Klaus Johann Grobe - Klaus Johann Grobe
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 12 / 4 / 2015
Label:
The Sound of Salvation Records
Format: 12"
intro
First-rate reissue of Swiss duo Klaus Johann Grobe's debut EP, which merges Moog synthesizer pop, upbeat psychedelia and krautrock
Swiss duo Klaus Johann Grobe see their debut EP re-pressed in The UK - Grobe means "(the) rude" by the way in Swiss. The duo have since had their debut LP released in the US in 2014. We may be witnessing here Switzerland's next Yello, another band of fame and importance. Further contributions to the World of Popular Music from Switzerland until today range between the original Birdy Dance, Dada and 1924's Cabaret Voltaire. Take your pick. There are bits from all of those in a sense on KJG's EP. You can stream their great debut 7 inch 'Traumhaft' from Soundcloud. While sounding like both a Hammond or a Farfisa organ-driven band, Klaus Johann Grobe avoid pastiche by combining this with Neue Welle, easy tunes and indie sensitivity. At the same though they avoid the predictability of indie rock. Coming to full bloom, Klaus Johann Grobe's danceable EP has many clever turns and touches. The duo, however, defy any rank and file. The self-titled EP merges Moog synthesizer pop, upbeat psychedelia and krautrock. Perhaps it may be because of Switzerland's proximity to Italy and France, but the Swiss duo put the finger on so many styles without for a single moment failing at one. Beautiful melodies like 'Rote Sonne' turn the language barrier into a senseless hurdle. Flirting with Paris-styled snap, crackle 'n bop pop music, steady Autobahn rhythms and joyous Italian vocality, Klaus Johann Grobe serve a grand dish of hipster garage disco punk pop. Slick tunes and memorable twists make for happy music nostalgia here.
Track Listing:-
1 Koordinaten2 Aber du
3 Gemeinsam
4 Raus
5 Rote Sonne
6 Dreimal
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/klausjohanngrobehttps://twitter.com/kjgrobe
Label Links:-
http://thesoundofsalvation.bigcartel.com/http://salvationrecords.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/thesoundofsalvationrecords
https://twitter.com/SalvationRecs
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPRWq8yAeOlTYIuYjaRo0g
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart