Volapük were the first chance I had to work with Guigou Chenevier who I was a huge fan of ever since I had seen Etron Fou open for Henry Cow in London in June, 1977. Now, nearly 20 years later, I finally had my chance.

Volapük were a great band, pushing complex, rock-based music into new corners. They were definitely a part of the RIO movement in terms of adventurous spirit, while not sounding like RIO bands of the past!

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Forget the fact that you can't pronounce the name of the band and listen up! Volapük is drummer/composer Guigou Chenevier's (Etron Fou) new trio also featuring bass clarinetist Michel Mandel and cellist Guiillaume Saurel. The band has a very immediately identifiable sound, making full usage of the unusual sonorities of their instruments, along with short, rhythmically complex compositions & improvisations. Exciting, mostly composed music that will please any fan of adventurous/RIO style rock. Guigou is one of the great drummers in rock and is also a superb composer; many of the great Etron works bear his imprint. The cello and bass clarinet handle duties not normally assigned to these instruments with clarity and dexterity.

"A wonderful trio [whose] compositions are highly rhythmic and playful, full of both surprises and logical thematic development."
– C.M.J.

"This French trio, led by the founder of the progressive rock group Etron Fou Leloublan, plays compositions that are succinct and well orchestrated. Utilizing percussion, bass clarinet, and cello, Volapuk's chamber-like music is multi-textural and colorful, dancing along a tightrope between simplicity and complexity. At times the music conjures images of a Middle Eastern bazaar or a gypsy caravan. Other times it would be appropriate as the soundtrack to a suspenseful whodunit. With Slang, Volapuk makes avant-garde music that can be challenging as well as listener-friendly. "
– AllMusic