Pascal Chassin

*100 copies limited edition* « In 2025, can we still be interested in and write about the music of a band of French musicians, very “underground” who were very young at the time in the early 1970s? » writes Xavier Béal at the opening of his review of Ian Thompson's brand new book "Synths, Sax & Situationists (The French Musical Underground 1968-1978)" in the webzine Rythmes Croisés (published on October 24, 2025).

The answer is certainly yes! And although the name of Pascal Chassin is still almost unknown to the public, journalists and the media, his musical career comes directly from this pivotal era narrated in the book "Synths, Sax & Situationists (The French Musical Underground 1968-1978)" by having been one of the members of Komintern, a group that could be renamed today with hindsight as the “Red Noise Part 2” (see Michel Muzac's highly documented book “La Pop Sauvage” for more details, and you will also have well noted that it is not by chance that Thompson chose a photo with the leader of Red Noise, Patrick Vian (*), for the cover page of his book, because history shows us that it was with Red Noise that everything in France began for the so-called “Underground” music scene, this to recall here the importance of the group Komintern!).

And why still be interested? So if, for this new publication, interest is only equaled by as much long wait as the artist Dominique Grimaud rightly points out: “I have been waiting for this book for at least four decades”, you will be served again in return with this 1st solo album by Pascal Chasin which will have taken more than 30 years to see the light of day, following another initial project “Splendeurs” that was never released. This album compiling mostly unpublished archives, recorded between 1979 and 1994, ultimately represents the continuation, sequel and direct link to Ian Thompson's book!

The record is cut into two different periods, with one side containing the compositions of 1979-81 and the other from 1991-94. We find of course the ex-Komintern with Michel Muzac (guitar), Olivier Zdrzalik-Kowalski (bass), drummer Jean-Pierre Arnoux (Mahjun) and the tenor sax of the American Jim Cuomo (Spoils Of War, Mormos) on the first tracks. On the other side, with the participation of Eric Bono (keyboard), Yvonne Jones (vocals), Christian Hervé (accordion), Philippe Chauveau (drums), Philippe Talet (bass) and guitarist Bill Liesegang (Nina Hagen). All tracks have been remastered for this edition.

Finally, in the same way as the so evocative power of the title of Pierre Clémenti's 1968 short film: "The Revolution is just the beginning, Let's Continue the Fight...", Pascal Chassin replies that he is still present in 2025 with the title of his equally evocative album: "La Nouvelle Européenne Et Autres Territoires Affranchis Politiquement Trash". An ultra modern and very topical title that wonderfully honors the original single "La Nouvelle Européenne" (very avant-garde for the time!) released in 1979, his only discographic realization which unfortunately was hidden and which very quickly remained in oblivion (read the liner notes published in the vinyl insert below). We remain convinced, here at Fractal, that if this song "La Nouvelle Européenne" had been sung by Serge Gainsbourg for example, it would probably have been a hit, just as virulent as his great success of the same year "Aux armes et cætera“ and you will also notice that the B-side ”Don Juan 80" in its fake reggae style is not sad either! Sometimes there are incomprehensible things and there really, is the case but yes, of course, with “if”...