POWERAGE & COMPOS MENTIS - Backlash! EP 1987

Influenced by overseas bands such as Crass, Discharge and Chaos UK, Compos Mentis wrote politically charged songs that critiqued both mainstream New Zealand and the cliquey factions within the alternative music scene. Described by Simon Cottle of Anti-System zine as “New Zealand's ultimate political thrash band” Compos Mentis lasted for a good half of the 1980s at a time when a more politicised punk scene was emerging in Wellington. Compos Mentis began life in 1982 as the short lived Destructive Adolescents, a teenage punk band from the Hutt Valley suburb of Silverstream, formed by Craig and David A.. After the D.A's vocalist quit Peter Stitt and Heather joined the band playing their first gig at Craig's work Christmas do. By all accounts this went down with the largely older audience like a bucket of cold sick and they were forced to stop after a few songs. Shortly after this the band changed it's name to World War III for a brief period before opting for Compos Mentis which translates from Latin as “of sound mind”. Following this Peter left the band due to personality differences and Ben and Sean were recruited into the band briefly. At this time two other members, Simon and Grant, of Hutt Valley band Gotham City joined. The input from these two new members led to a tighter musical direction for the band and during 1986-1987 Compos Mentis released three 7” singles (one here), a tape compilation of early work dating back to 1984 and appeared on a number of compilations. Compos Mentis were a central band in the emergence of an openly politicized anarcho-punk scene that emerged in the 1980s. Songs such as Run for Shelter railed against Nazi-punks while Patricia Bartlett is an inspired rant against Lower Hutt's then self-appointed leader of the 'moral majority'. The band were also active in producing their own zine, Communicade.

Power Age formed in Durban, South Africa in June 1981. The first line-up was Spike (vocals), Brett & Brian (guitars), Dave (bass), Mark Pills (drums) & their first gig was on 3rd October 1981 supporting the Gay Marines. It was their first encounter with the police as well, as Spike got taken in, because some policemen didn't like his pink mohawk. In June '82 Spike arranged a benefit show and 6 punk bands played. The show was a great success. Straight after this show Brian and Dave left. Midge joined on bass and it proved better with one guitar, so it was kept to a four piece. In November '82 Mark left to go live in England. Rubin Rose (previously from South Africa’s first punk band Wild Youth and later Warspike) replaced him immediately and the band really started moving. In April '83 they put out their first 7" release ‘World War III/ Vengeance Of Youth’. At the same time Midge left the band due to musical differences. The band was stagnant for two months until Paddy joined on bass. He was a good friend of the band but had never played before, so it was like starting again. In '84 the two songs off the first 7" were released on the UK compilation ‘Beating The Meat’. At this time in Durban (and the whole of South Africa) the scene was virtually dead - Power Age were the only punk band. In June '84 they played the ‘Punk '84’ show with new bands Wild Justice and State Control. It was a fantastic success and the owner of the venue let them run it for punk shows. Things went well and a good number of bands sprung up and the scene started moving. In June '85 they put out a C-60 tape ‘Who Are You?’ - one side studio, the other live and also succeeded in getting a track ‘System’ onto a French compilation EP entitled ‘Single Ticket To Paradise’. November '85 saw the release of the now legendary 4-track EP ‘Stop Apartheid’ in France by Neg-FX Records. In May '86 the band put out another C-60 tape release ‘Ripe For Terror’. At the same time they did a benefit show for a friend in jail. The venue owner somehow heard that it was a benefit for the ANC, and called the police. The police came, smashed up the gig and it was over. Luckily no one was arrested. Then the saddest moment came... Rubin quit the band in June '86. He had warned he might have to leave due to mounting pressure from his bosses. Peter then joined on drums, but couldn't play, so the band were stagnant again for 3 months. In February '87 they put out the two song 7" tribute to Rubin ‘World Today/Waiting for the War’ (recorded in '84) on their new label Power Noize Records. At the same time Peter left to play with Screaming Foetus and their good friend Choppy replaced him. In April '87 Power Age released a 5-track EP entitled ‘The Last Dove’. June '87 saw the release of the EP ‘Backlash’, a split EP with New Zealand-band Compos Mentis released on Out Of Order Records as well as one track ‘Eat Wheat Not Meat’ on a USA compilation LP entitled ‘The ALF Is Watching And You Can't Escape’. Having played only 77 shows in their 7 year existence Powerage played their last show on the 29th of July 1988. This show was recorded and made available as the ‘Live In Durban’ LP. (source: upthepunks & discogs)

1.This Is South Africa - POWERAGE

2.Disgrace - POWERAGE

3.Lies - POWERAGE

4.Chase Corpse - COMPOS MENTIS

5.Rock Stars - COMPOS MENTIS

6.Patricia Bartlett - COMPOS MENTIS

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COMPOS MENTIS - From Behind The Wall EP 1986

Well, the game yesterday was boring and I fell asleep in part enough of it and before I use the sunshine day a short trip to New Zealand. First record by Compos Mentis from Wellington, active 1983-1987, on Sound Mind Records and they were influenced by overseas bands and wrote politically charged songs that critiqued both mainstream New Zealand and the cliquey factions within the alternative music scene. Described by Simon Cottle of Anti-System zine as “New Zealand's ultimate political thrash band” Compos Mentis lasted for a good half of the 1980s at a time when a more politicised punk scene was emerging in Wellington. "Compos Mentis had no support band, so the gigs started quite late, by which time reasonable crowds had turned up, consisting mainly of “hard-cores” and skins. Compos Mentis' songs may sound fast on tape, but live they were even faster, sparking off some wild dancing, which was slightly rough, but fun all the same. With such excellent lyrics, it's a pity the vocals weren't clear ( better the second night), still, the sheer energy made up for that. The band played amazing long sets, including material off their new EP and even a Crass cover. They were sweating like crazy, but managed to continue by rotating drummers, singers and guitarists. Low points were the filth sniffing around, some jerk yelling at Heather, and someone being knocked over by a grapple, but over-all it was two excellent nights of NZ punk thrash." Simon Cottle, Anti-System #3 - Enjoy!

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V/A - Death Pays All Debts [Tape] 1988

One last post today and first it's not my rip but I've improved the quality a bit and delete the quite passages between the songs, now it's a 1A thing. But the reason for me to present it here again is easy: I love New Zealand stuff and this tape is full with great Bands/Songs. For example Boner, their music is so great and they never made a record, a real shame in my opinion, Armatrak is just as fantastic and they made a few 7Inches and have a song on the extra album of Life Is A Joke #2 by Weird System. Compos Mentis and Casualty made also some 7Inches and the rest only on tape. I recommend a visit to Stig's Mad Blast Of Chaos blog and grab the two Rising From Ashes tapes. Oha, it goes dark outside, cloudburst? Have a pleasant Sunday with this tape from Battery Hen Cassettes and I hope anyone sends finally the NZ stuff from the Wanted List.

1.Closet - BONER

2.Liz's Mistake - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED

3.No Wars - WORLD WAR 3

4.Pox Ridden - CASUALTY

5.Of Sound Mind - COMPOS MENTIS

6.Radio - BONER

7.Concret Incased Life - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED

8.Money Farm - ARMATRAK

9.I'll Never Change - CASUALTY

10.N.Z. Is A Joke - WORLD WAR 3

11.No One Cares - WORLD WAR 3

12.No Escape - ARMATRAK

13.Blind Ambition - CASUALTY

14.Dirty Old Len - BONER

15.Join The Civies - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED

16.Song For -10 - COMPOS MENTIS

17.Fascist Fashion - ARMATRAK

18.Babies - BONER

19.Forest Fire - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED

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V/A - Back To Front Vol.2 1993

Back To Front series of rare punk compilations, released by Incognito Records in Germany in the mid-90s. The records are full with early rare punk stuff from around the world, released in editions of 1.000 hand-numbered copies. Perfect layout with all infos inside, love this. The serie ends with Volume 6 but this continued for three more releases as Break The Rules, which were released on Insekten Records. Start with #2 because I have no real reason but I drink my second beer so what the fuck... I know that doesn't interest anyone, if so, write me.

1.They're Back Again, Here They Come - THE CIGARETTES
2.Floozie Of The Neighbourhood - THE FEATURES
3.The Source - FRESH COLOR
4.Radio Tay - THE SCROTUM POLES
5.Everybody Knows - INCREDIBLE KIDDA BAND
6.Radio Nation - SUBVERTS
7.Kill The Blanks - CHAINSAW
8.Ja Vill Inte Ha - PROBLEM
9.Sudden Fun - SUDDEN FUN
10.Hello From Berlin - THE DEFNICS
11.Hate Me Hate Me - SPELLING MISTAKES
12.Fuck The Army - BRIARD
13.Hypocrite - NEWTOWN NEUROTICS
14.F.U.2 - F.U.2
15.Pappas Pojkar - GÖTEBORG SOUND
16.Ultimate Orgasm - NON COMPOS MENTIS
17.Only Fools Pretend To Be Happy - CHECKMATE
18.Hilton Bomber - THE THOUGHT CRIMINALS
19.Talk's Cheap - DEMICS
20.Heart Complaint - THE GROOVE

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FLESH D-VICE - Hamburger II, The Nite She Returned 12'' 1988

3rd EP in form of a 12Inch on Jayrem/Hardedge Records by Wellington’s Flesh D-Vice and they picked up punk rock’s torch in the early 1980s and carried it proudly through the decade. As the capital’s punk-heavy indie scene gathered strength and New Zealand’s punk rock community raised its head in the provinces the raw rocking quartet of Gerald (vocals), Eugene (guitar), Brent (drums), and Richard Watts then Dwayne Yule (bass) remained active central figures, both live and on record. Flesh D-Vice formed in 1982 and quickly gained themselves a large following in the punk and boot-boy scene. The band's hard-edged attitude made no concessions to the arty post-punk sound which had characterised the Wellington scene only a few years earlier. “We are the fastest rock and roll band in the land. Our mission is to keep rock and roll alive. We operate without restraint. We don't appeal to the mainstream but we aren't going to compromise to get popular.” (Truth, December 24, 1984) 

The band quickly became a central band in the Wellington scene and in 1983 they organised the Easter weekend punk festival Golden Showers at the Newtown Community Hall and accompanied this with the release of their first album '12Inches Of Hard Flesh'. Their music and imagery drew heavily on the schlock horror genre within popular culture in a way that openly courted accusations of sexism and the glorification of violence. Songs like “Kill That Girl” and “Friday Nights (Are For Fighting)” became anthems within the new Wellington Oi! scene and sit some distance away from the politicized anarcho-punk that was emerging in the mid-80s from bands like Compos Mentis. The 'Fleshies' heavy boot-boy followin often led to violence at gigs with the band gaining a reputation that had them banned from a number of local venues. Releasing a further three albums along with a number of singles and EPs during the 1980s and into 1991 the always resourceful Dwyer set up his own record label called Hardedge Records to promote “certain bands with a certain approach to their music... basically wild, wild rock.”(Dwyer, Submission zine, 1985).

In 1985 the new label released the compilation “The Harder The Edge...The Rocka The Roll” which featuring Dwyers pick of the best thrash, metal, punk and rock in New Zealand at the time. Gerald Dwyer later became manager and mentor for a number of new up and coming bands, most notably Shihad and Head Like A Hole, until his death in 1996. The band has since reformed sporadically with Vas Deferens lead singer Steve Andrews on vocal duties. (source: upthepunks)

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V/A - Spit On Your Grave! Vol.1 2004

Looking pretty professional at first glance, but Buried Alive Recordings is the name of a bootleg label from Spain and they have released two CD's with rare American KBD stuff from 7Inches 1978-1983, included some rare tracks and others which always used for such Compilations. Sparsely held to infos, only the most necessary, release year, covers and nothing more (b.t.w. dizzy cover 😵). All in all, I think it's a successful selection and absolutely worth listening to, and it's not expensive to buy either. With that, another chapter weekend is heralded and volume 2 follows if you live well-behaved and uninhibited. So come on, you Maniacs!

1.Fun, Fun, Fun - BIG BOYS

2.Haunted Town - THE EFFIGIES

3.Tomahawks - KILLER PUSSY

4.I Wanna Die Young - TERMINAL MIND

5.Nixon More Now Than Ever - ISM

6.You - THE COLD

7.Twist The Blade - NON COMPOS MENTIS

8.Laundramat Loverboy - ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

9.Together - TESTORS

10.Siamese Lust - PLASTIC IDOLS

11.Avon Lady - THE FEEDERZ

12.The Money Will Roll Right In - FANG

13.No Such Thing - THE CLITBOYS

14.Ride The Wild - DESCENDENTS

15.Overkill - FALSE PROPHETS

16.Masochist Ice Cream Men On Drugs - BOBBY SOXX & THE TEENAGE QUEERS

17.Nip Drivers - NIP DRIVERS

18.Teen Love - NO TREND

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THE ARGUMENTATIVE BASTARDS - s/t 12'' 1989

A fine record is now waiting and I quote a little info from the essential upthepunks site, the source for music/bands from down under: TAB began playing in 1988 with a set of originals and smattering of Black Sabbath and Agnostic Front covers. Guitarist Simon Gotlieb (previously of After Shock and Compos Mentis) was originally on vocals before Aaron Watson joined, with this early version also including Hamish Laing on rhythm guitar. The band played fairly regularly in Wellington’s late 1980s’ scene with gigs alongside other local acts Flesh D-Vice, Microwave Babies, The Sub-Dominants and a young metal act out of Wellington High School called Shihad. In early July of 1989 TAB went into Writhe Studios and recorded the seven songs for their sole-release 12'', the sound is a meld of punk/metal/hardcore/reggae with TAB veering across a number of musical lines and ending in a punked up version of John Denver’s: (Take Me Home) Country Roads. The record starts with Brave New Soldiers a song credited to Kevin Kermack who played with Simon and J.P de Raad in early 1980’s thrash-punk outfit Aftershock. The next two tracks, Kill The Dogs and Fred are 80s metal riffs within a punk framework, with 3rd track Fred breaking down into a slow-tempo reggae beat half-way through before jumping back into thrash tempo. The B-sides three original tracks takes a leaf out of Bad Brains with Video Nasty and Used Prophylactics showing Watson’s strong vocals can throw out a halfway decent H.R. yelp, while third track Sniffin is a slow tempo reggae/ punk song based on seeing kids glue sniffing in Porirua. The Argumentative Bastards EP was released at The Carpark off Willis Street on June 21, 1990 with 500 vinyl copies pressed on New Plymouth label Ima Hitt. The gig was videoed and there were plans for some form of video release with interviews, three new songs and footage of people smashing cans of beer on their heads. A second EP, Ganja and Chocolate Fish, was also recorded but not released before the band split up, and now languishes on tape somewhere in the Hutt Valley. In June 1991, TAB played at New Plymouth’s notorious Mushroom Ball where vocalist Aaron ensured one of TAB’s last gigs was seared into the psilocybin plastered minds of those in attendance by igniting his pubic hair on stage.

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