THE SKEPTIX - Peace Force EP 1981

Second 7Inch by this StokeOnTrent band and the four are welcome guests in my house. Another well-recorded Skeptix release. They’ve contributed two more killer thrash numbers, one with some interesting drum parts (“War Drum”), the other with a metallic guitar solo (the title track). The EP is rounded out by a slower cut called “Another Day.” (Jeff Bale, MRR #14 • June 1984) That's not surprising because their sawing music is exactly my taste and they regret the fact that their first album was released via the German ROR label, today more than ever. This three track EP was released via Zenon Records and is another good one of the Skeptix and they recorded until 1983, when unfortunately Fish (guitars) left the band to join Discharge. By 1985 the Skeptix had split up.

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THE SKEPTIX - ...So The Youth 1983

A great politically charged band, not as heavily political as Crass, but great well thought out meaninful lyrics are there. The Skeptix originally formed 1980 in Stoke On Trent by Snotty (vocals), Fish (guitars), Usher (bass) and Chig (drums) and they signed to Zenon Records and release their debut 7'' Routine Machine in 1981. Between 1981 & 1983 the band released five singles & an album via the German label Rock-O-Rama Records which was not a good decision, the album went down in nothing and received little response. A split with OHL, The Kids Are United EP, followed and they said goodbye to H.E. and in 1985 the Skeptix split up. In December 2001 the band, with the original band line-up, reformed & started to rehearse for the Holidays in the Sun Festivals in the UK & USA. Their first album in twenty years, Hate & Fear, was recorded & released in 2003. In the same year the Skeptix toured the USA to promote the album. The recording of their gig at New Yorks CBGBs became their next album for release. A DVD of the CBGBs gig, including additional footage from the tour, was also released. So now enjoy fast, brash UK eighties hardcore punk.

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V/A - Bollox To The Gonads - Here's The Testicles 1984

Very cool compilation on Pax Records with twelve combos, mostly from Europe, and the selection is quite okay. I mean, thirty songs on a record is not common for the time and that makes this record all more interesting. A review: "The Pax label is doing some valuable work with the best of intentions. They’ve gone international on this, the follow-up to their Punk Dead? Nah Mate compilation. This time around, they include four uropean, eight English, and one American band. Most of them are real strong and really tear it up, so don’t miss it." (Ruth Schwartz, MMR, Oct/Nov.1983) - Re-released as a cheap CD-R by Retro Records but the original is obviously better. An insert was to my knowledge not included. Enjoy!

1.Just Another Day - MAU MAUS

2.Don't Do It - SAVAGE CIRCLE

3.Dying World - LEGION OF PARASITES

4.Schoolboy - ANTI-SYSTEM

5.Yankee - P.S.A.

6.(Waiting For The) Genocide - XTRACT

7.Ingenskola - CRUDE SS

8.Say And Do - REPULSIVE ALIEN 

9.Police Power - RIOT SQUAD

10.We Don't Have To - SAVAGE CIRCLE

11.God's A Fairytale - SUBVERSION

12.Traitor - SKEPTIX

13.Nuclear Peace - P.S.A.

14.Running With The Pack - MAU MAUS

15.Monkey Man - INSTIGATORS

16.Why Should It Happen - ANTI-SYSTEM

17.Kill Yourself - SAVAGE CIRCLE

18.No Concern - MAU MAUS

19.Saufbauch - CANAL TERROR

20.Blame It On The Youth - XTRACT

21.No War - P.S.A.

22.Old Soldiers - INSTIGATORS

23.Kill Corps - SAVAGE CIRCLE

24.Legion Of The Damned - SKEPTIX

25.Death Agony - SUBVERSION

26.Suspicion - RIOT SQUAD

27.Vad Du Säger, Vad Jag Jor - CRUDE SS

28.Black Work - P.S.A.

29.Death Watch - LEGION OF PARASITES

30.Hardcore Rules - SAVAGE CIRCLE

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THE SKEPITX & THE INSANE - Split 7'' 1984

Nice split 7Inch on White Rose Records with two well-known acts from England. I don't think, I have to babble unnecessary words here, both bands are guests for tea & biscuits from time to time in my madhouse and therefore a lot of infos can be read and this little review follows now: "A good double-billed 7″. The Insane from Wigan offer a mid-tempo number with a wall of guitars and a great singalong chorus; Stoke On Trent's Skeptix cut alternates between slow-building parts and thrash. Worthy material and hot production make this a winner." (Jeff Bale, MRR #12 • March 1984) - And with that, you're dismissed for today 😑

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ACTIVES - Kick It Down 1983

Puhhhh, the long fucking work weed is over and now four days off, Yeah! Now the Actives, hailing from the north of the British Isle and this is their great debut on Quiet Records and they were actice from 1981-1987. - I'm extreme exhausted and therefore now a little info which I found in the web from musicmetason: "this quartet had links with Alternative, sharing their instruments and gigging together. Dougie McHale joined Alternative in 1983 (he was replaced with Smed) and Eric 'Rice' Beveridge from Alternative joined the Actives in 1984, after the release of their third and final release, the Wait & See 12"! The band's manager Sconey took over vocals at this point. Although the Kick It Down album won a rave review in MRR, they are still pretty obscure. Mole (of Skeptix and Shattered Family) was also a member at some point. Here's how the liner notes to Reactivated tells the story: The Actives were actually born of frustrated roadies and followers of "The Alternative" in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland in December '81. The Alternative shared their practice pad, instruments and social life with the Actives, indeed the original Actives guitarist, Dougie, joined the Alternative in mid '82. A number of support gigs with the Alternative followed but it soon became apparent both bands were playing to different sections of the punk audience. Difference of opinions, especially over lyrical content, saw the Actives being asked to leave the shared practice pad in late '82. A high degree of musical mediocrity fused with an uncontrolled desire to play very loud and very fast led to a publishing contract deal in 1982 with ex Menace member Charlie Casey. A record deal followed in early '83. Two months later the single 'Riot' EP was released. The only cloud on the horizon was the recording of the album Kick It Down which was mixed by an uninterested old shit of a hippy - giving the album the unique sound of shouting a lot whilst your mum is vacuuming directly behind you. The much more musically satisfying (and last) single Wait '& See!' was released late '83. In early 1984 the singer, Lewis, left the band and the ex "Alternative" member, Rice, joined on lead vocals. A number of demo tapes followed but no further records were released. Local gigs followed, especially memorable was a support slot with the Toy Dolls. Rice left the band in '85. The ex-manager, Sconey, then took on the mantle of singer. Further demo tapes were made but the band eventually called it a day in late 1987. Where are they now? Lewis (vocals) - last seen Dunfermline bumming free beer at Budgie's house Budgie (bass) - last seen Dunfermline talking about how well his tomatoes were doing this year Kirky (drums) - last sighted Japan Rice (vocals) - often seen in America and at Punk gigs especially around females." - Fantastic record in every way and I'm sure you like it.

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