Métal Urbain (meaning ''urban metal'') was one of the first French

punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...

groups, formed in 1976 in Paris.

Career

They were heavily influenced by

the Clash The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 who were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they also contributed to the and new wave movements that emerged in the wa ...

and

Sex Pistols The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they were one of the most groundbreaking acts in the history of popular music. They were responsible for ...

on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to ''

Metal Machine Music ''Metal Machine Music'' (subtitled ''*The Amine β Ring'') is the fifth studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed. It was recorded on a three-speed Uher machine and was mastered/engineered by Bob Ludwig. It was released as a double album ...

'' by

Lou Reed Lewis Allan Reed (March 2, 1942October 27, 2013) was an American musician, songwriter, and poet. He was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five 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-hardcore Post-hardcore is a punk rock music genre that maintains the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk but emphasizes a greater degree of creative expression. It was initially inspired by post-punk and noise rock. Like post-punk, the term has been ...

bands such as

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 Nake ...

. They were also known for their radical image (the

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of albums always being a stark black, white and red), and subversive lyrics sung in

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

. They were met with some enthusiasm in the

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, particularly by

John Peel John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey (DJ) and radio presenter. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly fr ...

and the Rough Trade label. (Métal Urbain's single "Paris Maquis" was Rough Trade's first release.). In 1977, their first single "Panik" was named "Single of the week" by ''

New Musical Express ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...

''. They had an enthusiastic but small audience in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, receiving little exposure. The punk rock scene was not as popular in France as it was in the United Kingdom, and they did not interest the French

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as British bands like Sex Pistols did. As a result, singer Clode Panik left in December 1978, though the band continued to gig and record with Eric Debris on vocals, and also recording with spin-off bands Metal Boys, and Doctor Mix and the Remix, until 1980, when guitar players brothers Schwartz and Lüger left to form the short-lived band Desperados. 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

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sessions and

live Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film *'' ''Live'' (Apocalyptica DVD) Music *Live (band), American alternative rock band * List of albums ...

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 are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. After signing to independent label Creation Records, they rele ...

Bérurier Noir Bérurier noir is a French punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk ro ...

, and the producer

Steve Albini Steve Albini (pronounced ; born July 22, 1962) is an American musician, record producer, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman and Flour, and is a member of Shellac. He is the founder, owner and principal en ...

. The band reunited in 2003 to tour in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, and had since toured consistently in France and the rest of Europe. Métal Urbain recorded their second studio album, '' J'irai chier dans ton vomi'', in 2006, produced by

Jello Biafra Eric Reed Boucher (born June 17, 1958), known professionally as Jello Biafra, is an American singer, spoken word artist and politician. He is the former lead singer and songwriter for the San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys. Initially ac ...

in San Francisco; a follow up mini-album, '' Crève Salope'', was issued in 2008.

Band members

Current band members

* Éric Débris (Éric Daugu): singer, programming (since 1976) * Hermann Schwartz (Jean-Louis Boulanger): guitar (since 1977) * Vott : guitar (since 2003) * Jérôme Solo : programming (since 2004)

Former band members

* Clode Panik (Claude Perrone): singer (1976–1978) * Rikky Darling (Éric Feidt): guitar (1976–1977 / 1984–1987) * Pat Lüger (Patrick Boulanger): guitar (1977–1980) * Zip Zinc (Jean-Pierre Zing) : programming (1976–1977 / 1984–1987) * Charlie H (Charles Hurbier): programming (1979–1980 / 1984–1987 / 2003–2004) * T.G. Parker : programming (2004)

Discography

Albums

* 1981 - '' Les hommes morts sont dangereux'' (Celluloid Records, re-released vinyl 25th anniversary 2006, and 30th anniversary 2011 Seventeen Records) * 1985 - ''L'âge d'or'' (

fan club A fans club is an organized group of fans, generally of a celebrity. Most fans clubs are run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to support them. There are also "official" fan clubs that are run by someone associated with the per ...

compilation, double LP 24 tracks New Rose Fan Club Records) * 2003 - ''Chef d'œuvre'' (French double CD compilation 35 tracks Seventeen Records) * 2004 - ''Anarchy in Paris!'' (US single disc compilation includes 24 tracks from Chef d'oeuvre issued under licence from Seventeen Records) * 2006 - '' J'irai chier dans ton vomi'' (full-length album, produced by Jello Biafra, Exclaim Musique France) * 2008 - '' Crève Salope'' (8 re-recordings of Métal Urbain classic songs + 8 videos, Archambault Musique France) * 2008 - '' Anthologie 77-79'' (full length triple CD box set Seventeen Records / FGL)

Singles

* 1977 - "Panik"/"Lady Coca Cola" (Cobra) * 1977 - "Paris Maquis"/"Cle De Contact" (Rough Trade) * 1978 - "Hystérie Connective"/"Pas Poubelle" (Radar Records) * 2016 - "Panik"/"Lady Coca Cola" - issued on vinyl 7" for the first time in the US (Alternative Tentacles)

References

External links

Métal Urbain official siteMétal Urbain official 1976-1978 siteJohn Peel Sessions - InfoSeventeen Records - Métal Urbain reissues label"Panik"
on

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Metal Urbain Alternative Tentacles artists French punk rock groups Musical groups established in 1976 Radar Records artists Rough Trade Records artists 1976 establishments in France Musical groups from Paris Electropunk musical groups French post-punk music groups French noise rock groups