Barikada
- World Of Music - Svastara - 2008 |
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MUŠKAT HAMBURG
P o r t r a i t
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Muškat Hamburg
P o r t r a i t |
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Muškat Hamburg,
Garage / Punk / Rock band, Maribor, Slovenia.
The first line-up of Muškat Hamburg was born in 1997. Three schoolmates were
just finishing secondary school and didn't like the idea of throwing televisions
from student homes as much as their peers. Looking for different kind of fun
and satisfaction and driven by their love towards fast and loud music, they
bought their first instruments, started learning to play them and started rehearsing
at the same time. Inspired by lots of good festivals, concerts and "local"
bands of that time (KUD Idijoti, Majke, Partibrejkers, Goblini, etc.) on one,
and
punk and metal "classics" on the other hand, they didn't think
much about the ideology as teenagers. Just looking for kicks and something
hard... but taking it seriously.
After jamming for quite a while without a drummer, they found
themselves one and the band was ready to make an apperance on the stage for
the first time
in 1998. But the lust didn't last, as the drummer was lacking interest, will,
dedication... damn, he was lacking everything. And guess what, the same »shitty« story
was written again after the second drummer joined and left the band in 1999.
"Well, all drummers are the same", they (not so wisely) concluded
and bought a computer to introduce a rhythm machine. Okay, rehearsals were
regular, concerts
were often, drummer was very precise, often too precise, but something was
missing... "hey, do we want to sound like that?" / "don't
wanna deal with stupid machine anymore, we wanna play guitars, we wanna drummer
of flesh and blood!"
They tried their luck once more in 2000. This time it was
better, but original members wanted to make a step forward and the drummer
was just not prepared
for those changes at the time. Simply, feeling was wrong, band was again faced
with facts and failed to record its material for one more time. "Shall
we break up?" Forget it...
Finally, they met couple of »dudes« to fit the
band. It happened in 2003, as the band called Opus hey was left by its bass
player. Well, it
was worth a try with what was left of the band. Muskat Hamburg had nothing
to lose... "Hey, is this for real or just some sort of phantasy...
The dudes love what they are doing?!" What is more, they even loved the
music the originate members loved! Yes. It felt so much different, not just
playing with newborne Muskats, but also hanging out with them, listening to
AC/DC, Motorhead, Turbonegro, Gluecifer, The Stooges, etc. The band even found
common symphathy towards Iron Maiden. Actually, the new Band was born, but
the old name stayed.
New songs were made quickly eventhough they live in different
towns, 50 miles apart from each other and only one member actually lives in
Maribor, where
the Muškat Hamburg base is located. Not to mention jobs, another fine story...
But, stubborn character of members assured enough progress to hit the basements,
cellars and even decent-like clubs for one more time. They even returned with
some sound-like-morron rock'n'roll nicknames:
Bizga the Panzer - drums /
Kuki Cold Eye - guitar /
Madamfucker - vocal /
Sissy Pop(e) - bass /
Otto Corporal Cutt-Butt - guitar
Image of the band has also progressed with time. Too much
glam? Too much Turbonegro? Whatever, they were enjoying it too much to dress
something regular again.
And why should anybody be ashamed to look like the best, right?! Maybe it would
be better to sound like the best, but can't have it all, you know...
By the end of the first year spent together in new »formation«,
they faced music studio for the first time. Such a relief, recording a couple
of songs for the "Poets sung by Rockers" project. The project is
about making music for lyrics (poems) written by young poets. And in the mean
time, you learn a lot.
In spring 2004 they visited friends from band Dr. Zero and
made some demo recordings in their practise room. Recordings were done quickly
as they had to be sent
for the Radio Student's "Club Marathon" tender. Each year they
chose some of the most perspective bands and individuals and bring them to
several slovenian clubs, promoting bands and so on. The band had luck. It was
not just about beeing honoured to take part in it but members of the band also
used this time to clear some things in their heads... Finally, they were not
just a bunch of music fans that wanted to play in a band, but it was about
time to start thinking and acting like a band and to be proud of what they've
achieved so far. It was about right time and "chemistry" has taken
over.
So they recorded another two songs for "Club Marathon" compilation
and pour sweat in each club they visited, until an accident in late 2004 nearly
finished
the band for »good«. After only two months of healing, the Band
was back on stage. They recorded a song by Pankrti for a "tribute to" project
in Kif-Kif studio and decided that was the place to record and produce their
first record. As they still haven't learned to say »no« to anybody
who invites them for a gig, the recording process took longer than planned.
But finally Muškat's firstborn baby is now almost at the tip of your fingers.
After eight years of foreplay, it's time to "play for real". New
beginning for Muškat Hamburg as band feels stronger than ever before...
No sweat, no rock'n'roll, Muškat Hamburg,
Slovenia.
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