Grauzone - Eisbär [WRWTFWW Records]

Format: 12” in printed sleeve
CAT: wrwtfww041

WRWTFWW Records is very honored to announce the official reissue of Grauzone’s essential 1981 maxi-single featuring timeless classics “Eisbär”, proto-techno beast “FILM 2” and romantic synth ballad “Ich Lieb Sie”, just in time for the 40th anniversary of the Swiss band’s formation. The three-track vinyl is sourced from the original reels, cut at 45rpm, and comes with its iconic artwork in a 350g/m² sleeve.

Ich möchte ein Eisbär sein… Written by Martin Eicher after a nightmare in which he saw talking polar bears on the walls, and set to music by the Grauzone team made of Martin and brother Stephan Eicher, Marco Repetto, Christian "GT" Trüssel, and Claudine Chirac (on saxophone), "Eisbär" is the band’s most recognizable title, a sublime blend of ingredients reflecting the transitional era it hails from: raw punk energy still palpable, combined with the boldness of early electronics, the warm groove of a disco gem, beautifully fragile lyrics, and one of the best bass lines ever. It became a mega hit, totally unpredicted, but how to resist such a track?

"FILM 2" is the ultimate b-side monster, an instrumental and menacing pre-techno masterpiece, slowly building up to a magnetizing frenzy. An instant underground favorite, it was famously heard at both speeds depending on the scenes and DJs you were frequenting, 45rpm as originally intended and 33rpm for the cosmic experience (look up Daniele Baldelli’s Cosmic C75 1982 mixtape online for a prime example of this).

The maxi-single ends with "Ich Lieb Sie", a synth-pop meets doo-wop ballad, a genuine love song oozing with innocence. Simple, elegant, and just right.

At the crossroads of post-punk, new wave, pop, and electronic experimentation, the Eisbär maxi-single offers three tracks that are technically different yet hold the same spirit, the perfect embodiment of Grauzone’s music: wild, unpredictable, and youthful, yet sophisticated, catchy, and witty. The magical recipe for the good stuff.

Stephan Eicher went on to become, arguably, the most successful Swiss musician of all time, with an international career ranging from chanson pop to experimental ventures and collaborations with Moondog, artists Sophie Calle and John Armleder, and author Martin Suter, amongst many other luminaries. Marco Repetto blossomed as a techno and ambient producer, releasing multiple projects including releases on Aphex Twin’s Rephlex label.

Grauzone and WRWTFWW will continue to collaborate on the band’s 40th anniversary reissue campaign, with numerous projects planned for the year, including a vast selection of never-before-available music, visuals and literature.