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AURORA

A song from the Compilation-CD: Kifacsart citrom
(MP3)

The biggest tragedy of the 20th century can be designated the wreck of the Titancic. As biggest lucky chance at the end of the 20th century can be designated "Aurora", the rippin` hungarian power-punk cruiser which is still sailing on the "hardcore" seas.
Aurora was founded in Györ, 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 criticizing the Soviet Army a little bit too early. It wasn´t really a surprise when the authorities sent us for trial because of our anticommunist lyrics. Our original singer "Dauer" had to spend two years in prison because according to the authorities he had chosen the "wrong words", Vigi reminds of the old, "romantic" days.

Other punks hadn´t as much "luck" as "Aurora": two members of the best Hungarian punk band ever called "C.P.G." were sent to prison for two years because of making funny jokes about communists. After having stayed in prison the members of "C.P.G." had to leave Hungary as well as "Dauer", the former singer of "Aurora".

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 really 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 suitable substitute for her. Since then we have been 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 their 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 had played a concert outside Eastern Europe.

"Aurora" became now 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 this tour was spent on the recording of their first self-titled EP in Germany. (Under the assistence of Hardy Heinlin and released on the German label "Empty Records"). "At this time it was nearly impossible to record in state-controlled studios in Hungary", Vigi 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 a full sound and we like its atmosphere, its feeling."
The EP wasn´t very successful in contrast to their first album, the legendary "Viszlat Ivan" (Good Bye, Ivan)-LP which was released in 1989. The release of this record coincided with 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 success: more than 20.000 copies were sold, probably the best-selling indie release ever in Eastern Europe. "We just couldn´t believe it." says Vigi, "so many people came to our gigs. We felt like someone changed our rubber boots into ballet shoes."

"Goodbye, Ivan" was highly acclaimed in US-zines like the "Maximumrocknroll",Suburban Voice" and "Flipside". It was supposed to be licensed by an US label, but in the end the idea wasn´t realized. After "Good bye, Ivan" there was a longer break. The following album, "Elöre Kurvak, Gengszterek ("Prositutes, Gangsters, Forward") was released after three years of hard work and it even surpassed the "Good Bye, Ivan"-LP, especially because of its fantastic producening and engineering. The "Gangsters..."-CD was released on"Hulk Räckorz", Germany. “Mindhalalig Punk” ("Forever Punk") was the title of the split CD with their German friends "Wizo" in 1994. In the mid-90ies "Aurora" wanted to reach out a bigger audience by making some "rock" records such as "Feld Tamadas" (Rise again) and "Keserü Cukor" (Bitter Sugar), but in 1996 they decided to return to their original punk style. The new album "Nincs Karacsony" (No Christmas) was nominated as "punk album of the year" in Hungary. The hyper-melodic as well as strong songs reminded the listener of "Auroras"-best years. The highlight of the CD was the excellent trumpet-playing by the band´s new member "Qka" which was even more spectacular on the 1997´s follow-up album "Illegalis bál" (Illegal Party).

Tamas Levay
delej@mail.matav.hu

Aurora adress: PO Box 17, Györ, H-9011, Hungary

German contact and concert booking: Manne,
E-mail: Manne@punk.de

For further informations, check the offical Aurora-Homepage

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