Strange Is This World - Niemen: Monarch of Antiestablishment

Sunday Mayhem 10 9PM-12AM
Hosted by Magic Jack and Zbig Stanczyk

In June Poland will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the overthrow of the communist government which led to the new world order. Since the end of WW 2 music played an important role in subverting the political order in Poland. This helped in creating renowned hard rock, punk, and avant-garde scenes. Underground clubs thrived, independent labels released their own records. Musicians followed western trends but many sought their own way of expression. This three hour show will reflect trends in Polish music popular in the 70?s, 80?s and 90?s.

This year 2014 marks the tenth anniversary of death of one of the greatest musical geniuses to come out of Eastern Europe - Czeslaw Niemen. With the release of his debut album in 1967 ?Strange Is This World?, and a most important Polish protest song, Niemen was instantly crowned as the absolute monarch of rock. With his anti- establishment lyrics, bohemian life style, avant-garde music he became favorite target of annoyed communist officials. Following his stellar popularity in Poland, Niemen tried to build up a career in the West but his music was way too advanced for the commercial market. He did manage however to get signed by CBS and record albums with Jan Hammer and Rick Laird from Mahavishnu Orchestra. Niemen went much beyond blues and psychedelic sound. We will introduce music of this sometimes still shocking artist.