Photo by Jim Rakete
There’s a hype going around in Germany’s music feuilleton these days and it’s just a question of time before it spreads all over Europe. We’re talking about 22 years old Max Gruber and his alter ego DRANGSAL. Following a few praised demos and celebrated live shows in the past two years, the crafted gentleman is now aiming for higher goals and judging from his debut single Allan Align it’s okay for him to think a bit bigger.
DRANGSAL delivers finest 80s wave pop material in the tradition of THE SMITHS or SMALL FACES. The entire aesthetics – from haircut over fashion to the sound itself – looks like this could have been directly released back in 1982. Normally one would tend to add a phrase like ‘But he brings something new and mondern to the concept’ at this point but, to be honest, he doesn’t. And that’s the best Gruber can do to make DRANGSAL work. It’s a proactive reminder of independent music’s former glory, one a few people might have forget about over the past 30 years. It’s a tough job but Gruber seems to be ready for it.
NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION will keep an eye on his next moves. The debut LP
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