Bérurier noir is a Frenchpunk band formed in Paris in 1983 by Laurent "Loran" Katrakazos, François Guillemot and Dédé. They called themselves "noir" for the color of mourning and for anarchy and "Bérurier" after the character from the novels of Frédéric Dard. Instead of being an end, the success of their first show inspired them to continue. A cult band, Bérurier Noir were loved by a generation of youth and feared by concert organisers for the riots that followed their shows.
Music and image
On the one hand, Bérurier Noir's songs were clearly derived from British punk rock as far as music and lyrics were concerned. Most of their songs were short, aggressive and usually based on a couple of basic power chords. Their lyrics reflected the typical concerns of punks such as the rejection of consumerism, politics and traditional social order and the anger felt by disaffected youth, tramps and outsiders in general. On the other, they added some interesting innovations. Their rhythm section consisted of a cheap drum machine, which became an essential and arguably endearing part of their sound. The frequent use of a saxophone as of the mid-1980s also set them apart from most other punk rock bands. They would regularly appear on record sleeves and on stage wearing clown outfits, mock police uniforms or pig masks. Their shows were a unique and highly festive cross between a punkrock concert, a grotesque circus and an anarchist rally.
History and line-up
By 1985, the band had grown to include François, Loran, Pascal kung fu, Helno, Laul aka Bol, la grande Titi, la petite Titi. By 1987: François, Loran, Masto, Helno, Laul aka Bol, la grande Titi, la petite Titi. By 1989: François, Loran, Masto, la petite Titi, Jojo. The band refused to make a profit and also to work. As a result, they lived precariously. In 1989, after three farewell concerts at the Paris Olympia, they disbanded. François later formed Molodoï and "François Béru et les Anges Déchus", Loran formed Ze6, Tromatism and later A.D.. On 4 December 2003 they reunited for the release of a DVD documenting their career. The concert took place in the context of the Transmusicales in Rennes. They have since played other concerts, in Quebec City and in Belgium.
