SBB a truly international progressive rock ba… Read Full Bio ↴Official Website: SBB
SBB a truly international progressive rock band formed in 1971 in Michałkowice, Upper Silesia, Poland under soviet occupation, by Silesian multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Józef Skrzek, born in Michałkowice, Greek guitarist Apostolis Anthimos - son of Greek immigrants, born in Stalinogród (Katowice) and a descendant of Tatar medieval nobles, drummer Jerzy Piotrowski, born in Stalinogród (Katowice) too.
The bands name SBB, accidentally a provocation itself, reminded on SB - the hated polish-soviet secret security service Służba Bezpieczeństwa. Against all odds, already in 1972 the musicians performed behind the "Iron Curtain" with Czesław Niemen at the Jazz & Rock Now! opening show for the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, where they shared stage with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra and Charles Mingus and subsequently toured with Jack Bruce.
Although basically a rock band, SBB was one of the front runners in the development of, what was later called, jazzrock or fusion along with Weather Report, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin and Miles Davis - that fact found an early entry in Joachim-Ernst Berendt's encyclopaedia of jazz. The later also organized some of the very first gigs of the band in Germany.
SBB was one of the most popular super-groups of the seventies in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium… and appeared in pop polls next to Yes and Genesis. SBB filled sport arenas, but performed mostly in smoky clubs.
Many jazz musicians - among them Don Cherry, Tomasz Stańko, Tomasz Szukalski, Andrzej Przybielski, to name a few, attracted by SBB's extraordinary progressive performances joined the band's shows and eventually also studio sessions. SBB reached its apogeum in 1978. A common concert together with the leading jazz formation The Quartet (Sławomir Kulpowicz, Tomasz Szukalski, Janusz Stefański, Paweł Jarzębski) at it’s apogeum too, planned for 1980 Jazz Jamboree, didn’t take place.
The band split up in 1980.
SBB was briefly re-activated in 1991.
In 1993 and 1998 the band was reactivated performing just a couple of gigs.
In 2000 the former Pat Metheny Group's drummer - Paul Wertico) joined SBB. The band performed in Russia, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
In 2005 SBB was gag contracted by the major bootlegger MetalMind Productions selling lots of recordings stolen from SBB crew's private archives.
In 2007 Paul Wertico left the band. Due to gag contract, SBB continued with the hired Hungarian Sinti drummer Gabor Nemeth.
SBB's guitar player Apostolis Anthimos' projects were supported by Arild Andersen, giant of tenor sax Tomasz Szukalski and recently by John McLaughlin's actual band 4th Dimension musicians Gary Husband and Etienne Mbappé.
In 2014 the bands original drummer Jerzy Piotrowski joined the band again. The, planned for 2014, performances with the great jazz violinist Michał Urbaniak weren't finalized.
Members of the band
* Józef Skrzek – bass guitar, keyboards, vocal, harmonica, violin
* Apostolis Anthimos – guitar, drums, percussion, bouzouki, bass guitar
* Jerzy Piotrowski – drums, percussion (from 1971 until 1993, and since 2014 again)
* Sławomir Piwowar (1979-1980) – guitar, keyboards
* Mirosław Muzykant (1998-1999) – drums, percussion
* Paul Wertico (2000-2007) - drums, percussion, vocal
* Gabor Nemeth (2007-2011) - drums
Guests of the band
* Czesław "Niemen" Wydrzycki - vocal, organs (1971-1973)
* Helmut Nadolski - double bass (1971-1972)
* Jan Błędowski - violin (1974)
* Don Cherry – trumpet (1975)
* Tomasz Stańko – trumpet
* Andrzej Przybielski – trumpet
* Andrzej Rusek - bass guitar (1993-1994)
* Janusz Hryniewicz - backing vocal (1993-1994)
* Andrzej Urny - guitar
* Michał Giercuszkiewicz - drums
* Ireneusz Głyk - drums
* Frank Parker - drums
* Krzysztof Dziedzic - drums
* Marcin Pospieszalski – bass guitar
* Michał Urbaniak – violin
* Tomasz Szukalski – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinett
The bands crew
* Grzegorz Maniecki – sound, electronics
* Bolesław Bielecki – stage technician
* Zbigniew Wiatr – percussion, keyboards, sound, electronics
* Andrzej Kozioł – trucking, lightshow, merchandising
* Artur Kamiński – electronics
* Jerzy Woźniak – stage technician, pyrotechnics
* Janusz Bałaban – stage technician, electronics
* Mariusz Zych– stage technician, sound, recording, public relations
Discography
* 1972 - Niemen "Strange Is This World" (CBS)
* 1972 - Niemen "Requiem dla Van Gogha" ("Requiem For Van Gogh") (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1972 - Niemen "Marionetki" ("Puppet Man") (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1973 - Niemen "Ode To Venus" (CBS)
* 1974 - SBB 1 (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1975 - Nowy Horyzont (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1976 - Pamięć (Pamiec) (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1977 - Ze słowem biegnę do Ciebie (Ze Slowem Biegne, Do Ciebie) (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1978 - SBB (Wolanie O Brzek Szkla) (Supraphon)
* 1977 - Jerzyk (Wifon)
* 1978 - Follow My Dream (Spiegelei-Intercord)
* 1978 - SBB (Amiga)
* 1979 - Welcome (Wifon / Spiegelei-Intercord)
* 1979 - Slovenian Girls (Omnibus BUS - reedition of 1978 Supraphon release)
* 1980 - Memento z Banalnym Tryptykiem (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
* 1994 - Live 1993 (Stuff)
* 1994 - Live In America '94 (Radio Katowice)
* 1999 - Absolutely Live '98 (Yesterday)
* 1999 - SBB w filharmonii: akt 1 i 2 (Yesterday)
* 2000 - Good Bye! (Moskito Records)
* 2001 - Nastroje (Jazz'N'Java)
* 2001 - Karlstad live '75 (Karlstadt Live) (Koch Poland)
* 2001 - Budai Ifjusagi Park 1977 (Buda If Jusagi Park Live) (Koch Poland)
* 2002 - Trio Live Tournee 2001 (CD Silesia)
* 2004 - Anthology 1974 - 2004 (Metal Mind Productions) - contains bootlegs
* 2005 - New Century (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2005 - Lost Tapes, Vol.1 (Metal Mind Productions) - contains bootlegs
* 2006 - Lost Tapes, Vol.2 (Metal Mind Productions) - contains bootlegs
* 2008 - The Rock (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2009 - Iron Curtain (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2009 - Live in Czechoslovakia. Three Quarters (e-silesia.info)
* 2009 - Niemen “Kattorna” (Polskie Radio) - recorded live in 1972/1975
* 2009 - Malczewski. Muzyka ze spektaklu teatralnego i widowisk TV (e-silesia.info)
* 2010 - Blue Trance (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2012 - SBB (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2012 - SBB - Skrzek - Preisner (Sony Music Polska)
* 2013 - Jazz nad Odrą 1975 (GAD records)
Bootlegs
* 1999 - Niemen "Marionetki" / "Requiem dla Van Gogha" (Andromeda) - bootleg of the 1972 production of Polskie Nagrania Muza
* 2002 - Freedom - Live Sopot 1978 (CD Silesia)
* 2003 - Niemen "Strange Is This World" (NuMusi / GreenTree Records) - bootleg of the 1972 production of CBS
* 2003 - Niemen "Ode To Venus" (NuMusi / GreenTree Records) - bootleg of the 1973 production of CBS
* 2003 - Nastroje (NuMusi / GreenTree Records) - bootleg of the 2001 production of Jazz'N'Java
* 2003 - Wizje - book + CD (CD Silesia)
* 2003 - 22.10.1977 Göttigen, Alte Ziegelei (Gottingen) (CD Silesia) - bootleg
* 2004 - Anthology 1974 - 2004 (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2004 - 22.10.1977 Göttigen, Alte Ziegelei - on: Anthology 1974 - 2004 (Metal Mind Productions) - bootleg
* 2005 - Lost Tapes, Vol.1 (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2005 - Bucholz 78 - on: Lost Tapes, Vol.1 (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2005 - Odlot - Live 2004 (CD Silesia)
* 2006 - Lost Tapes, Vol.2 (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2006 - Pop Session 79 - on: Lost Tapes, Vol.2 (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2006 - 22.10.1977 Göttigen, Alte Ziegelei (Metal Mind Productions)
* 2007 - Live In Marburg 1980. The Last Concert (e-silesia.info)
* 2009 - Live In Neckargemünd 1978: From A Town Called N. (e-silesia.info)
* 2009 - 22.10.1977 Göttigen, Alte Ziegelei (e-Silesia.info)
* 2009 - Wizje (e-silesia.info)
* 2009 - Live In Köln 1979. In The Shadow Of The Dom (e-silesia.info)
* 2009 - Live In Frankfurt 1977: Follow My Music. (e-silesia.info)
* 2013 - Buchholz - Międzyzdroje - Chicago (GAD records)
There are numerous other low quality bootlegs offered, some known:
(Austria) Vienna, Innsbruck
(Denmark) Esbjerg, Ryslinge, København
(Germany) Göttingen-Uni, Bad Breisig, Warburg, Berlin, Uslar, Wuppertal, Extertal, Marl-Hüls, Offenbach, Elmshorn, Braunschweig, Ingolstadt, Bielefeld...
(Hungary) Budapest
(Poland) Warszawa, Sopot, Bielsko-Biała, Kielce, Bytom...
!! please don't buy bootlegs - this makes releases of the original material nearly impossible !!
please check: http://sbb.w.interia.pl
What critics say
But the best Jazz-rock group of 1970's did not originate from Polish Jazz but from the rock scene. The name of the band was SBB and included three master improvised rockers: piano/keyboard player Józef Skrzek, Apostolis Anthimos on guitars, and drummer Jerzy Piotrowski. SBB revolutionized Polish rock combining Jimmy Hendrix and King Crimson languages, with lyrical Slavic expression, and its own trademarked Jazz-like free improvisation. SBB is acclaimed as the best Polish rock band of the past 5 decades. The critics raved: "The three musicians that revolutionized Polish rock", "Beyond doubt the most prominent representatives of progressive rock in Poland" - it is only a mere sample of the way the band has been referred to. A complete list of references and opinions would be far too long to quote. Yet apart from the groups formidable and praiseworthy history one must not forget that SBB is still in the first place an active band, far from being dormant, regularly giving live performances and shunning to choose a soft option as far as music is concerned. Invariably Seeking, Breaking and Building...(SBB).
Loneliness
SBB Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
自分だけを信じてきたけど
心ある人の支えの中で
何とか生きてる現在の僕で
弱音さらしたり グチをこぼしたり
他人の傷みを 見て見ないふりをして
幸せすぎて大切な事が
解りづらくなった 今だから
時間に追われ途方に暮れる
愛すべき人よ 君も同じように
苦しみに似た 想いを抱いてるの
STAY
何を犠牲にしても
守るべきものがあるとして
僕にとって今君が
それにあたると思うんだよ
夢追い人は旅路の果てで
一体何を手にするんだろう
嘘や矛盾を両手に抱え
「それも人だよ」と悟れるの?
愛すべき人よ 君に会いたい
例えばこれが 恋とは違くても
STAY
僕が落ちぶれたら 迷わず古い荷物を捨て
君は新しいドアを 開けて進めばいいんだよ
STAY
何を犠牲にしても 手にしたいものがあるとして
それを僕と思うのなら もう君の好きなようにして
自分を犠牲にしても いつでも
守るべきものは ただ一つ
君なんだよ
いつでも 君なんだよ
SBB's song "Loneliness" touches on the theme of feeling alone and struggling to find happiness and meaning in life. The lyrics reflect on the difficulties of growing up and facing the challenges of adulthood while trying to maintain a strong sense of self. The singer talks about feeling overwhelmed and lost, struggling to find the right words to express his feelings, and feeling like he's not really able to connect with others. He acknowledges that he has a lot to be grateful for, but even so, he feels like something important is missing, and he's not sure how to find it.
Despite all of this, the singer is able to find some solace in the love and support of others. He talks about the importance of having people in his life who believe in him and stand by him, even when things get tough. He encourages the listener to stay strong and never give up on their dreams or the things that are truly important to them, even if it means making sacrifices along the way. In the end, he declares that the one thing he knows for sure is that the person he truly needs to protect and care for is the person he loves.
Overall, "Loneliness" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the struggles of life, and the importance of finding love, support, and meaning along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
世間知らずだった少年時代から
Since childhood, he was innocent and unaware of the ways of the world
自分だけを信じてきたけど
He has always believed in himself and no one else
心ある人の支えの中で
He has survived through the support of people who care about him
何とか生きてる現在の僕で
He is still alive today, somehow making it through the hardships of life
弱音さらしたり グチをこぼしたり
Sometimes he shows weakness and complains about life’s difficulties
他人の傷みを 見て見ないふりをして
He often ignores the pain of others and acts like he doesn’t see it
幸せすぎて大切な事が
When one is too happy, it is easy to lose sight of what is important
解りづらくなった 今だから
Now, it is difficult for him to understand what is truly important
歌う言葉さえも見つからぬまま
He can't even find the words to sing
時間に追われ途方に暮れる
He is lost in despair, chasing time that he cannot catch up with
愛すべき人よ 君も同じように
The person he loves may be feeling the same pain and struggles as him
苦しみに似た 想いを抱いてるの
They both carry heavy burdens of pain and suffering
STAY
He asks the person he loves to stay with him
何を犠牲にしても
No matter the cost
守るべきものがあるとして
There are things worth protecting
僕にとって今君が
To him, right now, the person he loves is what he should protect
それにあたると思うんだよ
He thinks that person is worth protecting
夢追い人は旅路の果てで
A dreamer may find their end at the end of their journey
一体何を手にするんだろう
What will they have gained in the end?
嘘や矛盾を両手に抱え
They carry lies and contradictions in their hands
「それも人だよ」と悟れるの?
Can they accept that even such things are part of being human?
愛すべき人よ 君に会いたい
He wants to see the person he loves
例えばこれが 恋とは違くても
Even if their relationship isn't a romantic one
STAY
He asks the person to stay by his side
僕が落ちぶれたら 迷わず古い荷物を捨て
If he falls into despair, he tells the person to leave behind old baggage and move forward
君は新しいドアを 開けて進めばいいんだよ
They can open a new door and keep moving forward
自分を犠牲にしても いつでも
Even if he has to sacrifice himself, always
守るべきものは ただ一つ
There is only one thing worth protecting
君なんだよ
The person he loves
いつでも 君なんだよ
Always, it is the person he loves
Contributed by Dominic K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.