Locomotiv GT -

Locomotiv GT was a Hungarian rock band from Budapest. Ringasd el magad and Bummm! established the early blues-rock format and yielded standards such as “Ringasd el magad,” “Kék asszony,” and “Miénk itt a tér”; Mindig magasabbra embraced funk, soul, and jazz elements on “Neked írom a dalt” and “Álomarcú lány,” followed by the broader pop-rock arrangements of Zene – Mindenki másképp csinálja and Loksi. The group made a brief bid for the Western market with a 1974 English-language album on ABC.

Members: Gábor Presser (keyboards, vocals), Károly Frenreisz (bass, saxophone, vocals, 1971-73), Tamás Barta (guitar, 1971-74), József Laux (drums, 1971-76), Tamás Somló (bass, saxophone, vocals, 1973-2016), János Karácsony (guitar, vocals, 1974-2016), János Solti (drums, 1977-2016)

Background

Locomotiv GT formed in 1971 in Budapest when keyboardist-vocalist Gábor Presser, bassist-saxophonist-vocalist Károly Frenreisz, guitarist-vocalist Tamás Barta, and drummer József Laux turned informal sessions into a permanent quartet.

Presser began piano at age four and studied at Bartók Béla Music Secondary School. In 1967, classmate Tamás Mihály introduced him to Omega. He wrote for Omega and spent several months with Scampolo. Presser returned to Omega as organist in 1968 and became principal composer across the first three albums.

Laux drummed in school jazz groups and learned fundamentals through the Benkó Dixieland Band. He joined Omega in the 1960s and remained through the Presser lineup.

Frenreisz studied piano, clarinet, and saxophone. In 1965, he joined Metró as a singing saxophonist. Through 1971, he accepted the dual role of bassist, allowing bandmate Ottó Schöck to concentrate on piano.

Barta attended Landler Jenő Electrical Industrial Technical School with Miklós Fenyő and learned guitar independently following earlier violin training. He joined Fenyő in Syconor and moved into Hungária by 1969. Barta also played occasional sessions with Syrius.

On Christmas 1970, Presser visited Frenreisz and found Barta at the apartment. The three musicians played together that evening. Laux joined a basement session the next day. Lyricist Anna Adamis continued her Omega partnership with Presser as the principal lyricist for the new group.

Locomotiv GT rehearsed in a Wesselényi Street room, where by spring 1971 they developed a common repertoire. MHV representatives visited a rehearsal in spring. Locomotiv GT debuted at Budai Parkszínpad in July with Mini as support, followed with the August single “Boldog vagyok” (b/w “Ha volna szíved”) on Pepita. Locomotiv GT opened a joint club with Tolcsvay Trio at the University of Horticulture in October. The group traveled to Tokyo in November as guests of the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival, where they performed “Touch Me, Love Me, Rock Me,” the English version of the Frenreisz composition “Érints meg.” The quartet approached the December release with a self-titled MHV LP from the Rottenbiller Street sessions.

Discography: