta. Yes, there are quite a lot of
collaborations on here, and then bands sharing people, but that is because
of the very likeable size of the scene in Linz, where people get to know
each other quickly. Which is cool.
With Strahler 80 and Seven Sioux two “legendary” (which is the
nicer way to say “old”) punk bands have a return of some kind. Strahler
80 haven’t done a thing in I don’t know how many years, but here they
are back with a bang and a “boah”. Seven Sioux on the other hand prove
that Dag Nasty once were a really cool band, before they switched labels and
became mediocre one. Of the bands that I know or have been mentioned on the
site, you’ll find the hardcore-hopefuls Men Killing Men, the funk for fun outfit Merker TV, the
almighty Fuckhead, Noiserock upcoming superstars Tumido, feminist electro pop artist Cherry Sunkist
and then some.
The more out there or weird in the best sense of the
word contributors are a Gigi’s Gogos, who are a avantgarde jazz big
marching band combo sort of sideshow circus and who should have been
reviewed by too long ago already. Remarkable in a different way are Yucki
Suckaboner who cover mid eighties mainstream radio Laid Back’s
“Bakerman” but call it “Bakerma’am”. Somehow cool and funny, but
also leaving a bad taste on your tongue and goosebumps on your nipples.
German sung hip hop is still not my main thing, but in the connection it is
presented here, between noise tracks and postrock it is cool. And if it
takes a political anti-right wing stance like Hinterland’s “Wessely”
then I am completely down with it.
Shit, there is so much more great stuff on here, it is
hard to believe. And even harder to try to listen to it in one big session.
Do yourself a favour with this, I mean it. And to anybody constantly whining
about how bad things are musically in Austria because radio doesn’t play
enough Austrian music and there is no help from the state to young pop music
apart from Starmania and so on, to these people this compilation should be a
punch in the face. Because it proves that will, energy and passion are able
to create something great, something worthwhile, and this compilation will
document it for coming generations.
