Siekiera
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 or 1983 in Puławy, Poland |
| Founder | Tomasz Adamski, Tomasz Budzyński, Jerzy Janaczek, Irek "Borys" Czerniak |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Puławy , Poland |
| Products | Music albums and performances |
Siekiera (meaning "Axe" in Polish) was a notable Polish post-punk ensemble recognized for their rapid, intense sound and controversial lyrical themes. They attracted considerable attention during the 1984 Jarocin Festival. Following several member changes, the band transitioned towards a new wave style before ultimately dissolving in 1988.
Career
Siekiera originated around 1982 or 1983 in Puławy, Poland, initially performing under the name "Trafo." The founding members included guitarist Tomasz Adamski, who served as the leader and sole composer, vocalist Tomasz Budzyński, bassist Jerzy Janaczek, and drummer Irek "Borys" Czerniak. Their early repertoire consisted mainly of covers from UK Subs and The Exploited. By late 1983, they adopted the name Siekiera with a lineup of Adamski on guitar, Budzyński handling vocals, Dariusz Malinowski on bass, and Krzysztof Grela playing drums.
Their debut official performance took place at Warsaw’s Remont club in 1984, followed by a highly praised appearance at the Jarocin Festival the same year. However, in October 1984, due to disagreements concerning control over lyrics, Budzyński departed to establish the band Armia alongside Robert Brylewski.
Adamski then reassembled Siekiera with new members Zbigniew Musiński on drums and Paweł Młynarczyk on keyboards; Malinowski assumed vocal duties in addition to playing bass. Early in 1985, they recorded eight tracks, some of which received radio airplay. Additionally, they contributed to an EP and participated in the compilation Jak Punk to Punk. At the 1985 Jarocin Festival, their shift to a new wave sound was met with disapproval from the punk audience.
In 1986, Siekiera released their sole full-length album, Nowa Aleksandria, which bore strong influence from Killing Joke and is regarded as one of Poland’s most significant records. The following year, guitarist Wiesław Borsewicz joined the group as Adamski concentrated more on vocals. That year also saw them touring alongside the Polish new wave band Variete. Siekiera disbanded in 1988; although there were intentions to reunite in 1989 with an almost original lineup including drummer Stopa (known for his work with Moskwa and Armia), these plans never came to fruition.
After Siekiera
Following the band's dissolution, Tomasz Adamski dedicated himself to classical music—particularly works by J.S. Bach—and established himself as a published poet based in Puławy. Tomasz Budzyński continued as Armia’s frontman, performed with the Christian ensemble 2Tm2,3, and recently embarked on a solo career featuring music distinct from punk. Dariusz Malinowski played in Tra-band before his passing on 12 December 2020. Zbigniew Musiński currently resides in Germany. Krzysztof Grela was fatally shot in Puławy in January 1992.
In 2014, the Polish black metal group Behemoth recorded a cover of Siekiera’s "Ludzie Wschodu," included on the Australian release of their album The Satanist.
In January 2017, Polish band Drivealone performed a complete live rendition of Siekiera's album Nowa Aleksandria at Dom Chemika in Puławy.
Discography
- Demo bootleg (1984)
- Fala / Idzie wojna LP Fala (Tonpress 1985)
- Jest bezpiecznie / Misiowie puszyści (Tonpress 1986)
- Nowa Aleksandria (Tonpress 1986)
- Ja stoję, ja tańczę, ja walczę / Ludzie wschodu LP Jak punk to punk (Tonpress 1988)
- Na Wszystkich Frontach Świata CD (Manufaktura Legenda 2008) – remastered collection of punk-era material
- 1984 LP (Manufaktura Legenda 2008) – limited edition featuring additional rehearsal tracks from the punk period with Tomasz Budzyński and Krzysztof Grela