Aurora is a punk band formed in Gyà Âr, Hungary in 1983.
Aurora Cirkáló was founded in Gyà Âr, Hungary by the young local punks âÂÂVigiâ (guitar vocals), âÂÂGalacsâ (bass), âÂÂPolyakâ (drums) and âÂÂDauerâ (vocals). This was in 1983, at the height of the Hungarian punk blast, a period in which a punk gig caused big agitation, occasionally by starting riots.
â We started criticizing the Soviet Army a little bit too early. It wasnâÂÂt really a surprise when the authorities sent us for a trial because of anticommunist lyrics. Our original singer âÂÂDauerâ had to spend two years in prison because according to the authorities he had chosen the âÂÂwrong wordsâÂÂ, Vigi reminds of the old, âÂÂromanticâ days.
Other punks did not have as much luck as Aurora: Two members of the Hungarian punk band CPg were found guilty and sent to prison for two years because of making jokes about communists. After having stayed in prison the members of CPg had to leave Hungary and so did the Aurora's former singer âÂÂDauerâÂÂ. Therefore, âÂÂAuroraâ needed a new vocalist and found it in the attractive blond female singer called âÂÂKrisztaâÂÂ, but she also left the band after a very short time. âÂÂShe was a very wild and fascinating person on stage, but she didnâÂÂt take her job as seriously as we did.â says Vigi âÂÂso that finally I had to sing because we couldnâÂÂt find any suitable substitute for her. Since then we have playing as a trio.
Some unreleased songs on the âÂÂBest Ofâ compilation are taken from this period like âÂÂKis KurvaâÂÂ.
Between 1984 and 1988 the band was playing under false names in order not to attract the attention of the âÂÂold friendsâÂÂ, the Hungarian Secret Service. At this time the band caught the attention of some Austrian punks who invited âÂÂAuroraâ to play in Vienna. This was the first time the band played a concert outside Eastern Europe.
âÂÂAuroraâ became a regular and famous guest in Vienna and went on their first big Germany-tour in 1988 with the help of some German friends. The money they made on tour was spent on recording their first self-titled EP in Germany. Under the assistance Hardly Heinlin and released on the German label âÂÂEmpty RecordsâÂÂ. âÂÂAt this time it was nearly impossible to record in state-controlled studios in HungaryâÂÂ, Vigi says, âÂÂOur debut EP may sound a little bit strong and brutal because we recorded it live in the studio, but we prefer this kind of full sound and we like its atmosphere, its feeling.âÂÂ
The EP was not very successful in contrast to their first album, the legendary âÂÂViszlát Ivánâ (Goodbye Ivan)-LP which was released in 1989. The release of this record coincided with the departure of the Soviet troops from Hungary after 40 years of occupation. On account of the uncompromising lyrics, the simple but well-crafted music and the perfect timing of the release of the record it became a huge success: more than 20.000 copies were sold, probably the best-selling release ever in Eastern Europe. âÂÂWe just couldnâÂÂt believe itâ says Vigi, â so many people came to our gigs. We felt like someone changed our rubber boots into ballet shoes.âÂÂ
âÂÂViszlát Ivánâ was highly acclaimed in US-zines like the âÂÂMaximumrockandrollâÂÂ, Suburban Voiceâ and âÂÂFlipsideâÂÂ. It was supposed to be licensed by a US label, but in the end the idea was not realised.
After âÂÂGoodbye Ivanâ there was a longer break. The following album, âÂÂElà Âre Kurvák, Gengszterekâ (Forward Prostitutes, Gangsters) was released after three years of hard work and it ever surpassed the âÂÂGoodbye IvanâÂÂ-LP, especially because its fantastic producing and engineering. The âÂÂGangstersâ â CD was also released on âÂÂHulk RäckorzâÂÂ, Germany. âÂÂMindhalálig Punkâ (Punk Forever) was the title of the split CD with their German friends WIZO in 1994.
In the mid-1990s âÂÂAuroraâ wanted to reach out a bigger audience by making some âÂÂrockâ records such as âÂÂFel Támadásâ (Get Up Attack) and âÂÂKeserà ± Cukorâ (Bitter Sugar). But in 1996 they decided to return to their original punk style. The new album âÂÂNincs Karácsonyâ (No X-mas) was nominated as âÂÂPunk album of the yearâ in Hungary. The hyper-melodicas well as strong songs reminded the listener of âÂÂAuroraâ best years. The highlight of the CD was the excellent trumpet-playing by the band's new member âÂÂQkaâ which was even more spectacular on the 1997's follow-up album âÂÂIllegális Bálâ (Illegal Party/Ball).