KORTATU
DISCOGRAPHY

Releases

KORTATU/CICATRIZ/KONTUZ HI!/JOTAKIE split LP (Soñua, 1985)

KORTATU LP (Soñua, 1985)

EL ESTADO DE LAS COSAS LP (Soñua, 1986)

KOLPEZ KOLPE LP (Oihuka, 1988)

AZKEN GUDA DANTZA 2LP (Nola!, 1988)


Reissues

THE FRONTLINE COMPILATION LP (Oihuka, 1988 - has material from first two LPs)

KORTATU CD (Oihuka - reissue of first LP)

EL ESTADO DE LAS COSAS CD (Oihuka - reissue of second LP)


Compilations

BAT, BI, HIRU... HAMAR! 2LP (Oihuka, 1987), "A la calle"


INFO

Kortatu Photos on Alternativa Roja Website
There are some Kortatu photos here.

Kortatu

Band History and Discography compiled by Federico
Author's note: At first I wasn't sure if a Kortatu bio suits this site, since they can be more easily classified as Oi!/street punk/ska band then a punk/HC band: even though they had enough songs which could be regarded as the latter, they actually considered themselves to be (red) skins. But since their influence in both the punk and rock scenes in the Basque country and Spain (and it could be argued that also in southern Europe and Latin America) was considerable, I decided to go for it. They were pretty unique in many levels and I find them to be a very interesting (and rockin') band, but of course, HC thrash purists are advised to leave this page now...
Brothers Fermín and Inigo Muguruza, along with Treku Armendariz started Kortatu in 1983, in the city of Irun in Euskadi (the Basque Country in Spain). Even though Euskadi has been considered part of Spain for many centuries, the majority of the Basques (whom are now divided between Spain and France) always struggled to mantain their own identity and culture along with their unique language. The latter is called "Euskera" and doesn't have any etimological similarities with the rest of the languages spoken in Western Europe.

It has been claimed that Basque resistance to external domination predates the arrival of those invading peoples who spoke the Indo-European languages. The resistance, which continued through the middle ages and in different forms up to the 20th century, may be even seen as evidence that the ethnic consciousness of the Basques existed long before it became transformed into a modern day nationalist ideology. After a short period of autonomy during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) came Franco's dictatorship, which lasted until the mid 70's and was a bad period of time for the Basque's political and cultural aspirations. In 1959, a military and political separatist group called E.T.A. was created. E.T.A. (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, Basque Country and Liberty) then, was the vehicle to combat that which many regarded as oppresive to the Basque cause. The return of democracy in Spain in the late 70's didn't satisfy the autonomous/separatists desires of many Basques and E.T.A. still continues to carry out actions/attacks, despite the heavy pressure (and repression) on them from many in Spain and EU countries. It can be said that Kortatu, who openly supported E.T.A., defended Basque nationalism and culture as part of the desire for self-determination of people and in a context of resistance to imperialism and neo-liberal economic policies.

Kortatu was the name of a guy they saw in the newspaper, holding a rifle against those who came to tear down his house for making room for a highway. Musically, Kortatu's main influences are The Clash, the Specials and Oi! Even though many tried this formula, I've rarely came across a band who pulled it off so well. They definately stand head and shoulders above all ska-punk that came later on in the 90's. Their anger produced mostly anthems, regardless of whether they played a fast-ish punk number, a rocking tune or a ska tinged one. Their lyrics were obviously political but they also weren't scared of being humourous - as the Basque saying goes "Jaia bai, Borroka ere bai" ("Party, but fight too").

Their first vinyl appearance came in 1985 as part of a split 12" compilation of Basque punk bands, along with Kontuz Hi, Cicatriz and Jotakie. The same year they released a self-titled LP, also on the Spanish indie Soñua. It's a fucking great LP and if you appreciate anthemic punk rock and dig the 2-Tone bands, I promise you this one won't leave your turntable for a while. Besides the problems in their own backyard, they also talked about the Sandinistas, apartheid in South Africa and fooled around a little bit. A year later their second LP, El Estado de Las Cosas, was released, succesfully using the previous formula. It's really a great follow up LP and a must have for those whom enjoyed the previous one.

Their third LP, Kolpez Kolpe from 1988 is not as good as the previous ones but not an embarrasment either. If you liked the first two, you may as well give it a try, but listen before you buy! Also the same year, the Spanish independant label Oihuka (which also re-released their previous records) issued an LP which compiles tracks from both the first records. It also has the lyrics translated into English, as it was intended to be some kind of "for export" record to be sold mostly within the European punk/alternative scene. It works as a great introduction to the band. They also issued a double live LP the same year, just before they broke up.

The reason for their break up seems to be both a will to try new musical things, as they especeally became fond of hip hop, and also a will to start singing only in Euskera, since Kortatu also used Spanish. The result was Negu Gorriak, which despite having political texts had nothing to do with punk music - at least in the narrow sense of the word.


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