"Aurreritzien sustraiak
hain dira sakonak,
arrazoiaren bidea
luzea bezain zaila dela...
Bidasoa fundamentalista? Inoiz ez!"
hain dira sakonak,
arrazoiaren bidea
luzea bezain zaila dela...
Bidasoa fundamentalista? Inoiz ez!"
On both banks of the Bidasoa river have been brewing some of the best moments of Basque rock in these last decades. After the punk hangover of the 80´s, well represented by local groups such as Kortatu, Auskalo, Vómito, Anti-Regimen, Oztopoka or Baldin Bada, new groups began a search for new sonorities. One of the most noteworthy cases was in area of Hondarribia (Gipuzkoa), where a group of local artists created the Psilocybe Elkartea association in the early 90´s. After squatting and fighting for several years for having decent rehearsal rooms, Psilocybe cultural association. The cession of one of the wings of the old schools of the district of Amute. There, "Psilocybenea" alternative space was born, one of the most active and unique venues in the entire Basque music scene. After finishing the renovation of the building, the intrepid members of Psilocybe association would assume the management of the whole site, expanding the first rehearsal rooms with a new concert hall and a local radio station.
Thanks to Psilocybenea space, the musical level of Hondarribia has grown and has been strikingly high in recent years. In the footsteps of pioneering bands such as Beti Mugan, DUT, LIF, The Illusions, Sorotan Bele, Orgasmic Toothpicks, a huge quarry came out that included such varied ensembles as Marginalia, 6 Erru, BloodSeekers, Pinbol, Citizen, Maumousse, Inoiz Ez, Sfintters, Montanas, Gudak, Guilty Parrots, Los Stupefactos, DeadBody & the Faboulous Bonus Man, Luz de Putas, & the Fans, Imago 4, DJ Edu o The Glandes. Recently, Marmoka, one of those new local bands has presented his first album, "Bidaide" (2017), recorded, of course, within the Psilocybenea space. After several changes, the formation of Marmoka is formed by Mufloi (bass), Hendhrix (guitar), Katxarros (drums) and Mkarel (guitar and voice), guys who put on the stage what they call "rockmarpop" (a potent mix of glam rock music and psychedelic pop). Apart from their own songs, in live shows, Marmoka band plays covers of Neil Young or the mythical Basque rock bands like Itoiz, Deabruak Teilatuetan or Beti Mugan.
The emergence of Beti Mugan (in english, "Always on the Edge") brought new sounds to the Basque rock music in 90´s. In their own way, Beti Mugan band opted to practice a lively alternative rock pop with fascinating lyrics in Basque and also in English lenguage ("Jane says"). Thanks to the small label Basati Records, members of Beti Mugan would leave for posterity three unparalleled albums, "Hamlet" (1992), "Mugan" (1993) and "Oreka desorekan" (1994). When the people understood Beti Mugan´s style, this basque band was already saying goodbye. Years later, much of his legacy would be compiled in "Bazen" (1998), a fine album edited by Esan Ozenki Records. Beti Mugan also participated in "Underribi" (1994), a collective album that would turn out to be the letter of presentation of another music band from Hondarribia band, DUT, with a fundamental role in the development of the Basque rock scene.
Thanks to Psilocybenea space, the musical level of Hondarribia has grown and has been strikingly high in recent years. In the footsteps of pioneering bands such as Beti Mugan, DUT, LIF, The Illusions, Sorotan Bele, Orgasmic Toothpicks, a huge quarry came out that included such varied ensembles as Marginalia, 6 Erru, BloodSeekers, Pinbol, Citizen, Maumousse, Inoiz Ez, Sfintters, Montanas, Gudak, Guilty Parrots, Los Stupefactos, DeadBody & the Faboulous Bonus Man, Luz de Putas, & the Fans, Imago 4, DJ Edu o The Glandes. Recently, Marmoka, one of those new local bands has presented his first album, "Bidaide" (2017), recorded, of course, within the Psilocybenea space. After several changes, the formation of Marmoka is formed by Mufloi (bass), Hendhrix (guitar), Katxarros (drums) and Mkarel (guitar and voice), guys who put on the stage what they call "rockmarpop" (a potent mix of glam rock music and psychedelic pop). Apart from their own songs, in live shows, Marmoka band plays covers of Neil Young or the mythical Basque rock bands like Itoiz, Deabruak Teilatuetan or Beti Mugan.
The emergence of Beti Mugan (in english, "Always on the Edge") brought new sounds to the Basque rock music in 90´s. In their own way, Beti Mugan band opted to practice a lively alternative rock pop with fascinating lyrics in Basque and also in English lenguage ("Jane says"). Thanks to the small label Basati Records, members of Beti Mugan would leave for posterity three unparalleled albums, "Hamlet" (1992), "Mugan" (1993) and "Oreka desorekan" (1994). When the people understood Beti Mugan´s style, this basque band was already saying goodbye. Years later, much of his legacy would be compiled in "Bazen" (1998), a fine album edited by Esan Ozenki Records. Beti Mugan also participated in "Underribi" (1994), a collective album that would turn out to be the letter of presentation of another music band from Hondarribia band, DUT, with a fundamental role in the development of the Basque rock scene.
In their first album, "DUT" (1995), the members of DUT dared to version to the same Mikel Laboa with a very long and exciting version of "Urtsua da uda". Thanks to his boldness and his powerful direct, DUT would support in ten occasions to the mythical Negu Gorriak band. DUT was completely reinvented to record their colossal second album, "At" (1996). They going from quintet to trio, Joseba (bass), Galder (drums) and Xabi (guitar). Mixing an infinity of styles and musical influences, these three member of DUT band would reach levels hardly imaginable, profiling a powerful sound that would reactivate to an important part of basque rock scene. This amazing second album encouraged basque veteran musicians, like Fermin Muguruza, to start collaborating with DUT. "Fermín received an invitation from Chile to do a version of Victor Jara, the inmortal chilean songwriter. Fermin wanted to do something with us and, quickly, we start to play together".
After recording that great version, "El derecho de vivir en paz" ("The right to live in peace"), for the albums of homage Víctor Jara chilean songwriter, Fermin Muguruza and the members of DUT presented the captivating "Fermin Muguruza eta DUT" (1998) album. The whole of the texts were from Fermin, with the exception of the theme "Aizkorak zorroztu". The music of this album, basically, was a contribution of the band DUT, except "Nik baditut sei" and "Lucrecia", dedicated to Lucrecia Pérez, a black woman killed by racists cop in Madrid in 1992. Drinking from jungle music and drum & bass sounds, this album would be a rather novel work in the troubled Basque Country of later 90´s and gave way to an extensive tour of presentation for Europe and America. During that tour, Fermin Muguruza and DUT band would accompany Gaitzerdi, a Basque theater company that was in charge of designing the striking metal and fire scenography to the shows.
Without officially announcing its dissolution, Galder, Joseba and Xabi, the three young members of DUT, would promote different rock projects after "Askatu korapiloa" (2000). This powerful and crude third album was the last work of this band from Hondarribia. Xabi Strubell would launch Zura, an eclectic rock band where the beginner will discover new music universes. Zura band's fruitful career includes music homages to the murdered poets like Lauaxeta and Federico García-Lorca in the album "Ilargi handi, zauri zarae" (2005), some warm bossanovas into "Kiribil" (2008) album and sharp rock songs into "Egunkari ezkutua" (2015), a third album inspired by "Leturiaren egunkari ezkutua" (1957), a novel written by Txillardegi, a popular Basque activist and writer.
Joseba Ponce and Galder Izagirre, the other two members of DUT band, give life to a new Basque rock band, Kuraia (in english, Courage) with friends and musicians like Fernando Sapo (now Estricalla band´s vocalist) and Mikel Kazalis (guitarist of Anestesia). Kuraia band's three studio albums, "Kuraia" (2003), "Iluntasunari barre" (2004) and "Piztu da piztia" (2005), would fit deeply into hard rock fans, especially those who were lucky enough to see them live sometime. Fernando, the vocalist of Kuraia band, was able to surf on the audience mounted on a guitar case in every shows.
"Kuraia has had many offers to play outside of Euskal Herria (Basque Country) despite singing in euskera (Basque lenguage). We could have touched a lot shows more, but anyway, I think we have overcome barriers like censorship or prejudice, which is great thing. They are people who truly admire our music. They written us from Brazil, USA, England, France, Germany, Japan, Chile, Argentina, Mexico ....We have the greatest barriers within ourselves, because we have not been ambitious. While Kuraia band is an basque rock band, we are always open to say what we feel in any other language.Nowadays, given the process of wild globalization that we suffer, keeping our language alive is a vital issue, especially if it is minorized and suffers constant legal assaults".
After the dissolution of Kuraia band, Galder would play drums in the ranks of the celebrated Berri Txarrak band. While Joseba would surprise everyone with "JP Lohian & Klonen Klana" (2015), a tasty and very personal rock album. "Recording solo is something I've always had in my head, but it's been relatively recently when I decided to do it. I do not know if it will be for the age, but I feel like singing more than bawling. The aesthetically dark in the music. I tried the keyboards, little by little the songs acquired another dimension and, at the same time, unified the musical concept that I wanted to convey.This has been fundamental in the final result. I tried to make a conceptual disc full of details that you are discovering step by step".
After recording that great version, "El derecho de vivir en paz" ("The right to live in peace"), for the albums of homage Víctor Jara chilean songwriter, Fermin Muguruza and the members of DUT presented the captivating "Fermin Muguruza eta DUT" (1998) album. The whole of the texts were from Fermin, with the exception of the theme "Aizkorak zorroztu". The music of this album, basically, was a contribution of the band DUT, except "Nik baditut sei" and "Lucrecia", dedicated to Lucrecia Pérez, a black woman killed by racists cop in Madrid in 1992. Drinking from jungle music and drum & bass sounds, this album would be a rather novel work in the troubled Basque Country of later 90´s and gave way to an extensive tour of presentation for Europe and America. During that tour, Fermin Muguruza and DUT band would accompany Gaitzerdi, a Basque theater company that was in charge of designing the striking metal and fire scenography to the shows.
Without officially announcing its dissolution, Galder, Joseba and Xabi, the three young members of DUT, would promote different rock projects after "Askatu korapiloa" (2000). This powerful and crude third album was the last work of this band from Hondarribia. Xabi Strubell would launch Zura, an eclectic rock band where the beginner will discover new music universes. Zura band's fruitful career includes music homages to the murdered poets like Lauaxeta and Federico García-Lorca in the album "Ilargi handi, zauri zarae" (2005), some warm bossanovas into "Kiribil" (2008) album and sharp rock songs into "Egunkari ezkutua" (2015), a third album inspired by "Leturiaren egunkari ezkutua" (1957), a novel written by Txillardegi, a popular Basque activist and writer.
Joseba Ponce and Galder Izagirre, the other two members of DUT band, give life to a new Basque rock band, Kuraia (in english, Courage) with friends and musicians like Fernando Sapo (now Estricalla band´s vocalist) and Mikel Kazalis (guitarist of Anestesia). Kuraia band's three studio albums, "Kuraia" (2003), "Iluntasunari barre" (2004) and "Piztu da piztia" (2005), would fit deeply into hard rock fans, especially those who were lucky enough to see them live sometime. Fernando, the vocalist of Kuraia band, was able to surf on the audience mounted on a guitar case in every shows.
"Kuraia has had many offers to play outside of Euskal Herria (Basque Country) despite singing in euskera (Basque lenguage). We could have touched a lot shows more, but anyway, I think we have overcome barriers like censorship or prejudice, which is great thing. They are people who truly admire our music. They written us from Brazil, USA, England, France, Germany, Japan, Chile, Argentina, Mexico ....We have the greatest barriers within ourselves, because we have not been ambitious. While Kuraia band is an basque rock band, we are always open to say what we feel in any other language.Nowadays, given the process of wild globalization that we suffer, keeping our language alive is a vital issue, especially if it is minorized and suffers constant legal assaults".
After the dissolution of Kuraia band, Galder would play drums in the ranks of the celebrated Berri Txarrak band. While Joseba would surprise everyone with "JP Lohian & Klonen Klana" (2015), a tasty and very personal rock album. "Recording solo is something I've always had in my head, but it's been relatively recently when I decided to do it. I do not know if it will be for the age, but I feel like singing more than bawling. The aesthetically dark in the music. I tried the keyboards, little by little the songs acquired another dimension and, at the same time, unified the musical concept that I wanted to convey.This has been fundamental in the final result. I tried to make a conceptual disc full of details that you are discovering step by step".
From a music spectrum quite distant to DUT band, another great band from the area of Hondarribia would triumph in Basque Country thanks to a successful combination of celtic folk and pop sounds. The three discs of Sorotan Bele band, "Sorotan Bele" (1993), "Mundu hegian" (1994) and "Jone-n kezkak" (1996), provide the beginners with some reasons to follow with interest the later works of the singer, Gorka Sarriegi, or those of the sadly disappeared flutist and composer, Mikel Errazkin. Another member of Sorotan Bele band, Urbil Artola, formed a duet with his famous progenitor, Txomin Artola, on one highly recommended album, "Hondarribian" (1997).
Txomin Artola was born in 1948. He would help to freshen up basque folk in the 70´s and 80´s. Recognizing the influences of british folk, Bob Dylan or Simon & Garfunkel, Txomin Artola would start his career with "Olaxta" (1975), an music album where he composed several poems of marine environment written by his father, Fernando Artola. With his subsequent works, Txomin Artola would manage to make its own hollow within the Basque music scene. The list of great albums is abundant and greedy, "Belar hostoak" (1978), "Ttakun ttakun" (1980), "Orbela" (1985), "Txuriko" (1986), "Berriz arte" Artola "(1990)," Alboka "(1994)," Banako "(1994) or" Zurartean "(1995).
Txomin Artola would make good friends with a young and formidable Basque singer lady, Amaia Zubiria, during his participation into the basque folk group Haizea (in english, "Wind"). Both musicians would often collaborate, achieving great successes, such as the essential trilogy "Folk lore sorta", published under Elkar label in the early 90's. Amaia Zubiria would cultivate different music genres, recording from soundtracks of films to discs as diverse as "Ho, pitxu, ho!" (1998), "Mami xuri" (1998), "Haatik" (2002), "Nabil" (2008) and "Amona Mantangorri" (2011). As a curiosity, another music album by Amaia Zubiria, "Amonaren mengantza" (1995), would inspire the name of La Venganza de la Abuela (in englih, The Revenge of the Granny), a powerful rock band led by the grea Enrique Villarreal "El Drogas", aldo Barricada rock band bass player.
Along with DUT, another intense bands would be the spearhead of Bidasoa basque post-rock, Lisabö or Izaera. Arising in the town of Irun in 1998, a few months after, the members of Lisabö were already supporting a very celebrated american band, Fugazi, in Jam concert hall of Bergara (Gipuzkoa). "The show with Fugazi was something great, what I was most impressed with was seeing them load and unload their material as if they were a group that just started. Since that day, I value that kind of thing a lot, it's something that puts you back on earth, but because of Fugazi, we have also learned many more things, the way they wear their label, their coherence when it comes to playing or their line of production albums".
Thanks to the support of Esan Ozenki label, Lisabö's first album, "Ezarian" (2000), would cause a huge commotion inside and outside Basque Country. Due to the strength of his poetic lyrics, to his melodies so torn and to these voices almost to the limit, that memorable debut would become, in a short time, a clear referent for multitude of bands of post-rock of the zone. "Our lyrics are personal, intimate, but it is an intimacy that is contextualized in the reality that we live here in Basque country. They are letters open to many interpretations, which do not suffocate in the very privacy of the writer."
Despite major changes in training, Lisabö band continued to record new albums at their own pace, remaining faithful to their particular sonority. One of the assets of Lisabö are live shows. They play with the silences and parts of great intensity, it goes more and more. It's nice to see in action his two drums set. In the records this is lost a bit, since you do not know who plays what, but on the stage is shocking. They say that the compositions made by Lisabö do not involve too many technical difficulties, since they want that who is there is someone close. Everything is designed so that, when it comes to transmitting emotions and living the song, the thing counts. After editing "Egun bat nonahi" (2002), a EP containing three superb songs written by Martxel Mariskal, ex-member of Beti Mugan band, Lisabö band would present "Izkiriaturik aurkitu ditudan gurak" (2004) album. During the recording, this basque band counted on the help of important groups like Manta Ray or Experience.
Although somewhat spaced out, the beginner can´t miss three such striking Lisabö´s albums such as "Ezlekuak" (2007), "Animalia lotsatuen putzua" (2011) or "Eta edertasunaren lorratzetan biluztu ginen" (2008). "It is clear that the fact of singing in Basque lenguage is a brake for many people when buying a rock music album, but we do not care. We will continue to make our albums in basque lenguage proving that it is a beautiful language, that holds beauty in any of It is our language. And it is the best of all to say "I love you." Those language barriers will fall, because people is intelligent. Those who truly love culture, are above all else. Culture will not change the world, but it can create a place in you so that you can rebel against the things that surround you, and against yourself too".
One of the members of Lisabö, Ivan Zabalegi, would go from playing the drums to picking up the guitar. Ivan set in motion a new musical project, Nire. With his first two albums, "Hamabost" (2015) and "Hemeretzi" (2019), Nire band makes his way through the paths of alternative country singing in basque lenguage. Another member of Lisabö, Aida Torres, would leave the band and be part of Jupiter Jon, one proud and unclassifiable basque rock band. Aida has released two flip-flops with Jupiter Jon band, "Pleistozenoko astelehenak" (2011) and "Eta metaforak greba egin eben ..." (2015). There are no words that can explain all the sensations that transmit these works, the beginner must be carried away by the sonic whirlwind.
Arising between Irun and Hondarribia, the powerful Basque rock trio Izaera appeared to the world with a sweet model in 2001. Three years later, after offering more 70 concerts and changing guitarists, Izaera band returned with the album "10 Programa Gaiztokian" (2004) ). The members of Izaera, Mikel (guitar), Aritz (bass) and Sergio (drums), did not hesitate to leave in the hands of the expert Karlos Osinaga the production process of the same. That great debut was recorded in the premises of the gaztetxe of Bonberenea (Tolosa), which has been dedicated for years to put into the hands of new groups a minimal infrastructure to make possible the edition and expansion of their art. It is not easy to describe Izaera or label them, but they are often said to keep ripped and distorted bass voices that mark the base, unlike the drumbeats that tend to increase in dynamism and speed. The guitars of Izaera endowing the subjects with great lyric aggressiveness.
Thanks to the support of Esan Ozenki label, Lisabö's first album, "Ezarian" (2000), would cause a huge commotion inside and outside Basque Country. Due to the strength of his poetic lyrics, to his melodies so torn and to these voices almost to the limit, that memorable debut would become, in a short time, a clear referent for multitude of bands of post-rock of the zone. "Our lyrics are personal, intimate, but it is an intimacy that is contextualized in the reality that we live here in Basque country. They are letters open to many interpretations, which do not suffocate in the very privacy of the writer."
Despite major changes in training, Lisabö band continued to record new albums at their own pace, remaining faithful to their particular sonority. One of the assets of Lisabö are live shows. They play with the silences and parts of great intensity, it goes more and more. It's nice to see in action his two drums set. In the records this is lost a bit, since you do not know who plays what, but on the stage is shocking. They say that the compositions made by Lisabö do not involve too many technical difficulties, since they want that who is there is someone close. Everything is designed so that, when it comes to transmitting emotions and living the song, the thing counts. After editing "Egun bat nonahi" (2002), a EP containing three superb songs written by Martxel Mariskal, ex-member of Beti Mugan band, Lisabö band would present "Izkiriaturik aurkitu ditudan gurak" (2004) album. During the recording, this basque band counted on the help of important groups like Manta Ray or Experience.
Although somewhat spaced out, the beginner can´t miss three such striking Lisabö´s albums such as "Ezlekuak" (2007), "Animalia lotsatuen putzua" (2011) or "Eta edertasunaren lorratzetan biluztu ginen" (2008). "It is clear that the fact of singing in Basque lenguage is a brake for many people when buying a rock music album, but we do not care. We will continue to make our albums in basque lenguage proving that it is a beautiful language, that holds beauty in any of It is our language. And it is the best of all to say "I love you." Those language barriers will fall, because people is intelligent. Those who truly love culture, are above all else. Culture will not change the world, but it can create a place in you so that you can rebel against the things that surround you, and against yourself too".
One of the members of Lisabö, Ivan Zabalegi, would go from playing the drums to picking up the guitar. Ivan set in motion a new musical project, Nire. With his first two albums, "Hamabost" (2015) and "Hemeretzi" (2019), Nire band makes his way through the paths of alternative country singing in basque lenguage. Another member of Lisabö, Aida Torres, would leave the band and be part of Jupiter Jon, one proud and unclassifiable basque rock band. Aida has released two flip-flops with Jupiter Jon band, "Pleistozenoko astelehenak" (2011) and "Eta metaforak greba egin eben ..." (2015). There are no words that can explain all the sensations that transmit these works, the beginner must be carried away by the sonic whirlwind.
Arising between Irun and Hondarribia, the powerful Basque rock trio Izaera appeared to the world with a sweet model in 2001. Three years later, after offering more 70 concerts and changing guitarists, Izaera band returned with the album "10 Programa Gaiztokian" (2004) ). The members of Izaera, Mikel (guitar), Aritz (bass) and Sergio (drums), did not hesitate to leave in the hands of the expert Karlos Osinaga the production process of the same. That great debut was recorded in the premises of the gaztetxe of Bonberenea (Tolosa), which has been dedicated for years to put into the hands of new groups a minimal infrastructure to make possible the edition and expansion of their art. It is not easy to describe Izaera or label them, but they are often said to keep ripped and distorted bass voices that mark the base, unlike the drumbeats that tend to increase in dynamism and speed. The guitars of Izaera endowing the subjects with great lyric aggressiveness.
Inside the formidable stamp catalog of Esan Ozenki Records, there were two other bands from the Bidasoa river area that deserve to be vindicated, Debekatua and LIF. Being witty, Debekatua band group were somewhat like a Basque version of Rage Against The Machine american band.They practiced a kind of rough metal rock but very catchy
rap. Debekatua only recorded a demo and an album, "Debekatua" (1999). Although they didn´t have overwhelming success, to listen to them
is a great pleasure. Really, songs such as "Litio", "Zonbien gaua" (in english, The Night of the Zombies) or "Turkiar
demokrazia" (Turkish Democracy) will make any beginner bounce, are
full of cuttings in basque, scratches and voices sampled. In "Gurutzea sutan" sounds the voice of Iggy Pop. The theme that closes the album, "Honek ez du zerikusirik, merezi du", is a hypnotic poem of a Basque young writer, Harkaitz Cano. The new generations will put in place the sonorous legacy of this amazing band from Irun (Gipuzkoa).
For its part, LIF was a powerful rock band with touches of hardcore and punk music. They formed in Hondarribia (Gipuzkoa) around 1993 and they recorded two albums, "LIF" (1998) and "*" (2001). The vocalist of band, Danel "Pantera", and the rest of the beasts of LIF band would accompany their good friends DUT on numerous shows, achieving unforgettable performances by the many gaztetxes (squats) of Basque Country. LIF band live shows were blunt and frenetic. This group always proved that the stage was their natural environment. The first album was very well received by the basque young people, but it was a little notice the inexperience of the group in the studio. The sound of LIF band was quite forceful, brushing thrash metal several times, and its lyrics were very demanding (without falling into the easy pamphlet). In April 2001, LIF members were isolated in a cottage in the area of Maldaerreka (Navarre) with Karlos Lisabö. This excercise of sound technician and producer of the eleven songs that recorded to give form to next work, "*" (in english, Asterisk). At the end of the presentation tour, LIF band would stop playing. Later, one of the members of LIF played in Kalite, another sonic steamroller and from which an album came out, "Buia" (2005).
Away from the intensities of post-rock sounds, another band from Irun (Gipuzkoa) was a pioneer within the Basque music scene. Bad Sound System band approached hip-hop from Jamaican reggae music. They have garnered a good reputation for their direct animations, coming out to play, repeatedly, outside the boundaries of the Basque Country, even for Mexico and Japan. As a result of this talent, albums such as "Buiaka" (2004), "Kalean" (2008) or "Aldaketa" (2012) are a tasty reality. Also in area of Irun, around the veteran punk band Apurtu and the small label Petruska Records, born a whole scene inside the underground of Bidasoaldea. Casting such diverse bands as Kakazaharra Ta Bi Puzker, Big Brown Beavers, Armatiropunk, Ex-pañolak, Zanpatu, Nortasun Galduak, Dik, Lady Kotxinas, Endika Pullo, Lastojaleak, Los Piloros, Astindu Oi!, Kondenatuak, In Kasu!, Slevy, Kaos Kooperativ, Kail or Kasernarat, several music festivals and frantic compilations emerged with the title "Bidasoa Attak!".
Zanpatu was a punk band that emerged in 2004. In their short existence they didn´t leave any recordings, but, when they knew of their existence, Petruska Records label offered to publish all their unpublished but exciting repertoire. With some change of their formation, Zanpatu band (in english, Smash) would come back to life again to give form to that brand new first record, homónimamente titled "Zanpatu" (2011). This album was presented a few months ago a flirtatious local punk festival, "Bidasoa Attak". Petruska Records label would also release the album "Kail" (2012), the only work of Kail, a very young band from Irun keen to wake up staff with their lively metal rock storms. Curiously, from the ashes of the extinct Kail would arise one of the most fascinating bands of the basque folk scene, Kasernarat.
For its part, LIF was a powerful rock band with touches of hardcore and punk music. They formed in Hondarribia (Gipuzkoa) around 1993 and they recorded two albums, "LIF" (1998) and "*" (2001). The vocalist of band, Danel "Pantera", and the rest of the beasts of LIF band would accompany their good friends DUT on numerous shows, achieving unforgettable performances by the many gaztetxes (squats) of Basque Country. LIF band live shows were blunt and frenetic. This group always proved that the stage was their natural environment. The first album was very well received by the basque young people, but it was a little notice the inexperience of the group in the studio. The sound of LIF band was quite forceful, brushing thrash metal several times, and its lyrics were very demanding (without falling into the easy pamphlet). In April 2001, LIF members were isolated in a cottage in the area of Maldaerreka (Navarre) with Karlos Lisabö. This excercise of sound technician and producer of the eleven songs that recorded to give form to next work, "*" (in english, Asterisk). At the end of the presentation tour, LIF band would stop playing. Later, one of the members of LIF played in Kalite, another sonic steamroller and from which an album came out, "Buia" (2005).
Away from the intensities of post-rock sounds, another band from Irun (Gipuzkoa) was a pioneer within the Basque music scene. Bad Sound System band approached hip-hop from Jamaican reggae music. They have garnered a good reputation for their direct animations, coming out to play, repeatedly, outside the boundaries of the Basque Country, even for Mexico and Japan. As a result of this talent, albums such as "Buiaka" (2004), "Kalean" (2008) or "Aldaketa" (2012) are a tasty reality. Also in area of Irun, around the veteran punk band Apurtu and the small label Petruska Records, born a whole scene inside the underground of Bidasoaldea. Casting such diverse bands as Kakazaharra Ta Bi Puzker, Big Brown Beavers, Armatiropunk, Ex-pañolak, Zanpatu, Nortasun Galduak, Dik, Lady Kotxinas, Endika Pullo, Lastojaleak, Los Piloros, Astindu Oi!, Kondenatuak, In Kasu!, Slevy, Kaos Kooperativ, Kail or Kasernarat, several music festivals and frantic compilations emerged with the title "Bidasoa Attak!".
Zanpatu was a punk band that emerged in 2004. In their short existence they didn´t leave any recordings, but, when they knew of their existence, Petruska Records label offered to publish all their unpublished but exciting repertoire. With some change of their formation, Zanpatu band (in english, Smash) would come back to life again to give form to that brand new first record, homónimamente titled "Zanpatu" (2011). This album was presented a few months ago a flirtatious local punk festival, "Bidasoa Attak". Petruska Records label would also release the album "Kail" (2012), the only work of Kail, a very young band from Irun keen to wake up staff with their lively metal rock storms. Curiously, from the ashes of the extinct Kail would arise one of the most fascinating bands of the basque folk scene, Kasernarat.
Kasernarat practiced a peculiar style that they called "kinki folk". Even listening to their two albums is difficult to get an idea of what they were able to achieve in their direct. After debuting with "Kasernarat" (2012), this music band from Gipuzkoa was growing, achieving several awards in rock music contests. In 2014, Kasernarat recorded one single, "Inoiz izan ginena", and a full session for "Elkar estudioa sesioak", a television show by Hamaika Telebista. After publishing their second album, "Okerreko bidetik" (2015), Kasernarat said farewells acting, for the last time, in the premises of Hazia Kultur Elkartea (Irun). It was January 29, 2016... Goodbye!
The exvocalist of Kasernarat band, Eneritz Dueso, is currently under the artistic name of Eneritz Furyak. Although she usually plays guitar and accordion, she usually likes to play with any instrument, from ukuleles to synthesizers. Eneritz's first solo album is titled "Eneritz Furyak" (2017) and has been mastered by veteran producer Jonan Ordorika. This young and restless Basque artist has also received several prizes in the literary field, even writing in Galician language ("O peixe conxelado"). In addition, Eneritz Furyak has been coparticipe of other projects rockers, as Nortasun Galduak or Astindu Oi! rock bands.
Crossing the border bridge over Bidasoa river, around the gaztetxe of Hendaia (Lapurdi), was born Skunk band, one of the most energetic and representative combos of the ska-punk of Basque Country. Skunk band's career is summed up in six mind-blowing albums, "Eh beh, ze pasatzen da?" (1996), "Lankktalo" (1997), "Enbata" (1999), "Skunk # 1" (2000), "Kinki" (2002) and "Giltzak" (2004). After, influenced by the powerful post-rock tsunami of Bidasoaldea and the alternative American rock scene, several members of Skunk band and Monarch band would join to form Willis Drummond, another popular basque rock band. The musical legacy of Willis Drummond includes a handful of more than interesting albums such as "Anthology" (2007), "Willis Drummond" (2009), "Istanteak" (2011) and "A ala B" (2012). Four years later, after offering almost 200 concerts, this Basque rock band reappears with "Tabula Rasa" (2016) album, it´s their fifth studio album and was recorded with producer Burke Reid (The Drones), and "Zugzwang" (2019). Under the stage name Ekiza, Willis Drummond's guitarist, Jurgi Ekiza, released a solo albums, "bH036-LP" (2016) or "Etxeko lanak" (2019, where he explores more leisurely rhythms.
Riding the Bidasoa river, in the village of Bera (Navarre) have enjoyed a striking musical quarry in recent years. The list of local bands comes from the most varied, Borrokan, Petti & Etxeko Uzta, Joseba Irazoki, Ameba, Gutariko Bat, Noise Hole, Estitxu Pinatxo, Onddo, Mikel Irazoki, Joseba B. Lenoir, Zup, Zakillers, Mutürbeltz, On Benito, SextySexers, Do, Mugaldekoak, Agara, Azken Trena... The reason for this musical splendor lies surely in the good performance of the local music school, in the undoubted impact of the ERTZ music festival, in the appreciable musical taste of certain pubs or, perhaps, in the facilities that gave the town hall to the bands to access worthy rehearsals. For example, the locals of the Old Customs, a space surrounded by forests, right on the old border between Navarre and Iparralde (North Euskadi). This is where Joseba Irazoki and many Bera musicians usually rehearse.
Also the presence in Bera of recording studios like Atala or MIK Studios has contributed to raise that striking creative music environment. Its existence made possible the arrival in this town of veteran basque artists, such as Xabier Montoia. After excerpting his first solo album, "Beti oporretan" (1995), the vocalist of the unrepeatable M-ak would be transferred to Bera to record at MIK his three following albums, "Hemen" (1997) "Lagunak, adiskideak... eta beste hainbat etsai" (1999) and the minimalist "Ni ez naiz Xabier Montoia" (2001). This long presence marked a whole generation of young musicians in the area, such as Iñigo Telletxea, Igor Telletxea or the restless Joseba Irazoki. After joining Xabier Montoia in several of his tours, all these young artists would later found their own music bands, like Onddo, a combo who would debut with an appreciable pop album, "Onddo" (2001).
The exvocalist of Kasernarat band, Eneritz Dueso, is currently under the artistic name of Eneritz Furyak. Although she usually plays guitar and accordion, she usually likes to play with any instrument, from ukuleles to synthesizers. Eneritz's first solo album is titled "Eneritz Furyak" (2017) and has been mastered by veteran producer Jonan Ordorika. This young and restless Basque artist has also received several prizes in the literary field, even writing in Galician language ("O peixe conxelado"). In addition, Eneritz Furyak has been coparticipe of other projects rockers, as Nortasun Galduak or Astindu Oi! rock bands.
Crossing the border bridge over Bidasoa river, around the gaztetxe of Hendaia (Lapurdi), was born Skunk band, one of the most energetic and representative combos of the ska-punk of Basque Country. Skunk band's career is summed up in six mind-blowing albums, "Eh beh, ze pasatzen da?" (1996), "Lankktalo" (1997), "Enbata" (1999), "Skunk # 1" (2000), "Kinki" (2002) and "Giltzak" (2004). After, influenced by the powerful post-rock tsunami of Bidasoaldea and the alternative American rock scene, several members of Skunk band and Monarch band would join to form Willis Drummond, another popular basque rock band. The musical legacy of Willis Drummond includes a handful of more than interesting albums such as "Anthology" (2007), "Willis Drummond" (2009), "Istanteak" (2011) and "A ala B" (2012). Four years later, after offering almost 200 concerts, this Basque rock band reappears with "Tabula Rasa" (2016) album, it´s their fifth studio album and was recorded with producer Burke Reid (The Drones), and "Zugzwang" (2019). Under the stage name Ekiza, Willis Drummond's guitarist, Jurgi Ekiza, released a solo albums, "bH036-LP" (2016) or "Etxeko lanak" (2019, where he explores more leisurely rhythms.
Riding the Bidasoa river, in the village of Bera (Navarre) have enjoyed a striking musical quarry in recent years. The list of local bands comes from the most varied, Borrokan, Petti & Etxeko Uzta, Joseba Irazoki, Ameba, Gutariko Bat, Noise Hole, Estitxu Pinatxo, Onddo, Mikel Irazoki, Joseba B. Lenoir, Zup, Zakillers, Mutürbeltz, On Benito, SextySexers, Do, Mugaldekoak, Agara, Azken Trena... The reason for this musical splendor lies surely in the good performance of the local music school, in the undoubted impact of the ERTZ music festival, in the appreciable musical taste of certain pubs or, perhaps, in the facilities that gave the town hall to the bands to access worthy rehearsals. For example, the locals of the Old Customs, a space surrounded by forests, right on the old border between Navarre and Iparralde (North Euskadi). This is where Joseba Irazoki and many Bera musicians usually rehearse.
Also the presence in Bera of recording studios like Atala or MIK Studios has contributed to raise that striking creative music environment. Its existence made possible the arrival in this town of veteran basque artists, such as Xabier Montoia. After excerpting his first solo album, "Beti oporretan" (1995), the vocalist of the unrepeatable M-ak would be transferred to Bera to record at MIK his three following albums, "Hemen" (1997) "Lagunak, adiskideak... eta beste hainbat etsai" (1999) and the minimalist "Ni ez naiz Xabier Montoia" (2001). This long presence marked a whole generation of young musicians in the area, such as Iñigo Telletxea, Igor Telletxea or the restless Joseba Irazoki. After joining Xabier Montoia in several of his tours, all these young artists would later found their own music bands, like Onddo, a combo who would debut with an appreciable pop album, "Onddo" (2001).
J.L. Perez Mitxelena, better known as "Petti", is a solid strut of Bera's musical quarry. Petti has harvested some of the best moments of the recent rock scene of the Basque Country step by step. Petti has earned his own niche thanks to his talent, his deep voice and his sense of smell to go combining folk, rock and blues. Any of his works will be of interest to the beginner. Petti's career starts to be very extensive, "Amets bat" (1999), "Arrazoiak" (2001), "Anari ta Petti" (2003), "ON" ), "Awañak" (2008), "Barrence Whitfield eta Petti & The Bloody Hotsak" (2009), "Xabi ta Petti" (2012), "Astirtitan" (2014) or "Bonberenean zuzenean" (2018). Mister Petti has recorded two albums with Etxeko Uzta band, "Petti & Etxeko Uzta" (2002) and "Hotzikarak" (2016). In english lenguage, Etxeko Uzta means The Harvest of Our Home. This super band formed by related friends from Bera, such as Iñigo Telletxea (bass), Joseba Irazoki (guitar), Igor Telletxea (drums) or Fernan Irazoki (drums). Already in 2020, Petti would present a cuckoo cultural artifact made with the Basque writer Harkaitz Cano, "Manipulazio estrategiak" (2020), which starts from reflecting on a well-known study by Noam Chomsky, "10 strategies of manipulation". Published by the artistic group Zart, within the album Petti offers 11 songs where he remixes poetry with blues rock, folk and bossa.
Petti took his first steps into Noise Hole, a rock band led by Fermin Iraola. Noise Hole's career started up step by step, making versions of popular rock bands, like Ramones, Neil Young or Radio Birdman, until, finally, they managed to publish their first album, "Zuloaren itzala" (1994). It contained excellent own songs full of garage rock and audacious power pop in Basque lenguage. Fermin Iraola was one of the greatest agitators of the Bidasoa rock scene. He was guitar teacher and member of groups such as OK Korral or Labanak. On November 2011, one year after his death, a large festival was organized in his honor at Bera. Several former members of Noise Hole, such as Raul Garcia and Beñardo Goietxe, would then create another interesting band, Mugaldekoak (in english, The People of the Frontier). Combining music and poetry, Mugaldekoak band's first album, "Biziago sentitzeak dakarren muga inguruan" (2006), featured compositions close to folk, blues and country rock.
The second album of Mugaldekoak band, "Begiak lekuko" (2012), resulted in an anthology in basque lenguage of some pieces of popular artists like Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen. In 2017, this great group of Bera has presented "Galdemoduen trilogia" (2017), their third reference where they reunite 16 songs with diverse echoes, as english folk ("Bi kopa"), rockabilly ("Onddo bila"), tex mex ballads ("Orabideko errekako ballad"), Mississippi blues ("Emazteki langilea"), the great Tom Waits ("Hurrup!"), Pascal Comelade ("Nire balentriak ez bezala") or spoken word ("Astro-H"). All the lirycs of the third album have been written by the vocalist Edu Zelaieta, except "Map", that adapts a poem of the Polish writer Wislawa Szymborska.
Definitely, Joseba Irazoki is another formidable representative of the rock and folk scene of Bera (Navarre). As a restless multi-instrumentalist, Joseba Irazoki has collaborated with dozens of state artists in recent years, from Atom Rhumba, Duncan Dhu to Mikel Erentxun, Petti or the asturian genius Nacho Vegas. At the same time, Joseba has also developed a fruitful solo career. There is a whole universe collected and hidden within works so peculiar and as atrevidss such as "Irri eta solas" (2004), "Gizona zakur egin zen" (2005), "Olatuetan" (2006), "Poverty gara" (2007), "On Benito" (2009), "Euria ari du" (2010), "Oso banda" (2012), "Joseba Irazoki eta lagunak" (2014) and "Zu al zara?" (2018). There are none left, all are advisable for any beginner with cultivated music interest.
We can not leave Bera without mentioning two local rock bands as powerful as Borrokan or SextySexers. Borrokan (in english, Figthing) have broadened the post-rock euskaldun path by editing three memorable albums, "Borrokan" (2002), "Hitzez ulertu ezin dudana omendu nahi nuke. Oraintxe!" (2007) and "Zuak" (2014). SextySexers are more oriented toward the blues and hard-rock lands of great octane. They recorded three highly recommended albums, "Iluntze berri baten bila" (2006), "Urkamendi blues" (2007) and "Hero mantra" (2009). Later, Joseba Baleztena, guitarist of SextySexers, would initiate an interesting solo race, under the name of Joseba B. Lenoir. He has already released several albums, such as "Tenpesta" (2013), "Eguzkiari begietara so" (2016) or "Instroak. Vol. 3" (2019). Between Bera and the neighboring village of Sara (Lapurdi), born a band called Sorotan Babies. This basque combo enriched the local scene by spreading post-hardcore seeds with metal dyes through recordings such as"4 Dimentsio" (2011) or "Eskema" (2017).
Continuing into the valley of Baztan (Navarre), in village of Amaiur, was born Pantxo Etxebere, whose artistic name corresponds to Pottoka. Although he is a sheep shepherd, after winning an electric guitar and a bafle in a lottery, Pottoka became one of the most peculiar Basque songwriters. A self-taught artist with a very distinctive voice, Pottoka will debut in an album of homage to the veteran Mikel Laboa, "Txerokee, Mikel Laboaren kantak" (1990). After, Pottoka would share another great album with three novel basque rock bands, "Julio Kageta, Kiowak, Pottoka and SS-77" (1990). The basque label GOR was fixed him and published Pottoka´s first album, "La revoluzione della tradizione" (1992. In front of a punk band called Otsondo 602, Pantxoa Etxebere would record "Otsondo 602" (1996), a mini album where he was versioning itself ("Herri puta maitea" and "Martxa, neskak eta 68.ko edariak").
Petti took his first steps into Noise Hole, a rock band led by Fermin Iraola. Noise Hole's career started up step by step, making versions of popular rock bands, like Ramones, Neil Young or Radio Birdman, until, finally, they managed to publish their first album, "Zuloaren itzala" (1994). It contained excellent own songs full of garage rock and audacious power pop in Basque lenguage. Fermin Iraola was one of the greatest agitators of the Bidasoa rock scene. He was guitar teacher and member of groups such as OK Korral or Labanak. On November 2011, one year after his death, a large festival was organized in his honor at Bera. Several former members of Noise Hole, such as Raul Garcia and Beñardo Goietxe, would then create another interesting band, Mugaldekoak (in english, The People of the Frontier). Combining music and poetry, Mugaldekoak band's first album, "Biziago sentitzeak dakarren muga inguruan" (2006), featured compositions close to folk, blues and country rock.
The second album of Mugaldekoak band, "Begiak lekuko" (2012), resulted in an anthology in basque lenguage of some pieces of popular artists like Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen. In 2017, this great group of Bera has presented "Galdemoduen trilogia" (2017), their third reference where they reunite 16 songs with diverse echoes, as english folk ("Bi kopa"), rockabilly ("Onddo bila"), tex mex ballads ("Orabideko errekako ballad"), Mississippi blues ("Emazteki langilea"), the great Tom Waits ("Hurrup!"), Pascal Comelade ("Nire balentriak ez bezala") or spoken word ("Astro-H"). All the lirycs of the third album have been written by the vocalist Edu Zelaieta, except "Map", that adapts a poem of the Polish writer Wislawa Szymborska.
Definitely, Joseba Irazoki is another formidable representative of the rock and folk scene of Bera (Navarre). As a restless multi-instrumentalist, Joseba Irazoki has collaborated with dozens of state artists in recent years, from Atom Rhumba, Duncan Dhu to Mikel Erentxun, Petti or the asturian genius Nacho Vegas. At the same time, Joseba has also developed a fruitful solo career. There is a whole universe collected and hidden within works so peculiar and as atrevidss such as "Irri eta solas" (2004), "Gizona zakur egin zen" (2005), "Olatuetan" (2006), "Poverty gara" (2007), "On Benito" (2009), "Euria ari du" (2010), "Oso banda" (2012), "Joseba Irazoki eta lagunak" (2014) and "Zu al zara?" (2018). There are none left, all are advisable for any beginner with cultivated music interest.
We can not leave Bera without mentioning two local rock bands as powerful as Borrokan or SextySexers. Borrokan (in english, Figthing) have broadened the post-rock euskaldun path by editing three memorable albums, "Borrokan" (2002), "Hitzez ulertu ezin dudana omendu nahi nuke. Oraintxe!" (2007) and "Zuak" (2014). SextySexers are more oriented toward the blues and hard-rock lands of great octane. They recorded three highly recommended albums, "Iluntze berri baten bila" (2006), "Urkamendi blues" (2007) and "Hero mantra" (2009). Later, Joseba Baleztena, guitarist of SextySexers, would initiate an interesting solo race, under the name of Joseba B. Lenoir. He has already released several albums, such as "Tenpesta" (2013), "Eguzkiari begietara so" (2016) or "Instroak. Vol. 3" (2019). Between Bera and the neighboring village of Sara (Lapurdi), born a band called Sorotan Babies. This basque combo enriched the local scene by spreading post-hardcore seeds with metal dyes through recordings such as"4 Dimentsio" (2011) or "Eskema" (2017).
Continuing into the valley of Baztan (Navarre), in village of Amaiur, was born Pantxo Etxebere, whose artistic name corresponds to Pottoka. Although he is a sheep shepherd, after winning an electric guitar and a bafle in a lottery, Pottoka became one of the most peculiar Basque songwriters. A self-taught artist with a very distinctive voice, Pottoka will debut in an album of homage to the veteran Mikel Laboa, "Txerokee, Mikel Laboaren kantak" (1990). After, Pottoka would share another great album with three novel basque rock bands, "Julio Kageta, Kiowak, Pottoka and SS-77" (1990). The basque label GOR was fixed him and published Pottoka´s first album, "La revoluzione della tradizione" (1992. In front of a punk band called Otsondo 602, Pantxoa Etxebere would record "Otsondo 602" (1996), a mini album where he was versioning itself ("Herri puta maitea" and "Martxa, neskak eta 68.ko edariak").
Inspired by Pottoka, the members of Ufestuek, a young music band from Elizondo (Navarra), continue along the path of punk-rock with desire and firmness. After editing "Lanari mus" (2004), Ufestuek would return somewhat refreshed, but loaded with acid humor and critical lyrics in basque lenguage. Albums such as"Faxismoaren harra" (2011) and "Zilo beltza" (2014) bear witness to this. Another sweet product of sound of the zone of Baztan valley are the group Kaskezur (in english, Skull). The sound concerns of this basque rock band are summarized in albums like "Itzulera kapsularik gabe espaziora bidalitako azken zakurrak" (2008), "Gure jokua" (2010), "Ilgora" (2013), "Azpisugeak" (2017) or "Ihesi doaz animaliak" (2019).
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