The Analogs
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| The Analogs | |
|---|---|
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| Country | Poland |
| Years active | 1995-present |
| Genres | Punk rock Streetpunk Oi! |
| Labels | Rock'n'roller Jimmy Jazz |
| Members | Paweł Czekała Dominik Pyrzyna Kacper Piotr Półtorak Jakub Krawczyk |
The Analogs is a Polish street punk band. They originated in Szczecin, and are quite successful on the local and international punk rock scene.
The band is widely regarded as beginning street punk and Oi! music in Poland, although many bands before them played these genres of music. The Analogs were the first band to use skinhead symbolics and references in their songs.
Contents |
[edit] Band history
[edit] The beginnings
In the early 1995 three members of a Polish ska band, Dr. Cycos, came into a rehearsal hall situated in Bronx pub, Szczecin to work on several songs, supposed to be traditionally punk rock. Those people were Marek Adamowicz (guitarist), Ziemowit Pawluk (drummer) and Paweł Czekała (bassist). The band did not have any name yet.
After preparing melody lines for first few songs, band started looking for a vocalist. The first candidate was Tomasz Iwanow, band members' old friend. Iwan was however unsuccessful as a vocalist. Another candidate for this position was Dominik Pyrzyna, an orthodox punk those days, who perfectly fit the vocalist role for the band.
[edit] The first album
The time had come to record the debut album, entitled Oi! Młodzież. While recording it (in "Kakadu" studio, Szczecin), the band simultaneously led talks with Rock'n'roller productions, and actually with its boss Zdzisław Jodko. Being one of Czekała's long time friends, Jodko willingly agreed to release the album under Rock'n'roller label. Meanwhile, the band had just been able to give itself a name: The Analogs.
The album was recorded simultaneously with an album of Dr. Cycos. On the first day both bands recorded music, and the second day was dedicated to vocals and mixing.
Just after the recording session and the concert of both groups, Czekała's troubles with justice started. In spring 1996 album had finally been released, yet it made a kind of success. During Czekała's absence, bassist position was held by Szymon Gebel, and then by Artur Szmit.
[edit] Concert with D.O.A. and anti-Analogs independent press releases
The band started giving concerts soon, of which the most famous and controversial was a gig played together with a Canadian punk rock band DOA. It took place in Poznań and is mostly remembered for fighting between The Analogs fans and the rest of the audience.
None of its participants remembers the real reason for the outbreak of fight, but the whole situation resulted in several releases in independent press accusing The Analogs of either promoting violence and culture of hate, or secretly smuggling fascist, sexist and anti-feminist ideas in their songs.
In the beginnings of band's activity, The Analogs were standing in strong opposition to anarchist punks and feminists. Connecting this attitude with the event on DOA concert caused many Polish underground media to start an onslaught on the band, but with poor effect.
On the other side, a group had received a significant part of support from Garaż (Polish for garage) magazine.
[edit] Beginning of international career
In 1997 three songs by The Analogs (mistakenly described as Analogics on the cover) appeared at Oi! it's a world invasion compilation released by Bronco Bullfrog Records and Step-1. On December 7th, 2003 The Analogs were invited to play at Punk & Disorderly festival in Germany. It is worth mention, that the band was the only one from Poland to play at this festival. They returned to play in Germany at the same festival one year after, and are preparing to appear in 2006
Analogs songs appeared on following international compilations:
- Oi! It's a world Invasion (Bronco Bullfrog) - 3 songs
- Class Pride World Wide 2 (Insurgence Records)
- KOB vs. Mad Butcher (KOB/Mad Buther)
- Stay Punk! (Havin' a Laugh Records)
[edit] Next records
The second record, Street Punk Rulez!, was mainly released after strong encouragement by Jodko, who was surprised with the huge success of the debut album. Band's condition was weak, especially because Czekała was still in arrest and Adamowicz was starting to interest in other kinds of music. The album was recorded in the same studio as the previous time, with most of the lyrics written by Czekała while in prison.
The material was short, the sound weak and large part of songs were the new versions from the first album. Despite of this, these troubles made a bit of success, and some songs reached the level of band's most popular, and are still played live by the band.
It was the first Analogs album released on CD. Just after recording of Street Punk Rulez! was finished, Adamowicz left the band.
In 1999 Czekała recorded some songs in Kakadu Studio. This recording session was resulted as the promo CD attached to "Garaż". This magazine's issue included a band's interview, where new members were introduced. The Analogs played in this set until recordings of the third album, Hlaskover Rock.
Before the album was released, Grzegorz Król had alcohol abuse, what caused him being not able to stand on the scene. As the pressure within the band, he was forced to leave the group. The place of second guitarist was taken by Artur Szmit, who previously exchanged Czekała with bass guitar.
Year 2001 was began by the concert at the "Punk Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity" in Kraków. At this time, band managed to take Błażej Halski from Vespa band, who exchanged the second guitarist. The Analogs played a set of concerts in Poland and Germany, together with The Prowlers. As the both bands' alcohol abusing and their alcoholic parties scared boss of the Mad Buther Records, plans of releasing The Analogs record in Germany was abandoned.
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In fall, 2001 a new record Blask Szminki was released. At this time band played their first concert in Prague.
[edit] Concerts with the stars
In the beginning of 2002, The Analogs played again at "Punk Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity", together with Anti-Nowhere League, Los Fastidios, Skarface and Oxymoron. After this gig, Dariusz Stefański decided to leave the band.
In spring band played several concerts in Italy. In summer The Analogs appeared on Antifest in Czech. Jacek Tomczak came to band as a guitarist.
The same year, band supported (together with Bulbulators) The Exploited at the concert in Kraków. Due to high costs of tickets, this event had small attendance.
[edit] The latest records
Another studio session (this time in Elvis Van Tomato, Szczecin) resulted with Trucizna album. Soon after promoting this release on a set of gigs with Los Fastidios. As a part of tradition, The Analogs included few covers on their record: Cock Sparrer's, The 4-Skins' and The Ramones'.
In 2003 band appeared at Czech Republic's Antifest, being this time the only band from Poland. In this year three members decided to leave the band for different reasons. Ziemowit Pawluk was not able to share his time between The Analogs and his professional life anymore, Błażej Halski had to return to his family town, Kielce, and Dariusz Tkaczyk couldn't deal with absence of members. It followed crucial changes. Paweł Boguszewski took over drummer position and Piotr Półtorak started playing guitar. The most important change was come back of Dominik Pyrzyna as a vocalist.
In the beginning of 2004, the band released Kroniki Policyjne.
In October and November 2004 The Analogs played as many concerts as never before, and in the beginning of 2005 they took a break, preparing to band's 10th anniversary. The only exception were two trips to Italy.
[edit] 10 years after...
The 10th anniversary took place at the last weekend of April 2005, and lasted for two days. Many guest stars were invited, including: Schizma, Vespa, AEFDE, Komety, PDS, WSC, Zbeer, Wściekły Pies, Anti Dread and many more.
In summer 2005, the band took part in two large festivals, one in Germany ("Glaubitz") and Czech Republic (Antifest).
On August 22nd the premiere of the latest record took place, Talent Zero as a part of celebrating The Analogs anniversary. The album consist completely of classic punk rock covers with lyrics translated into Polish.
[edit] The Analogs today
New records are announced to appear on a CD attached to book about kids from the street. The book is supposed to tell about people struggling with many difficulties in life, difficult childhood, criminal past, drugs and alcohol, but also about people who survived all this and returned to normal life. The title of neither book nor record is yet announced. Release date is set to summer 2006.
There was an announcement, that on spring 2006 release of split CD of Zbeer and The Analogs was supposed to be. This album would have consist of two bands song, covering each other. The project however was unsuccessful, and each band releases their own new albums in 2006.
In the beginning of 2006 Dmuchacz is leaving the band, and on his place the band chooses Kacper. While going on Punk & Disorderly festival Kacper unfortunately did not take his ID, sso he had to pass the border on lent one.
For March 2006 a reedition of band's first album is planned as a vinyl disc. It is going to be released by one of German labels. The same month band's cover of one of Dezerter's songs is going to be included on Dezerter's tribute album Nie ma zagrożenia - jest Dezerter.
[edit] Band members
[edit] Current members
- Paweł "Piguła" Czekała - bass guitar
- Kacper ("X-man") - drums
- Piotr Półtorak - guitar
- Jakub "Krawat" Krawczyk - guitar
- Dominik "Harcerz" Pyrzyna - vocals
[edit] Former members
- Marek "Oreł" Adamowicz - guitar (1995-1996)
- Ziemowit "Ziemek" Pawluk - drums (1995-2003)
- Tomasz "Iwan" Iwanow - vocals (1995)
- Artur Szmit - guitar (1996-1999)
- Szymon "Sajmon" Gebel - bass guitar (1996)
- Grzegorz "Heniek" Król - guitar (1999)
- Dariusz "Kwadrat" Stefański - guitar (1999-2001)
- Dariusz "Smalec" Tkaczyk - vocals (1999-2002)
- Błażej "Komisarz" Halski - guitar (2001-2002)
- Paweł "Dmuchacz" Boguszewski - drums (2003-2006)
[edit] Discography
- Oi! Młodzież (1996)
- Street Punk Rulez! (1997)
- Hlaskover Rock (1999)
- Oi! Młodzież/Mechaniczna Pomarańcza (2000)
- Blask Szminki (2001)
- Trucizna (2003)
- Kroniki Policyjne (2004)
- Talent Zero (2005)
- Najlepsze z najgorszych (2005)
- Poza prawem (2006)
[edit] Notes
- ↑ After leaving the band, Marek became a drum and bass DJ. The Analogs song called "Marek" is a tribute to him.
- ↑ First release as a MC, later released as a split with Ramzes & the Hooligans
- ↑ Released as a vinyl LP. Compilation of bands all time hits, recorded on a special studio session, prepared for the 10th anniversary.
- ↑ Iwan died few years later in an accident in London (riding a scooter). Bands song titled Iwan is a tribute to their long time friend.
- ↑ He remained in prison for four years.
- ↑ It is a tradition that The Analogs include foreign punk rock bands covers on their albums. In general those are always translated into Polish. The only eception are "He He He" (Cock Sparrer cover from Oi! Młodzież) and "Rebel Yell" (Billy Idol cover from Street Punk Rulez!)
[edit] References
- (Polish) Analogs history on official website
- (Polish) Band's official forum
- (Polish) Jimmy Jazz Records
[edit] See also
- The Hunkies - hardcore punk project of some of The Analogs members
[edit] External links
- (Polish) Official Website
