Gypsy punk
Encyclopedia
Gypsy punk is the term used to describe a hybrid musical genre
that crosses traditional Romani music with punk rock
. The origin of the term is unknown, but bands playing Gypsy punk have existed at least since the 1990s. One of the first rock groups to incorporate elements of punk and Eastern European music was Motherhead Bug
, which was active mostly in the early 1990s. The term became well known to a broader audience after the band Gogol Bordello
released the album Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
, with front man Eugene Hütz
describing their performance as a "Gypsy Punk Cabaret". The term has also been subject to the debate that it exploits Roma culture. Gogol Bordello have since insisted it was just the name of their album, which was then taken and used by the music press as a term to define the genre of their music and similar artists — not an offshoot term for authentic Gypsy music.
Gypsy punk bands usually combine rock beats and instrumentation with more traditional Gypsy instrumentation such as drums
, tambourine
, accordion
, fiddle
, trumpet
and saxophone
. In addition, due to the varied ethnic makeup of the Gypsy culture, many bands sing in several different languages, often switching language many times within a single song.
There is a Gypsy punk internet radio show called Gypsy Part of Town, broadcast on WNYU-FM every Sunday from 8–10 p.m..
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
that crosses traditional Romani music with 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...
. The origin of the term is unknown, but bands playing Gypsy punk have existed at least since the 1990s. One of the first rock groups to incorporate elements of punk and Eastern European music was Motherhead Bug
Motherhead Bug
Motherhead Bug was a rock music group founded in 1989 in New York City by singer and trombone player David Ouimet and bass guitarist Tony Lee.-Band history:...
, which was active mostly in the early 1990s. The term became well known to a broader audience after the band Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring.Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music...
released the album Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike is the third album by Gogol Bordello, released in 2005 by SideOneDummy Records.Other songs from the same era and recording sessions appear on the EP East Infection.-Reception:-Track listing:...
, with front man Eugene Hütz
Eugene Hütz
Eugene Hütz , September 6, 1972) is a Ukrainian-born singer and composer, most notable as the frontman of the critically acclaimed New York Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello. Hütz is also a DJ and actor.-Early life:...
describing their performance as a "Gypsy Punk Cabaret". The term has also been subject to the debate that it exploits Roma culture. Gogol Bordello have since insisted it was just the name of their album, which was then taken and used by the music press as a term to define the genre of their music and similar artists — not an offshoot term for authentic Gypsy music.
Gypsy punk bands usually combine rock beats and instrumentation with more traditional Gypsy instrumentation such as drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
. In addition, due to the varied ethnic makeup of the Gypsy culture, many bands sing in several different languages, often switching language many times within a single song.
There is a Gypsy punk internet radio show called Gypsy Part of Town, broadcast on WNYU-FM every Sunday from 8–10 p.m..
Gypsy punk bands
- AfenginnAfenginnAfenginn is a band from Denmark. They play high energy Nordic folk with elements of "classical composition, Balkan ball music & gypsy fun & perhaps klezmer" throwing in fast polkas and ska-like elements in a "whole new combination called by the group bastard-ethno". In 2005 Afenginn won the "Best...
(though the band itself prefers the term "Bastard Ethno") - Alamaailman VasaratAlamaailman VasaratAlamaailman Vasarat is a cult avant-garde Finnish group. Their music covers a wide range of styles and influences and is therefore difficult to classify; on their official website they jokingly refer to their style as being "kebab-kosher-jazz-film-traffic-punk-music." Much of their music is...
- Balkan Beat BoxBalkan Beat BoxBalkan Beat Box is an Israeli musical group founded by Tamir Muskat, Ori Kaplan of Firewater and Big Lazy, and Tomer Yosef . As a musical project they often cooperate with a host of other musicians both in the studio as well as live...
- Blackbird RAUMBlackbird RaumBlackbird Raum is a band from Santa Cruz, California, where they have become a prominent part of the downtown street life. They are well known for their influence on Gypsy Punk but are generally considered to be the founders of a new genre...
- DeVotchKaDeVotchKaDeVotchKa is a four-piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble. They take their name from the Russian word devochka , meaning "girl"...
- Dorlene LoveDorlene LoveDorlene Love is a Swedish punk band based in Stockholm. They are known for their music which is a mix of punk and different kinds of folk music from East Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Dorlene Love started out as a punk band but after having played a lot on the streets, the folk music...
- Firewater
- Gogol BordelloGogol BordelloGogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring.Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music...
- GolemGolem (klezmer band)Golem is a New York City-based klezmer band that sings in Yiddish, English and Slavic languages.Golem was founded in 2001 by band leader Annette Ezekiel Kogan. The band describes itself as an "Eastern European folk-punk band." The band has performed throughout the United States, as well as in...
- Jason WebleyJason WebleyJason Webley is an American musician known for his fusion of folk, experimental and alternative music. He began as a busker, playing accordion in the streets of Seattle, Washington, but has since moved in-doors and on stage, playing various venues....
- J.U.F.
- KatzenjammerKatzenjammerWorbey & Farrell, are a British piano musical comedy duo comprising Steven Worbey and Kevin Farrell. The word Katzenjammer is German, meaning "discordant sound" and is also sometimes used to indicate a general state of depression or bewilderment. It's sometimes used in reference to a hangover...
- Kultur ShockKultur ShockKultur Shock is a Seattle-based gypsy punk band which specializes in mixing modern music like rock, metal and punk with traditional Balkan music.-Biography:...
- Motherhead BugMotherhead BugMotherhead Bug was a rock music group founded in 1989 in New York City by singer and trombone player David Ouimet and bass guitarist Tony Lee.-Band history:...
- The Penny Black RemedyThe Penny Black RemedyThe Penny Black Remedy is a London-based band playing a mix of Country, Ska, Folk and Punk with a Balkan edge and are linked to the UK's gypsy punk scene....
- Sirius.B
- The Tower of DudesThe Tower of DudesThe Tower of Dudes are a cowpunk band. The band was formerly based in Prague, Czech Republic, with members from Canada, The United States of America, and England. They have since moved to Canada. Their style of music has been likened to folk rock and Gypsy punk....
- ZydepunksZydepunksZydepunks is an American band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 2003, they play a wide variety of multicultural music, including Cajun music and zydeco, Eastern European music, and punk rock. Their instrumentation includes vocals, violins, accordions, bass guitar, and drums.Their music...