French punk
Encyclopedia
French punk is punk rock
from France
. Punk rock developed in France in the mid-1970s, strongly influenced by the scenes in the United States
and United Kingdom
, but also influencing the latter. The first European Punk Rock Festival took place at Mont-de-Marsan
in France in August 1976.
ian subculture of Lou Reed
fans, had already become well established. Initially, two central figures were Marc Zermati
, who had founded Skydog Records in Paris in 1972, owned the Open Market record shop, and promoted American and British bands in France; and Michel Esteban
, the owner of the Harry Cover rock merchandise shop and founder of Rock News magazine, who had associated with leading punk and new wave
musicians in New York
. The first European Punk Rock Festival, organised by Zermati, took place at Mont-de-Marsan
on 21 August 1976, and featured French bands Bijou, Il Biaritz and Shakin’ Street, as well as The Damned.
Zermati later said: "The real punk movement started in New York, and Paris came before the UK because we were really connected to New York... it was exciting because we thought we were conspiring against the establishment." He also claimed that he persuaded Malcolm McLaren
to call the movement "punk" rather than McLaren's preferred term, "New Wave". An important influence on the style and content of the movement in the UK was the French Situationist movement, led by Guy Debord
.
Formed in 1976, Métal Urbain
and Stinky Toys
were two of the first French punk bands, although at the time most French punk fans preferred English or American punk. Generally regarded as the most original of the early French punk bands, Métal Urbain gave their first performance in December 1976. In August 1977, Asphalt Jungle played at the second Mont-de-Marsan punk festival. Stinky Toys' debut single, "Boozy Creed", came out in September 1977 and was perhaps the first non-English-language punk rock record. The following month, Métal Urbain's first 45, "Panik", appeared. After the release of their minimalist punk debut, "Rien à dire", Marie et les Garçons
became involved in New York's mutant disco
scene, encouraged by Esteban at ZE Records
. Asphalt Jungle's "Deconnection", Gasoline's "Killer Man", and Factory's "Flesh" also came out before the end of 1977, and other French punk acts such as Oberkampf
and Starshooter soon formed.
during the 1980s, such as Ludwig von 88
and Bérurier Noir
. These bands are two of the most famous punk rock groups in France
. Les Wampas
appeared during the 1980s but had more success in the 2000s.
During the 1990s Noir Désir
became one of the most famous bands in French rock
. Their style is a mix between punk rock
and grunge
. The band Mano Negra
also had lots of success all over the world.
During the 2000s there became more and more hardcore punk
groups, like Guerilla Poubelle
or Tagada Jones
. The most successful group from the 2000s is Les Wampas
with the songs Manu Chao and Chirac en Prison.
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...
from 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...
. Punk rock developed in France in the mid-1970s, strongly influenced by the scenes in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but also influencing the latter. The first European Punk Rock Festival took place at Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan is a commune and capital of the Landes department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.Mont-de-Marsan airbase « Constantin Rozanoff » is a major installation of the French Air Force. The base includes CEAM , an air defense radar command reporting centre, and an air defence control...
in France in August 1976.
The 1970s
By the early 1970s, Les punks, a ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
ian subculture of 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...
fans, had already become well established. Initially, two central figures were Marc Zermati
Marc Zermati
Marc Zermati is a French producer of punk rock music.-Career:He is the founder of Paris's Skydog label, which issued its first release, the Flamin' Groovies' 'Grease' 7" EP in May 1973, pre-dating Stiff Records by over 3 years...
, who had founded Skydog Records in Paris in 1972, owned the Open Market record shop, and promoted American and British bands in France; and Michel Esteban
Michel Esteban
Michel Antoine Gaston Esteban is a French record producer, record company executive, cultural center director and former magazine editor, who founded the influential Paris shop Harry Cover in 1973, was influential in the early development of punk rock, and, together with Michael Zilkha,...
, the owner of the Harry Cover rock merchandise shop and founder of Rock News magazine, who had associated with leading punk and new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
musicians in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The first European Punk Rock Festival, organised by Zermati, took place at Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan is a commune and capital of the Landes department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.Mont-de-Marsan airbase « Constantin Rozanoff » is a major installation of the French Air Force. The base includes CEAM , an air defense radar command reporting centre, and an air defence control...
on 21 August 1976, and featured French bands Bijou, Il Biaritz and Shakin’ Street, as well as The Damned.
Zermati later said: "The real punk movement started in New York, and Paris came before the UK because we were really connected to New York... it was exciting because we thought we were conspiring against the establishment." He also claimed that he persuaded Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
to call the movement "punk" rather than McLaren's preferred term, "New Wave". An important influence on the style and content of the movement in the UK was the French Situationist movement, led by Guy Debord
Guy Debord
Guy Ernest Debord was a French Marxist theorist, writer, filmmaker, member of the Letterist International, founder of a Letterist faction, and founding member of the Situationist International . He was also briefly a member of Socialisme ou Barbarie.-Early Life:Guy Debord was born in Paris in 1931...
.
Formed in 1976, Métal Urbain
Métal Urbain
Métal Urbain was one of the first French punk groups, formed in 1976 in Paris.-Career:They were heavily influenced by The Clash and The Sex Pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to "Metal Machine Music" by Lou Reed...
and Stinky Toys
Stinky toys
Stinky Toys were a punk band from Rennes, France which started in 1976 and featured Elli Medeiros , Denis Quilliard, alias Jacno, , Bruno Carone , Albin Dériat , and Hervé Zénouda ....
were two of the first French punk bands, although at the time most French punk fans preferred English or American punk. Generally regarded as the most original of the early French punk bands, Métal Urbain gave their first performance in December 1976. In August 1977, Asphalt Jungle played at the second Mont-de-Marsan punk festival. Stinky Toys' debut single, "Boozy Creed", came out in September 1977 and was perhaps the first non-English-language punk rock record. The following month, Métal Urbain's first 45, "Panik", appeared. After the release of their minimalist punk debut, "Rien à dire", Marie et les Garçons
Marie et les Garçons
Marie et les Garçons were a French new wave band formed in Lyon in 1976. After Marie Girard left, the remaining members continued as Garçons.-History:...
became involved in New York's mutant disco
Dance-punk
Dance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
scene, encouraged by Esteban at ZE Records
ZE Records
ZE Records was originally a New York-based record label, started in 1978 by Michael Zilkha and Michel Esteban. It has been re-established by Esteban since 2003.-History:Michael Zilkha ZE Records (always written with two capital letters) was originally a New York-based record label, started in...
. Asphalt Jungle's "Deconnection", Gasoline's "Killer Man", and Factory's "Flesh" also came out before the end of 1977, and other French punk acts such as Oberkampf
Oberkampf (band)
Oberkampf were a French punk rock band formed in 1979 by Joe Hell , Pat Kebra , Buck-Dali and Dominik Descoubes . Following the release of their first independent single "Couleurs Sur Paris" in February 1981, Oberkampf signed to Virgin records. They went on to record an album in 1982, followed by...
and Starshooter soon formed.
The 1980s and later
More and more punk rock groups appeared in FranceFrance
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...
during the 1980s, such as Ludwig von 88
Ludwig von 88
Ludwig von 88 is a French punk rock and alternative rock band mostly active in the 1980s and 1990s, and which gained an important success in the underground scene of its country. The band has not released any new material since 2001, but has not disbanded and is thus officially still active...
and 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...
. These bands are two of the most famous punk rock groups 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...
. Les Wampas
Les Wampas
Les Wampas are a French punk rock/psychobilly band, who refer more exactly to their music as "Yé-yé-punk". The band was formed in Paris in 1983.-Les Wampas vous aiment:...
appeared during the 1980s but had more success in the 2000s.
During the 1990s Noir Désir
Noir Désir
Noir Désir was a French rock band from Bordeaux. They were active during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and have had two albums certified double platinum in France and three certified gold. They have been an influence on numerous French musicians including Cali, Louise Attaque and Miossec...
became one of the most famous bands in French rock
French rock
French rock is a form of rock music produced in France, primarily in the French language.In the 1970s, France saw the arrival of Alan Stivell's Breton folk-rock as well as a wave of progressive rock bands like Ange, Shylock, Magma, Eskaton, Atoll and Pulsar. French punk rock also appeared,...
. Their style is a mix between punk rock
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...
and grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
. The band Mano Negra
Mano Negra
Mano Negra was a music band in France, during 1987–1995, fronted by Manu Chao.The band, founded in 1987 by Chao, his brother Antoine, and his cousin Santiago Casariego in Paris, France, was very influential in Europe during the early 1990s. Although it reached mainstream success in countries...
also had lots of success all over the world.
During the 2000s there became more and more hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
groups, like Guerilla Poubelle
Guerilla Poubelle
Guerilla Poubelle is a French punk rock band formed in 2003. Its name translates to 'Dustbin Guerilla' in English. Their debut album, released on CD, is titled "Il faut repeindre le monde... en noir" - "The world must be repainted... in black"....
or Tagada Jones
Tagada Jones
Tagada Jones is a french hardcore punk band from Brittany. Known for its Protest Song against Globalization, Fanaticism, Capitalism, Sexism and for respect of Ecology.Their studio album "6.6.6" is composed of 6 remixes, 6 new songs and 6 cover versions....
. The most successful group from the 2000s is Les Wampas
Les Wampas
Les Wampas are a French punk rock/psychobilly band, who refer more exactly to their music as "Yé-yé-punk". The band was formed in Paris in 1983.-Les Wampas vous aiment:...
with the songs Manu Chao and Chirac en Prison.
In the 1970s
- Asphalt Jungle
- Fatsy Wataire
- Marie et les GarçonsMarie et les GarçonsMarie et les Garçons were a French new wave band formed in Lyon in 1976. After Marie Girard left, the remaining members continued as Garçons.-History:...
- Métal UrbainMétal UrbainMétal Urbain was one of the first French punk groups, formed in 1976 in Paris.-Career:They were heavily influenced by The Clash and The Sex Pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to "Metal Machine Music" by Lou Reed...
- Starshooter
- Stinky ToysStinky toysStinky Toys were a punk band from Rennes, France which started in 1976 and featured Elli Medeiros , Denis Quilliard, alias Jacno, , Bruno Carone , Albin Dériat , and Hervé Zénouda ....
- Dentists
In the 1980s
- Les Garçons Bouchers
- Ludwig von 88Ludwig von 88Ludwig von 88 is a French punk rock and alternative rock band mostly active in the 1980s and 1990s, and which gained an important success in the underground scene of its country. The band has not released any new material since 2001, but has not disbanded and is thus officially still active...
- Noir DésirNoir DésirNoir Désir was a French rock band from Bordeaux. They were active during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and have had two albums certified double platinum in France and three certified gold. They have been an influence on numerous French musicians including Cali, Louise Attaque and Miossec...
- OberkampfOberkampf (band)Oberkampf were a French punk rock band formed in 1979 by Joe Hell , Pat Kebra , Buck-Dali and Dominik Descoubes . Following the release of their first independent single "Couleurs Sur Paris" in February 1981, Oberkampf signed to Virgin records. They went on to record an album in 1982, followed by...
- OTHOTHOTH may refer to:*On The Hour, British radio comedy series*One Tree Hill , a teenage drama on the CW network in the U.S.*Optical Transport Hierarchy, in telecommunications*Other than honorable discharge, a type of military discharge...
- Les Sheriffs
- La Souris Déglinguée
- Les ThugsLes ThugsLes Thugs are a punk band from France. The band were formed in 1983 with five members and were soon reduced to four in the same year: Eric Sourice on guitar and lead vocals, Thierry Meanard on guitar, Christophe Sourice on drums, and Gerald Chabaud on bass up until 1983. Chabaud was replaced by...
- Les WampasLes WampasLes Wampas are a French punk rock/psychobilly band, who refer more exactly to their music as "Yé-yé-punk". The band was formed in Paris in 1983.-Les Wampas vous aiment:...
In the 1990s
- La Ruda Salska
- Les Sales MajestésLes Sales Majestés- History and line-up :Les Sales Majestés's members first met in the late 80s and released several early EPs and singles, though their first full album, Bienvenue, was not recorded until 1995. The band line-up was as follows: Arnaud , Mathias, replaced by Guillaume in 1998 , Yves , Vlad and Yann...
- Les Vieilles Salopes
- Tagada JonesTagada JonesTagada Jones is a french hardcore punk band from Brittany. Known for its Protest Song against Globalization, Fanaticism, Capitalism, Sexism and for respect of Ecology.Their studio album "6.6.6" is composed of 6 remixes, 6 new songs and 6 cover versions....
- Zabriskie PointZabriskie PointZabriskie Point is a part of Amargosa Range located in east of Death Valley in Death Valley National Park in the United States noted for its erosional landscape...
In the 2000s
- Gasmask Terrör
- Les Enfants TerriblesLes Enfants TerriblesLes Enfants Terribles is a 1929 novel by Jean Cocteau, published by Editions Bernard Grasset. It concerns two siblings, Elisabeth and Paul, who isolate themselves from the world as they grow up; this isolation is shattered by the stresses of their adolescence. It was first translated into English...
- George Bitch Jr.
- Guerilla PoubelleGuerilla PoubelleGuerilla Poubelle is a French punk rock band formed in 2003. Its name translates to 'Dustbin Guerilla' in English. Their debut album, released on CD, is titled "Il faut repeindre le monde... en noir" - "The world must be repainted... in black"....
- Les HatePink
- Paris ViolenceParis ViolenceParis Violence is a French Punk Oi group from Paris formed in 1994. Paris Violence is a unique band on French punk scene. The band is exceptional not only for the originality of its music but also because of its lyrics sang on precise and not simplified French, as it is usual for punk/oi bands.The...
- Stupeflip
- Starbuck et les Impuissants
- SuperbusSuperbus (band)Superbus is a five-piece French pop/rock band formed in 1999.-History:After a trip to the United States to perfect her English in 1999, Jennifer Ayache went looking for musicians to make a group. She met Michel Giovannetti, a guitarist, and François Even, a bassist, who already knew each other from...
- Cupofty
Notable punk bands from Quebec (Canada)
- Banlieue RougeBanlieue RougeBanlieue Rouge was a punk band from Montreal, Quebec active through the early to mid 1990s. They disbanded in 1999.Banlieue Rouge was formed in 1989 in Longueuil, a Montreal suburb. Heavily influenced by French punk rock bands such as Bérurier Noir, they started with a drum machine, which was...
- Les Houlala!
- Vulgaires MachinsVulgaires MachinsVulgaires Machins is a French Canadian punk rock group from Granby, Quebec. Formed in 1995, the group consists of Guillaume Beauregard , Marie-Ève Roy , Maxime Beauregard and Patrick Landry ....
- Cafeine
- AkumaAkuma (band)Akuma is a punk band from Quebec formed in 1998 from the ashes of Banlieue Rouge.Akuma is a character from the Street Fighter series....
- Grimskunk
- Les bons à rien
- The Ruffianz
- The Ripcordz
- AB Irato