Punk Jazz from Macabre Land










Dull Schicksal- They Saved Hitler's Brain


Unfortunately, I was unable to find much information on this album and that includes the cover art. This image was taken from the movie trailer for the 1966 Sci-Fi film that was adapted for television from the feature film "Madmen of Mandoras" directed by David Bradley. I do know that it was released in 1991 on the Dutch Label ADM, but it's extremely hard to find.

Dull Schicksal was a Rotterdam-based band that existed from 1984 to 1999 with permanent members Lukas Simonis (guitar, synth, vocals), Hajo Doorn (drums, keyboards, vocals, also known as Raoul Goudvis), Colin McClure (accordeon, bass, sousaphone, keyboards, vocals, sometimes listed as Colin McClean), and Henk Bakker (flute, clarinet, vocals).

I can only describe "They Saved Hitler's Brain" as avant garde prog punk jazz that sounds like nothing I've ever heard before. It has elements of The Ex, Marc Ribot and Dog Faced Hermans with marching band and free-jazz textures added to it's already rich musical stew. Songs on the record veer wildly from exuberant marching band jazz to cacophonous punk within the confines of one song. "Dreigroscheneissler" is a playful tune that combines military beats and trumpets, creating a carnivalesque vibe and "Dogstabber" features haunting sound effects, marching band drum rolls and goth vocals that recall Nurse With Wound at their most macabre. These guys are stylistically all over the map.

Your comments are always appreciated!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanks for sharing this bizarre album. I particularly like the seagulls on the last track. This is not music I would listen to every day, but damn, I wish I could go to one of their jam sessions!
3:57 PM
Untitled & Anonymous ∞ said…
This is right up my alley man. FFFFFFFFFFFFF YEAH! I wonder if you have any other good fusion? I have trouble believing the spectrum of this.
2:28 PM
Kevin said…
Dani: Maybe you could just pull it out when you are in the mood for something noisy and fun. Thanks for stopping by.

Dubbin: If by fusion you mean avant garde/jazz/punk/marching band, then I can't really think of anyone else that sounds like this. The Ex recently did a record with Getatchew Mekuria(known from the Ethiopiques collections) that is an interesting mix of punk ethiopian groove and some of the Ex's music sounds similar to Dull Schicksall. That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but I'll let you know if I think of anyone else with this sound.

Best, Kevin
5:13 PM
Anonymous said…
Those who like this should check out Dikke Mannen and Herfstblad'ren, both of which are better I think, though just as eccentric. DS also put out another CD which I haven't heard and a collection of outtakes entitled Dull's Dullest. One key to describing their arch, satirical qualities is bassist Colin McClure's involvement in Geoff Leigh's equally twisted MCCB bands, Red Balune, Kontakt Mikrophon Orkestra and The Black Sheep.
3:28 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for posting this, Kevin! I've been looking for it for years... really...

Do you know where I can get a copy? Or can you send me the files?

I have "Dikke Mannen" and "Neem Die Pijp Uit Je Muil, Jij Hond" in my collection ... my two favorites from Dull Schicksall... I once owned "Herfstblad'ren", but no more. The group changed considerably in its lineup, and to my ears became a little more conventionally "prog", which is fine but less to my taste.

If you like Dull Schicksall, I also recommend Dog Faced Hermans for another great Dutch punk fusion eclectic group. "Mental Blocks for All Ages" and "Everyday Time bomb" are my favorites. They have a couple of others that are a little overly polished.

Can I get a copy of this from you?
9:59 PM
Capt EviL 1 said…
Is there any chance of a re-up on this one? It would be much appreciated! Thanks.
6:13 PM
Anonymous said…
Actually, only Simonis was the band's permanent member. Too be more precise: he was the only one of the afore mentioned memberlist performing on this record. I know this because I was the permanent drummer up untill 1992; before Hajo Doorn became their permanent drummer. I still have some contact with Simonis, as I have with the pre-permanent bassplayer - Ronnie Krepel- who played on this record. Sadly I lost contact with the then permanent trumpet player Friedrichs.

permanent regards

2:24 PM
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