Feature / One Question Interviews
Bankrupt

Words: Dennis • February 21, 2024

Bankrupt
Bankrupt

Rocco (Bankrupt – vocals/bass/lyrics)

SPB: You release albums both in your mother tongue and in English. Which do you prefer and why? 

Rocco: The original concept when we started the band was singing only in English, as most of our influences were British and American punk rock bands.

But while this made it easier to play abroad, it was a huge disadvantage in Hungary, so we had to do something about it.

Writing good Hungarian lyrics that fit this style of music is a lot more difficult, so it's been a long learning process, but I've figured out eventually how to do it.

I remember that it felt weird when I started singing in Hungarian first, but by now it feels more natural, especially because now there's a crowd singing along with me.

Our Hungarian fans also like to check out the English versions, and there are also non-Hungarian speakers who listen to the Hungarian versions because of the unique sound of the language, so it's worth doing two versions of each song, even though it's a lot of extra work.

To answer the question, it depends on the song. In some cases I prefer the Hungarian version, in some cases the English and sometimes I like both the same.

It's probably the same with the others, apart from our Italian guitarist, who doesn't speak much Hungarian, so he prefers English. :)

---

www.bankrupt.hu

— Dennis • February 21, 2024

Bankrupt
Bankrupt

Related features

Fest 24 – The Wrap-Up

Music / Fest 24 • November 5, 2026

For those who follow the site, I've been to Fest a lot -- like, I lost count of how many times but it all started at FEST 6, which I think was in 2007. It's certainly about the music first, and I saw approximately 61 bands over 4 days, 3 … Read more

The World Needs To Hear Us: Twenty One Children

Interviews • November 5, 2026

On After The Storm, Twenty One Children strip away every slick, sanitized modern production trick imaginable. The Soweto trio -- vocalist Abdula Skink, guitarist Thulasizwe Nkosi, and drummer Biko -- play fast, heavy, lo-fi punk rock that welds the raw speed of mid-'80s U.S. skatepunk to the thick rhythm of … Read more

Freaks On Parade: Kepi Ghoulie

Regular Columns / Shrapnel Pop • November 5, 2026

A look back at Kepi Ghoulie’s September 2026 residency at MySpace PhoenixWelcome to Kepiland! Kepi Ghoulie did a month-long residency in Phoenix, AZ for September 2026, joined by friends and locals. So, I ventured out into the triple digit heat, to check it out. If you are not familiar with … Read more

Florida Men

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2026

Jouke (Florida Men – guitar)SPB: We all know Florida Man from hilarious headlines, what is the headline about the band Florida Men?Jouke: Florida Men Actually Not From Florida Read more

Deady

One Question Interviews • November 3, 2026

Chyppe Crosby (Deady)SPB: Louisville has had an incredibly deep underground music history, but what does the current Louisville punk scene give Deady that you don't think the band would have gotten growing up somewhere else?Crosby: I think the scene here is more familial. Most genres of music kind of coalesce … Read more

Related news

Bankrupt is Blacklisted

Posted in Records on November 27, 2024

Bankrupt - political punk from Hungary

Posted in Records on July 16, 2023

CBGB company files for bankruptcy

Posted in General News on June 14, 2010

Related reviews

Bankrupt

Illiberal Holiday
Independent (2023)

There can be many reasons to pick an album to review. Sometimes it is the description, sometimes it is a connection with another band and sometimes it is the artwork. Upon seeing this for the first time I thought: “This better be good, ‘cause artwork like this deserves something good!”. This thought got stronger and stronger after I discovered every … Read more

Bankrupt

Rocket to Riot City
Piar (2009)

Wow. I am sick to death of reviewing bands from across the pond. This time it's Hungry. One of my favorite uh adult actresses of all time was from Budapest. Michelle Wild...yeah...she was a dirty girl. I guess she got married and found God or something. Oh well. ANYHOW, Bankrupt are a very typical punk rock band that I had … Read more

More from this section

Florida Men

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2026

Jouke (Florida Men – guitar)SPB: We all know Florida Man from hilarious headlines, what is the headline about the band Florida Men?Jouke: Florida Men Actually Not From Florida Read more

Deady

One Question Interviews • November 3, 2026

Chyppe Crosby (Deady)SPB: Louisville has had an incredibly deep underground music history, but what does the current Louisville punk scene give Deady that you don't think the band would have gotten growing up somewhere else?Crosby: I think the scene here is more familial. Most genres of music kind of coalesce … Read more

Plastic Meat

One Question Interviews • November 2, 2026

Nerina (Plastic Meat – vocals)SPB: Is there a hyped band (or even TV show/movie) that you just can’t get into?Nerina: My bandmates are gonna kill me for this, but I think that Zeke is a super overrated band. I know everybody loves them and many people tell us that they … Read more