Les Calamités

The pop-rock quartet Les Calamités was formed in Beaune, Côte d'Or, in the early 1980s, around Caroline Augier (bass, vocals), Isabelle Petit (guitar, vocals), Odile Repolt (guitar, vocals) and Mike Stephens (drums). For the recording of their debut album À Bride Abattue, released in 1984, they called on Dominique Laboubée, founder of Les Dogs, a garage-rock band from Rouen. Supported by the singles "Toutes les nuits " and "Pas la peine", Les Calamités went on tour and even released their album in the U.S. under the name The Calamities, but their career then came to an abrupt halt, with everyone returning to their studies. It wasn't until 1987, when the group reformed around Odile Repolt and Isabelle Petit, that Daniel Chenevez, producer and member of pop duo Niagara, convinced them to record "Vélomoteur". The song was an instant hit, staying in the Top 50 for over three months, and subsequently making numerous appearances on compilations devoted to the 1980s. This single hit was even the subject of a parody entitled "Vibromasseur" by Les Nuls. The group then returned to anonymity.