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Kawalerowie

April 21, 2016 Pete Kowalski 1 Comment

This is the third of Pete Kowalski’s articles on ’60s rock groups from Poland. Previously he wrote about Romuald i Roman and Chochoły.

Kawalerowie Pronit EP 0426 side A — Kawalerowie’s first EP

Founded in 1964 in Warsaw, Kawalerowie (The Bachelors) were active only for two years before disbanding in late 1966. The band was composed of four members, all in their twenties:

Jerzy Szczęśniak – guitar, vocals
Piotr Raczew – guitar
Marek Zarzycki – bass, vocals
Marek Rosiński – drums

Despite their fleeting activity, Kawalerowie managed to release a total of fourteen tracks: three full EPs and two songs issued on a 1967 compilation LP “1000 taktów młodości” (“1000 Bars of Youth”). Compared to other mid-1960s Polish beat groups that were lucky enough to be given a chance to make a record, their style seemed to lean towards British rhythm’n’blues of the day with evident influences of groups such as The Animals and The Yardbirds. As far as musicianship is concerned, the band’s recordings represent a rather uneven level – apart from brilliant covers of “I Ain’t Got You”, “I’m a Lover Not a Fighter” and “Long Tall Shorty” with Polish lyrics, and “Nigdy już nie wołaj mnie” which is a great up-tempo track with a sharp scream introducing the guitar solo, there are some less brilliant numbers.

Kawalerowie Muza EP 0437 Side A — Kawalerowie’s second EP, this time on the Muza label

Of all the band’s releases, their second 45, accompanied by a sleeve which bears the same graphics as Chochoły’s “Naście lat” EP, is probably the most appealing one. It opens with “Palcie tylko sporty” (“Smoke Only Sports”) which is the aforementioned rendition of the 1964 Tommy Tucker classic with Polish lyrics which ironically advertise Sporty brand cigarettes, presenting them as a miraculous remedy for the blues. “Piosenka o dziewczynach” (“A Song About Girls”) starts with a wild bass riff but is regrettably compromised by snotty vocals. Side B features “Nigdy już nie wołaj mnie” (“Don’t Ever Call Me Again”) which may very well be among the best Polish garage rock tracks and “Kochaj mnie” (“Love Me”), another Kawalerowie take on an evergreen rhythm’n’blues tune – “The Night Time (Is the Right Time)”.

Kawalerowie Pronit EP 0457 side A — Kawalerowie’s third EP, which includes “Jeszcze nie wiem nic o tobie”

The rest of the band’s discography is weakened by low recording quality and poor mastering which take away the youthful, vehement energy, so important in this musical genre. Of the tracks on the group’s EPs issued on the Pronit label, three seem to stand out: “Ej, stary” (“Hey, Fella”) which is the previously mentioned cover of “Ain’t Got You”, mistakenly credited to The Yardbairds (sic) on the record label, “Małgorzato, jeśli chcesz” (“If You Want It, Margaret”), a slower love song based on a catchy hummed tune and “Jeszcze nie wiem nic o tobie” (“I Don’t Know Anything About You Yet”) with a simple riff reminiscent of some of the Spencer Davis Group numbers.

1000 taktów młodości Pronit LP XL0370 — 1967 compilation LP “1000 taktów młodości” (“1000 Bars of Youth”)

The two songs exclusively released on the “1000 taktów młodości” compilation are sung by Wiesław Czerwiński (ex-Chochoły) and his wife Sława with Kawalerowie providing the instrumental backing.

Like the majority of Polish beat groups of the time, Kawalerowie recorded much more material than was officially released in the communist times. The complete Kawalerowie recordings are available on a CD compilation “Kawalerowie – gwiazdy polskiego big beatu” issued by Polskie Nagrania. “Od dzisiaj znów zacznijmy marzyć” (“From This Day On, Let’s Start Dreaming Again”, “I’m a Love Not a Fighter” cover) is available on vinyl compilation Working Class Devils vol. 2, released on Beat Road Records.

Kawalerowie discography:

Pronit N0426: “To ty w moim mieście” (“It’s You in My Town”) / “Ej, stary” (“Hey, Fella”) / “Małgorzato, jeśli chcesz” (“If You Want It, Margaret”) / “Nie wiem gdzie cię szukać” (“I Don’t Know Where to Look For You”)

Muza N0437: “Palcie tylko Sporty” (“Smoke Only Sports”) / “Piosenka o dziewczynach” (“A Song About Girls”) / “Nigdy już nie wołaj mnie” (“Don’t Ever Call Me Again”) / “Kochaj mnie” (“Love Me”)

Pronit N0457: “Jeszcze nie wiem nic o tobie” (“I Don’t Know Anything About You Yet”) / “Ja wiem co to znaczy” (“I Know What It Means”) / “Słońce w dłoni” (“The Sun in Hand”) / “Czemu chodzisz z głową w niebie” (“Why Do You Go With Your Head In the Clouds”)

Pronit XL0370: “Uderzaj w mig” (“Strike Fast”) / “Kiedy dziewczyna mówi nie” (“When a Girl Says No”)

Kawalerowie Pronit EP 0457 — sleeve for Kawalerowie’s third EP

Categories: Muza, Poland, Pronit, Veriton

Chochoły

March 15, 2016 Pete Kowalski Leave a comment

This is the second of Pete Kowalski’s articles on ’60s rock groups from Poland. In February, he wrote about Romuald i Roman:

Chochoły (The Straw Men) were one of the most noteworthy Polish amateur rock groups, founded in Warsaw in 1962. The initial lineup featured: Jan Goethel (guitar), Bogusław Poniatowski (guitar), Mieczysław Salecki (guitar) and Tomasz Butowtt (drums).

The early period of the band’s activity was packed with frequent lineup changes. Notably, Jan Goethel left Chochoły in late 1963 to form another beat group that merits a listen: Dzikusy.

Initially the band performed cover versions of popular instrumental rock and roll tunes including the works of The Shadows and The Ventures who were rather well known by the Polish teenage audience thanks to the omnipresent waves of Radio Luxembourg.

Having gained some recognition and applause, the band participated in the second National Song Contest held in Opole ever since 1963, representing the Veriton record plant (owned by the Polish Catholic Association “PAX”) and backing a group of young pop singers, none of whom had much success. This, however, allowed Chochoły to release their first 7” EP (the most common pop record format in 1960s Poland) with songs from the festival.

1965 would see the band working as session musicians on several pop, easy listening, gypsy records that are simply uninteresting with the music being often compromised by artless vocals, doltish lyrics and unconvincing arrangements. Apart from their studio work, the band still played numerous dance gigs filled with energetic yet primitive guitar music.

Chochoły’s live nature, so different from what was heard on their past recordings, was captured in the 1965 movie “Sam pośród miasta” (“Alone in the City”) starring Zbigniew Cybulski (often called the Polish James Dean). The film’s entire dance club scene, backed with a simple, repeating guitar riff played by the group on their cheaply made (by western standards) and hard-earned instruments is available on YouTube and worth watching as it gives an idea of how would a typical youngster rock and roll dance party look like in mid-1960s communist Poland.

The breakthrough came in 1966, as far as Polish garage rock history is concerned. Polskie Nagrania (the biggest and in fact the only record company in Poland in the 1960s) decided to issue a series of 7” EPs with uncensored recordings of several most important amateur rock bands including Chochoły, Kawalerowie and Pięć Linii. Until then, Polskie Nagrania relegated groups who were possibly deemed unprofessional, or their music not serious enough for the major Muza label, to the Veriton label. Veriton records were low quality pressings, made in small numbers from contaminated vinyl with old machinery.

Chochoły issued their two best and most notable extended-plays in May 1966:

Pronit N-0410: “Kocham ją” (“I Love Her”)/ “Zaimki” (“Pronouns”) / “Nowa gra” (“New Game”)/ “Uwierz mi” (“Believe Me”) – issued in a generic company sleeve

Muza N-0411: “Naście lat” (“Teenage”) / “Szpilki” (“High Heels”) / “Amor a kysz” (“Get Lost, Cupid”)/ “Nadążyć chcę” (“I Want to Keep Up”) – issued in a semi-dedicated sleeve bearing the name of the group and a song list

The recordings were probably taped during a single session and are among the best examples of Polish garage rock. Packed with rocking organ riffs, stomping rhythm and exuberant solos, those 7-inchers are a must-have or at least a must-listen for anybody interested in teenage garage rock from behind the Iron Curtain.

The lyrics of two of these songs (“Szpilki” and “Amor a kysz”) contain what would probably be unthinkable in most of the Western world of the era: the word “sex” which in Polish has only one meaning and it’s not “gender”. Add to that the “frivolous” music and you have material whose 1966 release seems improbable to a Polish listener 50 years later. There’s not a single weak number on these records though “Nadążyć chcę” definitely steps out with its guitar riff borrowed from The Kinks’ “I Need You” and “Naście lat” features great organ licks and a vigorous rave-up solo.

Several months after releasing the two extended-plays, Chochoły broke up and their last lineup: Tomasz Jaśkiewicz (guitar), Marian Zimiński (organ), Paweł Brodowski (bass) and Tomasz Butowtt (drums) went on to found Akwarele – Czesław Niemen’s backing band active between 1966 and 1969.

Most of Chochoły recordings are available on a CD compilation “Gwiazdy polskiego big beatu: Chochoły” released on Polskie Nagrania Muza, catalogue number PNCD 1467. Two of songs that originally appeared on Muza N-0411 EP are available on a highly recommendable vinyl compilation “Warszawski rock and roll lat 60.” released on Polskie Nagrania Muza, catalogue number SX 4009. There’s also a CD version (PNCD 1262) that contains four bonus tracks.

Categories: Muza, Poland, Polskie Nagrania, Wrocław

Romuald i Roman

February 8, 2016 Pete Kowalski Leave a comment

Pete Kowalski, a new contributor, is beginning a series on some very rare ’60s rock records from Poland, starting with Romuald i Roman:

Romuald & Roman, one of the most interesting Polish bands active in the 1960s was founded in Wrocław, Poland in the spring of 1968 with the following lineup:

Romuald Piasecki – guitar, vocals
Roman Runowicz – guitar, vocals
Jacek Baron – bass, vocals
Andrzej Tylec – drums, vocals

After a few months of concert activity, Jacek Baron was replaced by Leszek Muth. Core members of the band were Romuald Piasecki and Roman Runowicz, hence the band’s name.

Romuald & Roman were one of the first Polish groups whose music could be easily called “psychedelic” (a notable mention goes to ELAR-5, their 1967 recording “Moloch” is vastly reminiscent of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, with intense guitar feedback and fuzz) and they were the first avant-garde rock band in communist Poland to release a record which was only possible through state-owned and state-controlled record company Polskie Nagrania. Their shows often incorporated innovative, psychedelic light shows, at the time unheard of on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain.

Their officially released discography is rather modest but as with many Polish groups, the amount of what was released on records is notwithstanding the number of actual recordings, often committed in local radio station studios. Romuald & Roman recorded about 2LPs worth of material, but only one EP and one song on a pop music compilation album was released:

Muza N0560 – “Pytanie czy hasło” / “Człowiek” (7” 45rpm extended play; 1969)
Muza XL0623 – Przeboje Non-Stop – side B, track 2: “Bobas” (12” LP compilation album, 1970)

The aforementioned 45 is among the rarest and the most wanted Polish beat records. Both sides are deeply psychedelic, with hypnotic, hallucinatory “Pytanie czy hasło” (“Question or Password”) being especially recommended to any collector interested in 1960s rock music from behind the Iron Curtain. “Człowiek” (“Man”) is more upbeat yet full of broken rhythmic patterns, strange sound effects and assorted psychedelia.

“Bobas” (“Tot”) is probably their best-known song, starting with a loud fuzzed-out feedback and bizarre screams. The lyrics are witty, showing a tot’s point of view mixed with philosophical reflections: “No, I don’t want to grow so old to have to swear all the time”.

Other songs by Romuald & Roman include: “Stał ten dom” (“There Used to Be a House”; an anti-war protest song), “Towarowy Rusza do Indii” (their most psychedelic recording, with a running time of nearly 10 minutes, the abbreviation of the title: TRI is the name of a solvent frequently used by Polish hippies to get high – the title is a Polish counterpart to “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds)”, “A ja nigdy i basta” (“I Will Never Get Married, Period”).

The band didn’t get much promotion in the media, which was more interested in less subversive music (psych pop renditions of soldier songs, for instance). After 1971, the band would often go through line-up changes, repeatedly suspending activity. No further recordings were released in the 1970s. Most of Romuald & Roman’s recorded material is available on 2CD compilation released by Polskie Radio.

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Kawalerowie

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