Container were a Swiss jazz-rock band band that released a self-titled album in 1976 on local-press Image. Three of the members hailed from the Jazz Rock Experience. Saxophonist/keyboardist Bruno Spoerri became a prolific electronic musician. Members: Bruno Spoerri (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, sopranino saxophone, Lyricon, synthesizer, producer), Nick Bertschinger (piano, electric piano, Clavinet, […]
Welcome were a Swiss rock trio active from the mid-to-late 1970s. Signed to the local branch of Columbia Records, the band released its homonymous debut LP in 1976. Members: Tommy Stebel (percussion, acoustic guitar, vocals), Bernie Krauer (keyboards, vocals, 1975-80), Francis Jost (bass, vocals, 1975-77), Helmi Erdinger (bass, 1978-80), Jean De Anthony (guitar, 1979-81) With […]
Blue Motion were a Swiss avant-classical keyboard trio that sprung from the ashes of Circus. They snuck into a Riehen studio on the night of October 1–2, 1980, and recorded their singular album, released that year on local-press Amos. The clandestine recording was later issued by archivists Laser’s Edge (1992) and Belle Antique (2013). Members: […]
After Shave were a Swiss hard rock band that was active during the early 1970s. The band locally released one album, Skin Deep, in 1972. Members: Pierre-Alain “Pakman” Kessi (guitar, vocals), André “Dédé” Pascal (drums, 1968-70), Bruno Zuest (vocals, 1968-70), “Noudi” (bass, 1968-70), Jean-Claude “Cacou” Fontana (vocals, bass, 1970-73), Rodolphe “Jötu” Baumgartner (drums, 1970-75), Barry […]
Trumpetmachine was the name given to a multinational jazz-rock collective assembled by Swiss keyboardist/bandleader George Gruntz for a series of recording sessions conducted over three days in June 1977. The fruits of these sessions were collected on the album For Flying Out Proud, released the following year on the German MPS label. Members: Franco Ambrosetti […]
Round House were a Swiss brass-rock band that released two albums and a standalone single on Harvest in 1972 and 1973. Members: Bernd Heil (guitar, bass, vocals), Ralph Bloch (drums), Jean-Pierre Wuttke (tenor saxophone, alto saxophone), Gustav Csik (organ, tenor saxophone), Laszlo Juhasz (trumpet, bass), Kurt Weil (trombone, vibraphone) Discography: ‘Scuse Me (1972) “Listen People” […]
Four for Jazz were a Swiss post-bop/avant-jazz combo that released three albums on Intercord and Spiegelei between 1970 and 1972. Members: Gerd Dudek, Heinz Bigler, Isla Eckinger, Joe Haider, Peter Giger Discography: A Land of Dolls (1970) Power of Nature (1971) Sunday Child (1972)
The Floyd Hunchback Group were a Swiss jazz-rock band that released a self-titled album on Sunrise in 1978. Members: Thomas Müller (alto saxophone, percussion), Christoph Kunz (bass), Thomas Griesser (drums), Armin Surber (guitar), Pierre Kübler (keyboards) Discography: Floyd Hunchback Group (1978)
Eloiteron were a Swiss symphonic-rock band from Zürich that released the album Lost Paradise on their eponymous self-press in 1981. Members: Martin Frey (piano, organ, synthesizer, Mellotron, ARP Solina string ensemble), Dani Reimann (drums), Christian Frey (piano, organ, synthesizer, Mellotron, ARP Solina string ensemble, vocals), Harry Schärer (bass, guitar, vocals, synthesizer), Stefan Frey (flute, trumpet, […]
Sicher were a Swiss symphonic-rock band that self-released an eponymous album in 1981. Members: Markus Sibler (keyboards), Klaus Caspar (keyboards, tenor saxophone), Beat Lustenberger (drums), Kuno Müller (electric guitar), Peter Müller (bass, acoustic guitar), Stefan Sieber (cello, bass), Paul Sieber (flute), Catherine Graf (flute) Discography: Sicher (1981)
Om were a Swiss avant-jazz quartet from Luzern that debuted with a half-live/half-studio album on Indian Records in 1975, followed by four albums on Japo Records between 1976 and 1980. Members: Christy Doran (guitar), Fredy Studer (drums), Bobby Burri (bass), Urs Leimgruber (saxophone) Discography: Montreux (live) & More (1975) Kirikuki (1976) Om with Dom Um […]
Larsen Rupin were a Swiss avant-rock band that released the album A Ban on Ayaa in 1991, followed by two self-pressed discs during the 2000s. Members: Daniel Spahni (drums), Gilbert Ummel (saxophone, vocals), André Schenk (bass), Pier-Luigi Pision (guitar, 2007-08), Julien Baillod [aka Bio] (guitar, 2008-present) Discography: A Ban (1991) Contredanses (2003) Procès Verbal (2007)
Diethelm / Famulari were a Swiss avant-rock duo comprised of guitarist/keyboardist Thomas Diethelm and keyboardist Santino Famulari. The pair released a self-titled album on Polydor in 1983 that was reissued the following year as The Flyer on Philips. In 1984, the pair released Valleys in My Head on Mercury. Individually, Diethelm released the 1981 album […]
Coroner were a Swiss heavy metal band from Zürich that issued a cassette album on self-press Rip Rec in 1986, followed by five albums on Noise International between 1987 and 1993. Members: Marquis Marky (drums, 1983-2014), Tommy Ritter (guitar, 1983-84), Phil Puzctai (bass, 1983-84), Pete Attinger (vocals, 1983-84), Oliver Amberg (guitar, vocals, 1984-85), Ron Royce […]
No Secrets in the Family were a Swiss art-pop band from Zürich that released the album In a Certain Light We All Appear Green on Ex Libris/Musikszene Schweiz in 1987, followed by the 1990/92 titles Play & Strange Laughter and Kleinzeit on local ReR-subsidiary RecRecMusic. Members: Annette Schönholzer (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Markus Schönholzer (guitar, vocals), […]
Nimal were a Swiss chamber-rock/folk band from Neuchâtel that released a self-titled album on local ReR-subsidiary RecRec Music in 1987, followed by the disc Voix de Surface in 1990. The band’s third and final album, DisTanz, appeared on the French ReR branch Ayaa in 1992. Members: Jean-Maurice Rossel (guitar, hurdy-gurdy, bouzouki), Tom Cora (cello), Bratko […]
L’ Ensemble Rayé were a Swiss chamber-rock/folk band from Neuchâtel that released two albums on Ayaa Disques between 1989 and 1993: Même en Hiver: Comme un Pinson Dans L’eau and Quelques Pièces Détachées. A third disc, En Frac!, appeared on LabelUsineS in 1997, followed by four further discs on Kein & Aber Records and Les […]
Yello was a Swiss electro/art-pop combo from Zürich that emerged on Ralph Records with the 1980/81 albums Solid Pleasure and Claro que Si. In 1983, they scored a crossover hit with “I Love You” from their Stiff release You Gotta Say Yes to Another Excess. Trimmed to the duo of Boris Blank and Dieter Meier, […]
Toad were a Swiss hard-rock band from Basel that released two albums with accompanying singles on Hallelujah during 1971 and 1972, followed by a third album on Frog Records in 1975. Additional live and studio recordings from the period were later released by archivists Arkama. Members: Vittorio “Vic” Vergeat (guitar, vocals, piano), Cosimo Lampis (drums, […]
Starter were a Swiss coldwave/synthpop trio from Bern that released a self-titled album on Repertoire Records in 1981. A change in lineup yielded three 1985–87 singles on Bariton Records and a final 12″ on Atina Records in 1989. Members: Francis Foss (keyboards, vocals), Claudine Chirac (saxophone, keyboards, 1981-84), Jet Harbour (keyboards, 1981-84), Pauchard (1985-89), Reto […]
Pyranha were a Swiss jam-rock/psych band from Yverdon that released a self-titled album on Epsilon in 1972, followed by a self-pressed album of rock and roll covers in 1974. Members: Henry Skippy (saxophone), Wy Wyss (guitar), Armand Bucher (organ), Jacques Riccio (drums), Beb Anhas (bass), Christian Scheder (vocals) Discography: Pyranha (1972) Instant de Bal- Pyranha’s […]
Ping Pong were a Swiss New Wave trio that issued a standalone single on Polydor in 1980, followed by a self-titled album and additional single on Accord in 1982. Vocalist Kurt Maloo subsequently fronted sophisti-combo Double for two albums between 1985 and 1987. Members: Felix Haug (percussion, marimba, vocoder), Hazel Pazzi (bass, harmonium), Kurt Maloo […]
Magic Spell were a Swiss art-rock band that released the album Is There Anywhere a Gas Station? on Musk Project in 1980. Members: Mengia Clavadetscher, Roman Spiess, Stefan Clavadetscher, Victor Waldburger Discography: Is There Anywhere a Gas Station? (1980)
Jigsaw were a Swiss jazz-rock band that released the album Puzzle on self-press Soundshine Records in 1981, followed by Jigsaw 2 in 1984. Members: Michael Frey (guitar), Felix Huber (piano), Rainer Suter (electric bass), Franz Kneubühler (drums, percussion) Discography: Puzzle (1981) Jigsaw 2 (1984)
The Jazz Rock Experience were a Swiss brass-rock band that released the self-initialed album J.R.E. on Deram in 1970. Saxophonist Bruno Spoerri later recorded as an electronic artist. Members: Raffael Waeber (guitar), Kenny Schmidt (drums), Bruno Spoerri (saxophone), Hans Kennel (trumpet), Nick Bertschinger (Wurlitzer), Hans Foletti (bass) Discography: J.R.E. (1970)
Celtic Frost were a Swiss heavy metal band from Zürich that released three albums and three EPs on Noise International between 1984 and 1988. Members: Tom G. Warrior [Thomas Gabriel Fischer] (vocals, guitar), Martin Eric Ain [Martin Eric Stricker] (bass, 1984-85, 1987, 1990-93, 2003-08), Stephen Priestly (drums, 1984, 1988-92), Dominic Steiner (bass, 1985), Reed St. […]
Cardeilhac were a Swiss psych-rock band that released a self-titled album on small-press Decibel Records (dbr) in 1972. Members: Rinaldo Häusier (guitar), Denis Angelini (vocals), J.C. Balsinger (bass), Andrö Locher (organ), Gaston Balmer (drums) Discography: Cardeilhac (1972)
Vita Nova were a Munich-based symphonic/psych trio comprised of German multi-instrumentalist Eddy Marron, Yugoslavian keyboardist Sylvester Levay, and Swiss drummer Christian von Hoffmann. The band released a self-titled album in 1971 on the Austrian Life Records label. Members: Eddy Marron (lead vocals, bass, zaz, guitar), Sylvester Levay (keyboards, percussion, vocals), Christian von Hoffmann (drums, percussion, […]
F.G. Experimental Laboratory was the electronic-music project of Swiss multi-instrumentalist Frédy Guye, who self-released two albums and a standalone single under the nameplate between 1975 and 1980. Members: Frédy Guye (keyboards, synthesizer, electric guitar) Discography: Journey Into a Dream (1975) “Happiness” / “Church” (1976) Hope (1980)
George Gruntz (June 24, 1932 — Jan. 10 2013) was a Swiss pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader with a musical career that spanned more than a half-century, starting in the late 1950s. Between 1971 and 2006, his namesake Concert Big Band recorded under multiple configurations, releasing more than 14 live and studio albums on MSB, […]
Flame Dream was a Swiss symphonic-rock band from Luzern, formed in 1977. On Philips, they issued the popular 1978/79 albums Calatea and Elements. During the 1980s, they released four albums on Vertigo. Members: Urs Waldispühl (guitar, vocals), Peter Wolf (woodwinds, vocals), Peter Furrer (drums, percussion), Urs Hochuli (bass, vocals), Roland Ruckstuhl (keyboards, sequencer, vocoder), Dale […]
Magog were a Swiss jazz-rock band that issued a live set on Evasion Disques, recorded at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival. In 1976, the band released a self-titled album on Japo Records. Members: Hans Kennel (trumpet, percussion, flute), Andy Scherrer (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, percussion), Paul Haag (trombone, percussion), Klaus Koenig (piano, electric piano, […]
Skibbereen were a Swiss folk-rock band that released three albums and a shortplayer on Image and Gold Records between 1976 and 1980. Members: Düde Dürst, Erwin Bucher, Jürg Steger, Kathryn Gurewitsch, Roland Ambühl, Ruedi Hoppler Discography: Skibbereen (1976) Folk-Rockin‘ (1978) Get up and Dance (1980)
Plamp were a Swiss jazz-rock band that released the album … und überhaupt … in 1978 on Canova Music. Members: Mario Giovanoli (flute, saxophone, vocals), Peter Tönz (electric guitar, vocals), Peter Streiff (Hammond organ, piano, vocals), Louis Streiff (drums, vocals), Andrea Thöny (bass, vocals), Fortunat Frölich (cello, piano, vocals, 1978), Marc Keller (acoustic guitar, vocals, […]
Rumpelstilz were a Swiss pop/folk/blues-rock band from Interlaken that debuted with a 1973 single on Sinus, followed by three albums and a live recording between 1975 and 1978 on Schnoutz. Members: Polo Hofer (vocals), Hanery Amman (keyboards, piano), Samuel Jungen (bass), Hans Jungen (drums, 1971), Küre Güdel (drums), Jürg Werren (guitar, 1971), Schifer Schafer (guitar), […]
Shivananda were a Swiss jazz-rock band that released two albums during the late 1970s on Gnome Records and a third in 1983 on CSST. Members: Kurt Baebi (keyboards), Roberto Biagini (saxophone), Peter Keiser (bass), Walter Keiser (drums), Carlo Milan (guitar, percussion), Chico Hablas (guitar), Larry Schneider (saxophone) Discography: Cross Now (1977) Headlines (1979) Comeback (1983)
Tea were a Swiss hard-rock band that released three albums on Philips and Vertigo between 1974 and 1976. Members: Marc Storace (vocals, percussion), Turo Paschayan (bass, 12 string guitar, vocals), Volker Armand (guitar, vocals), Philippe Kienholz (keyboards, vocals), Roli Eggli (percussion, drums) Discography: Tea (1974) The Ship (1975) Tax Exile (1976)
Patrick Moraz is a Swiss keyboardist and composer who emerged in the post-psych act Mainhorse, which issued a 1971 album on Polydor. He then teamed with the rhythm section of The Nice in the super-trio Refugee, which issued a self-titled album on Charisma in 1974. Months later, Yes hired him as Rick Wakeman‘s replacement for […]
Lost Peace were a Swiss jazz-rock band that self-released a standalone single in 1974, followed by a half-credited eponymous album on Zytglogge in 1977. Members: Willy Müller (piano), Marc Hellman, Peter “Pudi” Lehmann (trumpet, violin), Martin “Tinu” Heiniger (wind instruments), Markus Küng (guitar), Claudio Bischoff (bass), Thomas Wild (drums), Jürg Lötscher (guitar) Discography: “Suppressed” / […]
Nautilus were a Swiss symphonic-rock band that released two albums between 1978 and 1980 on Turicaphon and Musk Project. Members: Urs Lerch (bass), Dieter Ruf (guitar, vocals), Peter Fibich (drums), Ralph Stucki (keyboards, vocals), Christian Bauer (guitar, vocals) Discography: 20,000 Miles Under the Sea (1978) Space Storm (1980)
Kedama were a Swiss jam-rock trio that released a live in-studio album on the Sunrise label in 1976. The nameplate was reactivated for a string of self-pressed discs during the 2000s. Members: Christian Linder (guitar, keyboards), Richard Rothenberger (keyboards), Peter Suter (drums, 1972-?) Discography: Live at Sunrise Studios (1976)
Krokodil were a Swiss hard-rock/psych band that released six albums on Liberty/United Artists and Bacillus between 1969 and 1976. Members: Walty Anselmo (guitar, vocals), Düde Dürst (drums), Hardy Hepp (vocals, piano, violin, 1969-70), Terry Stevens (bass, guitar, vocals), Mojo Weideli (harmonica, flute, percussion), Max Lässer (guitar) Discography: Krokodil (1969) Swamp (1970) An Invisible World Revealed […]
Mainhorse was a symphonic-psych band formed in 1969 by London-based Swiss musicians. They released a self-titled album on Polydor in 1971 and a film-theme single on Évasion in 1972. Keyboardist Patrick Moraz did brief stints in Refugee and Yes, then launched a prolific solo career. Members: Patrick Moraz (keyboards, vocals), Jean Ristori (bass, cello, vocals), […]
Kjol were a Swiss jazz-rock quartet headed by saxophonist Brigeen Doran. In 1979, Tonstudio Zuckerfabrik issued the band’s debut album Take It On. This was followed by the 1981 collaborative effort Sunny Day, recorded with American bassist Fernando Saunders and released on Roof Records. Members: Brigeen Doran (saxophone), Dave Doran (drummer, percussionist), Heinz Affolter (guitar), […]
Débile Menthol were a Swiss avant-garde/New Wave band that released two albums on RēR-affiliate RecRec between 1982 and 1985. Members: Cédric Vuille (clarinet, guitar, drums), Jean 20 Huguenin (guitar, percussion, vocals), Gilles Rieder (drums, bass, percussion, vocals), Patrice Dupasquier (saxophone), Marie Schwab (violin, vocals), Christian Addor (keyboards, bass, vocals), Yvan G. Chkolnix (bass, guitar), Jean-Maurice […]
Brainticket were a Swiss space-rock band that released three albums on Hallelujah, Bellaphon, and RCA Victor between 1970 and 1973, plus two self-released titles during the early 1980s. Members: Joel Vandroogenbroeck (flute, keyboards, vocals), Ron Bryer (guitar), Werni Fröhlich (bass), Hellmuth Kolbe (keyboards), Cosimo Lampis (drums), Dawn Muir (vocals), Wolfgang Paap (percussion), Barney Palm (percussion, […]
Circus were a Swiss symphonic-rock band that released three albums and a live recording between 1976 and 1980 on the Zytglogge and Illuminatus labels. Members: Marco Cerletti (bass, bass pedals, guitar, backing vocals), Andreas Grieder (flute, alto saxophone, backing vocals, tambourine), Roland Frei (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone), Fritz Hauser (drums, vibraphone, percussion), Stephan Ammann […]
Dragonfly were a Swiss symphonic-rock band that released an eponymous album on self-press Highfly in 1982. Members: Markus Husi (Hammond organ, clavinet, synthesizer, grand piano), Marcel Ege (electric guitar, acoustic guitar), Erich Isler (keyboards, 1975-77), Martin Weiss (drums, 1975-77), Stephan Kraushaar (bass, 1975), Klaus Mönnig (bass, bass pedals, backing vocals, 1975-77, 1979-82), René Bühler [aka […]
Emphasis were a Swiss jazz-rock band that issued a self-titled album on the Pick label in 1975. Members: Renato Anselmi (piano, synthesizer), Pierre Cavalli (bass, guitar), Nick Liebmann (drums), Curt Treier (percussion), Fernando Vicencio (flute, saxophone) Discography: Emphasis (1975)
Island were a Swiss symphonic-rock band that issued the album Pictures on self-press Round in 1977. A 1975 home-recording of a 40-minute composition titled “Pyrrho” was issued three decades after the fact on Z-Records. Members: Benjamin Jäger (lead vocals, percussion), Güge Jürg Meier (drums, gongs, percussion), Peter Scherer (keyboards, bass pedals, vocals, crotales), René Fisch […]
Double were a Swiss sophisti-pop combo that released two albums on Polydor between 1985 and 1987, scoring a huge international hit with the ivory-laden ballad “The Captain of Her Heart.” Members: Kurt Maloo (vocals, guitar), Felix Haug (drums, keyboards) Discography: Blue (1985) Dou3le (1987)
Refugee was an English symphonic-rock trio that released a self-titled album on Charisma in 1974. The band was essentially a reformed Nice with keyboardist Patrick Moraz in lieu of Keith Emerson. The project ended soon after the album’s release when Moraz was invited to replace Rick Wakeman in Yes. Members: Patrick Moraz (keyboards), Lee Jackson […]
