There is Das Rad, something of a flagship group for Discus, more rockier than most on the label and having just released a really excellent 5th album, ‘Funfair’. Das Rad describe themselves as ‘improg’ and this neatly encapsulates their apparent indescribability: searching, expansive, brooding, veering between the razor sharp (propelled by excellent drummer Steve Dinsdale) and the downright messy, melding crashing guitar, the occasional sharp sax incursion and various electronica. The newest element however, is vocalist Peter Rophone, magnificently clear of voice and operating high up on the register (he reminds me a little of Jakko Jakszyk in that regard) but somewhat incongruously hidden behind a pinstrip suit, John Cooper Clarke style, with starred sunglasses and a mobile multi-coloured lighting unit which he used to illuminate various aspects of his and others’ contributions. I’ve mentioned elsewhere that I was questioning at the Crescendo Festival whether I was a natural prog fan, given my slight bristling at the more sanitised fayre produced there, but if Das Rad do sit within that rather broad church, then I’ll happily continue my allegiance.
Jon Short
His early musical career included Typhoon Saturday, (who spawned chart-toppers “Living in a Box”) who had a deal with Polydor and released 3 singles to minimal success.
Drummer/Keyboardist cut his teeth on the Teesside and Sheffield music scenes before moving to London in the late 80’s. Drummed with