Collector's album reissues SMAR SW - Interview with Zibi

Collector's reissues of four albums by the band SMAR SW have hit the market: "W Jedności Siła", "Walczmy o Nasze Prawa", "Consciousness" and "Samobójstwo"

SMAR SW I met in the nineties, at a time when having music in the form of a copy of a lost from a friend was satisfactory, because music mattered. In the case of SMAR SW, music was shrouded in ideology, an aura of rebellion, direct, but at the same time timeless lyrics and brilliant compositions. I had such copies, torn down to almost zero level of audibility, although not all of them, because then the album "Let's Fight for Your Rights" made the biggest impression on me and I think that's what I had to do with the most. Nevertheless, I was no stranger to the earlier or later work of this band. Recently, thanks to Karolina Hejmanowska's book "Address in the Heart", I decided to refresh their music and simply check what is happening in the ranks of SMAR SW, and then rebuild my discography, at least in cassette form. Here I collided with the proverbial wall. It turned out that the prices of cassettes reach space, while I couldn't count on other media. Of course, you can find only music on the Internet, but for me, a collector, it's not the same.

That's why I've been looking for (and still looking for) cassettes of the band SMAR SW for some time. Of course, everything is within the limits of common sense - I mean the mentioned prices. Anyway, I started my search traditionally with sales websites and other channels. One day I received a notification from OLX that "the offers I'm looking for have appeared". I enter, and there is almost a set of discography on CD for very decent money. Of course, without thinking and without asking for details, I wrote a message to the seller and a few days later I was already the owner of 4 CDs SMAR SW: "Strength in Unity", "Let's Fight for Our Rights", "Consciousness" and "Suicide". However, the curiosity was stronger, so the whole purchase process was accompanied by conversations next to the transaction, and this is how I met Zibi. Zbyszek undertook to "produce" and release CDR reissues of these albums on his own. He developed the graphic design, mastered, obtained the band's consent, and thanks to this, the music of this legendary punk band appeared on the market again. I was so interested in Zbyszek's personality and the whole story that I decided to ask Zbi a few questions and tell you where the idea for such an "action" came from.

Old Metalhead: Zbyszek, where did the idea to release music "by myself", at my own expense, come from SMAR SW?

Zbigniew "Zibi" Urbański: A few years ago I did my own private mastering of the cassette "W Jedności Siła" and since it turned out quite well (well, maybe it's not professional) I decided to make myself an album, I started to play with designing the cover and printing on the CD. When the first one was already there, I thought I'd do another one and I did "We Fight for Our Rights". Later, it was just a mere formality to make the missing two. And so it happened. When I had the set, I decided to renew the cover so that it would match the cassette editions and have a common matching graphic design. Especially on CD prints - it is very visible. The releases you received are also slightly improved, namely the lack of the wave logo on "Strength in Unity" and the lack of the QQRYQ logo.

As for "Suicide", the story of the appearance of albums on the Internet is as follows: When I was inserting Lubu cassettes on OLX (only on OLX, those inserted on Allegro are no longer my auctions, but third-party ones), and I had several pieces of them each, I also inserted a photo of the albums and there were a few people who were interested in these records. Then I decided to sell them for some small money. Not some wholesale, but literally one set. After some time, there was another offer to buy CDs and another, but in exchange for cassettes. And so a few copies appeared with fans SMAR SW as it turned out later, these copies ended up on Allegro shares and there they reached quite high prices for albums made in a totally home-made way (I called them collector's).

Old Metalhead: Exactly, have you seen these prices on Allegro? You sell your copies exclusively on OLX. How did it leak on Allegro?

Zibi: I've seen these prices. I made these albums for low costs and someone took the opportunity that someone wants to have such albums. When I saw it and these prices. I got a little and decided to write to Yogi (from the band). We came to an agreement that I can make a larger edition and the money that will eventually be earned will be for the band for the official release of the albums "Consciousness" and "Samobójstwo" and their remastering. And so it happened.

Old Metalhead: How did it happen that you got the band's permission for your "production"?

Zibi: I contacted the guitarist SMAR SW and somehow it worked out mutually that you can make a dozen copies and upload them to the band's website and how they will be willing to continue it.

Old Metalhead: So you have the official approval of the team?

Zibi: Yes. That is why the CDs can be purchased officially on the ww.canal666.com website and on OLX, Allegro at normal and affordable prices.

Old Metalhead: From what you have already told me, is there also a chance that official, professional editions of "Consciousness" and "Suicide" will be created soon? When can we expect?

Zibi: This question should be addressed to the guitarist of SMAR SW and THCulture. But I suppose it will be possible this year (2021).

Old Metalhead: And what about "Strength in Unity" and "Let's Fight for Our Rights"? Or is there a chance for such releases?

Zibi: I think so. I know that there is a wide range of people who would be interested in buying such albums.

Old Metalhead: I can't skip the question about merch. The mugs are already there, maybe you have other gadgets in your plans... T-shirts, patches, etc.?

Zibi: I've already made cups more for myself, but if they're willing, why not. As for the T-shirts, the team seems to have sold out, at least I won't make T-shirts and other merchandise.

Old Metalhead: Now the question that should be asked at the very beginning. Why SMAR SW? Such a "fan" need? or some other motives? Why did you choose this particular band?

Zibi: I do it out of respect for the band and its lyrics and music. Each album was more mature than the previous one. They didn't slap the same muse on each one, but it was obvious that they were developing. I remember my chronicles how, after the publication of "Consciousness", many crew members said that the SMAR SW was over, and I really liked that they were doing new things and not copying the old ones. And I appreciate them for that. I liked SMAR SW very much and I still do, in the 90s it made a huge impression on me and it has remained so to this day.

Old Metalhead: Are you closer to the band, maybe you have some "leaks" about a possible return to the stage, or new material? However, did this "official suicide" (with the release of the album "Samobójstwo") definitively end the activity of SMAR SW?

Zibi: A poor chance for a return for personal reasons. But there is a new band [a href="https://[i translate=" no"=""]towot.smarsw.com"]TOWOT[/a] and they play Smaru songs, I think it's a great idea to play music and lyrics in new arrangements with new people. Thanks to this, the music and lyrics are played anew, especially since they are up-to-date all the time. The recordings are circulating on the Internet. There is also a good chance for studio material in new versions.

Old Metalhead: Coming back to the albums... Do you know what collectors are like...? Do you think there is any chance that there will be a circulation, let's take a limited edition with a signature in the form of entries or autographs of the guys from the band?

Zibi: Personally, I say that it's nice to have a special album with an autograph or an entry, but you can always come up after the concert, talk to the band and arrange it yourself. Especially with those who are active all the time. Yogi plays all the time in THCulture and now in TOWOT - just to look out for concerts. Such posts have the best flavor then.

Old Metalhead: Just SMAR SW, have you thought about other "forgotten" music?

Zibi: I thought, but I don't know what will come of it. There are several teams that are noteworthy.

Old Metalhead: And finally, I'll look even more into the future... when there are SMAR SW reissues and you decide that your "hunger" has not been satisfied, have you thought about re-releasing cassettes or releasing it on vinyl?

Zibi: I thought about cassettes like that, as if they were willing to do it for 15 pcs. of each disc. Not about vinyls. I think the band itself can agree with someone about the vinyl.

I am obliged to thank Ziba on my behalf, but I think that not only... for the work he did. It is thanks to Zbyszek that the legendary musician of the legendary SMAR SW still functions among fans, but he also hopes that thanks to his revivals he will find an audience among younger generations.

m/Woszczewski (FB: Stary Metalowiec) szarpidrut.pl

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