BAD CHECKS - I'm Paranoid 7'' 1982

Debut 7Inch by this four piece called Bad Checks, founded 1980 in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina and they consisted of Hunter (vocals), Robin (guitars), Clifton (bass), Mike (drums) and this cracker was released on their own label Loretta Records. Info: the founders, brothers Robin and Clifton Mann, are the only two members who have lasted the entire time. Hunter of "Crash" Landen & the Kamikazes joined the band as frontman shortly thereafter and played his first show with the Bad Checks in 1984. A year later, the Bad Checks released "Graveyard Tramp" and went on tour. The band had more drummers than Spinal Tap and released numerous albums over the decades. Their last album, "High Dollar," was released in 1998 on Yep Roc Records and is pure garage punk with a touch of blues. (Megan Frye) - Two delicious numbers that have their own charm. I like both. Damn cool!

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V/A - Zeven Vijftig 1981

Extremely rare Dutch Punk Compilation, featuring bands from Utrecht and Rotterdam. It sold at the time for 7,50 guilders, and 500 copies were pressed. It came in a soft cover, and was released by Rock Against Records, without a catalogue number. Don't be confused by the cover shown above, which I used to avoid censorship, the original is not suitable to show here, considering the violence and pornography that is available to everyone, this cover is extremely harmless, you know what I mean. Musically a collection of fantastic songs, including some classics, that are only on this slab and come across very entertaining, there are no titles on the album, nor any credits, absolutely D.I.Y. and if you find a copy of this record somewhere, you've hit a small jackpot. Until then, that will have to suffice.

1.Idealen - LULLABIES

2.Mama He's A Soldier Now - LULLABIES

3.Play It Pink - LULLABIES

4.No Human Right - LULLABIES

5.That Is The Blooze - LULLABIES

6.Rotterdam - NEO POGOS

7.Horrible - NEO POGOS

8.I Hate Rock'N'Roll - NEO POGOS

9.Soldier -NEO POGOS

10.Beatrix - NEO POGOS

11.Relation Sucks - NEO POGOS

12.Third World War - NEO POGOS

13.Self Opinionated - NEO POGOS

14.Fascists Never - RAPERS

15.Pogo On A Nazi - RAPERS

16.Mind Your Own Feelings - RAPERS

17.Nitriet - RAPERS

18.Have A Nice Day - THE NIXE

19.Love Song - THE NIXE

20.The Man Under My Bed - THE NIXE

21.Monarchy - ZERO-ZERO

22.The Clock - ZERO-ZERO

23.(Why Don't You) Run Away From Me - ZERO-ZERO

24.Geheimen - BIZON KIDZ

25.I Don't Wanna Live Like That - BIZON KIDZ

26.SOS - BIZON KIDZ

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KIDNAP - s/t EP 1996

The following combo hails from Blois and they were initially formed in 1977 under the name Acier, which was abandoned the following year, in 1978, in favor of Radiation. The members at the time were Hugues (vocals), Chicol (guitar), Mireille (bass) and Aldo (drums), aged around fifteen. They quickly attacked covers of the bands of the moment like the Sex Pistols, the Heartbreakers and the Clash. Saturday nights in an attic which served as a premises, and which very quickly transformed into a place where people came to drink and have fun. Mireille was replaced by Fabrice, and the band gave its first concerts. In 1979, Hugues left for the army, and was replaced temporarily, then permanently, by Fredo, a regular at the place. The formation was now consolidated, and the band, now renamed Kidnap, could finally devote itself to its career and 1991 the band disbanded. This nice EP was released via Euthanasie Records in an edition of 850 copies and all four songs were recorded in the late Eighties. Found on numerous essential Compilations. Superb!

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SKUNKS - Scratch 'N' Sniff EP 1982

Formed 1979 in Adelaide by Mark (vocals), Paul (guitars), Michael (bass), Chris (drums) and the Skunks do their first recordings 1982 and made two 7Inches, this is their first one which was released by their own in an edition of 500 copies. The band has been described as "sleazy" and "sarcastic" but you don't have to believe everything some idiots tell. Continue to play live occasionally until the present day and known for their raw, energetic sound. A review: This Aussie EP is sort of a mixed bag. The Skunks do a sleazy modified version of “Silent Night” entitled “Violent Night,” a fast punk blast with sarcastic lyrics (“Dance With The Führer), a dynamic mid-tempo punker (“Mad Song”), and a totally mundane ’77-type number (“Persian Radio”). It’s hard to make an overall judgement when faced with such unevenness. (Jeff Bale, MRR #10 • December 1983) Overall a decent record with four mood makers. Featured on several Compilations, including Bloodstains Across Australia, Enjoy!

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BLITZ BOYS - Eddy's New Shoes EP 1980

Interestingly, I found some nice things on a USB stick, and this is one of them. Sometimes I really wonder where I have other treasures hidden. Well, my memory is patchy, and my brain is even worse... I was thinking about making a new Compliation, but yesterday I drank a little too much Äppler due to current events, hahahaha... well, fuck the bad thoughts away.. Welcome Blitz Boys, a British short lived combo from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Formed in 1979 and they consisted of Jeremy (vocals), Jonathan & Barry (guitars), Andrew (bass), Howard (drums). This beauty was released in an edition of 500 copies on their own label Told You So Records, extremely rare and thankfully reissued by Sing Sing Records in 2012. Disbanded shortly after releasing their only 7Inch. Could be heard on Back To Front Vol.1 and Raw & Rare British Punk Vol.2. There are three decent numbers to hear that are at home in the PowerPopPunk heaven, no failures, all relaxed and heat-resistant.

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KUD IDIJOTI - Fuck EP 1996

Kud Idijoti were formed 1981 in Pula and consisted of Marino (vocals), Saša (guitars) , Davor (bass), Egidio (drums) and they released seven albums and four EP's and this one is their last on Veruda Singlice, maybe the less known because is released in their own production. Info from wiki: Kud in the band's name is the abbreviation for Kulturno-Umetničko Društvo (trans. Culture and Arts Society), a common designation for amateur folk dance and traditional music groups in Yugoslav republics, while the word Idijoti is a deliberate misspelling of Idioti (trans. Idiots). Known for their Ramones-influenced sound, their ironic social- and political- related lyrics, and their leftist and anti-fascist attitudes, Kud Idijoti were one of the most prominent acts of the Yugoslav Punkrock scene, and continued to enjoy large popularity in former Yugoslav region after the dissolution of the country. Three solid, powerful pieces, a fast one (my favorite), a mid-tempo gem, and a longer highlight at the end with a squeaking organ, wonderful. The band broke up in 2012.

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FORD'S FUZZ INFERNO - Fuzz Up Your Electric Chair, Baby! 2024

This is the second CD by my favorites Ford's Fuzz Inferno and this beauty is available at a (very!) friendly price, 'Fuzz Up Your Electric Chair, Baby!' is a semi-(un)official 'live-in-the-studio-CD-album', presented in a full-colour cardboard wallet. Recorded with no overdubs or other fancy stuff whatsoever, the Disc features (extra!) raw renditions of eleven songs selected from FFI's EPs from the years 2021-2023. So these are NOT the EP-versions! - On these occasions they were a three piece comprising Hans (vocals/guitars), Patrick (now on guitar) and Butsenzeller (drums). A few weeks after the final show of their mini-tour the three gents teamed up again at Patrick's luxurious Studio 195 to roughly record a handful of songs from their setlist. For the fun of it, but also to get a better impression of how the live line-up actually sounded, since none of the gigs - or rehearsals, for that matter - were properly recorded. Now you can hear the trio's raging December 2023 session on this limited edition. A few words of my own: Awesome stuff and an astonishing improvement over their previous albums. As a duo, they're brilliant, as a trio, and fuzzologically valuable. If you want hearty and refreshing new punk shit, dock here and go along, and show your neighbors where you're at home.

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BEARS - On Me 7'' 1978

So welcome the Bears with their second and final 7Inch on Waldo's Records and they were one of the first bands on the emerging Watford Punk scene in the Christmas of 1976. Two fantastic pieces with distinctive riffs, the record was the Single of the Week in Sounds on June 3, 1978 (a rare success for an indie Punk band of this time). On Me is a delightful testament to the early Watford punk scene: minimalist, yet with a charming sense of absurdity. The flip is a longer, improvised piece with absurd everyday texts, simply delicious. This high acclaim demonstrates that the Bears briefly enjoyed significant regional recognition. Unfortunately, tragedies and frequent lineup changes prevented a longer-term presence in the Punk scene. Perfect three-chord sound to enjoy.

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TEA SET - Cups'N'Saucers EP 1978

Things continue at a lively pace with another interesting band that was also on the road with tinkling instruments, an decent improvement on yesterday. We're talking about the Tea Set, a Watford based PopPunk combo who were active between 1978-1982 and the band was formed 1978 at Watford College of Art by Nic (vocals), Stewart (guitars), Ron (bass, whose previous band the Bears had broken up after singer Mick North was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident along with Pete Dallymore singer of the Paper Doylies), Cally (drums), Mark (keyboard) and in their short lifetime they released four 7Inches, this piece is the debut on Waldo's Records. The EP sold out its initial run of 1500 copies extremely fast, partly due to the forty second track 'B52G', which was a crowd favourite. The second follow up, released in 1979 was the Sounds Magazine's record of the week and had great reviews throughout the Alternative Music Media. John Peel added the track to his pioneering BBC radio show (the band later recorded one of his famous Peel Sessions). This got the attention of the Stranglers front man, Hugh Cornwell, who was serving time in Brixton Prison for possession of Hashish. Hugh produced the bands third 7Inch (in the bands words "The most expensive 'B' side ever made"). Unfortunatey, due partly, to the media's dislike of The Stranglers (they once kidnapped a music journalist) the song was considered a huge disappointment. The Tea Set disbanded in 1982 after numerous performances that were reminiscent of concerts with rave reviews. Cleopatra Records released in 2019 a Compilation (Back In Time For Tea) with all single tracks plus two unreleased songs. Grab it!

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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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