Hungarian rock

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Hungarian rock has been a part of the popular music of Hungary since the early 1960s. The first major bands were Illés, Metró and Omega. At the time, rock was not approved of by the Hungarian Communist authorities. In the 1970s, the Communists cracked down on rock, and Illés was banned from recording. Some members of the other bands formed a supergroup called Locomotiv GT, while the band Omega became very popular in Germany.

History

1960s

In 1968, the New Economic Mechanism was introduced, intending on revitalizing the Hungarian economy, while the band Illés won almost every prize at the prestigious Táncdalfesztivál. In the 70s, however, the Russians cracked down on subversives in Hungary, and rock was a major target. The band Illés was banned from performing and recording, while Metró and Omega left. Some of the members of these bands formed a supergroup, Locomotiv GT, that quickly became very famous. The remaining members of Omega, meanwhile, succeeded in achieving stardom in Germany, and remained very popular for a time.[1]

1970s

Rock bands in the late 1970s had to conform to the Record Company's demands and ensure that all songs passed the inspection of the Song Committee, who scoured all songs looking for ideological disobedience. LGT was the most prominent band of a classic rock style that was very popular, along with Illés, Bergendy and Zorán, while there were other bands like The Sweet and Middle of the Road who catered to the desires of the Song Committee, producing rock-based pop music without a hint of subversion. Meanwhile, the disco style of electronic music produced such performers as the officially-sanctioned Neoton Familia, and Beatrice and Szűcs Judit, while the more critically acclaimed progressive rock scene produced bands like East, V73, Color and Panta Rhei.[1]

1980s

Tamás Somló of Lokomotiv GT

In the early 1980s, economic and cultural depression wracked Hungary, leading to a wave of disillusioned and alienated youth, exactly the people that rock, and the burgeoning worldwide field of punk rock, spoke to the most. Major bands from this era included Beatrice, who had moved from disco to punk and folk-influenced rock and were known for their splashy, uncensored and theatrical performances, P. Mobil, Bikini, Hobo Blues Band, a bluesy duo, A. E. Bizottság, Európa Kiadó, Sziámi and Edda művek.[1]

The 1980s saw the Record Production Company broken up because Hungary's authorities realized that restricting rock was not effective in reducing its effect; they instead tried to water it down by encouraging young musicians to sing about the principles of Communism and obedience. The early part of the decade saw the arrive of punk and new wave music in full force, and the authorities quickly incorporated those styles as well. The first major prison sentences for rock-related subversion were given out, with the members of the punk band CPg sentenced to two years for political incitement.[1]

1990s

Miki Berenyi circa 1990

By the end of the decade and into the 1990s, internal problems made it impossible for the Hungarian government to counter the activities of rock and other musical groups. After the collapse of the Communist government, the Hungarian scene become more and more like the styles played in the rest of Europe.[1]

2000s

The 2000s see the emergence of new different genres, while the classic rock remained in the background. Several metal bands reached international success such as FreshFabrik, Blind Myself, Superbutt.

Subgenres

Alternative

Kispál és a Borz playing at the VOLT Festival

Hungarian alternative band Kispál és a Borz emerged in the early 1990s. They became famous for their lead singer's (András Lovasi) lyrics and unique style of singing.[2]

Although Attila Grandpierre's Vágtázó Halottkém did not reach international success, in Hungary they gained popularity. They were known for mixing tribal rhythms with classic rock.

In 1990 Pál Utcai Fiúk's first studio album was released entitled Ha Jön Az Álom. Later the band became of the most well-known alternative rock band in Hungary. Their most widely known albums are A Bál (1991), A Nagy Rohanás (1992), Szerelemharc (1993), Szajhák és Partizánok (1994), Ha Jön Az Élet (2000), Közönséges (2004), and Legelő (2008).

In 1991 Kispál és a Borz's first studio album was released entitled Naphoz Holddal. Later the band became the most successful alternative rock band in Hungary. Their most notable albums are Föld Kaland Ilyesmi, Ágy, Asztal, Tévé, Sika, Kasza, Léc, Ül, Bálnák Ki A Partra. The band became noted for their singer András Lovasi's unique style of lyrics.

In 1993 Quimby's first record was released entitled A Sip of Story. Later the band became one of the leading bands of the Hungarian alternative scene. Their most famous albums are Jerrycan Dance (1995), Majom-tangó (1996), Diligramm (1997), Ékszerelmére (1999), Káosz Amigos (2002), Kilégzés (2005), Lármagyűjtögető (2009), Kicsi Ország (2010) and Instant Szeánsz (2011).

In 1992 Nulladik Változat released their first studio album with the eponymous title.[3]

In 1995 Sexepil reached international markets with their song Jerusalem which was aired on Music Television's alternative program.[4]

In 1996 Nulladik Változat released their second studio album entitled Négy. The album contained the song Hajnal which brought success for the band in Hungarian underground scene.[5]

In 1997 C.A.F.B.'s second studio album, Zanza, was released by Premier Art Records. The album included the hit single Engedj Be.

In 1998 Land of Charon released their first full-length studio album entitled Asztrálgép. The album included songs like Az Önmegváltó, Ishtar és Kthulu, Álmok Romjai and many more.[6]

In 1998 Heaven Street Seven's first studio album was released entitled Hip-hop Mjúzik. Later the band released several other records both in Hungarian and in English but they became noted in Hungary as one of the leading bands of the Hungarian alternative music scene. Their most notable albums are Hol Van Az A Krézi Srác? (2000), Sajnálom (2000), White lies in HiFi (2000), Mozdulj! (2001), Éjszaka (2002), Ezután (2002), Dél-Amerika (2002), Csízbörger (2004), Ez A Szerelem (2004), Hangerő (2005), Tudom, hogy Szeretsz Titokban (2007), Mikor Utoljára Láttalak (2008), Szia (2009). The band's singer Krisztián Szűcs also appeared on Yonderboi's Splendid Isolation as a singer.

In 2000 Nulladik Változat's fifth studio album was released entitled Murmuc.[7]

In 2000 Yonderboi released his first full-length studio album entitled Shallow and Profound.[8] Later Yonderboi became one of the leading artist of the Hungarian electro scene releasing two more records, Splendid Isolation and Passive Control.

In the early 2000s more alternative bands emerged. The Idoru reached international success, signing a contract with Burning Seasons Records.[9][10]

In 2011 Nulladik Változat released their first album in the 2010s entitled Dark,[11] two years later Darker.[12]

In September 2012 the Drum & Monkey Records released Ivan & The Parazol's first album entitled Mama Don't You Recognize Ivan & The Parazol?.[13][14]


Indie-rock

Beginnings

The Puzzle, one of the early birds of the Hungarian indie generation

The early 2000s was the revival of the indie music scene all over the world which obviously affected Hungary as well. One of the earliest Hungarian band playing indie rock were The Puzzle from Kaposvár. They were the first band whose record, entitled Dream Your Life, was released by an international label, PolyGram in 2000.

Successes

Amber Smith are one of the most popular and successful indie bands from Hungary

On 10 March 2006, Amber Smith's third studio album, RePRINT, was released by the German Kalinkaland Records.[15][16] The album included the song Hello Sun which brought the band international recognition.

The Moog's Sold for Tomorrow became an iconic album of the Hungarian indie scene

On 10 April 2007, The Moog's first full-length studio album Sold for Tomorrow was released by the American label MuSick.[17][18] The song I Like You brought international success for the band.

On 18 February 2008, Amber Smith's fourth studio album was released entitled Introspective. The album included songs like Introspective, Select All/Delete All, and Coded.[19]

On 21 July 2009, The Moog's second studio album was released entitled Razzmatazz Orfeum.[20][21] The first single, You Raised A Vampire, was released in colored vinyl 7" with stunning artwork by Gris Grimly. The 7" also includes a B-side cover of the Bauhaus classic The Passion Of Lovers featuring Bauhaus/Love and Rockets bassist/vocalist David J, who became a fan of the band after seeing them perform in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California in 2008. The video for You Raised A Vampire was shot in the same gothic building where the first Underworld movie was made in Budapest, Hungary where.

The 2010s saw the emergence of new indie bands such as Carbovaris[22] and Bastiaan,[23] which is the side-project of The Moog singer Tamás Szabó.

Decline

The decline of the Hungarian indie started in the 2010s, although the most notable bands such as Amber Smith, The Moog and EZ Basic did not disband. From the 2010s two new bands, Carbovaris and Fran Palermo, started to take over the Hungarian indie scene, however, with moderate success. These bands did not attract such a big audience as Amber Smith or The Moog could in the mid 2000s. The decline can also be attributed to the fact that Imre Poniklo, singer-guitarist of Amber Smith, started several projects in the 2010s, such as The Poster Boy, SALT III., and Krapulax & Bellepomme. Therefore, one of the most important bands did not play at concerts which lower their popularity. In addition, the Indie rock genre also experienced a decline all over the world which obviously had an impact on the Hungarian indie scene.

On 10 April 2012 The Moog released their third studio album entitled Seasons in the Underground produced by Ken Scott[24][25][26] followed by US tour with bands like B-52s and David Lane.[27] The Moog concentrated on their US carrier with moderate success.

On 21 April 2012 Amber Smith released their fifth studio album entitled Amber Smith.[28] Although Poniklo claimed that this record is one of the best ones among the previous releases, the band did not achieve those sorts of successes as with the previous records.

On 29 November 2013, Amber Smith released their EP entitled Another Way including two new songs: Another Way and Merciful Sea.

Notable Hungarian rock bands and artists

Notable & recent Hungarian rock records

Date Band Record Reviews Label/Release Producer(s)
1967 Illés Ezek A Fiatalok
1969 Omega 10 000 Lépés
1970 Omega Éjszakai Országút
1971 Lokomotiv GT Locomotiv GT
1972 Lokomotiv GT Ringasd el magad
1973 Lokomotiv GT Bummm!
1971 Lokomotiv GT Mindig magasabbra
1976 Lokomotiv GT Locomotiv GT V.
1977 Lokomotiv GT Zene - Mindenki másképp csinálja
1977 Piramis Piramis 1.
1978 Lokomotiv GT Mindenki
1983 P. Mobil Heavy Medal
1995 Sexepil Sugar for the Soul
2000 The Puzzle Dream Your Life PolyGram
2002 Supersonic Salty Feeling (Called Love)
2003 Pokolgép Totális Metál
2003 Supersonic Diving In Mad Seas [29][30] self-released Supersonic
2006 Amber Smith rePRINT [31][32][33][34][35] Kalinkaland Records Robin Guthrie
2007 The Moog Sold for Tomorrow [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] MuSick Records Jack Endino
2007 EZ Basic Hocus Focus [45][46] self-released Szabolcs Puha
2008 Amber Smith Introspective [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] self-released Chris Brown
2008 Jacked Stop The Show [54] Universal Records Jacked
2009 The Moog Razzmatazz Orfeum [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63] MuSick Records Geoff Ott
2009 Supersonic Elite Properties [64][65]
2010 EZ Basic Hello Heavy [66][67] Twelvetones Records George Schilling
2012 Bastiaan Kissing A Stranger [68] self-released Zoltán Takács
2012 Amber Smith Amber Smith [69][70][71] Kalinkaland Records
2012 The Moog Seasons in the Underground [72][73][74][75][76] MuSick Records Ken Scott
2012 The Poster Boy Things We Had Time For [77][78][79] self-released György Ligeti
2012 EZ Basic Memories of Spring [80][81]
2012 The Poster Boy Melody [82][83][84][85][86][87][88] Firestation Records György Ligeti
2013 Dawnstar Saturnine Valentines Dávid Schram
2013 EZ Basic New Lines Szabolcs Puha
2013 The Poster Boy Bonjour, c'est Pop deux György Ligeti
2013 Amber Smith Another Way György Ligeti

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rock music groups from Hungary.
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