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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Stereo
Berri Txarrak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Presidente jauna
Nora begira zaude?
Nafarroa garaiko
Presidente jauna
Zerk itsutu zaitu?
Orrialde beltzenak
Oharkabean idazten
Zeinek azalduko digu
Obsesio honen funtsa
Zeinek zentzugabekeri
Honen erro galdua
Inor ordezkatzekotan
Isasi lehenengo gaia:
Gauzak stereon beti
Hobeto ulertzen dira
Inor ez zion inoiz
Bere teilatuari
Harri gehiagorik bota
Denon teilatu gorriari
Itsu-itsu harrika
Ez zara jendartean bizi eta
Zertan ari zara
Gogoratu nahi ez ditugunen
Uzkia miazkatzen?
Zeinek azalduko digu
Obsesio honen funtsa
Zeinek zentzugabekeri
Honen erro galdua
Inor ordezkatzekotan
Isasi lehenengo gaia:
Gauzak stereon beti
Hobeto ulertzen dira
Nafarroa garaiko
Presidente jauna
Zerk itsutu zaitu?
The lyrics to Berri Txarrak's song Stereo explore the theme of identity and culture in the Basque country. The song begins by addressing the president of Navarre (Nafarroa garaiko presidente jauna), questioning his perspective and asking where his attention lies (Nora begira zaude?). This is followed by a repetition of the opening lines with a different question, asking what has blinded him (Zerk itsutu zaitu?) to the history and stories of their country (Gure herriko istoriaren orrialde beltzenak oharkabean idazten).
The song then delves deeper into the root of the problem, questioning who or what is responsible for the destructive obsession (obsesio honen funtsa) that prevents people from truly understanding their culture (zeinek zentzugabekeri honen erro galdua). The chorus (inor ordezkatzekotan isasi lehenengo gaia: gauzak stereon beti hobeto ulertzen dira) repeats the idea that things are always better understood in stereo, or from multiple perspectives, rather than a singular view.
The third verse of the song questions those who do not live in a way that reflects the cultural identity of their country (Ez zara jendartean bizi eta zertan ari zara), and asks if they suppress or forget the things they do not want to remember (gogoratu nahi ez ditugunen uzkia miazkatzen?). The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and a repeat of the initial questions, asking what has made the president blind to the truth or forgotten their history.
Line by Line Meaning
Nafarroa garaiko
We are from Navarre, a region in Spain with its own distinct identity and culture.
Presidente jauna
Mr. President, a reference to the leader of the region or country.
Nora begira zaude?
Where are you looking? Or, what are you paying attention to?
Zerk itsutu zaitu?
What have you hidden from me? Or, what are you not telling me?
Gure herriko istoriaren
Our people's history, the story of our community.
Orrialde beltzenak
The darkest pages, or hidden truths, of that history.
Oharkabean idazten
Written down secretly, or perhaps subversively.
Zeinek azalduko digu
Someone will reveal to us, or explain, or express.
Obsesio honen funtsa
The root or source of this obsession.
Zeinek zentzugabekeri
Someone's irrationality or instability, perhaps their obsession.
Honen erro galdua
The negative impacts or consequences of this irrationality or obsession.
Inor ordezkatzekotan
When someone takes over or replaces someone else.
Isasi lehenengo gaia:
The main point is clear: things are always better understood in stereo, with multiple perspectives or dimensions.
Gauzak stereon beti
Things are always in stereo or multifaceted, never uni-dimensional or mono.
Hobeto ulertzen dira
They are better understood, better comprehended or grasped.
Inor ez zion inoiz
No one ever cursed or blasphemed against their roof or house.
Bere teilatuari
Their own roof or house, a figure for something or someone dear to them, their identity.
Harri gehiagorik bota
More stones, more grief, or more trouble.
Denon teilatu gorriari
Everyone's red roof or house, a symbol of shared identity, history or culture.
Itsu-itsu harrika
A dark or somber stone, a symbol of pain or trouble.
Ez zara jendartean bizi eta
You don't live among the people, or in public, or according to common values or standards.
Zertan ari zara
What are you doing, or what is your purpose or intention?
Gogoratu nahi ez ditugunen
Things we don't want to remember.
Uzkia miazkatzen?
Are you biting your tongue, or avoiding telling the truth?
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.