It all started back in 1979….. yeah that’s right. 26 years ago when Erich il-Punk formed Abstrass.
Of course those of you who are into the modern punk scene don’t remember the days of chaos that struck our isle at that time. The band started jamming at Erich’s home and soon there were reports by the neighbours for causing “noise pollution”. So Erich had to find somewhere else to do rehersals ‘cause the chaotic tunes that came out of his bedroom were unbearable.
So off he went to Tigne’ Fortress at Sliema and broke the lock of a filthy basement which was used as a store for old torpedoes, property of the British troops in Malta. After some hassle by the authorities, they gave him permission to use it for rehersals and “Rock Arja” was born. It was the beginning of the rock scene as we know it today. Soon other bands started to use the complex.
Abstrass had many line up changes during the years and many stories to tell.
Musicians came and went, too many to mention, fearing we’d leave someone out. But I’d like to thank them all for the Buzz they gave us.
From the summer of ’86 Ray Schembri (il-Bahri) on guitar, Ray Micallef (il-Hamiemu) on drums joined Erich for what it was to be a permanent line up core. Those who could play bass joined us every now and then. We took part in festivals but nothing that serious. Just for a blast you know!
In 2001 James Spiteri (in-Nemlu) on bass, who happens to be our mate in X-Vandals joined Abstrass and we decided that it was about time to make our head into music and start gigging and writing new stuff.
We started experimenting on a D.I.Y. recording which helped us a lot and in April 2005 went into “Charlie Paletti’s Studio” to record our debut CD. We took 7 hours to record our songs plus some other hours for mixing. The product came out to be more than what we expected.
Currently Abstrass are busy with rehersals for next gig scheduled for the 24th March at Naasha Event Lounge, San Gwann together with our other band mates Subculture and X-Vandals and also with preperations for our 2nd CD. So visit our space frequently for more updates and information.
Hey! Pardon the intrusion… just to let you know that we are playing our FIRST EVER LONDON SHOW on Easter Saturday - 11th April @ Fiddlers Elbow, Camden… entry is a mere ₤3 if you mention THE WHITE COATS on the door... please help us spread the word - hope to see you there!!
As the year 2007 is coming to an end, X-Vandals & Martyrium shall be saying goodbye to this year with a live gig at Remedy, next Friday, 7th December from 9.00 pm onwards. Obviously not with traditional Christmas Carols but with a blend of live black metal, old school trash/hardcore/metal music. Hope you can join us for this party & bring out your friends.
A reminder to join us next Sat, 20th October @ Freedom Square, Valletta. Event is free but we would appreciate if you bring with you a can of dog food to be donated to one of the local sanctuaries as part of our animal awareness campaign. Spread out the word.
i remember i wrote 'MAKE LOVE NOT WAR' on every piece of paper i could find at school. and on the desks. chairs. floors. doors. yeah basically everywhere. I was known as the hippie vandal for quite some time. haha, mur ejdilom [=
waqat li l papa kin qed jpejep joint, malta inharqet. dan kollu inzerta nar il gima waqt il gig [tal ostja hafna] takom. luckily, dawk li kinu remedy jitpaxxew bit talent muzikali ta abstrass u subculture, ma gralom xejn [=
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