Konrad: Evil
It is very hard to know where to begin trying to explain Konrad, so I’ll start from the very beginning. He was pointing at me as I opened a package of records I received via a Waxidermy holiday swap about two days before this last Christmas. I recall thinking at first glance that this looked like the the wimpiest satanic metal record ever. So needless to say I was absolutely mind boggled by the burst of basement Casio madness that gripped my stereo when the needle dropped.
But it gets stranger yet cause, as my girlfriend says, “He’s got some sort of vision”. I tend to agree, but what that vision actually is never becomes clear. It most likely involves some combination of evil, aliens, outer space, and war, as Konrad seems to be able to fit these words into nearly every song. Sometimes rhyming them with words you wouldn’t have ever thought they could be rhymed with.
Musically the record is just as hard to figure. Konrad literally takes a stab at every genre he is able to tackle with only his cheesy keyboard and guitar as accompaniment. From the lamest 80’s synth pop, and totally embarrassing attempts at slick Michael Franks-like jazz vocals to ridiculous white man synth funk, and shoestring Bob James rave-ups. Konrad tried it all. Yes, even plaintive acoustic numbers with robot vocals.
Overall though, you’re really just left with more questions than you started with. Who is Konrad? Did he ever perform in public… and, if so, did he get beat up? Anyhow, if Konrad’s Mom is reading this, and he’s still living in your basement, tell him he’s my new hero, and that his record totally rocked our New Years Eve Party of 6 people this year. Lastly, thanks to Rich for passing this one along!
51 Comments
Glad you dig it….gotta thank James Lybarger who turned me on to this years ago and may have some copies….I found this one out in the wild here in Texas which is mind boggling.
this might be the best thing I’ve ever heard.
The copy I found in a local NYC store had a business card for the label inserted under the shrink wrap.
I called and spoke to the label owner, Barry Konarik. He was friendly and spoke at length about Konrad’s music, though he told me no personal info about the man. He never really talked about the lyrics, but only about how Konrad was making dance music, which was what his (Barry’s) label was devoted to. To that point, he had only released Konrad’s music (the LP + 2 45s), but waxed poetic about a forthcoming cassette-only release, an album by a nephew of Jim Morrison. He didn’t divluge the nephew’s name or any other info except that it was to be an album of dance music.
It seemed that our conversation always led back to dance music. No info about who Konrad was, why he was dressed in satanic-looking robes or what any of the lyrics meant. Just it was about dance music.
As we wound down, I ordered a box of the LPs and a few of the 45s. We arranged a time for him to drop the off and get paid.
At the agreed upon time, a man showed up carrying a box. I asked if he was Barry. He said there was a picture of Barry in the box. The only picture in the box was the photo of Konrad on the cover.
In other words, Barry was Konrad, but seemed to always speak of him as a separate person.
Just adds to the legend.
Gotta have one!
I’d love a copy as well. email: jsnjenkins@gmail.com
adieu,
el
If you are looking to share some of your copies I’d love to add one to my collection.
email: cheno_brown@hotmail.com
peace.
Cheno
Yeah, not to be a bandwagon jumper but I’d love a copy too if you’ve still got some of that box. yerbamansa@hotmail.com
Thanks
i’d like one too. is it possible? my email: bert.rich@netcourrier.com
makes me think of edan to some extent…
Music Scientists is contagious but “My Girl” is a serious stepper. If you have anymore copies my e-mail is holymansound@gmail.com
bob james wishes he was this enigmatic. I been wearing these songs out.
hilarious!
crazy story there lybarger!
please, count me in…
knewknew@gmail.com
I would really dig a copy as well, in any format, if anybody anywhere can help me out…this stuff is smokin…
23.wolves@gmail.com
thanks
I want it now!
When was this released?
1981 I think
Hi James L, if you read this please can you contact me on simon@rovetv.net ? many thanks
iv’e been sitting on this a couple days now and i have one conclusion: there was my life before konrad, and now there is my life after konrad.
if there is any way i could get a copy of this, i will have completely converted to “evil”.
crink, if you have any more extras of this, please contact me at babypigeon AT comcast.net
thanks for all the great tracks!
I would love a copy of that record (as well as the 45s).
if I could also get a copy of this nebulous gem, I’d be convinced that Konrad was, indeed, pointing directly at me.
Man, I’d love a copy. A kind of latter-day Lucia Pamela.
headlessjonee@yahoo.com
wow, just wow…seriously
if you have any more copies I’d def be interested…
email me if possible at oddbodrod@yahoo.com
Also what label is Konrad on?
It’s got kind of a krautrock thing to it somewhere. This guy has to be German.
Did you guys get copies…
I wanna be pointed at too!
any copies left? like to get my hands on one… trade? (mark tucker?) gabocaj@hotmail.com
i know i’m a little late on this one but am hoping there’s another copy of this floating around…
can anybody help?
daniel
lostflipflop@gmail.com
In 1986 I was brousing the cutout bins of a St. Louis, MO record store and came across EVIL. Didn’t know what to expect, just knew that I had to have it. It became and instant hit with me and a friend. We have been searching for Konrad info ever since. I even wrote/called the lable address/number on the record and got nothing. This is the first real hit I have gotten in several web searches over the years. Glad to see others have caught the fever. Still have my copy. I need the 45s if anyone can provide them in any format please contact me.
forgot my email. magnew63@yahoo.com
What a great story!I’ve been trying to find ANY information on this guy for years. I made a CD of my friends copy a while ago, but if there is a copy of the LP available out there, please let me know!
Konrad Fans, you are unique people!
jacksala@comcast.net
Is it too late? man, I’d love a copy! So up my alley! My e mail: moustachedpainless@yahoo.com
If not, well, it’s great to at least hear those 3 songs! What a great site!
If ANYONE has a copy of this album let me know and we can negotiate something. This record as a whole (the music, the cover, etc..) seriously blows me away. It would be my #1 record into eternity. Sarcasm aside, Konrad speaks to me. And what a fantastic story.
I know I’m super late, but I just found this today.. email me @ djdruckman@yahoo.com please!
thx.
So how does one go about getting a hold of more Konrad music? I would be willing to trade for some Konrad, and I have a decent collection of weird music to pick from. Can anyone help me out?
I WOULD LIKE TEN COPIES PPD THX I ALSO THINK THIS SOUNDS LIKE EDAN.
Pretty good story. This is some esoteric shit for sure. I want a copy for my collection, konrad is a beast of a man..
if you have any copies left:
eduardosagastume@hotmail.com
Konrad lives and he has albums and remastered cds of Evil, and lots of new music so give me a yell and let me know that you are a konvert. 208-846-8767
Many years ago I found a film negative that just said “Konrad Evil” and “ethereal sequence records 666” on it. I was like wtf? becuase my name is Konrad as well. I just found it in my closet (I had saved it fo 20 yesrs) and decided to google it. Hey, is the Konrad who made the 12/23/08 post THE Konrad? Email me and tell me where I can get a cd copy. I’d love to check it out. Or I may just call the number you posted. I programmed it into my phone. Peace!
Yes that is the real Konrad, and you should call him about this. I’d like to know more about this negative.
Hey – I’d love to get in touch w/ the label and get a copy of the record. Please contact me at lawrence@issueprojectroom.org
Thanks,
L
I just can’t get my mind around this- Does it make me look fat? I think I should try a different size, maybe it’s a daytime moonlight item.
I live in Boise and a friend of mine told me he got some gear from Konrad Evil, who was now living in town. Coincidentally, I used to work at a record store here, and Barry Konarik used to come by to buy & sell CDs, and little did I know they were one and the same until this very second.
Thanks for the heads up. Next time I see him, I’m asking him for sure.
Barry(Konrad)is alive & well & living in the Boise Idaho area. He is still making music & hands out listening copies of his latest venture most willingly. He has all kinds of stories to tell if you have the time to listen. He is a very interesting/eccentric character! His newer stuff sounds an awful lot like Jim Morrison/Doors. I am sure this is his aim. Anyway,we(staff at the above store re:Grant) see him quite often & I will be sure to tell him he has some “fans” at this website looking to obtain some of his stuff. He will be most pleased I am sure!
How would I go about getting this record, or even just listening to his music?
(But really I’d like to get the record)
E-mail me with any tips! Thanks.
delucca.ian@gmail.com
waaaaaaaay late to the party but if anyone can point me in the right direction for a copy it would be greatly appreciated! thanks
jmatt86@gmail.com
This is incredibly good stuff. Does Konrad still perform? I want him to play at my wedding!
Interesting. Same person? You decide.
http://www.ourstage.com/media_items/KABTRJZCSFEW-isnt-it-nice-this-way
The Re-Release is ON! Pre order NOW for June 2014 release. PLUS EXTRAS! http://lightintheattic.net/releases/1180-evil
Our Konrad documentary just premiered at Dangerous Minds —
http://dangerousminds.net/comments/evil_aliens_synchronicity_and_world_peace
I can’t thank folks like you enough. You restless collectors and sleuths who will search for years and years trying to find the creators of these artifacts. This reads just like the story of Gary Higgins, Linda Perhacs, and others. And every of of them are astounded and grateful for the recognition even decades later. It sure makes MY day!
I just discovered this and want a copy (I’ll be on the lookout). Also – the first person who commented, HawthorneWingo…..I’m not sure if they’ll see this, but Wingo is my last name and I am from Texas also. Strange. I wish I could talk to you somehow.