SOLDIER DOLLS - What Do They Know? EP 1983 + A Taste Of Blood EP 1984

Next double pack with two rare goodies from the Soldier Dolls, a classic punk combo originally formed in Wales 1982 and on these two singles have Fester (vocals), David (guitar), Jamie (bass/piano), Morph (drums) decent solid mid-tempo songs recorded, which I like from the UK. They have a number of releases to their credit, a few self-released and on various labels with a musical style that mixes original eighties UK punk and U.S. hardcore. Info: Despite two very strong singles, the Soldier Dolls remain one of the more internationally obscure of the Welsh punk bands from the early eighties, probably because they only played outside of Wales once – and that was their final show! The Soldier Dolls formed in 1981 (after a short period under the unfortunate moniker of Animation), and played their first show in September of 1982 – a show they actually gatecrashed rather than were invited to play at.

This seemed something of a trademark for the band, seeing as decent gigs were few and far between at the time. The original line-up recorded two tapes, the ‘Ten Track Sampler’ and the ‘From The Cradle To The Grave’ demos, and it was apparent even from these earliest studio efforts that the Soldier Dolls had a lot of potential. Soon after the second tape was in the can, Evo and Bob left for musical pastures anew, taking with them much of the metallic edge enjoyed by the band’s first incarnation. They were replaced by – respectively – Matt ‘Morph’ Gray (who eventually ended up playing guitar in The Darling Buds!) and Jamie Richards. This line-up was the one that appeared on the band’s two subsequent EPs and at the majority of the shows they played. In 1983, the Soldier Dolls self-released their debut EP, ‘What Do They Know?’, on their very own Scream Records, the label being ran by guitarist DKA. A three-song affair, featuring the tracks ‘Gotham City Is Dead’ and ‘Be Like You’ alongside the anthemic title track, it showcased the band’s high-speed gruff-vocal approach to decent effect, but they weren’t particularly happy with how it turned out and only bothered with a bare minimum of promotion. Later that year, they recorded their second EP, which was unleashed by Scream late in ‘85. Partially funded this time around by Revolver/Cartel, who were handling distribution duties, ‘A Taste Of Blood’ was to be the band’s defining moment, and was pressed on an appropriately garish red wax. Their first release to be blessed with a solid, thick sound, all four tracks tore along with a vengeance, but it was on ‘Iron Curtain’ that the Soldier Dolls found an intensity so urgent it was breathtaking. After hitting such a peak, the only way was down, and the band slowly disintegrated. Puhhh.... enough?

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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