ROB JO STAR BAND INTERVIEW

Michel Robert SAHUC aka "Mick" INTERVIEW

How did the Rob Jo Star Band meet?

Our meeting will be at "AréPop", a record shop, opened by Alain POBLADOR aka "Penny", in January 1973, in the popular suburb of the South of Montpellier. Alain POBLADOR was a native of Avignon musician who had travelled in the sixties the Provençal musical scenes. Indeed, it already had a great music experience and participated in rock bands as "the BLUES STARS, "the SILVERS STARS", "Les OMBRES ", "the BEAVERS". In 1971, Robert CASTELLO and me we have accompanied the beat poet singer Dominique OTTAVI in musical happenings and we seek to create a group.
With our common musical interests, rapid empathy will create between us, Roger VIDAL, a drummer from Perpignan, Alain, Robert and me. The Group took its first form.
In July, we have the knowledge, Serge SOLER, an electronics and sound technician, passionate of electronic and electro-acoustic music that will come to add to our band. It will play an important role, with the construction of noise generators which are incorporated into a mixing desk that he will baptize "Waves generators". Now ROB JO STAR BAND is complete and the Underground journey can begin.

The French underground scene of the 1970's seems quite active, were any French artists an inspiration for the group?

Although historically the French rock emerged in 1962, it did Pierce as a mass phenomenon until the 1970s. The existence of compulsory military service has scuttled the careers of many bands. French musicians were dominated by technical spirit and improvisation of Jazz and musical expressions Post romantic and contemporary experiences. Its proponents are asked for many years to whether singing in French was an infringement of the rock spirit. French musical production is not favorable to this artistic expression, many groups and artists had to choose between conversion in the variety or the abandonment of this style. But that will hide this very vague concept of musical underground in the Froggies? It's here, artistic resistance, in connection with the challenges of a stifling social order. To the unchecked cultural and economic "Herigone's mnemonic system," leaving little filter of "lead weight" of "yé-yés (60s style)" of French variety and the English Rock, that is going to develop one against ignored music of mass media or getting voluntarily in the margin of the system. It will be in reference to Anglo-American counterculture as well than more specifically French as Situationism, Pataphysics, libertarian and leftist societal and political claims relating to the events of May 68. The history of the French underground music, begun in 1969, is especially Paris with the formation of bands created by former attendants of variety’s singers and studio musicians. Musically, the French rock is divided into different styles. A way, inspired by the Anglo-Saxon models, first " Hard' n’ Heavy" and second " Progressive Rock " represented by bands such as MOVING GELATINE PLATES, ERGO SUM, ALICE and CATHARSIS… The other way is "underground" or "Experimental music" mix confusing with delusions, surrealistic lyrics, rock, free jazz as GONG (Australian beatnik Daevid ALLEN’s Band), AME SON, etc. They are often politically committed protest, with bands such as RED NOISE, KOMINTERN, MAAJUN, and BARRRRICADES I, II (the future members of Z’n’R). The first French musical feature will arise in 1970 with the release of the double album of MAGMA, a band whose music, mode of expression, appearance, and the mark distinct from all other French bands of the time. His music is a mixture of Rock, Jazz (Coltrane), serial music (Igor Stravinsky), he creates a language, "the Kobaïen" and "ZEUHL Music". Many French bands will become the disciples. Although less Underground, ANGE formed the second event that disrupted the French rock scene. It will synthesize elements of Symphonic Prog (GENESIS) with the French song (Jacques BREL). In its wake will create a school bands inspired by theatrical and musical ideas.
In 1973, we were in the midst of Glam rock, called then also Decadent Rock. The RO JO STAR BAND’s influences included first and foremost, the VELVET UNDERGROUND, David BOWIE, Lou REED, but also, HAWKWIND’s Psychedelic Rock, or Krautrock such as CAN, AMOND DULL II, AGITATION FREE. Our musical philosophy was to return to the source of an easy Psychedelic Rock both soft or Trash, but with electro-acoustic experimental sounds and more Stoned texts. Return to, beloved and provocative, popular music from the surfeit of the technicalities of the progressive Rock and French Underground turned then to the experiences, free Jazz, Canterbury or Zappa Scenes, the British pop, Symphony Prog or even the French song and sometimes even accordion band. The problem of the choice of the language in which we must sing: English, French, Kobaïen or Volapük. Our choice came around, «Yaourt», i.e. in English but without trying to hide our French ancestry, or hide the southern accent or completely excludes French. The French accent is so thick it’s like your ears are filled with molten Pélardon*. (*the Languedoc sheep milk cheese).
The only truly French touch lies in the use, by Serge SOLER, of noises generators (Waves Generators), style french Electroacoustic music of the IRCAM (Institute for research and coordination acoustic/music) and composers such as Pierre SCHAEFFER, Pierre HENRI, and Bernard PARMEGIANI…
The Rob Jo Star Band LP is a species of Musical UFO or the "VELVET UNDERGROUND", have met with "Pierre HENRI" to create a «Messe pour le Temps présent» for the misfits, or the junkys.


Who was the Dom label that released the Rob Jo Star Band LP?

Established in 1971 by former members of the record company VOGUE, the Dom label specializes then in the domains of the world music and the French heritages, and then the classical music. This small label record in 1979 "ZARTONG" French Armenian progressive folk bands.


How did your album come to be released by them?

The idea of record an LP was a project of Alain who wanted to pass on his musical ideas and his pleasure of creation. But, it seemed natural, in a time where one could keep the music on audio media, the LP’s recording is necessary to leave a trace, as previously, songwriters, retained their work in transcribing the on scores.
In October and November 1973 during our rehearsals, Labels producers are interested in our group. First, a dandy of RCA Records, which seemed more seduced by the physics of musicians by their music, then CBS Records Group will carry as a band of demos but without any further. The third was DOM, which will undertake to produce a vinyl LP 33t, 40 minutes of music about.


It says on your website that the Rob Jo Star Band LP was pressed twice, once in 1973 and once in 1975 - for an obscure band nowadays was your record popular in France at the time?

Indeed, I must explain to me on these dates. Although all of the tracks were composed and demos recorded in 1973, the album was recorded at Marignane (suburb of Marseille) that on 28 and 29 March 1974. The vinyl LP was therefore edited on June 1, 1974 as confirmed, "Rock en Folk" magazine June 6 in these telegrams and non-June 6, 1973 as noted by error (demo’s date). He was pressed 1500 copies under the label DOM, ref. D. 3.001 U.
Subsequently, DOM’s contacts were broken, because both Robert and I had signed the contract of assignment and editing of musical work. Indeed, we were not in agreement with some of the closed.
We, therefore, had no return on sales of the LP (except those that we sold out of our concerts), and have never anything touched, royalties or copyright.
If the LP was reissued, logically, this means that the first edition was due well these sell. Much later, we learned that the DJ of the “GIBUS”, temple of the Parisian underground rock, had habit of often played between the years 1974-1977 the RJSB tracks, in particular "Loving Machine." But at the time the band we have never been aware this fact.
It was not until 1999 that our "album has been the subject of much hype among record dealers recently". As Norwegian Rock progressive specialist, Dag Erik Asbjørnsen, noted in his book "Scented Gardens of Mind: A Comprehensive Guide to the Golden Era of Progressive Rock (1968-1980)", edited by Borderline Productions in 2000. But not in precise the date: 197?
As result of our research the reason for the presence on large number sites for the sale Vinyl LP, 1975 in publication’s date, we discovered that DOM become label Dom 2 was then reprinted 1000 vinyl disks, under code d 3001.

Did the Rob Jo Star Band record anything else apart from your album?

As RJSB, we have nothing else to edit. However, we well recorded a demo of two French songs, "La Cigale (The Cicada) " and "the demon of rhythm (The Beat Devil)" interested then EMI Pathé, but this did not materialize.
What was the underground scene in Montpellier like?
At the time Montpellier was desolation, a true desert Rock and alternative music, only a few dances musicians, such as Gérard Pansanel or the Azéma brothers will look to Jazz. The musical climax on the city, it was Catalan rumba, Manitas de Plata (Ricardo Baliardo), his brother Hyppolite and Baliardo family.
There was also in late 1969, early 1970, a short-lived group of Jazz Rock of the name of "VÉLO ROUGE (Red bike)".
During the period RJSB (1973-1974), we have had contact with one other Montpellier’s band. It was called "PRÉHISTOIRE (Prehistory)" and played typically French symphonic prog close enough to "ANGE". But to my knowledge, they did nothing registered.
In fact, we were the first Rock band to publish a LP Vinyl on this University regional capital of this region of the southern France.
Then a little later, in 1975, while we have taken the name of "KEUST", Pascal COMELADE took out, on the Label Pôle his first LP "FLUENCE". This is a repetitive electronic music using loops influenced by Terry Riley. Guest on a title, there is the presence of HELDON’s guitarist and composer, Richard PINHAS.
That same year, the brothers Jean-Pierre and Jean-Claude LLABADOR will create the Jazz Rock band "COÏNCIDENCE".

For end:
As a majority of French bands ROB JO STAR BAND, will be a "shooting star". The departure of Robert "Chris" for compulsory military service, fear to engage in a project that was becoming serious and indecision and each other, will determine to sacrifice one’s band in August 1974. It is this brief existence vat created, the son of time, our legend of one of the home bands, the most enigmatic of France. This explains found often on the net, the following statement about us: -"Even amongst the European psychedelic cognoscenti, Rob Jo Star Bands sole LP is somewhat of an enigma".
However in 1975, we will continue to four members, Roger on drums, Serge passed to synthes, Alain on guitar & singing and me still on bass, under the name of "KEUST". It will quickly end in late 1975.
Subsequently, I am the only one to have continued from 1976 to 1977 as bassist and Ondeline player in the group "EMERGENCY EXIT" aka " EMERGENCY ", with which I recorded, under the pseudonym of "Miguel ANGULO", vinyl LP, " Sortie de secours" on the Label Pôle Records Ref. pole 0015.

Names of all ROB JO STAR BAND’s line-up, I thank all that love our music and assured them our underground friendship.


what was your band KEUST like? Was it a continuation of the RJSB sound?

Can indeed be taken as KEUST, was in fact the continuation of RJSB as we resume the same repertory with of new pieces more experimental Rock close enough the NDW (Neue deutsche Welle "German new wave") with a French touch.

The KEUST (in slang, a joint) will give its ultimate concert the Clapiers MJC ( youth and culture House) , village on the Montpellier’s North suburb, in September 1975.

Our band had printed posters or playbill for future tours. These will be used a young Montpellier band created by guitarists Jean-Luc Soler, the brother of Serge aka "Brian", and Jean-Michel Rodriguez, joined by Alain on drums and François on bass. This second KEUST band formed in 1975 will give many concerts on the southern scenes until 1981, but did record no album.

His friendly competition with the O.T.H. band aka "On Tenter hook" will introduce Punk rock on the Montpellier city. It will serve as motivation (springboard) to O.T.H. which will find success until 1992 and recorded eight albums.

(Originally published in Negative Guest List, issue 27, 2011)