Drongos for Europe, “Freedom”. Punk from Birmingham, UK.
Video by Just Browsing Productions Limited.
Bio
Formed in 1979 in Birmingham England, playing early gigs with mates GBH, Dead Wretched and the Varukers. The band shared the stage in the early days with bands like GBH, Exploited, Dead Kennedys, Crass, the Pogues, The Beat, and all the UK82 bands of the time.
The Drongos first single was a DIY release in 1981 called “Hope and Glory”. The band also recorded two EP’s on Inferno records in 1982 – “Deaths a Career” and “Eternity” which charted at 47 in the national UK charts.
The band split in 1985 – reformed in 88 – carried on and off until the mid 90’s. The band kicked things off again for real in 1999 for a gig with GBH and the UK Subs(thanks to Jock from GBH getting Dek Drongo pissed and persuading him to reform the band)… Tommy Drongo on vocals (is the only original member), Dek (who joined i n July 82) on Bass, Anton on Guitar and Kimbo on Drums- this line up recorded the bands first two albums in 2003s “Barcode Generation” and 2005s “Hotline to Hades” (Hotline was also released in the U.S by SOS records). They then released a single in 1990 on Renegade records “This Town/Cool Baby” followed by an EP “Wasted” in 2001 on Intimidation records.
2007 saw the release of a 12″ Singles and Rarities album “Deaths a Career” on Italian label Pure Punk, along with Rob MDM joining the band as 2nd guitarist and a 7″ EP called “Dance When Maggie’s Dead” on their own DFE Records.
2009 saw the departure of Kimbo, Anton and Rob with replacements in Dave “Ohmsy” on Guitar and Danny on Drums, whose initial imput spurred on ideas for new songs. In January 2010 to mark the 30th year celebrations, DFE released their latest album “Cage the Rage” which has been well received both at home and abroad.
In 2012, DFE toured across Europe playing at many festivals & also played as part of the 2012 Rancid tour in England.
Discography
1981 – Adverse Chorus 7″ – Drongos For Europe & Kite Records
1982 – Death’s A Career 7″ – Inferno
1982 – Eternity 7″ – Inferno
1990 – Cool Baby 7″ – Renegade Records & Dragnet Records
2001 – Return Of The Punk Monster CD – Data
2003 – Wasted 7″ – Intimidation
2003 – Barcode Generation CD – Dislocate Records & Puke N Vomit (USA)
2003 – Live at the U.S.A. Bootleg CD Snot Records
2004 – Hope And Glory 7″ – Puke N Vomit (USA)
2004 – Barcode Generation LP – Puke N Vomit (USA) Dislocate UK
2005 – Hotline To Hades CD – Punk Shit/ DFE Records & SOS Records (USA)
2006 – Barcode Generation CD – DFE Records – re-release as previous releases sold out.
2007 – Death’s A Career – Singles and Rarities CD – Pure Punk Records (Italy)
2007 – Dance When Maggie’s Dead 7″ CD – DFE Records
2007 – Mouthguard /Drongos For Europe Split – Bullpit Records
2010 – Cage the Rage – DFE Records
2012 – MESSED UP EP DFE Records
Music
Links
Drongos for Europe :
http://drongos-for-europe.wix.com/marinamaniac
http://www.reverbnation.com/drongosforeurope
https://www.facebook.com/pages/drongos-for-europe/251933998393
http://www.myspace.com\drongosforeurope
Just Browsing Productions Limited :
http://www.justbrowsingproductions.co.uk
