Singing in euskera (basque language), Berri Txarrak has become one of the best rock bands within the Spanish State's panorama. Their last two albums, called "Libre©" and "Jaio. Musika. Hil" were praised as best 'Spanish' (here meaning produced in Spain, but not in Spanish language) rock/hardcore albums in 2003 and 2005 by such important magazines as Rock Sound (now Rockzone) or Mondosonoro. "Libre©" featured a guest appearence by Rise Against singer Tim Mc Ilrath.
Berri Txarrak love highly emotive, fresh and energetic songs with clever poethic lyrics not refusing to claim against every kind of injustice around and pro freedom of speech and thought. They have already toured through Germany, USA, UK, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Nicaragua, Mexico, Catalunya, Taiwan, Japan...
In late 2007, Berri Txarrak released "Zertarako Amestu" (Dream for what?), a documentary on the band's philosophy, tour-diary and recording process in black and white. The DVD also includes a special live show by the band in Gernika (Basque Country). This documentary won the Best Video of the Year Gaztea Award in 2008.
In 2009, they signed up with the label Roadrunner Records and released they last album, Payola, recorded by Steve Albini at the Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago and featuring Tim McIlrath.
In January 2011, Berri Txarrak was nominated for the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Punk Song for their song "Folklore."
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Irailak 10
Berri Txarrak Lyrics
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Ta txakur denek izan ohi dute bere jabearen itxura
Bi mila eta bat, Irailaren hamar lupuek Aitzakia ez zuten eguna
Nork deitu dio gerra honi noiz ospitaleetan tankerik ez, people-a azkena da beti ze, segurtasun mota da hori?
Bi mila eta bat, Irailaren hamar lupuek Aitzakia ez zuten eguna azken eguna
Munduak ordutik hona Guantanamo erraldoi bat dirudi
Zeinena da orain erantzukizuna? Zein bizi da seguru?
BFC
These lyrics are from Berri Txarrak's song Irailak 10, which roughly translates to "September 10th" in English. The song is sung in Basque, a language spoken in the Basque Country, a region spanning across Spain and France. The lyrics are about the events leading up to September 11th, 2001, and the feelings of uncertainty and fear that followed. The first few lines ask the question of where they were and who they were with on September 10th, the day before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The next line talks about how dogs often resemble their owners, hinting at the idea that humans may also resemble the "leaders" in power.
The following lines mention that September 10th held a lot of significance, as it was the day before September 11th, and yet people were unaware of the impending danger. The lyrics speak of the 2100 people who lost their lives that day and how their deaths have affected everyone. The line about "people-a azkena da beti ze, segurtasun mota da hori?" roughly translates to "is the end always people, is that the type of security?" which suggests that human lives are often the ones sacrificed in the name of "security."
The final lines talk about how the world has changed since that day and how there is a sense of responsibility and accountability that needs to be taken. The questions "Zeinena da orain erantzukizuna? Zein bizi da seguru?" translate to "what is the responsibility now? What is a safe life?" Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of fear and uncertainty in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and a need for accountability and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Non gauden eta nola geunden Irailak 11 baino lehen nork, zeinek agintzen duen hemen lehendik ere bagenekien
Where were we and how were we before the first person who orders here, even before September 11th, we already knew what it meant
Ta txakur denek izan ohi dute bere jabearen itxura
Dogs often resemble their owners
Bi mila eta bat, Irailaren hamar lupuek Aitzakia ez zuten eguna
Two thousand and one, September 10, the day before the towers of the World Trade Center did not have the key
Nork deitu dio gerra honi noiz ospitaleetan tankerik ez, people-a azkena da beti ze, segurtasun mota da hori?
Who called this war? When there are no more tanks in hospitals, isn't 'people' always the last to feel secure?
Bi mila eta bat, Irailaren hamar lupuek Aitzakia ez zuten eguna azken eguna
Two thousand and one, September 10, the day before the towers of the World Trade Center did not have the key, the last day
Munduak ordutik hona Guantanamo erraldoi bat dirudi
From the beginning of time it seems that Guantanamo has been an immense place
Zeinena da orain erantzukizuna? Zein bizi da seguru?
What is responsibility now? What is truly safe to live?
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.