The Danish band Patchanka has been together since their teenage years, when they were formerly known as Drunk in Public, the Danish underground’s answer to NOFX. In 2001, they disbanded, only to rise again after being incited by the glowing embers left by Manu Chao’s unforgettable concert on the renowned Arena Scene at the Roskilde Festival. Since 2004, Patchanka, which means ‘the party climax’, h
as played more than 300 concerts across Europe. The album is an ambitious giant stride for the group, that until now is primarily recognised and praised as a live attraction, somehow able to transform a frostbitten December night in Copenhagen, into a hot-blooded street-party in Barcelona with their up-tempo world-ska-punk. Patchanka have earned their reputation by kicking life and energy into unassuming festivalgoers at the recognised Dutch festivals Lowlands, Zwarte Cross and Paaspop as well as German Fusion Festival. The six have been friends since they were toddlers, but their musical expression range far and rhymes on their individual differences. Alex, half Italian, has a passion for latinpunk and balkan music. Multi-instrumentalist Kisku, with Indian roots, is into reggae. Guitarist Anders carries a gigantic James Hetfield tattoo; bassist Jon gets his kick out of indie and rock, Maria’s biggest idol is Prince, and last but not least, the lead vocalist Nick spent most of his youth going deep into old school hip hop and hard core. They are in very different positions in life than they were a few years ago. Back in the day, Patchanka got a kick out of dressing both Manu Chao and Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz in support-t-shirts for the now demolished squat Ungdomshus in Copenhagen, or bundling into a van in order to play a gig in Europe somewhere at a short moment’s notice. The band’s lyrics give clear hints of a band with a social conscience, which takes a critical stance of the world around them.
“We just don’t want to be put into a box built up by rigid dogmas. This is not where we are today, nor as individuals or as a band. On the other hand, we are to continue contributing songs to support-albums for the benefit of refugee projects in Africa and also in aid of providing clean water to villages in the Zapatista-run regions of southern Mexico, with which we have been involved in”, explains bass player Jon.
2013 has been the most successful year in the band’s career. A record deal with the influential Dutch label Suburban Records boosted the band in the Netherlands. In Denmark Patchanka was nominated for a prize in the Danish Music Awards in the category “best live world act 2013” – a great honor for the band. Several tours and successful festivals caught the attention abroad. In the end of ’13 and beginning of ’14 Patchanka sealed deals with booking agencies in Germany, France and Belgium. Next step is the recording of the third full length studio album which is due to be released in the Fall of 2014.
