Brygada Kryzys
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Robert Brylewski, Tomasz Lipiński |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Warsaw , Poland |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | www |
Brygada Kryzys (translated as 'Crisis Brigade') () stood as a significant and impactful Polish post-punk ensemble, established in 1981 by prominent Warsaw-based guitarists and vocalists Robert Brylewski (formerly of Kryzys) and Tomasz Lipiński (known from Tilt).
1981
- July - Brylewski approaches Lipiński with the idea of creating a new musical group; Lipiński consents.
- August - The formation of Brygada Kryzys takes place, comprising Brylewski, Lipiński, drummer Jarek "Gruszka" Ptasiński, saxophonist Tomek "Men" Świtalski, bassist Ireneusz "Jeżyk" Wereński, and drummer Sławek Słocinski. They characterize their sound as "punkadelic," merging elements of early punk with 1960s psychedelic influences. Their initial scheduled performance in Gdańsk is canceled due to political tensions.
- September - The band debuts live at Warsaw's Riviera venue; this show is recorded and subsequently circulated unofficially in London.
- November - Embarks on a two-week tour across Poland alongside the British group TV 21. During this period, Brylewski suffers an attack by hooligans in Gdańsk, with local authorities refusing to intervene. A nationwide general strike commences.
- December - Despite encountering border complications and confiscation of their gear, Brygada Kryzys performs twice at the Belgrade festival titled "Days of Young Polish Subculture," with one concert recorded. Plans for tours in the Netherlands and Yugoslavia are canceled following the imposition of martial law on December 13, which enforces curfews and restricts travel.
1982
- February - Under governmental pressure to abbreviate their provocative band name, Brygada Kryzys declines and faces bans on public appearances and international travel, leading to the cancellation of their Netherlands tour.
- March - Warsaw's Tonpress studio seeks a trial band; Brygada Kryzys records multiple tracks over several days. Though hesitant, Tonpress agrees to release the record. Drummer Janek Rołt becomes part of the lineup.
- Summer - The group films sequences near Lublin for the movie “Koncert.”
- August 31 - Demonstrations in Warsaw result in Tomek’s arrest and police brutality; he is released shortly after due to overcrowded detention facilities.
- September 1–4 - BK holds performances at Warsaw’s Remont club, marking their first shows since martial law began. Confronted with political obstacles, the band disbands. Robert initiates the reggae project Izrael, while Tomek resumes activities with Tilt.
1989
Just days before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tomek and Robert discuss revitalizing Brygada Kryzys while traveling to a concert in Berlin.
1991
- August - After a nine-year hiatus, BK returns to perform at the prestigious Jarocin Festival, garnering enthusiastic responses.
- October 1991-August 1992 - The album Cosmopolis is recorded at Izabelin studio, combining new compositions with earlier material. The roster includes Robert Brylewski, Tomek Lipiński, Irek Jeżyk Wereński, drummer Piotr "Stopa" Żyżelewicz, vocalist Vivian Quarcoo (Brylewski’s wife), and saxophonists Włodek Kiniorski and Aleksander Korecki.
- December 13 (1992, 1993, 1994) - BK hosts annual concerts commemorating the anniversary of martial law in Poland; one such performance is officially released. The group dissolves again in 1994.
2003
After a ten-year break, BK reunites featuring Robert Brylewski, Tomek Lipiński, drummer Filip Gałązka, bassist Tomek Szymborski, and saxophonist Sergiusz Lisecki. They embark on several live shows including the "PRL czyli Punk Rock Later" tour and perform at London’s Garage Club in December.
2005
Aleksander Korecki took over the saxophone role from Lisecki as BK initiated the Black Album project, which includes remixed versions of their debut release, compositions by Jozef B. Nowakowski, and previously unreleased early material. The band featured on TVP3's program Muzyka łączy pokolenia alongside the rap duo "Vienio i Pele". In November, they embarked on a tour across various Polish clubs, concluding with a performance in London on December 4. Plans were set for new recording sessions during the winter of 2005/2006.
Discography
- 1982 Brygada Kryzys / LP Tonpress
- 1982 Live / LP Fresh Records UK
- 1992 Cosmopolis / Izabelin Studio
- 1996 Live in Remont '93 / MC Gold Rock Studio