Kortatu is a Spanish Basque punk rock band from Irun, in the Basque Country. Active between 1984 and 1988, the group is one of the pioneers of ska in Spain. He is mainly inspired by the British group The Clash and the Basque group Hertzainak. Kortatu will become the symbol of a whole generation thanks to its festive, militant and counter-cultural music.
Kortatu was formed in 1984 by members from Irun, in the Basque Country. The group is formed by the brothers Muguruza, Iñigo (bass) and Fermin (vocals and guitar), and Mattin (drums) during a concert of Clash in San Sebastián> and The Beat in Bilbao>. Mattin is replaced by Treku Armendariz, who will remain in Kortatu until his separation. Treku was playing in a band called Cremental. Mattin will go to England, and Treku will take his place.
Mixing rock, reggae, ska and punk energy, the band records a first demo with songs such as Mierda de ciudad (cover of the song Drinking and Driving of the band The Business), El último ska and Hay algo aquí that goes wrong (cover of Does not Make It Alright by The Specials). The group's popularization begins at the end of the year, when they participate in the album Kortatu / Cicatriz / Jotakie / Kontuz-Hi! (also called 'Disco de los cuatro') published by Soñua Records in 1985; the album also includes Cicatriz, Jotakie and Kontuz-Hi !. The songs included in the album are Nicaragua Sandinista, Mierda de ciudad and El último ska by Manolo Rastamán. Nicaragua Sandinista, the first song written by Fermin Muguruza, appears in the "list of 200 best songs of Spanish pop-rock" established by the Spanish version of Rolling Stone in issue 142 >.
In 1985, Kortatu began a tour of the Basque Country, participating in several festivals and concerts. As he climbs, his commitment to the recognition of the Basque Country is strengthened, and songs in Basque are more numerous. On May 31, they play with the band Barricada.
