“Skrīveri” (“The Scribes”) officially formed in 1998, and their active existance lasted for a few years. Later the band split in “STandART” and “Catapulta” (“Z.I.P. Code” then). “STandART” kept a lot of “Skrīveri” musical ideas and continued organizing various special events. A part of STandART songs (“61”, “Seven Times”, “My Holiness”, “The Wonderful Fair”, “The Great Absolution”) were written back in the 90-ties by Kalvis Kluburs / Modris Matisāns and later have been reworked.
“Skrīveri” never officially ended their existance. They were a part of STandART’s experimental spirit, and, after the last “Skrīveri” concert in 2001, there have been a few improvisation and recording sessions. The plans to release a double Best of... CD have been in the air for many years. Technically, the oldest recordings are from 1994.
More about every “Skrīveri” (pre-STandART) concert in the STandART concerts section.
https://myspace.com/skriveri
https://skriveri.draugiem.lv
In 1996 at Riga State gymnasium No.1 different more or less musical formations were founded, more or less because of boredom. At the very beginning, Dj Tankists created Radio Sexons, then a band called Take Me appeared. Soon after a band called Territorial Pissings was formed by seven young boys, but the number of band members permanently decreased as time went by. Initially, the band didn’t have any music instruments and it definitely left an impression on musical thinking of the band members in the future.
In the next two years, the band recorded 6 albums on casettes in various quality of sound and music. The most interesting could be maxi-single Trax Tips (A Crazy Guy) recorded in 1997. A music for self-made film about Indians Slant Eye also must be mentioned. In parallel, the members of the band created different videos.
On February 14, 1998 three last members – Modris Matisāns, Kalvis Kluburs, Edgars Anteins brought Mārtiņš Gailis into the band, but already two weeks later Territorial Pissings ended its existance. Two formations were created on its origins instead. Modris started to work together with Mārtiņš as Zip Code, later renamed Catapulta. As the other half on the March 1, 1998 a strange experimental post-folk movement Skrīveri was founded. It had a self-made hierarchy and a slogan – The nation can do no harm to us, because we are Skrīveri.
Edgars Ze Marija Da Anteins became the Highest Skrīveris, he held all the official speaches and procedures. Modris Matisāns and Kalvis Kluburs – in fact, the authors of the music – became the Skrīveri of the 1st level. The Skrīveri of the 2nd level were – Dans Krūmbergde III, The Awful; the manager Oskars Segrums De Civjor, and the founder of the fan club Anda Ķīse Van Der Andona. There were also Skrīveri of unsignificant levels.
Except music, Skrīveri held different other activities, for example, regular tournaments of Latvian national sports called “novuss” or strange photo sessions. Skrīveri used to walk long distances between different cities. The most famous destinations were Rucava, Sigulda, Cēsis, The rock of Zvārta, Dobele. Skrīveri were highly interested in astronomy.
During the summer, Skrīveri made their recordings in various places – apart from flats the recording process took place also, for example, on a little bridge in the country side, somewhere in the region of Gulbene, or at the school in a little village Burtnieki, during an astronomy camp.
The music of Skrīveri was still experimental, but more listenable than Territorial Pissings – not so childish and naive. The sound was mostly based on the use of electric guitar and several vocals, complemented with synthesizer, piano or different sounds and noise. Songs mostly were recorded as a total improvisation.
As the result of the recordings on September 18, 1998 the first album Ironijas Subsīdija was released. The song Būtībā Man Vienalga (Actually I Don’t Care) from this album later became what is now known as Seven Times by STandART.
Although Modris and Kalvis were more interested into experimental recordings, the pressure of the supporters atfer the release of the album reached its aim. In Spring 1999, the live performances got started. Edmunds Fadiņš, also known as Dj Momentz, was invited to become the sound engineer of these events.
Skrīveri performed live with a make-up. They also used self-made videos, shown on TV screens. Every concert had a special name. For more details check STandART concerts section.
Simultaneously with live shows, Skrīveri started to work on acoustic live album Das Truša P., but the album was not finished and the recordings were lost.
In the recordings of the second album Basturma, a computer was used for the first time. It also erased several songs 🙂 The band and the fans were very satisfied about Basturma, which was presented in July 1999 at the Rumbula Auto Market. Nevertheless, after this performance Skrīveri could not continue their work, because of the personal relations between Modris and Kalvis. After that, Modris payed all attention to his other band Zip Code.
Modris and Kalvis collaborated for the next time only a year and a half later, when Dj Momentz was improving his skills in the Latvian army. In Spring 2001, the film Marta Ausma was shot. Music of Depeche Mode, The Cure and Recoil was used in this film, and together with the picture it created a very specific atmosphere.
Skrīveri also created a brand new song for this film – Ausmas Dziesma (“Ausma’s Song”). The period of shooting Marta Ausma left great emotional impressions on both young men.
The montage was finished as planned, but there were problems with attaching the music (the whole 90 min movie was edited on a tape recorder! ). That is why Marta Ausma in several venues was presented in a very specific way – a screen in a dark room, candles, Kalvis dj-ing and playing music from CDs live (it had to happen very quickly), some scenes were talked live, and also Ausmas Dziesma was played live.
After the biggest performance of Marta Ausma in August, 2001 in Jelgava, the last so far concert of Skīveri was held at the Gunaspirts. A lot of tendencies of the early STandART sound were visible. Later the name of the band was changed to Marta Ausma and then STandART just because Modris – unreplaceable part of Skrīveri – was not in the band anymore.
The recordings of Skrīveri originally were released only on casettes and in a small amount, in Spring 2004 Modris and Kalvis started to work on a 2CD compilation with best songs and photos of Skrīveri, they even recorded a couple of new songs – at night at the sea, but the project was cancelled for a couple of times.
In 2005 Skrīveri recorded 5 tracks of total improvisation with voice, bass guitar and vocals.
If there is any news about Skrīveri, you will find it in the STandART news section.
