Founded in 1980 by SPATSZ (keyboards-electronics) – originally from Nancy – and MONA SOYOC (guitar, piano, vocals) – an Argentinian-American – the duo quickly carved out a niche for themselves in the French music scene. The KaS Product ‘sound’ challenged conventions with English songs and machines at a time when France only accepted its native tongue and the guitar/bass/drums triptych. The band made its first public appearance in May 1980 at the Festival des Musiques Nouvelles in Nancy and recorded their first self-produced EPs, Mind Seven and Play Loud, which were immediately noticed by the press and radio in France and England. By blending the urgency of punk, the New Wave sound, and a minimalism exploited by the duo configuration, KaS Product redefined the accepted limits of rock in France and beyond for nearly 10 years. Supporters of independent music, and driven by a desire for marginalization and opposition, the band achieved considerable critical acclaim, particularly from the foreign press – unexpected recognition for their taste for daring and risk. A raw expression at the expense of melody or musicality at all costs is particularly evident in their first two albums: Try Out and By Pass. A third, more intimate album, Ego Eye, was released in 1987. In 1988, the duo went on hiatus. In 1990, the New Rose label released Black & Noir, a compilation of the first two self-produced 45s and unreleased tracks from the 80s. Often considered precursors of the electroclash movement, the band maintained the energy infused by Punk and, above all, influenced a large part of current French synth-pop. In 2005, KaS Product reformed for the Eurockéennes de Belfort and a few concerts in France before making a definitive return to the stage in 2012. While KaS Product was finalizing a new album, their first in 20 years, and preparing the release of a compilation for their 40th anniversary, Spatsz suddenly passed away on February 1, 2019. Completing these projects was an obvious choice for Mona Soyoc. Delayed by the health crisis, the compilation project was finalized in 2022. Seeing the formidable and convincing energy displayed today on stage by Mona Soyoc, most recently with Mellano Soyoc, makes one wish they had witnessed the phenomenon at its inception. The emblematic first album ‘Try Out,’ already reissued on CD in 2013, is now also available on vinyl. Moreover, while only Black & Noir was previously available, the band's complete discography is also arriving on digital platforms. Finally, Mona Soyoc has decided to form KaS Product Reload to return to the stage with this formidable repertoire. There's no question of simply ‘replacing’ Spatsz; alongside Mona will be multi-instrumentalist Thomas Bouetel on machines and Marc Seberg's bassist, Pierre Corneau.
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