Cranium Pie, England ***Inactive***

Their last album was Mechanisms Part 2 (2015). Last Facebook posting was 2017. I'm presuming they're done. Last check: June 14, 2023 

Facebook

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Black Bonzo, Sweden ***Inactive***

News: The band are not currently an operating unit, but they do occasionally post on Facebook (last was in 2016), so we'll keep a band page up in case they do reform. Last check: December 26, 2018

Facebook

Location: Skellefteå (northeast Sweden, not too far from Finland)

Overview: Black Bonzo play an early 70’s influenced hard rock progressive sound. Think Uriah Heep mixed with some Caravan and early KC. They later morphed int a more straightforward band,but their first two albums are worth investigating.

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Mr. Quimby's Beard, England ***Inactive***

News: I thought this band was long gone and buried, but they're pushing along as of September 2017 - well at least they are still posting on social media. But that means the flame is not yet extinguished! Last check: December 26, 2018

Facebook 

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Location: Sunderland

Overview: Mr. Quimby's Beard were one of the more successful bands to come out of the UK Festival Psych scene from an artistic perspective. Well worth checking out if a fan of said scene.

UMR Notes

Las Orejas y La Lengua, Argentina ***Inactive***

News: It appears the band is still around in some capacity, though hardly an active touring band. Their last album was from 2003. In 2019 there was some stirring about. Seems like they're getting the itch again. Last check: February 15, 2020.

Facebook

UMR Notes

Simon Says, Sweden ***Inactive***

News: Their last significant update to Facebook regarding their own existence is May of 2015. Last check: December 26, 2018

Facebook

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Location: Gothenburg

Overview: There are few bands one can call retro prog and neo prog in the same sentence, but Simon Says are one of them. They are one of the finest of recent bands to recreate the spirit of the early 1970s Genesis sound.

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TNVVNÜM, Estonia ***Inactive***

News: There has been no new activity from the band since 2013, and their website is no more. Last check: December 26, 2018

Facebook

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Location: Tallinn

Overview: Primarily instrumental band from Estonia whose full name is Tõele Näkku Vaadates Võib Näha Ükskõik Mida. Musically their sound can be found between 90s post rock and late 60's cosmic psychedelia.

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Neom, France ***Inactive***

News:  There has been no activity from Neom since 2013. Last check: December 26, 2018

Facebook

Location: Valence, Rhone-Alpes

Overview: Neom are one of many new Zeuhl discoveries by the French specialist label Soleil Zeuhl. Neom are more atmospheric and feature more guitar than many of their peers. A fine band.

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Architrave Indipendente, Italy ***Inactive***

News: It appears the band is no more, and they have no active internet presence as of January 2, 2017.

Location: Rutigliano, Puglia

Overview: Of all the retro Italian prog bands in existence today, perhaps Architrave Indipendente are the most accomplished - or at least the most authentic. Great care and research has gone into the creation of their debut album.

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Porcelain Moon, Finland ***Inactive***

News: On July 9, 2013, the band posted the following: "Porcelain Moon must sadly announce that our activity as a complete band will from now on be paused due to the lack of time but also inspiration. We are very greatful to all the fans & friends that have inspired us at the making of our second album (Swan Song) that was recently released, this could not have been done without you. Hopefully Porcelain Moon will continue some day as a band and start doing gigs again. However some of the members will still continue writing songs together and when the time is ready another album will be recorded." Last check: December 26, 2018

Facebook

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Location: Kokkola, Western Finland

Overview: Porcelain Moon are a very intriguing new band who mix female-vocal led proto prog with airy symphonic. This was the very first post for my fledgling blog. An absolutely wonderful album, and I could not have chosen a better beginning for UTR. It appears the band has called it a day, though they have had two recent posts on Facebook so maybe there's hope.

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