Album Notes

petrograd, named after the old russian town st.petersburg (1918), the band was set up in october '96 by former member of Subway arts, No more and Bakunin's children (old punk/hardcore bands from the end 80's, early and mid '90's). they come from a very tiny country in europe called Luxemburg basically known for being one of the richest countries in the world, bt that's it cause it doesn't even have a good soccer team! Coming out of such a place it is obvious that you don't want to play the typical shit that every rich kid tries to play in order to become a famous rochstar, no way- you prefer playing three chord powerful punk tunes instead of being the monarchs' favorite rock band!

the story went on pretty fast, after only 10 shows in 2 month the band recorded their very first self released record, a split 10" and Mcd with a local band called Soul season and it sold out in only 3 month!! in 4 years petrograd played over 300 shows all over europe, all the time on tour and when back home recording new songs for new releases. after several releases on different labels the band recorded their very first full length album in 1999 that came out on subway records /cargo germany! and only 11 month later petrograd release in cooperation with 13 different labels all over globe, their latest album called "a..b.c." !!! (a benefit release for the "anarchist black cross" in Innsbruck. ) once again this record is fueled with energy, emotions and melodies that catch you right away. 13 songs (the vinyl Lp only has 11 songs and is limited to 2000 copies) that take you through different musical landscapes such as melodic punkrock, post emotional rock or pure drum and bass inspired electro-pop....whatever you want to name it.................

Petrograd eagerly demonstrate in song after song their ability to craft a pop hook, without ever coming across as contrived or condescending.Whatever names you try to put on different songs, it still is pretty hard to label this record and label the band.

The lyrics still point out different political subjects such as "work ethics" (dissident and october), religion and authority (fuck taoism), but also deal with personal and social topics.

Both the cd and Lp version come along with a 24 pages Booklet containing many informations on "anarchist black cross". Of course the record has got a political aspect but it would be pretty wrong saying that petrograd is a political band! all the time they get compared to such acts as chumbawamba but the band makes clear that, though they have a certain political content and have their own ideas, are a simple band that basically plays music otherwise "we would write books or were more involved in direct political activities, though art is very political to."

"a.b.c." was recorded mixed and produced by PETROGRAD and Gilles Ruppert at LaTOwer productions in august 2k. For the band it was clear to work out a second release with Gilles Ruppert who already helped out on "until someone fails", giving the band a special sound.( non-typical for Luxemburg.) "to climb up a ladder" written and arranged by diff and geepoze