Etron Fou Leloublan à Prague
Our friend Dominique Grimaud released a live album by Etron Fou Leloublan on his label “Les Zut-O-Pistes”
Highly recommanded, as well as Les Batteries, released a few monthas ago.
Merci Dominique!
ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN is a mythic Seventies underground French band created by Chris CHANET (Aka Eulalie RUYNAT, saxophone and vocals), Guigou CHENEVIER (Drums) and Ferdinand RICHARD (Bass & guitar). This leader of the French underground shows his sense of humour and derision on a deliciously weird music. This incredible trio happily destroys all rock structures and performs a delirious music, full of humour, of rhythm, close to CAPTAIN BEEFHEART’s, Albert MARCOEUR and ZNR. This unique music can only be described like the weirdest meeting of BOURVIL and CAPTAIN BEEFHEART… It’s then not surprising that ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN became the French representative in Chris CUTLER’s Rock In Opposition movement ! “Batelages” was originally issued in November 1976, and “Les Trois Fou’s Perdégagnent – Au Pays Des…” the year after. Francis GRAND (Saxophone) replaces Chris CHANET at this occasion. “Les Poumons Gonflés” dates back from 1982, and was produced by Fred FRITH (HENRY COW). “Les Sillons De La Terre” (1984) and “Face Aux Elements Déchaînés” (1985,) conclude the band’s discography, the latter featuring the original trio formula, Jo THIRION replacing Chris CHANET. The triple-CD “43 Songs” gathers the complete studio works of ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN. The only album that hadn’t been previously reissued in CD, “En Public Aux Etats-Unis D’Amérique” (1979) has just been published on the Gazul label and gives a possibility to hear live their tongue-in-cheek music made of subversive parodies, musical courage and weird parts. Filled with energy and showing a solid sense of delirium, their inspired free-jazz is a musical experience that you’ll never forget ! “A Prague” is the tenth volume of the Zut-O-Pistes collection, as well as an exceptional document. Until the late Eighties actually, very few rock bands, whatever their style, were able to play in Eastern Europe. ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN, one of the most famous and creative in the field of alternative musics, managed to go beyond the Iron Curtain several times, particularly to the Czech capital on November 13th 1984. The band was then produced by Fred FRITH and in its most prolific period. If you add the geographic, political and human context, this record sounds today as an intense, moving and in short, memorable recording !
In 1985, Guigou CHENEVIER, the leader of the French band ETRON FOU LELOUBLAN, had this funny idea of creating a trio entirely devoted to drums-and-sticks. He chose American Rick BROWN (V-EFFECT, FISH AND ROSES, RUN ON…) and British Charles HAYWARD (THIS HEAT, CAMBERWELL NOW…). The trio later became a duet, sometimes reinforced by Claude MARCOEUR, then the infamous Albert MARCOEUR in person ! LES BATTERIES even collaborated with John McENTIRE (TORTOISE) on its third album. The first album “Noisy Champs” (1986) has been reissued by Les Zut-O-Pistes, featuring five bonus-tracks, including one composition by Charles HAYWARD. Guigou CHENEVIER and Rick BROWN aimed at illustrating their own vision of the French Revolution. This ambitious project eventually saw the light of day in 1991, with the Musea release of “Démesure Révolutionnaire”. The musicians’ complementary work displays an amazing diversity by the use of various noises, synthesizers, vocals, saxophone, and the participation of PEENI WAALI’s Jean-Marc ROSSEL (Hurdy-gurdy & accordion) and Michel MANDEL (Clarinets). A true innovative and captivating music made of discovery and surprise. Not to be missed !
Order at http://www.musearecords.com
