Friday, February 06, 2026

V/A - Raptus 1983

Raptus is a very energetic Compilation and has a big influential of the Italian HardcorePunk scene and was released via Meccano Records in four different colors, all of which are now as rare as a fly's fart. Considered as key work this beauty features demo and studio tracks. Fourteen trashy songs that sometimes pick up the pace but also slow things down a bit; for me, there isn't a dud, and most of the bands, except for two, don't have much on vinyl. Well, I guess that's why this piece of wax is so sought after by collectors. Definitely worth your precious time. A year later, the second Raptus nugget followed, which should be released in this theater in less than a year, but nothing's for sure. Enjoy the moment!

1.Tentacoli Di Potere - DRULL
2.Militare - DRULL
3.Anarchia In Italia - UART PUNK
4.Frustrazione - UART PUNK
5.Massacro - WRONG BOYS
6.Ma Che Bella Società - UDS
7.Basta - UDS
8.Italia/Italia - PETROLIO
9.Hateful Town - THE WOPS
10.Kids - THE WOPS
11.Fall Of Italian Empire - LAST CALL
12.Your Solution - LAST CALL
13.Raw Power - RAW POWER
14.You Are A Victim - RAW POWER
15.The End - RAPTUS


Thursday, February 05, 2026

PETER & THE TEST TUBE BABIES - Pissed And Proud 1982

And once again a live album and as a debut its always welcome in my house. Brighton's Peter & The Test Tube Babies were formed 1978 and when I put these boys on, memories of better days come flooding back. Every year around Christmas time, they played here in Frankfurt at the old Batschkapp (I scanned a few tickets for you), and it was always a celebration because all my friends came and it was an emotional evening with lots and lots of alcohol. Those days are unfortunately over because some have already gone. Well, that's just how it is. A review: "Well, they’ve finally put an album out. The sound quality is so good that you’d never know it was live except for the crowd noise and interaction between the band and audience. These guys produce powerful Punk Oi! music, but their themes are questionable, as with most such groups. They have all sorts of songs about “birds” the English equivalent of “chicks” and not being able to get off. Then we have the familiar ode to fighting, getting beat up, and the wimps that won’t fight in “Moped Lads.” Socially relevant themes in “Keep England Untidy” tell us to litter, and “Shitstirrer” is where they explain that when things are bad they will make them worse. Their song “Elvis Is Dead” is a classic, though, and “Maniac” is a great pun. But who knows at this point if they’re serious? Fun band to listen to but not to contemplate. They are thugs and proud of it." (Ruth Schwartz, MRR #4 • January/February 1983) -  I can only agree, the song selection is perfect, the atmosphere is great, and this nugget was released by No Future Records. - I can't get rid of this damn cold, it's driving me crazy and I'm already getting a damn ginger tea skin.


Wednesday, February 04, 2026

RONDOS - Red Attack 1980

The Rondos would become one of the most influential DIY bands in the Netherlands, sporting a communist imagery perhaps more out of provocation than ideology. Formed 1977 in Rotterdam by John van de Weert (vocals), Allie van Altena & Maarten van Gent (guitar/vocals), Frank (bass), Wim Ter Weele (drums) and were active from 1977 to 1980. Their sound is minimalist, angry, and incredibly biting. The lyrics deal with the bankruptcy of culture and taking to the streets to spray graffiti, the senselessness of wars, and the daily struggle for survival in this worthless, selfish society. They made three 7Inches and one album, all released on their own label King Kong Records, and in 2009 they re-released everything on two records called Destroy The Entertainment: "Repetitive, stripped-down, and furious songs. They forged a new direction in the Dutch music scene: aesthetically far removed from rock, they played by their own rules, wrote their own fanzines, and created DIY platforms intended to be inclusive and inspiring. Rehearsal spaces, gigs, and stencil machines. Power To The People! They significantly inspired a new wave of Dutch bands, particularly in the Wormer and Utreg scenes." The Rondos made a great racket with their songs and I have to admit, listening to them never gets boring. And I've heard minimalist music before where I had to switch off after two or three songs. Loved and therefore featured on several Compilations.


Tuesday, February 03, 2026

VULPE SS - Barbarela 83' 2012

Vulpe SS was founded 1982 by Mamen (vocals), Loles (guitars), Begoña (bass), Lupe (drums) and this female Basque combo made in their short activity one fucking great 7Inch via Dos Rombos Discos which went on to sell 12.000 copies. However, legal difficulties created problems for the group on their promotional tour. The band dissolved in 1983 although they reformed briefly in 1985 to play some gigs. - This record today was released via Punkaway in a limited edition of 800 copies and the songs were all recorded live on May 20th, 1983 @ the Barbarela Rock hall in Palma/Majorca and you listen to twelve decent bloodstains, jaja, I can say that with certainty, especially when my nose runs and forehead burns. Also featured on numerous Compilations.
 

Monday, February 02, 2026

EATER - The Compleat Eater 1993

Another jewel from Anagram Records' Punk Collectors Series and this is dedicated to one of the oldest UK bands. We're talking about Eater and they formed 1976 in London and consisted of Andy (vocals), Brian (guitar), Ian (bass) & Dee/Phil (drums). They released several 7Inches and an album, all on their own label. This nice Compilation features everything the band released between 1976 and 1979, a total of twenty-eight crispy delicacies. A short outside support from Richie Unterberger: "With their stripped-down power-chord anthems, Eater were nowhere near as talented or versatile as the early Punk pioneers like Buzzcocks or the Jam. Nevertheless, they managed to create spirited, if somewhat typical and rather generic, early Punk that is not as dispensable as some reference works claim. Eater disbanded at the end of the 1970s. Phil, Dee's successor, joined Slaughter & The Dogs, and singer Andy recorded a single with former Damned guitarist Brian James in the mid-80s, but that was basically it for band members." And now enjoy the exuberant, youthful, fast, snotty, catchy and energetic sound of this young teenage band. I need to go back to bed and sleep myself healthy.


Sunday, February 01, 2026

REST OF THE BOYS - Live Auf'er Walli/Lübeck, Januar 1985

The coldest month begins today, so let's warm up with another aLive post, this time from a band that received little attention but irreplaceable to me. I'm talking about The Rest Of The Boys, a band from Lübeck that was primarily active in the Eighties. Founded as Restive Boys by Kirk (bass), Rolf (guitar), Mampe (drums) and Ritchie (vocals) they released their first EP Die Wende in 1983 on their own label and this Killer is still one of my favorite 7Inches. In 1986, a tape and a second 7Inch, both named Where's All The Hope?, were released, before twenty-four months passed and the only album Days Weeks And Years came out. That was the last life-sign of the Boys. Some members were also active at the same time in the Pissed BoysThis little gem is an authentic document of North German Punk history, which at the time was primarily shaped by Hamburg bands. The recordings capture perfect the raw energy of Lübeck's Walli (an alternative venue on the Wall peninsula), and the sound is consistently fantastic and unpolished; you can practically feel the vibes and the carefree atmosphere, and you know: that's the place where you wanna be. It's not a high-fidelity blast, but a honest reflection of a sweaty Punk gig as I have often experienced. The band plays significantly more aggressively and faster than on their vinyl releases, but that's usually the case, I'd say. The tape contains a brilliant mix of their songs and shows the band in excellent form. For collectors, this tape is a holy grail of the Lübeck scene. It's less of an album for "pleasure listening" and more of a historical document that wonderfully preserves the spirit of the Eighties. I'm sure you'll like it.

The Rest Of The Boys/Dirty Ways/Different Ways/Tubestation/Innocent Faces/Death & Love/The Only Thing I Know/Towns Like Desserts/A Feeling/Your Mind Is On The Screen/Ice/Banana Sunshine/Die Legendäre Bühnenshow/Peter Says/Peter Says/Innocent Faces


Saturday, January 31, 2026

HÜSKER DÜ - The Living End 1994

All good things come in threes, that said a famous Greek Philosoph many centuries ago, and if you want to know what he meant by that and how three people can create a sound with simple instruments that simply blows you away, you know who I'm talking about. He listen to Hüsker Dü and their The Living End record, an energetic live beauty which documents recordings from the band's last fucking US tour in October 1987 (shortly before their split). It showcases the group at their peak, delivering raw, fast goodies and is praised by critics as "Controlled Chaos" (what kind of crap is this?), such a lousy statement doesn't them a disservice. This album an important chapter in their discography and set a high benchmark and deserves a considerable amount of respect of their works and their unconventional sound. Alternative Rock??? So what the FUCK?? I just can't understand some people. Are so many really deaf and blind? I guess so, the number of idiots I'm encountering right now is truly extraordinary. I feel like the biggest moron on this beautiful planet. But I don't want to think about it anymore, get upset about it, let this crap putting away, click it away, throw it in the trash. It infuriates me like the German postal service; that asshole postman isn't capable of putting a notification card in my shitty mailbox... what a stupid wanker. And on top of that, they charge exorbitant postage costs. I know this shit doesn't belong here, but what about you? I'd really like to know. To the post: the album offers a very raw sound that captures the band's "furious best." They play with high speed and intensity. Some songs, especially from the Warehouse album, sound very powerful, while older tracks sometimes lose some of their passion. It includes rare & previously unreleased songs. An essential document not only for fans, which, according to Bob Mould, doesn't necessarily reflect the band's impending demise, but rather the raw energy of the tour.


Thursday, January 29, 2026

DEAD KENNEDYS - @ The Paradiso/Amsterdam 5.12.1982

Here I am again, and it's snowing, and it's miserable, and blah blah blah. We're staying live, and today I'm presenting you the second record from the anniversary box set "Forty," by the Dead Kennedys which was released six years ago. This wonderful recording shows the Californians in top form during their third European tour. These recordings were made at one of Amsterdam's oldest venues, the Paradiso, and you can imagine, if you know the city, how exhilarating this gig was. So far so good, enjoy the material. I'll be back soon, as I've been blessed with a fucking flu and this beauty is driving me absolutely crazy. Incidentally, all re-upload requests have been finished. Stay Healthy!

Moral Majority/I Am The Owl/Life Sentence/Police Truck/Riot/Bleed For Me/Holiday In Cambodia/Let's Lynch The Landlord/Chemical Warfare/Nazi Punks Fuck Off/Kill The Poor/We've Got A Bigger Problem Now/Too Drunk To Fuck


Monday, January 19, 2026

NEW ORDER - @ Recreation Centre/Tolworth 12.05.1983

This band is with me for a long fucking time: New Order from Manchester, who were 'involuntarily' formed in 1980 after the tragic end of the unique Joy Division. They retained their dark sound on their debut album, but with their second LP, they reinvented themselves and created their own style. And when 'Blue Monday' was released, their popularity spread across the great ocean, making the four what they are today: one of the most successful pop bands on the planet. The concert @ the Recreation Centre on May 12, 1983, is one of their best, and as I've read, the recordings quickly circulated afterward. No wonder, because it's an awesome soundboard recording and the song selection is fantastic and offers a delightful mix of their early great tracks. There is more detailed information in the file from someone who attended this legendary concert, and apparently the rip is also from this human; I am grateful for this and may this musical outpouring satisfy you.

Blue Monday/In A Lonely Place/Chosen Time/Dreams Never End/We All Stand/Leave Me Alone/Age Of Consent/Temptation/586/Everything's Gone Green


Saturday, January 10, 2026

LOVE A - Irgendwie 2013

Dear friends and followers of this little theater, a new year is here and I hope you have welcomed it in a decent way and I start fucking 2026 with a band I like a lot and this is their second album on Rookie Records and it's a nugget made for every emotional mood. I'm talkin' about Love A, a four piece founded in Trier 2010, known for their distinctive German lyrics and charismatic melodic songs. I first encountered the band in 2013 at a legendary concert in the old Batschkapp in Frankfurt, and this album was the first one I ever bought immediately. That almost never happens, but the four of them impressed me so much that I couldn't resist. It was love at first tone, like when you recognize yourself in another person, discovering facets you like because you like them in yourself. It's almost as if your own self is standing before you, and you know and feel that this is the right person you want to wake up with every morning, and that's exactly the feeling I had when I first saw Love A in this hot and small area. I wanna quick slip in suitable review"Irgendwie" (Somehow) positions thirteen highly danceable gems rather uncomfortably between stools, with clear lyrics, lyrical sophistication, and copious amounts of cynicism. Love A delivers without resorting to an overly obvious fuck-you attitude. And yet, the extended middle finger lurks everywhere – somewhat hidden behind great guitar melodies, post-punk bass lines, and singer Jörkk's undeniable entertainment skills. "Everything's Already Been Said/Just Not Everywhere." True to this motto, Love A depict the state of a society in which one increasingly doesn't know where to go, but somehow also quite clearly where not to go. (Eric Meyer) That's life, and anyone who knows it knows what I'm talking about. But I don't want to dwell on life's little shitties any longer; Love A does this brilliantly, and I highly recommend that if you don't speak German, you use a translator so you can understand what it's about. It's definitely worth it and helps you recharge and get rid of useless baggage, just like me when I do listening, looking ahead and seeing all the crap in a different light. A worthy successor to the debut and a short video from the concert back then is also included. Now I'm going fishing. Enjoy the record + screw dumb simple minded people!