Métal Urbain
Encyclopedia
Métal Urbain was one of the first French punk
groups, formed in 1976 in Paris.
and The Sex Pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to "Metal Machine Music
" by Lou Reed
. They relied on heavily distorted guitars and replaced the traditional rock rhythm section of bass guitar/drums with a synthesizer and drum machine, a then-unique approach that foreshadowed the experimental possibilities that were explored by later post-punk
bands such as Big Black
. They were also known for their radical image (the color scheme
of albums always being a stark black, white and red), and subversive lyrics sung in French
.
They were met with much enthusiasm in England
, particularly by John Peel
and the Rough Trade
label. (Métal Urbain's single "Paris Maquis" was Rough Trade's first release.) They had an enthusiastic but small audience in France
, receiving little exposure. The punk rock scene was not as popular in France as it was in England, and they did not interest the French media
as English bands like the Sex Pistols did. As a result, the band broke up by 1979, though members scattered to form such groups as Metal Boys, Doctor Mix and the Remix, and Desperados, as well as joining Ashpalt Jungle.
Métal Urbain had focused their efforts on singles, and only produced one album, Les hommes morts sont dangereux
, during their first period of activity . However, several compilation records
were released, gathering their singles with additional material such as BBC
sessions and live
recordings.
Their electro approach was very innovative for its time, and the group are a reference point for such groups as The Jesus and Mary Chain
, Bérurier Noir
, and the producer Steve Albini
.
The band reunited in 2003 to tour in USA, and had since toured consistently in France and the rest of Europe. Metal Urbain recorded in 2006 their first studio album J'irai chier dans ton vomi produced by Jello Biafra
in San Francisco, a follow up mini-album Crève Salope was issued in 2008.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
groups, formed in 1976 in Paris.
Career
They were heavily influenced by The ClashThe Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
and The Sex Pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to "Metal Machine Music
Metal Machine Music
Metal Machine Music, subtitled *The Amine β Ring, is the fifth solo album by Lou Reed. It was originally released as a double album by RCA Records in 1975...
" by Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
. They relied on heavily distorted guitars and replaced the traditional rock rhythm section of bass guitar/drums with a synthesizer and drum machine, a then-unique approach that foreshadowed the experimental possibilities that were explored by later post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
bands such as Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
. They were also known for their radical image (the color scheme
Color scheme
In color theory, a color scheme is the choice of colors used in design for a range of media. For example, the use of a white background with black text is an example of a basic and commonly default color scheme in web design....
of albums always being a stark black, white and red), and subversive lyrics sung in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
.
They were met with much enthusiasm in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, particularly by John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
and the Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
label. (Métal Urbain's single "Paris Maquis" was Rough Trade's first release.) They had an enthusiastic but small audience in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, receiving little exposure. The punk rock scene was not as popular in France as it was in England, and they did not interest the French media
Music journalism
Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as 'classical music'. This aspect of music journalism, today often referred to as music criticism , comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of...
as English bands like the Sex Pistols did. As a result, the band broke up by 1979, though members scattered to form such groups as Metal Boys, Doctor Mix and the Remix, and Desperados, as well as joining Ashpalt Jungle.
Métal Urbain had focused their efforts on singles, and only produced one album, Les hommes morts sont dangereux
Les hommes morts sont dangereux
Les hommes morts sont dangereux was the only full studio album by the French electro-punk band Métal Urbain. The album was originally released in 1980 ....
, during their first period of activity . However, several compilation records
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
were released, gathering their singles with additional material such as BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sessions and live
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
recordings.
Their electro approach was very innovative for its time, and the group are a reference point for such groups as The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
, Bérurier Noir
Bérurier Noir
Bérurier noir is a French punk band formed in Paris in 1983 by Loran , François and Dédé . They called themselves "noir" for the color of mourning and for anarchy and "Bérurier" after the character from the novels of Frédéric Dard...
, and the producer Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
.
The band reunited in 2003 to tour in USA, and had since toured consistently in France and the rest of Europe. Metal Urbain recorded in 2006 their first studio album J'irai chier dans ton vomi produced by Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
in San Francisco, a follow up mini-album Crève Salope was issued in 2008.
Current band members
- Éric Débris : singer, programming (since 1976)
- Hermann Schwartz : guitar (since 1977)
- Vott : guitar (since 2003)
- Jérôme Solo : programming (since 2004)
Former band members
- Clode Panik : singer (1976–1978)
- Rikky Darling : guitar (1976-1977 / 1984-1987)
- Pat Lüger : guitar (1977–1980)
- Zip Zinc : programming (1976-1977 / 1984-1987)
- Charlie H : programming (1979-1980 / 1984-1987 / 2003)
- T.G. Parker : programming (2003)
Albums
- 1981 - Les hommes morts sont dangereuxLes hommes morts sont dangereuxLes hommes morts sont dangereux was the only full studio album by the French electro-punk band Métal Urbain. The album was originally released in 1980 ....
- (re-released 25th anniversary signed edition 2006) - 1985 - L'Âge d'or - (fan clubFan clubA fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well-known person, group, idea or sometimes even an inanimate object . Most fan clubs are run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to supporting them. There are also "official" fan clubs that are run by someone associated with the person...
compilation, double LP) - 2003 - Chef d'oeuvre - (FrenchFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
double CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, compilation) - 2004 - Anarchy in Paris - (USUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
compilation) - 2006 - J'irai chier dans ton vomi - (Full length album,produced by Jello Biafra, Exclaim Musique France)
- 2008 - Crève Salope - (8 re-recording of Metal Urbain classic songs + 8 videos, Archambault Musique France)
- 2008 - Anthologie 77-79 - (Full length triple CD box set)
External links
- official site of the band
- official 1976-1978 site
- John Peel Sessions - Info
- "Seventeen records - MU reissues label"
- "Panik" on YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....