SIEKIERA-Jarocin '85 7''

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One of the most anticipated bands at the 1985 Jarocin Festival was undoubtedly SIEKIERA. After such a devastating and nationally acclaimed concert at Jarocin '84, it couldn't have been otherwise. The invitation of the previous edition's winners electrified those who remembered them from the previous year, as well as those who had read about them in the press or heard word of mouth.
In 1985, Siekiera's performance was scheduled very late, at the very end of the festival day, on the night of August 15th to 16th. The attendees waited patiently until the end to see their iconic band. Expectations were high, hoping for a repeat of the biggest pogo from '84. However, the audience didn't get what they wanted. Some might have expected something different. The song "Misiowie puszyści" had already been broadcast on the radio. However, most remained unaware, expecting a mega-hit. The band's very appearance on stage signaled a break with their previous work. A new lineup (only two musicians remained from the original lineup), a different look, and the addition of keyboards. The new, cold, post-punk program was met with immense disappointment, even anger. There were whistles, shouts, throwing sand, and people turning their backs on the band. After four songs, the organizers decided to cut the concert short for safety reasons. Siekiera would never return to Jarocin (although they appeared on the poster announcing Jarocin '86). Months and years would pass before the second installment of Siekiera received the recognition it deserved. A year later, they released the album "Nowa Aleksandria," which today belongs to the strict canon of Polish music and is internationally recognized as one of the most outstanding and iconic albums. This period of the band's career would also be captured on the 7-inch "Jest Bezpieczeństwa" (It's Safe) and the compilation "Jak punk to punk." Of the four songs played at the 1985 festival, only three were recorded in their entirety on a mixing console. And they made it onto the EP. One of them is the unique, never-recorded-in-a-studio-or-released "Uszanki," sounding like a blend of old and new Siekiera.
This release inaugurates a series of albums by the "second" Siekiera, a collaboration between WPR and the Trasa W-Z Archive. The album features recollections of this performance by Robert Jarosz. Mastering was done by Mario / Studio As One, and cover art by Artur Dziewisz. Limited to 600 copies. No further pressings are planned.