Schnitzelbeat Volume 3 - Ready For Take Off (Forgotten Psychedelic, Flower Power And Proto-Punk Artefacts From Austria 1967-1973)

Schnitzelbeat Volume 3, titled Ready For Take Off, is the latest installment in a specialized compilation series curated by the Austrian label Digatone. Released in 2023, the record functions as a scholarly preservation project, focusing on obscure musical artifacts unearthed from the Austrian underground scene between 1967 and 1973. It captures a transitional era where local artists were heavily influenced by international trends, weaving together disparate threads of psychedelic rock, flower power, and the gritty, early foundations of what would eventually be classified as proto-punk.

The design and curation of the series aim to provide a comprehensive historical snapshot of a largely forgotten regional music history. By meticulously tracking down rare master tapes and licensing long-out-of-print tracks, Digatone offers a glimpse into a time when Austrian musicians were experimenting with unconventional sounds in relative isolation from the global mainstream. The release has been received by enthusiasts of European garage and psych-rock as a vital document, appreciated for its dedication to quality archival work and its success in elevating the profile of once-obscure local performers.