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Powered since 1996
Arvydas - drums
Domas - vocals
Gedas - saxophone
Ignas - trombone
Milda - trombone
Mindas - guitars
Ve - boss
"Baltic ska pioneers", "ska-punk-reggae", "ska-hardcore", "punk-ska", "Lithuanian ska", "skunk" are only few terms to describe dr.GREEN. these are only labels, the main thing that the band try to take the best from any style and stay honest for "do it yourself" way of thinking. lyrics are fueled by angry irony about grey everyday life and fundamental human problems, usually ignored by "normal" people.
Ve (ex-Turboreanimacija), Mindas, Domas (both - WC News) and Zaragoza (Varnu Vejas) together hit a stage in 1996 May 9 for the first time, during punkrock festival "Durniu Laivas #6". they recorded the first 4-song demo, which was distributed together with live record from the band's first tour in Sankt Petersburg (Russia) in 1997. in the end of 1997 sax players Gedas (ex-Juodoji Gulbe) and Konanas (ex-Tai Ka?) joined the band.
dr.GREEN played lots of gigs all over Lithuania, toured in Latvia, Russia, Poland, Czech and Slovak rep., Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Finland, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, France and got one of the most popular alternative bands in Lithuania, especially in their home-town Vilnius. the band played in small squats/bars/clubs for 20-30 people as well as in festivals ("Kulturschock"-D, "Afryka"-PL, "Tabuns"-LV, "Festiwal Energii Pozytywnej"-PL, "No Border Jam"-SLO, "Vega Fest"-SK) for bigger crowds. "greens" shared a stage with such as SPITFIRE, INNER TERRESTRIALS, DIVIDE+CONQUER, WASTED, ROBOTNICKA, LA FRACTION, TOAD, MOLAIRE, OI POLLOI, the EX, PRIDIGARJI, BORA, ALIANS, GUTS PIE EARSHOT, POST REGIMENT, KAFKA, SOMETHING LIKE ELVIS, etc.
in the end of 1997 dr.GREEN recorded their material, it was released by themselves with "Zona" label support. debut album "Ska'n'go" was sold over 500 copies, distributed in England by Ripping Thrash distro, Poland by QQRYQ Prod., Nikt Nic Nie Wie and Shing D.I.Y. Industry labels, Finland by Brew Rec., Latvia by Tornis mail-order.
one song from the debut album was included on international antifa ska compilation "Skanking the Scum Away" released by Mad Butcher label in Germany, also few other compilations included dr.GREEN songs. Finnish Brew rec. released dr.GREEN "He Perdido?!" 7"EP with 6 tunes from "Ska'n'go".
the second album "The Sounds of Black & White Radio" was recorded in the end of 1999 in over 80 hours. the album was mixed and produced by the band. it was released by Lithuanian label "Kablio Muzika" and re-released by Polish, Russian and Finnish labels and distributed in Latvia, England, USA, Japan, etc. number of songs were included in various compilations in Latvia, Russia, Greece, England, Finland. compare to the first record "The Sounds..." is slower and more melodic. first time there are two saxophones and guest female vocal by lady Diana.
"Purvas" - the 3rd band's record was released in 2002. it was recorded at native "Green" club by 4-track recorder and later finnished at local "Porno Sound" studio. final mastering was made by Smok (ex-legendary Polish punk band POST REGIMENT). the album was released on MC/CD by the band, Polish "Nikt Nic Nie Wie", Slovakian "Taste of Blood", Finnish "Brew rec.", Russian "Ipecacuanha rec.". Slovakians also released vinyl LP of "Purvas". this record is quite dirty "skunk" (ska+punk), compare to the first albums more punky.
line-up changes came in 2003. original drummer Zaragoza and tenor-sax Konanas found less time for playing. Algis from local band Frekenbok soon took the drums and short-time trombone player Justas (The Chemicals) was replaced by "sister of mercy" Milda.
in 2004 Hungarian band Semmi Komoly offered to release a split. live records from the gig at "Green" club in 2001 were found and published on this CD.
after the band presented their debut record in their rehearsal basement (ex-Railway workers culture house) in 1998 September 11, so-called "Green" club became one of the most popular places for Lithuanian underground movement actions (gigs, parties, cinema, summer vegan cafe with a small info-shop). the club was run by the band members and friends. the 2nd floor of the building was squated and "Kablys" squat was established, where few band memeber used to live. unfortunately, in the beginning of 2003, police entered the building looking for stolen stuff and drugs. in order to save the rehearsal place and reduce problems for the squat, "Green" club was moved to a new place in art-centre "Menu Spaustuve.
in the end 2003 old "Green" club was set on fire and besides other thing, the band lost the instruments and records. in fact, everything was down to zero...
dr.GREEN are part of Vilnius Hardcore collective, which has organized some political and cultural actions. band members also maintain the only LT underground source on the net www.hardcore.lt, cooperate with "Kablys" zine.
dr.GREEN stands for freedom in general, anarcho ideas, tolerance, cannabis decriminalization, always support honest "do-it-yourself" idea and against all this nazi/racist bullshit, macho violence, "work-buy-die" way-of-life. |
