KAPUTTER HAMSTER

Today nobody knows where this band name came from without fail - it is said they had some sessions in a private flat where a caged hamster was aboard which must have run crazy after a while. There's not much to say about them from a historical point of view. Peter Buchfeld, Frank Linde, Holger Heldt and Arne Linde got together at their hometown Flensburg, situated in North Germany. They started in 1971 to play at school festivals, youth center and local parties. And when the end was near because of studies and army they decided to record an album to accomplish the band's ultimate legacy.

Supported by Wilfried Krickhahn they produced six songs for PA Records with a limited edition of 200 exemplars only. German label Ohrwaschl digitally re-released this rarity in 1993. The music can be defined as rather rock 'n' roll based, but surely blended with jamming moments here and there, which isolates them from simple mainstream. With other words prog-related music with good will. Highlight without a doubt is the extended Behind The Universe which shows them in a playful mood. If all the songs were made in that way I would recommend this album without thinking.

The song starts trippy psych folk alike, based on acoustic guitars and bongos. Halfway through they change to a grooving behaviour with a jamming background. Of course a (limited) drum solo is also included here. It's an outstanding track. Except Eggwhite Session!, which has a rather eclectic start, the other songs are not challenging and don't meat my taste really. Compared to other German experimental bands at that time this album has not much prog substance and trickiness, an interesting find though for comprehensive rarity collectors of the German music history - 2.5 stars.