Dynastie Crisis

Formed in 1968, the French pop-rock and progressive rock band Dynastie Crisis consisted of Jacques Mercier (vocals, guitar), Jacky Chalard (bass), Philippe Lhommet (keyboards) and Geza Fenzl (drums). The musicians, who came from groups such as Les Jelly Roll, Turnips, Les Rockers, Mayfair Group and Rotomagus, began accompanying singers Freddy Meyer under the name The Soul Company and Mickey Bronx, before meeting Thierry Vincent, who switched from songwriting to production for their first album, Dynastie Crisis (1970), sung in French and English. Released on the independent Somethin' Else label set up by Francis Dreyfus, it included several tracks released as single 45s. Programmed at the famous Parisian club Golf Drouot, the group signed with Pathé (EMI), who released several tracks, including "Jesahel", created by Nicoletta, which became a hit in 1972. The group then went on to work on their second, untitled album, which included the cult track "Faust 72", used in 2004 on the soundtrack to the film Ocean's Twelve. Enlisted by Michel Polnareff for his 1972 Polnarévolution and 1973 Polnarêve tours, Dynastie Crisis opened for the singer at the Olympia and in Japan, before enjoying further success with "J'ai brisé la chaîne " (1973), released under the name Dynastie with the participation of Marcel Engel, replacing Geza Fenzl. The group split up in 1974, leaving the way open for the careers of Jacques Mercier in several bands, and Jacky Chalard, founder of the rock'n'roll label Big Beat Records, who released the compilation Faust 72 & Live Tokyo Budokan (2001). Another compilation, Faust 72, released in 1991, retraces the career of Dynastie Crisis on CD.

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