  mÃ©tal urbain was one of the first french punk groups, formed in 1976 in paris. ==career== they were heavily influenced by the clash and the sex pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to metal machine music by lou reed. they relied on heavily distorted guitars and replaced the traditional rock rhythm section of bass guitar/drums with a synthesizer and drum machine, a then-unique approach that foreshadowed the experimental possibilities that were explored by later post-hardcore bands such as big black. they were also known for their radical image (the color scheme of albums always being a stark black, white and red), and subversive lyrics sung in french. they were met with much enthusiasm in england, particularly by john peel and the rough trade label. (mÃ©tal urbain's single "paris maquis" was rough trade's first release.) they had an enthusiastic but small audience in france, receiving little exposure. the punk rock scene was not as popular in france as it was in england, and they did not interest the french media as english bands like the sex pistols did. as a result, the band broke up by 1979, though members scattered to form such groups as metal boys, doctor mix and the remix, and desperados, as well as joining ashpalt jungle. mÃ©tal urbain had focused their efforts on singles, and only produced one album, les hommes morts sont dangereux, during their first period of activity. however, several compilation records were released, gathering their singles with additional material such as bbc sessions and live recordings. their electro approach was very innovative for its time, and the group a
1976_establishments_in_France French_punk_rock_groups Musical_groups_established_in_1976 Radar_Records_artists Rough_Trade_Records_artists