Simply, Kurt...

I have only recently come across the German post-hardcore outfit Kurt. That being said, I have surely missed out on the majority of their material, which they have been releasing since around ’94 or ’95. Although they seem to be known overseas, they have never made much of a dent, if any, here in the USA, which is a shame.

I was initially turned on to them after hearing 2003’s La Guard, which is an eight song MCD put out through Nova Recordings that serves as the bands third album. Kurt’s material here is relentless in its attack on the listener. It’s loud, chaotic, and all over the map for that matter. Just exactly how I prefer it. Why these guys haven’t established much of name for themselves over here in the states is baffling to me, especially with the steady rise in interest for this sort of punk laden noisier brand of post-hardcore. Kurt has been playing that type of music for just over ten years now. They remind me a bit of Drive Like Jehu, in that they are very straight up rock band with a true passion for being balls to the wall loud.

La Guard:
Kurt - Black Cat [MP3]
Kurt - The Code [MP3]

When going back and listening to some of their earlier material, La Guard is probably the most polished and accomplished thing they have released. Everything is bit more crisp and clearer on it. However, Kurt's past releases cannot be missed for anyone that enjoys this. Their first two albums, self-titled and Schesaplana, can both be found together on a reissued double LP dubbed Schesaplana Plus which was put out through X-Mist Records.

Schesaplana Plus:
Kurt - Salt [MP3]
Kurt - Schesaplana [MP3]

For those interested you can pick up La Guard over atNova Recordings, while Schesaplana is available over at X-Mist.

You can also find Kurt’s Frank Otto doing vocals in another German post-hardcore group Ten Volt Shock, who have just recently released their second album 6 Null 3. For more information on that head on over to their website.