THE WALL - The Punk Collection 1998

CD's are not really my source but this one is a damn MUST! This fantastic compilation was released by Captain Oi! and contains all recordings of The Wall, originally formed in Sunderland early 1978, and their six year career may have seen them go through enough members to form their own football team but it also saw them release some outstanding records along the way. The first line-up of note featured Ian Lowery (vox & guitars), Andy 'Andzy' Griffits (bass & vox), John Hammond (guitars) & Bruce Archibald (drums) and it was this incarnation of the band that recorded the superb 'New Way' EP for Small Wonder Records. It's success (it sold over 10.000 copies and was heavily played by John Peel on his (then) important Radio 1 show) led to Lowery & Andzy relocating to London where they recruited guitarist Nick Ward and Drummer Rab Fae Beith (ex-The Pack/Patrick Fitzgerald Group) and they issued the 'Exchange' single for Small Wonder which reached No.26 in the very first published independent chart and was produced by the Sex Pistols Steve Jones (the first band to be produced by a member of the Pistols).

However, not long after this the band suffered the time honoured 'musical differences' which led to the depature of Lowery (he later released a solo album called "King Blank" on Beggars Banquet) who was replaced by one time Ruefrex member Ivan 'Kellz' Kelly and he made his debut with the Wall on a UK tour supporting the Angelic Upstarts and on their first single for Fresh Records, August 1980's 'Ghetto' EP which, produced by Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey, enjoyed a three month indie chart run peaking at the No.19 position. This line-up also recorded the debut LP "Personal Troubles & Public Issues" (which came out in December 1980 in two different sleeves and reached No.15 in the indie chart) which also saw the arrival of guitarist Andy 'Heed' Forbes, formally a member of The Strapps.

Shortly after the album's release, however, Ward & Kelly departed leaving Rab, Heed and Andzy to continue as a three piece with Andzy assuming vocal duties. This line-up was snapped up by Polydor and their debut for the major was the three track 'Remembrance' EP which they promoted by doing a UK tour with Stiff Little Fingers. They also issued one final single for Fresh, 'Hobby For A Day' before a second Polydor 45 'Epitaph' followed in November '81 and it also saw the first appearance of new bassist Claire Bidwell (ex-The Passions) which allowed Andzy to concentrate on the vocals. Their time with Polydor ended with early 1982's album "Dirges & Anthems" (which came with a free 7") and which saw guitar duties split between Heed (who left half way through recording) and Baz.

Rob & Andzy continued under The Wall name throughout 1982, their last release being the ten track 12'' EP "Day Tripper" for No Future (also issued as a four track 7'') which reached No.21 in the UK indie chart. The 'band' folded not long after with Rob later turning up in the UK SUBS and playing on the "Huntington Beach" and "In Action" albums. He also set up RFB Records and released albums by the likes of Condemned 84, UK SUBS and Broken Bones.(Mark Brennan)

In August 2007, the band reformed for a headline appearance at the Blackpool Rebellion with seven of the original members, Andy Griffiths (vocals), Nick Ward (guitars), Al Gregg (guitars & bass), Andrew Forbes (guitars), John Hammond (guitars), Claire Bidwell (bass) and Mark Dyvig (drums) with a warm-up gig the previous night @ The Thatched House in Stockport. This was followed by the release of a new live album in August 2009 on Captive Records (Opus Productions/Captive Records). The debut album "Personal Troubles & Public Issues" is getting a re-issue on CD for the first time, by Westworld Recordings on 13/05/2016.

This little sucker shines with twenty extraordinary nuggets and I love the Wall and you will do it too... 'In Nature'!

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BUZZARDS - Jellied Eels To Record Deals 1979

Let's stay punk with the next album from the UK. Both sides quite cool and I think some of you known this combo. The band took their name from their home town of Leyton, an area of east London, punning upon the name of the Bedfordshire town, Leyton Buzzards. They were initially a pub rock band, but soon adapted to punk rock/New Wave. Their debut single '19 & Mad' was released in 1977 by Small Wonder Records. They won a high-profile "Battle Of The Bands" competition organized by BBC Radio 1 and The Sun (F.U.), resulting in a major-label deal with Chrysalis Records. The first fruits of this deal, "Saturday Night (Beneath the Plastic Palm Trees)", reached Number 53 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1979, spending five weeks in the chart, and led to an appearance on Top of the Pops. The band shortened their name to The Buzzards for the 1979 single "We Make A Noise" and the album Jellied Eels To Record Deals, before reverting to The Leyton Buzzards for their final single, "Can't Get used to Losing You". They recorded four sessions for BBC Radio One's John Peel between July 1978 and January 1980. The band split up in 1980, with Deane and Jaymes going on to greater chart success with salsa-tinged pop act Modern Romance. The Buzzards were present on tons of compilations and Captain Oi! released in 2003 a CD called 'The Punk Collection'.

- Special Thanx to Fredrik -

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MURDER THE DISTURBED - Genetic Disruption EP 1979

Really nothing new in Blogland but on the fly this record was pulled by the magic fairy. Murder The Disturbed was formed in Concord, Sunderland by John (vocals), Steve (guitars), Chris (bass), Gonzo (drums) and were signed to the short-lived, London-based Small Wonder Records who eventually released their only 7inch with three songs. They have been playing at youth clubs and after a few line-up changes, the band broke up in the early eighties. In 2013 the long awaited album Further Disruption was finally released on MTD with songs from the EP plus ten others. Guest on some compilations and still active as far as I know.

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ENGLISH SUBTITLES - Oranges & Lemons Demos 1978-1979

English Subtitles are punx from Oxford and were formed 1978 from the remnants of Norwich punk band In-Mates by Warden (vocals), Jewels & Lou (guitars), Dil (bass), Paul (drums A1-B3) & Des (drums B4-B8) and this compilation is part of the Euro Punk Series, which was generated by the great Italian based label RaveUp Records and is far from over. This essential record came in a limited edition of 400 copies, 100 of them on yellow vinyl, and offers thirteen tracks from the original demo tapes that in 1979 secured them a record deal with Small Wonder and recorded in two sessions at different low budget studios during the time they were playing a residency at seminal Oxford punk venue the Oranges and Lemons.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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57 KEZ - Punks EP 1980

Sweden had one of the largest punk scenes outside of England and the United States in the late 1970s. Scores of bands released records, among them some genuine world-beating classics, like Rude Kids, Kriminella Gitarrer or 57 Kez. Over the years, the Swedish punk scene in a cult status among music fans who created, and many of the former plates cost a fortune to collectors today! No wonder, a lot of the records were released only in small quantities, mostly by independent, small publishers. The same goes for this EP, published by Rockslaget Rosla in 1980 and 57 Kez brings here three awesome KBD tunes which blasts your ass off. Quite brilliant. I think it's their only release and more info about the band I cannot find. Anyway, check this out if you're in music from the first punk wave.

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Heroes Of The Night Vol.2 2023

Now comes a recommendation, so don't be surprised if there's no download link available, but it is important to mention this brilliant record, because who has an overview of when and where which gem is released??? Not me, and since a lot of time and love is involved in this big nugget, it is worth to buy the stuff and enjoy the wonderful presentation, sound/bands and the essential liner notes. A few official words: Welcome to the second installment of the “Heroes Of The Night” compilation and this is picking up exactly where the first volume left off and featuring a cast of twelve of the best and scarcest D.I.Y., Powerpop/Punk and New Wave 45ers, all damn rare and released in a small edition. This litte sunshine continues Reminder Records’ campaign to showcase the talents of Post-Punk’s female musical innovators and pioneers. - Best regards to Olga!

1.Secret Love - SHELLY STEVENS

2.I Want To Be You - BRENDA PRESCOTT

3.Wonder Wonder - TERESA DEL FUEGO

4.I Should Have Kissed Him Then - CHOIRGIRLS

5.Who's George - WHO'S GEORGE

6.I Didn't Catch Your Name - THE WALK

7.July Girl - JACKIE

8.Get A Grip - L'HOMME DE TERRE

9.Fall - AQUILA

10.Edelweiss - THE ROCHDALE FAIRIES

11.Heavens Daughter - PLEASURE DOME

12.Fireball XL5 - THE KADETTES

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EA80 - Schauspiele 1992

Last post today before I say goodbye for ten days on a well-deserved vacation. Schauspiele is the sixth album by EA80 with Oddel for the first time as new bass player. The album is full of classics that they always love to play live, especially the first track is a great opener for example. Long dark songs mix with fast aggressive pieces, plus again great lyrics which are deep and, as always, critical, unique, introspectively and the whole misery of human existence on a small and large scale describe, demonstrate the clear attitude of the four. The recordings are harder and more punk compared to 202, sometimes I find the drums & bass drum a little too quiet, but even this small deficit becomes irrelevant when the song is on, no wonder by the twelve quick-witted hymns of the very first quality. I can only recommend you to buy this record, the original is long been sold out, but Major Label from Jena was allowed to produce a re-release in 2015 (plus other EA80 records) and that's a good thing. Another milestone of by far the best and most innovative band in this country.... A Fucking Must Have!!! Maybe one sentence to previous posts, sure some are down, but write for re-ups in the comment-section and I'll fix it as soon as I'm back.

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TECHNYCOLOR - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (1979-1981) 2015

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien ("No, I don't regret anything") is the most famous chanson by Édith Piaf and the fitting title of this splendid compilation by Static Age Records, which was released in 2015. 400 copies were pressed, from that 100 limited in red wine silkscreenprint cover (my copy). Switzerland is a very small country, but has produced an infinite number of good bands. Punk exists there as music, political and youth culture, with the scene developing from the mid-1970s and flourishing between 1976 and 1981. One of the first bands (1977) was the Zurich Nasal Boys. Later bands like Bellevue, TNT, Sperma and of course Technycolor were founded, which released their first EP "Bunker" in 1979. Today priceless the original. Technycolor from Geneva make dark (post) punk with French lyrics. Especially "Tot 77" about the death of the RAF members in Stammheim convinced with provocative German exclamations like "Stammheim/Helmut Macht Frei". Whoever dug here did a great job. There are unpublished studio recordings, radio sessions (all from the early days) and lots of material that makes you wonder why it wasn't released back then. This record is a collection with fourteen varied & experimental songs, consisting of the Bunker 7Inch, plus unpublished pieces of their early repertoire, and already very sought in these harsh times. Comes with a twenty-four page booklet in french/english and Ford Rouge (vocals), Ray & Victor (guitars), Yvesteric (bass), Mike (synth) and Fred (drums) invite you for dance, so let's pogo.

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ELECTRIC DEADS - Anti-Sex EP 1982

This is not really new in Blogland but now I have the desire to hear this fuckin' great Danish combo: The Electric Deads, a four piece hardcore punk band from Espergærde, Fredensborg and Humlebæk, they formed in 1981 by Nils (bass), Kevin (guitar + vocal), Bibi (vocal) and Michael (drums) and they released three awesome 7inches and all are damn cool. This is, I think, their second one on Electro Static Records and Bibi's voice is of course outstanding to the fast sound. No wonder they are a must contribute on the Bloodstains Across Denmark compilation. Small country, unforgettable music.

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DRONGOS FOR EUROPE - Cage The Rage 2010

Well, yesterday's match wasn't really high class, but dramatic and exciting, and with a happy ending for Italy. Let's see what the two teams show today, both have the quality and deserve the final (small advantage, the Wembley Stadium). Further qualifiers from the island are Drongos For Europe, Birmingham based punx founded in 1979 and playing early gigs with mated G.B.H (with whom they're still touring today), Dead Wretched and the Varukers. Before I reveal a little more, I recommend to get their two previous singles which I post years ago and to find under Death's Eternity Career. In January 2010, to mark the 30th year celebrations, DFE Records released their second album Cage The Rage, which has been well received both at home and abroad. The band have been through many hard times, losing some good friends on the way, R.I.P Trogg, and Ivan, having their own personal losses and close encounters with death, but the Drongos are a gang, who together will always find a way and it will be no surprise that '77 Punk can be expected at the speed of '81 hardcore. No wonder that the guys are pretty pissed off and with most of the seventeen songs they process their many downfalls since the last album, but one thing is for sure: Drongos For Europe are what they always have been: a Punkrock band "Play Loud - Die Hard!". Fazit: Uplifting songs which gets blasted out amongst a whole bunch of other equally joyous tunes which make you feel good and definitely not for do-gooders. And now I wish us a spectacular match! 

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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