DAAU
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DAAU (short for Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung) is a music group from Antwerp, Belgium. The band was founded in 1992 and borrowed its name from the novel 'Der Steppenwolf' (1927) by Hermann Hesse.
The line-up consists of Simon Lenski (cello), Buni Lenski (violin), Roel Van Camp (accordion) and Han Stubbe (clarinet). In the course of DAAU's history, other musicians have joined the quartet for a limited period of time: Adrian Lenski (piano), Janek Kobalski (drums), Angélique Willkie (vocals), Fré Madou (upright bass) and Geert Budts (drums). The latter is currently still part of the band. On record, the band also collaborated with An Pierlé, Ya Kid K (Technotronic) and David Bovée (Think of One).
In 1994 they debuted with their acoustic self-titled album on the 'Jack&Johnny' label which also released the first material by Zita Swoon (back then called A Beatband) and dEUS. For dEUS, DAAU also recorded a version of the cult-hit 'Suds & Soda'.
In 1996 Sony Classical signed the band, re-released the debut album, and released the follow-up 'We Need New Animals' (1998). The album was recorded in the Spanish village Rhonda and introduced vocals, electronics, drums and guitar to the sound of the Anarchists. The band was invited to support 16 Horsepower on tour in Europe. The record didn't sell too many copies and Sony decided to shift the group to Columbia Records, which released their third album 'Life Transmission' (2001) before sacking the group later that year. Even though record sales were once again below expectations, the group scored some small radio-hits and toured extensively in the Benelux and played for large crowds at Rock Werchter and Pukkelpop festivals.
In 2002 the band set up a record label of their own, titled 'Radical Duke' and released an EP of music they composed for a dance play 'Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain', AKA Colors. Later a compilation of outtakes and alternative versions was released, titled 'Ghost Tracks'.
Two years later the group returned to the acoustic approach of its early days and released their fourth record 'Tub Gurnard Goodness', including a cover of Radiohead's '2+2=5'. On tour, DAAU expanded itself to a sextet with a new rhythm section. Tub Gurnard Goodness was released in Europe and the group played many concerts in Germany, Czech Republic and in France with electro dub crew Ez3kiel. In Hungary they were present at the Sziget festival, in Denmark at Roskilde.
In 2006 the band released its first record as a sextet, 'Domestic Wildlife'. Shortly after, bass player Fré Madou decided to leave the band.
Line-up
- Buni Lenski (violin)
- Simon Lenski (cello)
- Han Stubbe (clarinet)
- Roel Van Camp (accordion)
- Hannes D'Hoine (upright bass) (2006-present)
- Geert Budts (drums) (2004-present)
- Fré Madou (upright bass) (2004-2006)
- Adrian Lenski (piano) (2001-2002)
- Janek Kobalski (drums) (2001-2002)
Discography
- Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung (1995)
- We Need New Animals (1997)
- Life Transmission (2001)
- Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain (2002)
- Ghost Tracks (2004)
- Tub Gurnard Goodness (2004)
- Domestic Wildlife (2006)
Side-projects
- Simon Lenski+Bo Wiget
- Bear Guts Quartet
- Donkey Diesel
- Kiss My Jazz
