SAMIAM - Stump EP 1992

This combo belongs to my personal TopTen bands from the U.S. and I can say I have all their early stuff and more. I remember a sunny day in our WG of the glorious days in the Münchener Straße 28. My former roommate had the first two records of Samiam and he wants them no longer so he gave both to me and after listening I was delighted. They have very personal lyrics and the music is short and abrasive, so my interest awakes and I joined them live in 1999 and much later in the Batschkapp (maybe 2000 or 2002?). But after 'Clumsy' I lost my interest because the platters sounds somehow the same, I miss the rough-edged tone you know. So after the Gig Samiam stands no longer on my agenda. But I had nice moments with them. So here's a bit info: Samiam from Berkeley/California was formed in late 1988 after the breakup of the Gilman club mainstay Isocracy. They released records through New Red Archives and Hopeless Records in the US and Burning Heart Records in Europe. In the mid-'90s, the band had two releases on major labels, 'Clumsy' on Atlantic Records in 1994 and 'You Are Freaking Me Out' on Ignition/Tommy Boy in 1997. In late 2000, the band quietly ceased after supporting the 'Astray' album. Despite what was initially to be a breakup, they continued to tour abroad yearly with occasional shows in San Francisco & Los Angeles. This led to the recording of the band's 7th album, 'Whatever's Got You Down' in 2006. The Songs were originally released in the U.S. as "Don't Break Me 12'' and the German BlackBox label chose three cuts for their 7inch record, which is today a rare item. The special thing here is: all songs are acoustic recordings... Yeah! unplugged if you want. Imagine 'Home Sweet Home' or 'Sky Flying By' in these versions.. outstanding!!

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SAMIAM - s/t LP 1990

Next band is also one of my favorites and was formed 1988 in sunny Berkeley, California. Two years later followed the fantastic self-titled debut which was recorded by Jason (vocals), Sergie & James (guitars), Marty (bass), Mark (drums) and released on New Red Archives on colored vinyl and is one of the most influential, melodic hardcore records ever. Always helpful when other maniacs find words that I cannot reproduce better, so here is a short review which I like to quote: "Compared to the pop and polish of its later releases, Samiam is barely recognizable on its self-titled debut. The sound is raw and angry, highly influenced by hardcore. But Jason's lyrics, though more cryptic than his later works, distinctly place Samiam in the realm of emocore. Instead of making broad political statements, like the early-'80s hardcore bands, he turned inward, while the music stayed fast and furious. A sample line from The Bridge: ''My bridge is too unstable, the insecurity is letting go.'' (Ron DePasquale)

Well, as far as I know, they're still active, even if the last album is over ten years ago, but Samiam is always welcome und especially their first albums are great stuff. Now it's time for a hearty breakfast, Cheers!

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V/A - Life Is Change Vol.2 1991

Late on this Sunday and my last post is another international punk compilation which is for me one of the better publication on BeriBeri Records with the philosophical title "Life Is Change ". And indeed, current to me and that is reason enough to post the album now. The band/song selection is quite excellent and most songs are not published elsewhere (EA80, Spermbirds, Vagrants, Gruschenko...). Lyrically very emotinal which is probably due to the title of this compilation and all eleven bands prove this splendid. Also the artwork is more mature than Vol.1 and the EA80 track is one of my favorite songs. Also awesome both Vagrants songs which kill slowly my heart and I never heard before a band that transfer such emotional intensity with depth. I wish there were more bands like them. Wonderful!! Highly recommend album and you should buy a copy if you have the chance.

1.Thank You - GRUSCHENKO

2.Let Bygones Be Bygones - GRUSCHENKO

3.Der Vierte Tag - EA80

4.Little Garlic Fish - PULLERMANN

5.Keep It Out - PULLERMANN

6.Just A Moment - SPERMBIRDS

7.Out There - SOFAHEAD

8.My Mummy Hurt My Head - SOFAHEAD

9.On Trial - LIFE BUT HOW TO LIVE IT!

10.Schleichfahrt - BOXHAMSTERS

11.Gemacht - BOXHAMSTERS

12.Used - VAGRANTS

13.Salvation Street - VAGRANTS

14.This Wooden Cross - DARK AGE

15.Friend - SAMIAM

16.Where D' Ya Go? - SAMIAM

17.Bigger Ass - ALICE DONUT

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COUCH POTATOES - Brad EP 1992

One post today and this belongs to a 90's melodic pop-punk band from Tunbridge Wells/Kent, U.K. and this is their second EP, released by the german label Born To Booze Records. The Band has a fuckin' fat hard melodic sound with much intense energy which is rather untypical for melodic bands (Snuff, Jawbreaker, Samiam) and after the first tone the immediately, slightly melancholic atmosphere spells me and I can only turn up the volume to eleven. The Couchies made a really fantastic record with Brad and all four songs sound like a beehive in the summer. Harmonic guitar riffs humming all day long. I'm certainly become a big fan of them!

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V/A - Blackbox Compilation 1992

BlackBox was a short-lived German label in Waltrop which released a few 7Inches an the beginning of the 90s. Don't know how many copies are pressed, I think 1000 maybe. After the quick sold out of the records comes finally this piece of silver with all label bands out. Focus here is clearly melodic punkrock. Pleasant stuff.

1.Jungle Jam (Live) - BIG CHIEF
2.Evergreen Memorial Drive - NOVA MOB
3.Sky Flying By - SAMIAM
4.Fearless - SPOON
5.Wo Steht Die Uhr? - EA80
6.Gotta Go - HERETICS
7.Auf Wiedersehn - BOXHAMSTERS
8.Eagle - LEATHERFACE
9.With Me - BONE CLUB
10.What Is Comfort... - THUD!
11.Psycho - THE NOZEMS
12.Way 2 B - MAXIMUM BOB
13.Secret Agent S.K.I.N. - SPEED NIGGS
14.Big Shot (Live) - BIG DRILL CAR
15.Stole Yer Love (Live) - DOUGHBOYS
16.Dreaming - LEATHERFACE
17.Straight On - HERETICS
18.Time Of Day - BONE CLUB
19.If I Die... - THUD!

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