Following the release of "SWF-Sessions Vol. 1" studio productions from Offenburg's Jud's Gallery (Long Hair LHC 1) from the years 1972 and 1974 this is the second CD in the series with COUPLA PROG.

COUPLA PROG were valued guests at SWF (former radio station on Germany), whose editor and presenter Walther Krause invited the band 4 times (more than any other band) from 1970–1972 to produce their music in studio conditions at the station's Studio U1 in Baden-Baden. COUPLA PROG recorded 12 tracks and a pop-opera "Edmundo Lopez" which was over 60 minutes. In hindsight the description "pop-opera" is misleading. COUPLA PROG actually played very individual underground or progressiv music. Heavy blues rock, blues, electronic music, free style, occassional classical music references and echoes of post Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, Vanilla Fudge but also Procol Harum distinguished the sound of the band.

COUPLA PROG productions were extremly varied, never commercially oriented, but always homogenous and exciting music, which occasionally diverged from the well travelled tracks of kraut and prog rock. Talented craftsmen, they captured the zeitgeist of the era. "Sprite" contains 7 tracks that were recorded at Studio U1 in Baden-Baden on 26.02.1970 and 16.04.1971. All of the tracks have been recorded from the original tapes and digitally re-mastered.

COUPLA PROG, originally based in the area Ratstatt/Baden-Baden (south-west Germany) was formed in October 1969 when three members left the 7 piece band "Wilde Reiter GmbH". The four remaining members renamed themselves COUPLA PROG. The change of name was accompanied by a radical change in musical direction away from danceable cover versions of international soul and pop hits to individual underground progressiv music. The founding members were Hubert Donauer (19, drums), Reiner Niketta (25, bass, piano), Rolf Peters (23, guitar, vocals), Wolfgang Schindhelm (23, organ, guitar, vocals). This line-up completed the sessions in addition to the pop-opera "Edmundo Lopez" in July 1970, the release of which is also planned on Long Hair.

Guitarist Rolf Peters died in July 1971. Due to Hubert Donauer leaving COUPLA PROG early in 1972 the last session from 18.02.1972 was produced with new guitarist Walter Kümmich and a replacement drummer. The recordings will also be released.

The name COUPLA PROG came from the dead guitarist Rolf Peters and was an abbreviated form of "A Couple of Progs". When asked the band were also known to say it came from a witch in the middle ages called COUPLA PROG, either way a nonsensical name.

COUPLA PROG's popularity within SWF's area is well documented. The group played not only in relevant clubs and youth centres but also to large audiences at open-air concerts in Karlsruhe and Heidelberg.

The group's disbandment was a drawn out affair. Periods without a practice room, various members moving out of the area, musical differences, stagnation and eventually a lack of motivation were the reasons for COUPLA PROG to call it a day in early 1976.

Although the group never managed to secure a record company deal they did, thanks to SWF, leave behind an extensive and musically valuable legacy for underground and progressive rock fans. Highly addictive.

After the disbandment of COUPLA PROG founder members Reiner Niketta and Wolfgang Schindhelm remained in the music business. Reiner Niketta stopped performing but in his academic carrier he has penned many works on music psychology and education not uninfluenced by his many years of experience. Wolfgang Schindhelm crossed over to Jazz and remains active in this direction to the present day.

Manfred Steinheuer, May 2000

Thanks to: Reiner Niketta, Wolfgang Schindhelm, Hubert Donauer, shapefruit AG, SWR-Media GmbH, Roger.





COUPLA PROG "Sprite"

I WANNA BE FREE 05:10
GOODBYE, GUNS, BE BY GONES 11:45
THE QUEEN IS SELLUNG OUT 09:30
DIE WUT ÜBER DEN VERLORENEN GROSCHEN (THE ANGER OF THE LOST PENNY) 04:35
ODE TO THE VANILLA FUDGE 07:00
AUF DASS ER SICH IM GRABE UMDREHE (HE WOULD TURN IN HIS GRAVE) 12:00
DIES IRAE (DE MORTUIS) 05:00