Maldito Pais

The only official and definitive anthology of Eskorbuto’s early recordings. Includes two previously unissued tracks. Completely remastered from the original sources Limited vinyl edition with 60 x 40 cm poster. 2 x CD with 49 tracks. Available as a download release. Also available: Eskorbuto / RIP “Zona especial Norte” LP + CD Eskorbuto “Maldito país” 7″.

Compilation of all the recordings by this legendary punk band prior to their LPs: the sessions for their single ‘Mucha Policía’, taken for the first time in 27 years from the original tapes, which has unearthed two studio recordings unissued until now; plus rehearsals, demos and live recordings. Completely remastered.

A furious, noholds- barred sonic account of a period of immense changes for Spain and the Basque Country. The origins of the most important Spanish punk group, regarded as one of the essential bands of the genre all over the Spanish speaking world. It was a time when the walls were teeming with socio-political proclamations, where the hammer and sickle – alongside the illegal Ikurriña (the flag of the Basque Country) – were the most widely used symbols. A time of general strikes and protests on the streets that often ended in an ugly manner.

A time also of smoky joints, where huge speakers played loud rock and there were dreams of strawberry fields. In Santurtzi, on the left bank of the Nervión estuary, a unique band was born: ESKORBUTO. Iosu Expósito and Jualma Suarez lived in working class neighbourhoods that had grown fast. Both Kabiezes and Mamariga were, in the 50s, mainly rural areas of Santurtzi. In the 60s, industrialization and rampant development transformed them into urban areas without any investment in urbanism. Some elements for the alchemy led to the explosion: intelligent young guys who were nevertheless incapable of adhering to school discipline, a country in full swing towards freedom after 40 years of dictatorship.

It was a context very familiar with the turbulence of the “Basque conflict”, with neighbours seduced by the “armed fight” and the “liberation of Euskal Herria”, with the question of “identity” constantly present, traumatic episodes of killings, tortures and imprisonments…

One day at the end of the 70s they decided to start a band. The first period of Eskorbuto’s life, before the damage done by the needle became noticeable, was incredibly fruitful. They soon found a rehearsal space, thanks to their first drummer (“Gu”), and there the first songs were born: ‘Enterrado vivo’, ‘Busco en la basura’, ‘Éste es el porvenir’, ‘Mucha policía, poca diversión’… It was a period of line-up changes. Iñaki Laiseka played bass for them, and that role was also taken by “Seni” and “Garlopa”, two precursors of “left bank” punk. Later on they found Paco Galán, who also came from a similar neighbourhood to theirs (Repélega, in Portugalete). Paco always was the necessary engine, the piece around which the rest revolved, which guaranteed continuity. His drumming also added an apparently chaotic element to the already unbridled guitar melodies and visionary texts, halfway between dirty realism and Edgar Allan Poe’s nightmares.

These recordings are taken from those early times of excitement and vertigo, of journeys to Madrid under a train’s seat and endless trips up and down the left bank looking for “someone that I’ve heard is selling an amp”. Now the Reina Sofía Museum exhibits their “Impuesto Revolucionario” LP and there’s no Spanish speaking country without legions of fans.

Roberto Moso.

Tracklist

A1     Maladito Pais    
A2     Mucha Policia, Poca Diversion    
A3     Enterrado Vivo    
A4     Mi Degeneracion    
A5     El Exterminio De La Raza Del Mono    
A6     Os Enganan    
A7     No Kiero Kambiar    
A8     Busco En La Basura    
A9     Cualkier Lugar    
A10     Donde Esta El Porvenir?    
A11     Ratas Rabiosas    

B1     Mierda Mierda Mierda    
B2     Hipocritas    
B3     El Enterrador    
B4     Iros A La Mierda    
B5     Ratas En Bizkaia    
B6     Criaturas Al Poder    
B7     Dios Patria Rey    
B8     Escupe A La Bandera    
B9     A La Mierda El Pais Vasco    
B10     Rogad A Dios Por Los Muertos    
B11     Soldados