70s French Prog (the zappa-influenced, weirdo type, please)

[offwithyerhat]

Okay! Give your best weirdo French prog. Stuff like Komintern, Ma Banlieue Flasque, Grime or Magma, Moving Gelatine Plates, etc.

[Dana5140]

Well, of course!

[Progbear]

Ocarinah counts here, and its interesting how they stripped the Zeuhl sound down to its bare bones; the album is essentially a trio of mono synth, bass and drums (with just a slight touch of guitar). There really isn’t another band like them (maybe Ruins, who came later, and stripped it down even more).

[nosebone]

A must have!

[offwithyerhat]

Ocarinah counts here, and its interesting how they stripped the Zeuhl sound down to its bare bones; the album is essentially a trio of mono synth, bass and drums (with just a slight touch of guitar). There really isn’t another band like them (maybe Ruins, who came later, and stripped it down even more).

Yep! this rules. Added to the list!

A must have!

DAMN! Assignment nailed. Very later Zappa vibes and some really fun Magma changes. This is wild. Gonna really dig in. Thanks for the share! Reminds me of a more smooth Dr. Dopo Jam. Wonder what the story is as to why this wasn't released initially.

[RichardGioaf.]

Founded as early as 1970, Eskaton released nothing until their first single "Musique Post Atomique" which was released in 1979, and their first album "4 Visions" was recorded the same year, but was not released until 1981. They became known in the Zeuhl section of the progressive rock scene for releasing their second record "Ardeur" in 1980, before "4 Visions" which was recorded first.

[calyx]

A must have!

Belgian, not French, though.

[flytomars]

70s French weirdo Zappa...
Did anyone say Albert Marcoeur?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...rJ8XnONVdLxg1N

[RichardGioaf.]

Wapassou was quite an original, though obscure 70's chamber rock trio. At the time of the release of Wapassou's self-titled debut in 1974, keyboardist Freddy Brua, who was already responsible for all the compositions at the time, was only 18 years old. His two comrades-in-arms Karin Nickerl on guitar and Jacques Lichti on violin were just 19 and 18 years old respectively. The very young formation was supported on their debut work by various guest musicians, including the percussionist Benoît Moerlen, who later worked for Gong. Wapassou the album is a somewhat immature, but thoroughly appealing and interesting mixture of progressive rock, folk-rock and psychedelia that exudes its own amateurish-experimental charm that passed the time test quite nicely. Krautrock lovers should therefore have a listen here!

[calyx]

Hi Svet, it'd been a while.

[RichardGioaf.]

Etron Fou Leloublan is undoubtedly one of the more important acts of the RIO movement. Their "En Public Aux États-Unis d'Amérique" is a rather odd live album, and I hope it fulfills the OP's request - at least as far as being weird. Etron Fou Leloublan recorded a mesmerizingly complex stage show at the concert in the US and released it as their first live album, in 1979.

[TheH]

Some stuff in Magma vein: Riazul, Zao, Weidorje, Archaia and Potemkin

[JKL2000]

Maybe not Zappa enough. Sort of National Health, actually. (Or was this band early 80s? And possibly they're Canadian, not French. Clearly, I'm unprepared!)

[Zappathustra]

Red Noise - Sarcelles-Locheres
Maajun - Vive la Morte du vieux Monde
Emmanuel Booz - Dans Quel Etat J'Erre

Everything Poil, Piniol, Grand Sbam from the more recent stuff

But I think all French prog is weird...

[TheH]

Emmanuel Booz - Dans Quel Etat J'Erre

Yes definetly BOOZ his second album Le Jour Où Les Vaches... is also great

[TheH]

Great overlooked album (Avant Zeuhl Chanson Opera)

[Bytor]

I'm all in for this thread, bring the suggestions on

[Liquid Tension]

Dün - Eros

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHgOdOI6e2o

[interbellum]

More recently: Free Human Zoo



Latest album No Wind Tonight

[Zappathustra]

Great overlooked album (Avant Zeuhl Chanson Opera)

yes, this one is cool

[alucard]

A must have!

Great record, but they are from Belgium.

[Zappathustra]

Most probably you know this, but if you don't it will blow your French-wierdo-prog-oriented little brain out of your skull

[offwithyerhat]

70s French weirdo Zappa...
Did anyone say Albert Marcoeur?

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...rJ8XnONVdLxg1N

Oh, man. Of course. Haha. I should've just realized I'm looking for more of my favorite dude. A pic of my AM collection at the beginning of lockdown (a couple more things since) here.

[offwithyerhat]

thanks for all the recs, all. will get through them and keep them coming!

[RichardGioaf.]

But I think all French prog is weird...

I totally agree. Even the French "normal" prog-rock bands of the 1970s exhibited a certain degree of oddity and eccentric aesthetic. By way of example, here's a song from Taï Phong's 1975 album; they're certainly one of the most underrated bands in the progressive rock.