La Polla Records | |
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Evaristo performing in a concert
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Background information | |
Also known as | La Polla |
Origin | Salvatierra, Basque Country, Spain |
Genres | Punk rock, hardcore punk |
Years active | 1979–2003 |
Labels |
Oihuka Gor Discos Maldito |
Website | www |
Past members | Evaristo Abel Fernandito (deceased) Txarly Sume Maleguin Tripi Jokin Txiki |
La Polla Records was a Spanish Basque punk rock band, formed in 1979 in Salvatierra/Agurain, a small town in the Basque Country (Spain). Its founders were Evaristo on vocals, Maleguin on bass, Fernandito on drums and Txarly and Sumé on guitars. The name was somewhat controversial because in Spanish, "polla" is vulgarly slang for "cock, penis". The lyrics of the band harshly criticized fascism, militarism, capitalism, and catholicism. La Polla Records has been very influential in the Spanish-language punk scene.
La Polla Records was a band that was known as a symbol of rebellion against everything, to the point of them being called "anti-everything". As a result of this they faced several major obstacles throughout their career, primarily threats and repression. The band members even faced jail time during a concert with Eskorbuto, another Spanish punk band.
On 9 December 1979, inspired by the British punk movement, La Polla Records did their first gig at the only pub from Salvatierra, with all the town people at the show, in words of Evaristo: " ... to see what made the fools of village".
In 1981, the band performed and recorded their first demo called Banco Vaticano, never released officially. During this time, the band performed some shows in Basque Country and Spain territories, although the group popularity was low because had yet to embrace punk on the level seen in the UK.
Tha band recorded their first EP called ¿Y ahora qué? ("So now what?") in 1983, it had four songs, under the indie label Oihuka, where managed to draw the attention of producer Marino Goñi.
By 1984, La Polla Records began frequently playing large shows, also releasing their first LP Salve, to Oihuka label and produced by Marino Goñi. The album was certified Gold, but the group rejected the disc. The following years they recorded Revolución (1985), with Abel Murua replacing Maleguin on the bass in this album. That same year played in the Euskal Rock festival at Barcelona, along with Kortatu, RIP and Cicatriz.