LiLiPUT
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Kleenex |
| Founded | 1978 in Zürich, Switzerland |
| Founder | Klaudia Schiff, Lislot Ha, Regula Sing |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Zürich , Switzerland |
Key people | Klaudia Schiff, Marlene Marder, Astrid Spirit |
| Products | Punk rock music, studio albums, singles, EPs |
LiLiPUT, originally called Kleenex, was a Swiss punk rock ensemble that originated in Zürich in 1978. The group experienced multiple personnel shifts throughout its existence, with bassist Klaudia Schiff remaining the only constant member. Guitarist Marlene Marder joined soon after the band's inception and stayed until their dissolution in 1983. The final formation—comprising Schiff, Marder, and lead singer Astrid Spirit—produced their sole full-length studio albums, Liliput (1982) and Some Songs (1983).
AllMusic regards LiLiPUT as creators of some of the most innovative and critically acclaimed music during the punk movement.
Kleenex era (1978–1979)
Established in Zürich in 1978 under the name Kleenex, the original lineup featured Lislot Ha on drums, Klaudia Schiff handling bass and vocals, and Regula Sing as lead vocalist. Shortly after their formation, Marlene Marder became the permanent guitarist following a guest appearance during their first live encore.
The band independently financed their debut EP, which was issued in 1978 by Sunrise, a local label operated by acquaintances. This release caught the attention of British DJ John Peel and Rough Trade Records, who subsequently signed them. Their first single, "Ain't You," was released in November 1978, followed by a European tour throughout 1979. After this tour, Sing departed and was succeeded by Chrigle Freund. The group's second single, "You," came out in 1979 and marked the last release under the Kleenex name.
Transition to LiLiPUT (1979–1983)
Due to legal challenges from Kimberly-Clark concerning the Kleenex trademark, the band adopted the name LiLiPUT. Angie Barrack joined on saxophone during this period. Under their new moniker, they issued two singles: "Eisiger Wind" (1980) and "Split" (1981), both of which appeared on the UK Independent Singles Chart, with "Eisiger Wind" being re-released by Rough Trade in 1981. Following lineup adjustments involving Ha, Barrack, and Freund, Astrid Spirit (Astrid Spirig) became the lead vocalist, accompanied by saxophonist Christoph Herzog and drummer Beat Schlatter. After a successful tour across Germany, Herzog and Schlatter exited the band; however, Schlatter continued to participate in studio sessions.
Operating as a trio consisting of Schiff, Marder, and Spirit, LiLiPUT launched their self-titled debut album in 1982. They followed this with touring activities and released the single "You Did It" in 1983. While Spirit was enthusiastic about recording a second album, Schiff and Marder felt worn out from touring and contemplated disbanding. To alleviate their workload, Spirit offered to take on management responsibilities. The band completed Some Songs, which was released in December 1983; however, they disbanded soon after as Spirit's pregnancy prevented them from touring to promote the album.
Activities following disbandment
Marlene Marder documented her experiences with the band in The Diary of the Guitarist Marlene Marder, Kleenex/LiLiPUT (1985). She later ran a record shop, played with Danger Mice between 1989 and 1992, founded an artist management company, worked within jazz club administration and promotion sectors, and contributed to the World Wide Fund for Nature. Meanwhile, Klaudia Schiff pursued a career in painting.
In 1993, Swiss label Off Course Records released Kleenex/LiLiPUT, a comprehensive double-CD compilation covering recordings from 1978 to 1983; this project was coordinated by Marder with cover artwork created by Schiff. The compilation was reissued in the United States by Kill Rock Stars in 2001 and later as a four-LP box set by Mississippi Records in 2011.
In 2010, Kill Rock Stars issued Live Recordings, TV-Clips & Roadmovie, featuring live shows, television appearances, music videos, and tour footage.
Marlene Marder passed away on 15 May 2016 at age 61.
That same year saw Kill Rock Stars and Mississippi Records release First Songs, a collection of the band's earliest works.
Musical style
LiLiPUT delivered a vigorous sound that combined aggressive punk elements with unique vocal techniques and lyrics performed in both English and German. Their compositions were characterized by raspy or high-pitched singing, unpolished drum patterns, gritty guitar riffs, groovy bass lines, and the inclusion of saxophone, occasionally supplemented by flute or violin. Their fragmented and surreal lyrical content, along with their energetic approach, placed them alongside groups such as The Raincoats, Delta 5, The Slits, Essential Logic, and Bush Tetras. Over time, their musical direction shifted from the rawer noise of their early recordings to more intricate arrangements in later releases.
Legacy
Kurt Cobain from Nirvana cited "anything by Kleenex" among his top 50 preferred albums.
Band member chronology
- 1978: Klaudia Schiff, Lislot Ha, Regula Sing, Rudolph Dietrich, Gogi
- 1978–1979: Klaudia Schiff, Marlene Marder, Lislot Ha, Regula Sing
- 1979–1980: Klaudia Schiff, Marlene Marder, Lislot Ha, Chrigle Freund, Angie Barrack
- 1981: Klaudia Schiff, Marlene Marder, Chrigle Freund
- 1981–1982: Klaudia Schiff, Marlene Marder, Astrid Spirit, Beat Schlatter, Christoph Herzog
- 1982–1983: Klaudia Schiff, Marlene Marder, Astrid Spirit
Studio albums
- Liliput (1982, Rough Trade)
- Some Songs (1983, Rough Trade)
Compilation albums
- Kleenex/LiLiPUT (1993, Off Course)
- Live Recordings, TV-Clips & Roadmovie (2010, Kill Rock Stars)
- First Songs (2016, Kill Rock Stars/Mississippi)
Extended plays
- Kleenex (1978, Sunrise)
Singles
As Kleenex
- "Ain't You" / "Hedi's Head" (1978, Rough Trade)
- "You" / "Ü" (1979, Rough Trade)
As LiLiPUT
- "Eisiger Wind" / "When the Cat's Away Then the Mice Will Play" (1980, Off Course; reissued 1981, Rough Trade) – UK Indie No. 17
- "Split" / "Die Matrosen" (1980, Rough Trade) – UK Indie No. 31
- "You Did It" / "The Jatz" (1983, Rough Trade)