S.Y.P.H.

To say that S.Y.P.H. is a punk band from Solingen - Germany is a bit of an oversimplification. Because S.Y.P.H. is so much more than that: It has No Wave, tape experiments, krautrock, post-punk and Neue Deutsche Welle. It all started as punk, but then became so much more than that, until no one could really get a grip on it anymore. It became a bizarre hodgepodge that balanced between structured music and free experiments.

Three recent releases that contain the old material - Album 4, Pst and Punkraut 1978 - 1981 - illustrate the story of S.Y.P.H. in a beautiful way. This is dirty, uncomfortable, daring but also playful music. Sound experiments alternate with sketchy songs. Sometimes it reminds me of what was happening across the Channel at the same time, such as Wire or The Fall. Or of early Sonic Youth or the guitar experiments of Glenn Branca and Arto Lindsay. You can also hear Butthole Surfers, D.A.F. and The Shadow Ring in it. Is this psychpunk, krautwave or avantlofi? What do you call this?

Listening to these 3 releases in a row is a heavy load, but that is maybe not necessary. Just start with Punkraut and then think: many of those punk and post-punk bands of today should also listen to this.

https://s-y-p-h.bandcamp.com/music

Joeri BRUYNINCKX
28/06/2025