Name: Carambolage
Brand: Carambolage

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

TR498

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-01-21

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Shellshock

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4015698434309

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

TR498LP

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Black

4015698560244

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Carambolage

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Tapete

An unusual female trio, *Carambolage* took inspiration from Ton Steine Scherben and created their own unique brand of agit-rock. With strong vocals and new-wave tendencies, they have carved out a distinct sound that sets them apart from other artists in the genre.
Similar to bands like Der Moderne Man, Der Plan, and Mittagspause, Carambolage has been influenced by the vibrant German music scene. Their music combines catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics, creating a powerful listening experience for their fans.
With a diverse range of influences including Palais Schaumburg, Grauzone, and Malaria!, Carambolage's music appeals to fans of both punk rock and new wave. Their energetic performances and captivating stage presence have earned them a dedicated following within the music community.

Welcome to Tapete, an independent record label based in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 2002 by Gunther Buskies and Dirk Darmstaedter, Tapete has become a prominent force in the music industry. With a diverse roster of talented artists and performers, we strive to bring you the best in music across various genres.

At Tapete, we are passionate about supporting emerging talent and providing a platform for them to showcase their artistry. Our dedication to quality and innovation has earned us a reputation as a trusted source for exceptional music.

With our *labelcode* LC 12227, we offer an extensive catalog of releases that span multiple formats. From vinyl records to CDs and digital downloads, we ensure that you can enjoy your favorite music in the format that suits you best.

Originally released 1980. Carambolage never set out to be a "girl band" but they were one of the first German new wave bands whose members were all female. The punk alliance comprising Britta Neander, Elfie-Esther Steitz and Angie Olbrich emerged organically from the environs of Ton Steine Scherben, friends united by a common interest in musical experimentation. With the first demo tapes in circulation, Burkhardt " Zensor" Seiler organized a gig for Carambolage in the hip Kreuzberg club SO36. At a time when anything that could be labelled "Neuen Deutschen Welle" (German New Wave) was stamped accordingly, the trio played by their own rules. 

The eponymous debut album Carambolage, produced by Rio Reiser and R.P.S. Lanrue in the summer of 1980 and released on the Scherben label David Volksmund Produktion, could not be constrained by NDW marketing concepts. Instead, the disc was defined by its "colossal, inventive sound" which fed on Elfie's curiously autodidactic "Fantasiegriffen" guitar style and her "Fresenhagen sparrow" voice, counter-balanced by Angie's organ and inimitable basslines and energized by Britta's relentless drumming. Backed by quirky organ and ragged drums, Elfie spits her lyrics with emphatic simplicity. Once her words are in your head, they stay there. Tracks like Die Farbe war Mord hint at a sense of feminist awareness. Carambolage may not have coined the phrase, but "lipstick feminism" became a thing, consciously playing with feminine clichÈs and hammering them home in performative fashion, rather than boxing them off. Towards the end of the record, vocals and sound are transcended in the monotone shimmer of 22 rue Chenoise.

Their sound was not the only aspect of the group which resulted from experimental tinkering. Keen to have their own space, away from a male-dominated environment, they used cardboard and carpets to build their own practice room inside an old grain silo. Strictly out of reach of the Scherben. It's fair to say that Carambolage helped to shape the DIY approach which the Riot Grrrls of the 1990s would emulate. Forty years later, it's still mostly men standing on festival stages, but the Carambolage story ought not be consigned to the shelves marked nostalgia. On the contrary, it is a thread which most definitely needs to be picked up.

Music GB

Buy Carambolage - Carambolage (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.