STRANI COCKTAIL - Humungus 7'' 1982

I'm starting July with light food, but don't worry, it's just a small snack that I need at the moment. Things aren't going my way, and now I have to empty the cup that I've partly filled myself. It's unpleasant, and almost impossible to change... well... let's see what's coming up. Now to the music: Strani Cocktail was an avantgarde musical project based in Brussels and consisted of Giorgio (vocals/bass/synth), Zak (guitar/vocals), Sandro (drums) & Alain (keys). They were active in the early 1980s and are known for their experimental synth-pop. The band released three singles, this is their second. Two soft songs, strenuous rhythm and pleasant tinkling ensure relaxation and serenity. It's great every now and then, but I don't need it every day. The soft cookie in me takes its toll. Just listen to it and think nothing of it.

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C.O.C. - Eye For An Eye 1984

Corrosion Of Conformity (often abbreviated as C.O.C.) were founded in Raleigh/North Carolina in 1982 and the band has undergone multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with lead guitarist Woody as the sole constant member. They started with excellent Hardcore sounds, which their debut album (this) on No Core Records impressively demonstrates, but later moved towards a slower and bluesier heavy metal sound. On this fantastic album the line-up were Eric (vocals, the only album with him), Woody (guitars), Mike (bass/vocals), Reed (drums) and soon after, Eric left the band and C.O.C. continued as a three-piece and 1985's follow-up Animosity was released through Metal Blade Records. Although it was well-received and is now seen as an important album in the crossover thrash genre, Metal Blade did little to promote the album, prompting Mike to quit the band in 1987. What happened to the band after that can be read and I don't want to write any more, fact is: Eye For An Eye is the band's best work and an important contribution of American Hardcore blasts. 

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SERENE FALL - Sorry, No Birthday Music 2014

I know it's summer and Serene Fall aren't known for funny songs, but given the current situation, I've taken the trouble to find a suitable Adequate. In their final years, the band recorded their sets live in their rehearsal room before concerts and sold the CDs, lovingly packaged, for a small fee in the city where they later performed. A fantastic idea, I think. Today, they're highly sought after and coveted by Serene Fall fans. I have no idea how many of these CD's exist, but each one is unique, handmade and comes in a high-gloss fotopaper and this one features eight nuggets in the typical anxious, desperate and angry Serene Fall style, recorded on 29.09.2014, and since some of my favorite songs are on this Fucker I didn't have to think long. I have some more CD's at the start and when I'm not in love they will surely follow. Enjoy!

Little 50/Two Hearts/Rupture/Your Name/Peter's Nightmare/Silent World/The Punishment/Faces/Smiling Shadow

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V/A - Punk Lives! Let's Slam 1986

Cool Compilation on Slam Records, a sub label from my favorite label Rot Records, and you know how great their releases are. Simple, informationless presentation and limited to 1000 copies but the selection is always quite good and mostly with bands of which not much vinyl exists, with a few exceptions of course, as is the case on this record. Healthy mix that will take you forty-five minutes of your valuable time but will never get boring. Check in!

1.Inferno - ANIHILATED

2.Suffer Children - STONE THE CROWZ

3.Naytelma - RATTUS

4.Cats Eyes - POLITICAL ASYLUM

5.Bloody Road To Glory - RABID

6.Rebellious City - POISEN JUSTICE

7.Flight Of Fancy - POLITICAL ASYLUM

8.Happy But Ignorent - THROBS

9.Life To It's End - POISEN JUSTICE

10.Black Cat - RABID

11.Friendship - STONE THE CROWZ

12.40 Dumb Animals - ANIHILATED

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ANDREA'S AUSLAUF - Schwarzer Humor [Tape] 1987

A not uninteresting audio document from the former GDR follows now and I use an excellent description that I could not write better: "A lovingly designed and detailed MajorLabel re-release of the Suhl Punk band's legendary 1987 demo tape. Comes in a sturdy inside-out gatefold cover with a 28-page, 4c LP-sized booklet, A2 poster (cover image) and download code! Limited and numbered to 600 copies, 350 in black, 250 in red vinyl. Already featured on the groundbreaking Too Much Future - Punkrock GDR 1980-1989,' a previously criminally neglected gem of GDR Punk is now finally honored: Andrea's Auslauf from Suhl (1984-1987). The band was founded in 1983/84 in the Suhl Montagskreis circle by Wolf (vocals/guitars), Andreas (bass) & Thomas (drums), musicians who had previously been active in local Punk/Wave bands. From the very beginning, the band's wave influence was striking, shaped by West German acts like Fehlfarben and Abwärts. As local scene celebrities with numerous gigs, Andrea's Auslauf released their 21-song demo tape in 1987 in a proud album format, which is released here for the first time – carefully remastered – on vinyl. Shortly after 'Schwarzer Humor', the band disbanded; some members later played with DIE BASTARDS, MESSER BANZANI and WARTBURGS FÜR WALTER. To this day, scene insiders consider 'Schwarzer Humor' to be one of the best GDR Punk releases ever. The lavish booklet contains all the song lyrics, previously unpublished and completely restored photos, as well as a comprehensive band biography and scene description, naturally from firsthand sources. A major label co-production with Trümmer Pogo, Elbtal Records and Heldenstadt Anders e.V." - Conclusion: Another great nugget of East German Punk history.

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TYRANNA - s/t LP 2011

Superb release by RaveUp Records and this is one more obscure nugget from the golden age of Punkrock. Volume 63 was dedicated to the Canadian band Tyranna (feminine equivalent for Tyrant) from Toronto and who didn't in their short lifespan (1978-1979) made it onto vinyl. Vera Skye (a.k.a. Rabies) gathered all the musicians and wrote all the lyrics. Through a rotating cast of musicians, Vera Rabies was the one constant. Other members included John Ziegler and Dave Porter on guitars and drums, respectively in 1978; guitarist Ron Partridge, Gerry Smith on bass, and drummer Cleave Anderson who had just left the Battered Wives. Whenever Toronto’s Punk scene of the late 70s is discussed, it’s usually the Diodes and the Infamous Viletones that get name-checked, while other important bands of the era are overlooked. In some cases, there are good reasons why groups that regularly played the main Punk venues of the era like the Turning Point, Larry’s Hideaway and the Crash'N'Burn are now largely forgotten. Tyranna’s best work wasn’t released on singles at the time, and they rarely ventured outside the city during their brief run in 1978 & 1979. This explains why the energetic PopPunk crew led by the snarly Vera “Rabies” Skye, who split bills with Iggy Pop, Jane County, the Members and the Dils, isn’t better known today. They also appeared on My Girlfriend Was A Punk! Compilation with the track 'Back Off Baby'. It may be thirty years too late, but Tyranna’s long-rumoured early demos, finally being released on this nice record.

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OTO - Anyway 12'' 1984

Superb debut 12" by this French answer to D.A.F. and OTO were formed in Nancy 1982 by Farid Dahlab and Pascal Hubert (and later joined by François Rousseau), legendary Coldwave band OTO evolved in the same path as the illustrious inspirations of the time. A spiky New Wave pop with a darker Gothic edge. Torn between the Synth-Pop of OMD and the Coldwave of Kas Product models, the duo gave birth to ten pieces soaked with electronic urgency, a fever to dance and the synthetic rage to live before throwing in the sponge in the general indifference, five years later. Released in 1984 on Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L'Acier, this goodie comes with three nice songs. This French duo learned how to understand electronic beats in the 80s, they have developed a strong love and passion for analogic music.

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SILVERSTONE - So What 7'' 1977

Only 7Inch by the Dutch band Silverstone and was released on Negram Records. The single features two songs and the band consisted of Guus & Gradus (vocals/guitars), Paul (guitar), Jan (bass), Willem and Nico (drums). Musically, these guys craft decent rock, and whether you like it is, as always, a matter of taste. I can't always listen to it, but the A-side is quite acceptable. The B-side is well well....

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Impressions XXXIV

 

today's holiday in brief, to clear my heart & head!!

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POWER AGE - The Last Dove EP 1987

 

Third 7Inch I think by this four piece called Power Age from Durban and it's a nice five song record with good stuff and all info you need is already on the blog. I just want to give a quick review here because I'm not in a good mood right now and I need to change some things: "This South Africa band makes another political stand that shows real courage, but the music here is the best POWERAGE has yet committed to vinyl. Simple, urgent Hardcore with a rich guitar sound is the style and it’s that combination of power and credibility that makes this a winner. Very Strong!" (Steve Spinali, MRR #51 • August 1987) Can be found on some interesting compis and overall worth listening to. Enjoy!

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