Jomfru Ane Band
Last night and today I've been listening to what we used to call "agitpop"; agitation pop - pop/rock created more to get an opinion out and win converts than to create music. There was a lot of that here in the '70s, as part of a thriving left-wing community.
I grew up with these bands; mum voted communist, my sisters were involved with various radical leftwing movements, etc. This music - along with bands the existed in the women's movements - played right next to the Dylan and Stones and CCR I got from my brothers.
The two bands I still like were called Røde Mors Rockcirkus ("Red Mother's Rock Circus") and Jomfru Ane band. The last one takes it name from a theatre, that again is named from a street named for a 14th century saint ("Virgin Anna"). Both bands were part of theatre / performance collectives, and most of the music was written for (highly political) shows and theatre performances.
What I like about these bands is that the music is both theatre and pop. On top of that, it's highly opinionated, dripping with sarcasm, and full of wit and clever humour. And it's so full of indignation and lashing out; these guys are trying to ignite a revolution And in the case of Jomfru Ane Band, it's earworm after earworm - perfect sing-along pop, straightforward lyrics and catchy tunes. I was singing along with this 30+ years ago, and I can still sing these songs. We used to call them "Red ABBA".
I love this stuff; never mind the the lyrics are overly naive and full of political bullshit. These people believe, they insist, and they have a good time doing so. It's great fun. And, heck, some of this still have relevance.
I grew up with these bands; mum voted communist, my sisters were involved with various radical leftwing movements, etc. This music - along with bands the existed in the women's movements - played right next to the Dylan and Stones and CCR I got from my brothers.
The two bands I still like were called Røde Mors Rockcirkus ("Red Mother's Rock Circus") and Jomfru Ane band. The last one takes it name from a theatre, that again is named from a street named for a 14th century saint ("Virgin Anna"). Both bands were part of theatre / performance collectives, and most of the music was written for (highly political) shows and theatre performances.
What I like about these bands is that the music is both theatre and pop. On top of that, it's highly opinionated, dripping with sarcasm, and full of wit and clever humour. And it's so full of indignation and lashing out; these guys are trying to ignite a revolution And in the case of Jomfru Ane Band, it's earworm after earworm - perfect sing-along pop, straightforward lyrics and catchy tunes. I was singing along with this 30+ years ago, and I can still sing these songs. We used to call them "Red ABBA".
I love this stuff; never mind the the lyrics are overly naive and full of political bullshit. These people believe, they insist, and they have a good time doing so. It's great fun. And, heck, some of this still have relevance.