Auróra is a hungarian punk band. The biggest tradegy of the 20th century can be designated the wreck of the Titanic. As biggest lucky chance at the end of the 20th century can be designated “Aurora”, the rippin Hungarian power-punk crusier which is still sailing on the “hardcore” seas. Aurora was founded in Győr, Hungary by the young local punks “Vigi” (guitar vocals), “Galacs” (bass), “Polyak” (drums) and “Dauer” (vocals). This was in 1982, at the height of the Hungarian punk blast, a period i...
Auróra is a hungarian punk band. The biggest tradegy of the 20th century can be designated the wreck of the Titanic. As biggest lucky chance at the end of the 20th century can be designated “Aurora”, the rippin Hungarian power-punk crusier which is still sailing on the “hardcore” seas.
Aurora was founded in Győr, Hungary by the young local punks “Vigi” (guitar vocals), “Galacs” (bass), “Polyak” (drums) and “Dauer” (vocals). This was in 1982, at the height of the Hungarian punk blast, a period in which a punk gig caused big agitation, occasionally by starting riots.
“ We started critisizing the Soviet Army a little bit too early. It wasn’t really a surprise when the authorities sent us for a trial because of anticommunist lyrics. Our original singer “Dauer” had to spend two years in prison because according to the authorities he had chosen a the “wrong words”, Vigi reminds of the old, “romantic” days.
Other punks didn’t have as much luck as Aurora: Two members of the best Hungarian punk band ever called “C.P.G.” were found guilty and sent to prison for two years because of making jokes about communists. After having stayed in prison the memebers of “C.P.G.” had to leave Hungary and so did the Aurora’s former singer “Dauer”. Therefore “Aurora” needed a new vocalist and found it in the attractive blond female singer called “Kriszta”, but she also left the band after a very short time. “She was a very wild and fascinating person on stage, but she didn’t take her job as seriously as we did.” says Vigi “so that finally I had to sing because we couldn’t find any suitible substitute for her. Since then we have playing as a trio.
Some unreleased songs on the “Best of” compilation are taken from this period like “Kis kurva”.
Between 1984 and 1988 the band was playing under false names in order not to attract the attention of the “old friends”, the Hungarian Secret Service. At this time the band caught the attention of some Austrian punks who invited “Aurora” to play in Vienna. This was the first time the band played a cocncert outside Eastern Europe.
“Aurora” became a regular and famous guest in Vienna and went on their first big Germany-tour in 1988 with the help of some German friends. The money they made on tour was spent on recording their first self-titled EP in Germany. (Under the assistance Hardly Heinlin and released on the German label “Empty Records”. “At this time it was nearly impossible to record in state-controlled stutdios in Hungary”, Vigig says, “Our debut EP may sound a little bit strong and brutal because we recorded it live in the studio, but we prefer this kind of full sound and we like it’s atmosphere, its feeling.”
The Ep wasn’t very succesful in contrast to their first album, the legendary “Viszlát Iván” (Good bye Ivan)-LP which was released in 1989. The release of this record coincidedwith the departure of the Soviet troops from Hungary after 40 years of occupation. On account of the uncompromising lyrics, the simple but well-crafted music and the perfect timing of the release of the record it became a huge succes: more than 20.000 copies were sold, probably the best-selling release ever in Eastern Europe. “We just couldn’t believe it” says Vigi, “ so many people came to our gigs. We felt like someone changedour rubber boots into ballet shoes.”
“Goodby Ivan” was highly acclaimed in US-zines like the “Maximumrockandroll”, Suburban Voice” and “Flipside”. It was supposed to be licensed by an US label, but in the end the idea wasn’t realised.
After “God bye Ivan” there was a longer break. The following album, “Előre Kurvák, gengszterek” (Prostitute, gengsters, forward) was released after three years of hard work and it ever surpassed the “god bye Ivan”-LP, especially because its fantastic produceneing and engineering. The “Gengsters…” –CD was was also released on “Hulk Records”, Germany. “Mindhalálig Punk” (Punk forever) was the title of the split CD with their German friends “Wizo” in 1994.
In the mid 90’s “Aurora” wanted to reach out a bigger audience by making some “rock” records such as “Feltámadás” (Rise again) and “Keserű cukor” (Bitter sugar), but in 1996 they decided to return to their original punk style. The new album “Nincs karácsony” (No X-mas) was nominated as “punk album of the year” in Hungary. The hyper-melodicas well as strong songs reminded the listener of “Aurora” best years. The highlight of the CD was the excellent trumpit-playing by the band’s new member “Qka” which was even more spectecular on the 1997’s follow-up album “Illegális bál” (Illegal Party).
Discography: - AURÓRA 1988 - Viszlát Iván - Előre kurvák... - felTámadás - Mindhalálig punk - Keserű cukor - Nincs karácsony - Illegális bál - Válogatás - Balkán express - Rúkensturcli in Kukenstrasse - A rezervátum mélyén - Meddig tart - Esszencia (2012) - Még nem ez a tréfa vége (2013)
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