Les Calamités were a French indie pop group founded in Beaune, Côte-d'Or in the early 1980s, who sang in both French and English.
The group was formed by Caroline Augier (bass, vocals), Isabelle Petit (guitar, vocals), Odile Repolt (guitar, vocals) and Mike Stephens (drums), under the direction of Marcelle Bérard and production by Lionel Herrmani. In 1984 their album, À Bride Abattue, on which Dominique Laboubée of the Dogs played, was released by the independent label New Rose. Their career ended in 1985, after a second disc (maxi 45 rpm) and concerts in different cities of France. One of their records was released in America under the name The Calamities.
Les Calamités partially reformed (Odile on bass and vocals, Isabelle on guitar and vocals, Caroline having gone to join Robin Wills of the Barracudas, in London) in 1987 at the request of Daniel Chenevez, producer and member of Niagara, to record the song, Vélomoteur, which peaked at number 13 in the French singles charts. The track has since appeared on numerous French hit compilations of the 1980s.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played some of the band's material in the mid 80's, when they were signed to the New Rose label, who were becoming one of the largest indie labels of Europe based in France. After the group split in 1985, they were largely forgotten in his playlists until 1994 when he decided to play an English language track from them covering the Who's The Kids Are Alright.
Shows Played[]
- 24 April 1984: Toutes Les Nuits (single) Red Rose
- 21 May 1984: Toutes Les Nuits (single) Red Rose
- 23 May 1984: Le Supermarché (album - A Bride Abattue) New Rose
- 23 May 1984 (BFBS): You Can't Sit Down (album - A Bride Abattue) New Rose NEW26
- 23 May 1984 (BFBS): The Kids Are Alright (album - A Bride Abattue) New Rose NEW26
- 1985
- 21 January 1985 (BFBS): 'Le Garçon De New York (12"-Pas La Peine)' (New Rose)
- 14 April 1985 (BFBS): 'Teach Me How To Shimmy (LP-The Calamities)' (Posh Boy)
- 1986
- 27 September 1986 (BFBS): Toutes Les Nuits (single) Red Rose
- 1994
- 09 September 1994: The Kids Are Alright