THE DAMNED - Damned Damned Damned 1977

Happy new year together and I hope you had a great transition. A new blogger year is coming up and I try to sweeten you this with refreshing rarities. At the start now: Damned Damned Damned, the debut album by London's The Damned and it was released by Stiff Records and allows me a short info from wiki: In a contemporary review, NME praised the group's musical ability, opining that the Damned have "all the residual skills needed for the actual performance of exhausting modern music", stating that James was the most effective powerhouse guitarist since Pete Townshend and concluding that the album as a whole was "a highly professional production and is much more convincing than some other new wave bands I've heard on record." BBC's retrospective review praised the album's energy, pop satire and general humour, commenting, "Each track featured the hammering toms of Rat Scabies & Captain Sensible's bass-as-guitar propelling Brian James' exhilarating machine gun axe into your living room". The American press has also favored the album. Ned Raggett of AllMusic gave it their highest rating of five stars, calling it "a stone classic of rock & roll fire" and declaring that "Damned Damned Damned is and remains rock at its messy, wonderful best." Pitchfork also positively assessed the album in a negative review of the Damned's 2001 album Grave Disorder, stating, "I won't lie to you: the Damned's new album isn't very good. In fact, the Damned have only ever recorded a few albums that were - for instance, their debut or 1979's Machine Gun Etiquette". Okay, now I'm looking into my treasure chest which album will be my first rip 2019.

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ACME ATTRACTIONS - Anyway 7'' 1980

This rare piece is a smiley and again 'many words for your further education which all from the booklet of the CD compilatin 'Terelene Boys from 2013 on Only Fit For The Bin Records: Acme Attractions released one great single in 1980 called "Anyway" and listen to the lyrics of this song, it is all about the late great 'Keith Moon'. The band did follow up this debut release and backed another local artist Bonnie Parker a year later. After watching the Damned in a local pub in Luton back in 1976, members of this band were mesmerized with their performance and one stand-out moment was when the Damned were being heckled by members of another local band THE Q-TIPS about their ability of playing, Dave Vanian jumped off the stage and poured a pint of beer over their heads. Then a month later they witness the Sex Pistols @ the Queensway Hall in Dunstable. THAT WAS IT! The seed was sowed and Jim and Dave knew they had to be part of this new vibrant scene and Acme Attractions were born (even though at this point it was only a dream).

Now in the bands own words: "Born from an after pub party, while miming in a front room to whatever song was on The threat of "Now let’s see if you can go out and form your own band" Was the only challenge we needed! Within six months of that night the guitarist had self-taught himself and the bass player the basic skills required to form the band (three chords). (I got my first real six strings, played it till my fingers bled). It was happening! (Me and some guys from school we got a band and we tried real hard). After months of rehearsing, it was time to show the local pub that we didn’t want to listen to 'Smoke On The Water' or 'Johnny B. Goode' anymore. It was our time. Having been influenced by the attitude of the Pistols, Clash, with undercurrents of the Who, Mott the Hoople and some self-penned songs thrown in as well Acme Attractions played their first gig. The local interest had drawn big crowds which lead to the band being banned from their first three gigs. This was not caused by violence, but due to over crowding resulting in damage caused to chairs, tables & beer glasses. The band were forced to seek bigger venues and halls this resulted in Acme Attractions being the only local band being able to fill "The Royal Hotel", the biggest of all the venues, not once but twice.

Not all gigs were as successful as that though as the landlord of The Kingsway Tavern Would tell you.  After refusing to leave the stage one night until their set was finished, The landlord locked the band in the dressing room with his Alsatian dog. Threatening not to pay them as they had played over the permitted time. His error had been locking the door, as he had no escape himself When we threatened to break his legs. The bands popularity and reputation was growing and growing and after progressing through a Battle of the Bands competition at the expense of the singer losing a front tooth, the band was making their name. Local newspapers were wanting to know the story behind the band and local promoters were asking them to headline the local festivals such as The Luton Carnival and the Marsh Farm Festival. The money gained through gigging went towards hiring a studio and the costs of producing 1.000 copies of their first single "Anyway"/"Never Again". EMI had tried to claim a percentage of the copy rights through a distribution deal that did not suit the band, so the band decided to distribute it themselves. This is why most copies of the single have tipex on the label over the line that mentions EMI. After continuous gigging and some radio air time, The band had reached a point that required more commitment To take them to the next level.

They had travelled as far as they could have on the local scene. A meeting had been called to discuss the next stage of progression and It was decided it was time for Acme Attractions to come to an end. It was not the end of the band however as the remaining members continued under various names such as 'English Dream' and 'Pressure'. With the new name of 'Pressure', it wasn't long before being signed to Anagram Records a division of Cherry Red Records. Releasing a further two 12Inches and touring the country before finally calling it a day back in 1983.

You can find the band on two splendid compilations, Raw And Rare British Punk Volume 4 (coming soon) & Bored Teenagers #11, as well. Great Stuff!

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V/A - Bored Teenagers Vol.9 2016

And exactly what I described earlier applies to the following compilation; emotional authentic music by bands that perfectly reflect the zeitgeist and with their attitude towards life bought a few instruments and founded a band to express their emotions, some made it to a single and that was it. The baby is called Bored Teenagers and this is the Volume 9 in this highly collectable series that has done for Punk what the Pebbles series did for the obscure gems from the 60s. We have unearthed another batch of Punkrock Gems! This time only five bands but they had so many great tracks we couldn’t leave any off.

Info: First off is a band called the Crabs that most people are aware of as they appeared on the decent Farewell To The Roxy compilation back in 1978 with their ultra catchy track Lullabies Lie. Sadly no further recordings were released as the band folded in 1978 and became the backing band for Max Splodge but little did we know, the band did record four studio tracks for the highly collectable Lightning label and were scheduled for a release in March 1978. One thing led to another and the band never signed the contract and the tracks were shelved. Rough cassette copies circulated over the years but Tony the singer still had the master tape. This band should of made it and is criminal they are not up there with the likes of some of the bigger bands!

The second band to feature is FU-2 from Southend-On-Sea. Their roots can be traced back to late ’77. After years and years of trying to track this band down after seeing some Youtube footage, we hit lucky and found the singer. He had moved so many times and to our astonishment, he still had in his possession the original five trackmaster tape. The really interesting thing about these tracks is that all the recordings feature a certain lady who was made famous by appearing in the Sex Pistols film The Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle, Yes…. Helen Of Troy. Her vocals are so unique and some might say out of tune but blend perfectly with the opposing vocals of Terry Piper. All five tracks can be heard here! Be warned!!!! These tracks are catchy and you will be singing them all day! Once again, three out of these five tracks have never been heard before!

Next up is a band from Caterham in Surrey called Nuffin’ who were mates with The Damned & Johnny Moped. Their claim to fame so to speak of is that they had Roger Bullen (aka Dee Generate) as their drummer before being head hunted by Eater. Things were looking good for Nuffin’ as in November 1976 London Weekend Television broadcast a documentary by Janet Street Porter on a new youth cult called punk rock that was sweeping the nation. You can hear one of their tracks being played in that program. Here we have all four of their studio tracks that have never been heard before and are direct off the original reel to reel master tape.

The next band are Norwich’s first Punk band the Toads. These tracks that are featured are the essence of Punk, no messing about, straight in with 1234.. Bang! Short and sweet! After only a year or so theywere gone but the nucleus of the band re-appearing as Silent Noise.The last band are the Coils from out of Morpeth in Northumberland of all places… Once again, no  messing about, 1234 and singing about what was happening around them! Just take a listen to Fascist and Smash The Front! - Once again, a fucking ass kick on vinyl!

Enough for today, I'm tired and drunk, I only chilling now and I'm hungry...

1.Victim - THE CRABS

2.Save My Skin - THE CRABS

3.Lullabies Lie - THE CRABS

4.Blue Unction - THE CRABS

5.PG Tips - FU-2

6.Maybe - FU-2

7.Sorry - FU-2

8.Soho - FU-2

9.Sindy Michelle - FU-2

10.Centre Point Anywhere - NUFFIN'

11.Red Day Blues - NUFFIN'

12.We're Plastic - NUFFIN'

13.Pigs Can't Fly - NUFFIN'

14.All I Wanna Be Is A Star - THE TOADS

15.Suppression/Oppression - THE TOADS

16.I Don't Care About You - THE TOADS

17.In The Subway - THE TOADS

18.Nowhere To Go - THE TOADS

19.Bank Job - THE TOADS

20.Eyes - THE TOADS

21.Mixed Up Kid - THE TOADS

22.Blood On My Wheels - THE TOADS

23.Supermousse - THE COILS

24.Fascist - THE COILS

25.Upper Class Cretin - THE COILS

26.Land Of The Dead - THE COILS

27.Smash The Front - THE COILS

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PARANOID VISIONS - Outside In 2005

This record is currently in my player around the clock. Pretty cool stuff, punk rock with a wave touch and in between a couple of quick grenades. 'Outside In' is a compilation of the vinyl years 1986 - 1989 from this combo and I get this a few years ago somewhere in Blogland, now exhumed because the band name is at the moment more relevant than ever to me. Something about them:

Formed in 1981, Paranoid Visions quickly allied themselves to the anarcho punk fraternity of the second wave of punk rock in the early 80's. The band were poles apart from the other Irish bands that graced the 1980’s Dublin gig scene.Surprising everyone, including themselves, with their success in both Ireland and the UK in terms of critical acclaim and record sales, they maintained a stance outside of the music industry norms and closely protected their independent status, licensing all of their material directly from their F.O.A.D label. Records such as Autonomy, Schizophrenia and city of screams all sold very well, but it was the attack on the Irish music industry U2Clone assembly line, in the form of the “I Will Wallow” 10” EP that brought the band to a wider and more mainstream audience. FOAD2U2 graffiti adorned walls all over the country….some of it wasn’t even done by the band! Heavily influenced by the Crass ethic of DIY music, the band formed their own F.O.A.D label and licensed their records to All The Madmen, home of the Mob, Thatcher on Acid, Blyth Power and the Astronauts.

Paranoid Visons played gigs and toured with the likes of Poison Girls, DIRT, Blyth Power, Subhumans and The Instigators. In the early 90's they played with bands like Snuff, the Macc Ladds and Manic Street Preachers before calling it a day in 1992. Despite their disbanding, the 90's saw Paranoid Visions becoming the biggest punk band Ireland had ever produced, featuring on several TV shows, newspapers and being offered numerous record deals from Major labels. In 1996 they reformed to play support on some dates for the Sex Pistols Filthy Lucre tour. In 2001 they reformed again and played with the Damned, The Dickies and at the Wasted Festival in Morecombe. While these reunions were always designed to be short lived, with the 2005 reunion, formed in support of the re-release of their back catalogue, it was decided to continue the momentum.

April 2007 saw the release of the bands first new album since 1990. Entitled “40 Shades Of Gangreen” it captures the band at their most tuneful and caustic. General reaction has been that its the best woirk the band have done having been described thus:
"a blistering collection of anti establishment polemic" (hot press editorial)
"highly melodic aswell as being deeply, deeply raucous" (hot press review)
"a blockbuster" (evening herald)

Throughout 2007, Paranoid Visions have performed regularly and will be performing one of the headline slots at the largest punk rock festival in the UK, Rebellion 2007. 2008 sees the release of part one of the bands 12" and CD tribute to their musical influences from the early Irish punk and new wave scene in the form of "The Treasure From The Wasteland" EP. A new album "Beware Of The God" is pencilled for the autumn along with another single serving as part two of the tribute series.

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THE FLYIN' SPIDERZ - s/t LP 1977

Eindhoven formation begins in 1976 as rhythm & blues band, closely related to the British pubrock. In 1977 the group switching to punk. The Flyin' Spiderz is the first Dutch punk band that appears on plate. In the early days the band is affiliated with the Dynamite label and booking agency of the European independent pioneer Pieter Meulenbroek (Sky Dog). The single 'Down', with a cover design by Joost Swarte, is never released. The group plays in 1977 as opening for The Damned in Paradiso. Sky Dog goes over the head and the band gets offered a contract with EMI. The debut album contains aggressive rock & roll, which is more like the music of pre-punk band as Count Bishops than that of the Pistols or The Damned. The Spiderz touring extensively throughout the country and arouse their energetic show and punk image especially in rural bewildered and sometimes aggressive responses. 

1978 the second album 'Let It Crawl' came out and goes more into rock. From the moment bassist Van Vugt is replaced by Jan Snep, remains messing around this time equivalent. One year later a third album called 'Birthday' was planned but was not released because EMI terminates the contract. Roadie Bart Brouwer joins as a keyboard player in the band, which moves the band into a more melodic. The band recently called in to The Spiderz and brings the 'Pressure' album out on WEA.

The fourth record 'Lines Of Lust' goes towards new wave. The group is expanding its field successfully to France, including appearances on TV, in Gribus Club in Paris and at the Festival of Montreux (July 13th). In England, the group in the schedule during the British tour of Iggy Pop. The British bassist Walter Langdon replaces John Snep. A new mix of I'm Yours Tonight appears on single with a guest role on keys Manfred Man.

After releasing the 7inch 'The Test' in 1981 the band broke up.

So this debut album was released in 1977 and is the first Punk LP by a Dutch Band and it's pretty fantastic. It's apparent in the music that this was a pub rock band that adapted quickly to the new punk sound spreading it's filth across Europe. "These four erratic Dutchmen, led by rhythm guitarist/singer/songwriter Guus Boers, put forth solid, Stonesy punk just a hair better than a hundred others of like mind, threatening to turn derivation to their advantage but never quite succeeding. Neither album shows more than fleeting signs of excitement, and neither has better than perfunctory production." Check more Spiderz on the Killed By Death #F.U.2 and Killed By Epitaph or other essential compilations. 

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THE SOFTIES - Suicide Pilot 7'' 1978

The Softies was a Dutch punk band that released two singles in 1978, the title track Suicide Pilot is shown on the Killed By Death #1234 compilation. They started during the first punk wave that flooded Holland in the fall of 77, when Michael Smith, a former roadmanager of the Damned came from the U.K. to Amsterdam to form his own band,soon linking up with FrankNstein and Joe Thumper. The Band soon signed up a record deal and the first single 'Suicide Pilot" was released jan.1978. The single was well received by both media and public with its much recognizable air-raidsiren,the opening of the song, and of the many shows that followed. The beginning of march 78 the Softies were joined by

Captain Sensible, who had left the Damned after their splitup, and took up the leadguitar with the Softies. A tour in Germany followed as well as Gigs around Holland. A second single was released in april and the now classic song 'jet boy jet girl', a satire version of the Plastic Bertrand version 'ca plane por moi' (by the way mentioned by Johnny Rotten in The New Musical Express as single of the week!!') was performed/sung by the Captain, great stuff and its said he is still performing it this day and age!!!! Anyhow, it was time for the Captain to go back home, to start his own band, and the Softies were a punkrockin threepieceband again. The Softies released their only album Nice & Nasty album in 1979 on Charlie Records. Michael sadly passed away, round about spring 2005.

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THE ROUSERS - A Treat Of New Beat 1980

A real masterpiece of PowerPop classic is the debut record by this combo. The Rousers from Broek op Langedijk (near under the smoke of Alkmaar) were one of the first Dutch New Wave bands. Inspired by the new momentum in the British pop music the band was founded on 19 September 1977 by the brothers Cock (vox + guitars) and Jan de Jong (drums), along with Rob Marienus (bass) and Theo van der Plas. In the beginning they play their own work and some covers. They played songs by The Beatles, The Damned, The Ramones and The Buzzcocks and this combination would determine the sound that the band develops and that they refer to themselves as New Beat. In January 1979 the Wieb (guitars) and Bonne Zigtema (vox) brothers join the band, Theo left. In the same year the first 7inch 'Magazine Girl' was released on Ariola/Torso and became a legend. Quickly they became celebrated, no wonder with their bright guitars, polyphonic harmonies and rhythmic clapping, the influence of the early beat music is clearly cognisable. Nevertheless, the band has a distinctly contemporary sound. After this record the band released all in all three singles and a second album called 'Touched'. 1981 the band broke up and split into The Thought and The Shavers. If you want more from the Rousers visit Frank's ShotgunSolution blog for the rest. By the way, the grandiose cover reminds me a little of Hergé. A Treat Of New Beat is truly one of the best albums I've heard this year.

- Many Thx to Fredrik -

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THE ADVERTS - The Punk 7Inches Collection 1997

One more from the Punk Collectors Series by Anagram Records and today the edition of the Adverts who formed in 1976 and broke up in late 1979, and this little sucker round up every A & B side (seven singles/fourteen songs) by one of the Punk's founding fathers and this fantastic package contains excellent liner notes from singer/songwriter TV Smith. Info: "With their raw, enthusiastic immaturity, the Adverts were a bright, though short-lived, light of the Punk era, distinguished by the fact that their bassist, Gaye Advert, was one of the first female stars of Punkrock. After they (barely) mastered one chord, the Adverts began playing at London's Roxy Club in 1976, where they quickly came to the attention of the Damned's guitarist Brian James. James offered the band an opening spot on the Damned's tour and directed them toward Stiff Records. Stiff released their self-deprecating debut single, "One Chord Wonders," in 1977, when the band could still barely play, but when they released their second single, the disturbingly funny "Gary Gilmore's Eyes," the group rocketed into the U.K. Top 20 in a storm of controversy. The Adverts' first album, Crossing the Red Sea With The Adverts, fulfilled the single's promise, but the second, 1979's Cast Of Thousands, sounded like they poured all of their musical ideas into their first album; the group broke up the following year." (Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

Great music from a band that unfortunately had a much too short lifespan, but still brilliant nowadays!

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THE DAMNED - Shut It 7'' 1996 & Little Miss Disaster 7'' 2005

So here now two limited singles by the London dark punk band The Damned and both are simply delicious. The Shut It 7'' single was only available in U.S. and was released to promote the Not Of This Earth album, recorded by a new line-up which featured long-term members Dave Vanian and Rat Scabies, and new members Kris Dollimore (Guitar), Allan Lee Shaw (Guitar), and Moose (Bass). Side A has the pure cut while the B-Side is The Krupps Mix, both tunes are awesome, next 7'' is from 2005 and was released via their own Lively Arts label in 2005, it was the band’s first single release since "Shut It" record. The band’s line-up shifted again, with Stu West making his recording debut on bass guitar for the group, having taken over on live dates from Patricia Morrison, who has begun to concentrate on her daughter Emily and managing the band. The song continues the style the band established for their Grave Disorder album, with their unique gothic/punk/psychedelic sound, fast guitars and swirling keyboards topped off with a dramatic vocal. From 11 November 2005, the band began selling copies of the single on their Little Miss Disaster Tour. The sleeve featured Emily Strange as a result of a collaboration between the band and the Emily Strange website. On December 1, the single was made available from the band’s website, with a limited edition of 1000 vinyl copies (with a red splattered vinyl pattern), and on CD. The B-side, a live version of "Anti-Pope", was recorded live at Manchester's Academy on 4. December 2004 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album Machine Gun Etiquette.

- Huge Thx to Mr.Fredrik -

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V/A - Winters Of Discontent: Peel Sessions 1977-1983

A feature of Peel's BBC Radio 1 shows were the famous John Peel Sessions, which usually consisted of four songs recorded by an artist live in the BBC's studios, and which often provided the first major national coverage to bands that later would achieve great fame (These 'sessions' are similar to 'Live Lounge' sessions recorded today for the station). The BBC employed it's own house bands and orchestras and it also engaged outside bands to record exclusive tracks for its programmes in BBC studios. This was the reason why Peel was able to use "session men" in his own programmes. Sessions were usually recorded and mixed in a single day; as such they often had a rough and ready, demo-like feel, somewhere between a live performance and a finished recording. John Peel remained on BBC Radio 1 for 37 years, until his death in 2004. During that time over 4000 sessions were recorded by over 2000 artists. Many classic Peel Sessions have been released on record, particularly by the Strange Fruit label and this one of these.

1.Somethin' Better Change - THE STRANGLERS
2.Love In A Void - SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES
3.Gary Gilmore's Eyes - THE ADVERTS
4.Shoplifting - THE SLITS
5.Fast Cars - BUZZCOCKS
6.Rich Kids - RICH KIDS
7.Of One Skin - THE SKIDS
8.It Doesn't Matter - ADAM & THE ANTS
9.Another Girl Another Planet - THE ONLY ONES
10.Suspect Device - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
11.Mess Of My - THE FALL
12.Stretcher Case - THE DAMNED
13.Anti-Pope - KING
14.Read It In Books - ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
15.Sus - THE RUTS
16.A Brand New Life - YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS
17.Start From Scratch - THE NIGHTINGALES
18.Big Jesus Trash Can - BIRTHDAY PARTY
19.A Matter Of Gender - THE ASSOCIATES
20.The Fan And The Bellows - THE CHAMELEONS
21.Wall Of Fir - THE VERY THINGS
22.Enchanted - WILD SWANS
23.Sun - MICRODISNEY
24.Kick Over The Statues - REDSKINS
25.A New England - BILLY BRAGG

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V/A - Burning Ambitions (A History Of Punk) 1982

Burning Ambition: The History of Punk, attempts to be a definitive overview of the British (except DK) wave/punk scene in the late 70s/early 80s and while it falls short of its goals, it's nevertheless an admirable effort. The Crème de la Crème are here to honor, only classics on it. Surely some of you, like me, have the original records at home but this double album should become a favorite of yours, because this record is one of the finest punk compilations which is ever released. Love to hear all these classic songs in this order and believe me.... you will enjoy it as a good fuck.

1.Boredom - BUZZCOCKS

2.Bingo Masters Breakout - THE FALL

3.12XU - WIRE

4.Life - ALTERNATIVE TV

5.Keys To Your Heart - THE 101'ERS

6.I'm Alive - 999

7.Gary Gilmore's Eyes - THE ADVERTS

8.Justifiable Homicide - DAVE GOODMAN & FRIENDS

9.Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone - SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS

10.(Get A) Grip On (Yourself) - THE STRANGLERS

11.Your Generation - GENERATION X

12.Baby, Baby - THE VIBRATORS

13.Identity - X-RAY SPEX

14.Read About Seymour - SWELL MAPS

15.I'm Stranded - THE SAINTS

16.Chinese Rocks - HEARTBREAKERS

17.Lock It Up - EATER

18.Ain't Got A Clue - THE LURKERS

19.Lady - ADAM & THE ANTS

20.Love Song - THE DAMNED

21.Looking After No. 1 - BOOMTOWN RATS

22.Where's Captain Kirk? - SPIZZ ENERGI

23.In A Rut - THE RUTS

24.Angels With Dirty Faces - SHAM 69

25.Stranglehold - U.K.SUBS

26.Flares & Slippers - COCKNEY REJECTS

27.The Wait - KILLING JOKE

28.No Goverment - ANTI-PASTI

29.Holiday In Cambodia - DEAD KENNEDYS

30.Dead Cities - THE EXPLOITED

31.Last Rockers - VICE SQUAD

32.Harry May - THE BUSINESS

33.Police Story - THE PARTISANS

34.Someone's Gonna Die - BLITZ

35.City Baby Attacked By Rats - G.B.H

36.Complete Disorder - DISORDER

37.Russians In The DHSS - ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER

38.Lust For Glory - ANGELIC UPSTARTS

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -

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VORWÄRTS - A Trip Down Memory Lane 2002

Swiss punk veterans Vorwärts are from the area of Basel, founded by Udi (vocals), RR & Bibä (guitars), Nutty (bass), Roli (drums), and today the oldest Punk combo from Switzerland still playing live. In 1984, when singer Udi and his friends went into the studio for the first time and the result is the very much sought nameless five track 12'', 300 copies exist. Vorwärts already had several years of service under their belt: the band was formed 1979 and Udi remembers his first contact with the punk movement, which was only slowly making its way from London and New York to the Upper Basel area. "When punk was born in 1976/77 we had no idea," he says. It wasn't until two years later that he heard the first songs by the Ramones, The Damned, Clash and Sex Pistols and had pictures in the "Pop/Rocky”or “Musikexpress”. That "simply blown him and his friends away", as he told the bz: "Punk was so much better, more urgent and more important than anything we had heard before." The founding of his own band was "an outbreak, a departure, an undreamt-of freedom". Forward hit the Zeitgeist and were able to record their first successes: with their song TV Generation the quintet made it onto national radio and with a self-made clip (you can find it on YouTube under the title Boring Generation) even on Swiss television. But in their early years, Vorwärts not only met with approval. It belonged then that they were insulted as “Schwuli Söu”, “Gsindel” and “Soupack” because of their appearance - “bright green and black striped jeans, studded belts and bracelets, sprayed shirts, holes in clothes, a lot of leather and so on” the everyday life of the five young men. In 1988 the dissolution followed due to various individual follow-up projects and 1998 the reunion on the occasion of the wedding of a band member and since then they still active and their last record was released two years ago for their 40th year existence! (source: partly bzbasel)

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THE LEFT - Jesus Loves The Left 2006

Now awesome stuff from the Left, a four piece from Hagerstown/Maryland, founded in the early Eighties by Brian (vocals), JD (guitars), Kevin (bass), Bill (drums) and they didn't get much attention during their active time and this is a fucking shame because they are in every way brilliant, musically as well as lyrically, absolutely amazing and I see myself in their songs (Hell, 5 AM, Fuck It...), and I don't know why they didn't get the attention they deserve. The Left formed to flip the bird at the tedium of their hometown, and on the band's two mid-'80s EPs, It's The World and Last Train To Hagerstown (both on Bona Fide), the band did more than that, fusing together '60s, '70s, & '80s Punk with alchemical skill and black humor. Jesus Loves The Left (compiles the two EPs and other unreleased tracks) is a loving repository for the band's short history. It kicks off with the opening chords of Hell the best song on It's The World 12" (and one of the BEST songs of the past thirty years), crashing through your speakers when you press play. Brian Sefsic's sneer meshes perfectly with guitarist Jim', keening chords: "There's A Place/That They Call Hell/Where They Don't Treat You all that well." The slab rarely falters after that, tracks from a 1992 reunion sound nearly as strong and sarcastic as those from the band's prime.

But you'd be forgiven if you end up lingering on the first eight It's The World tracks. On 'Attitudes', a song that sums up all that is good about life and the Left, Sefsic sings with both Iggy-esque detachment and real wistfulness: "And thank you, God, for putting me on this earth/and all the wonderful, beautiful things you've given me." Then he adds, "Let's name a few," and Swope launches into a raw and sophisticated solo that takes the song in a completely unexpected direction. And I think to myself: What A Wonderful World!

So Jesus is a big fan of their music and you damned Christians can't be wrong, he signed it in his own blood, yeah yeah yeah.... and Bona Fide Records released this fantastic cross for all us maniacs and it's an essential document from a band who wrote superb songs that express a large part of my life and will never be forgotten. Must Have!

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V/A - Shake Some Action Vol.5 2003

Today I wanna shine with a few essential compilations and we kick off with a mini serie called Shake Some Action which bring us rare Powerpop, Mod & New Wave pearls from the late 70s to the mid 80's and each volume illuminates a special area of our wonderful planet and #5 is dedicated to the U.K. and Ireland. The whole thing is really put together with much love, as well the detailed booklet with all infos about bands/songs. I give 10 points out of 10 and it's damned important that such discs are dug up by fiery doers, Thx!

1.Can't Wait 'Till The Summer Comes - RONNIE MAYOR

2.Can't Get Over You - THE QUESTIONS

3.Here Comes My Baby - THE SMITH

4.Zero Ambition - BACK BEAT ROMEOS

5.Laid On A Plate - MARK ANDREW & THE GENTS

6.101 Damn-Nations - SCARLET PARTY

7.Cry A Little - THE CHICAYNES

8.You've Never Heard Anything Like This - THE FRESHMEN

9.The Beat Is Back - THE FIRST STEPS

10.Language School - THE TOURS

11.I Can Detect For You 1.000.000 Miles - ANDY ARTHURS

12.Love Letter - THE STEP

13.Rock'N'Roll Radio - THE YOUNG ONES

14.Shape Of Things To Come - THE HEADBOYS

15.Johnny B. Rotten - THE MONKS

16.I Can't Wait - THE JOLT

17.When The Tanks Rolled Over Polland Again - AUTOMATICS

18.(I Wanna Be A) Policeman - THE CHEATERS

19.Audio, Audio - THE CLASSICS

20.10% Will Do - HEROES

21.Ambition - TV 21

22.Nervous Breakdown - WHITE HEAT

23.Girls In Action - THE INVADERS

24.Hotel Carabineros - THE SECRET

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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LONDON - Animal Games 1978

Delicious catchy music form the British Island is coming up next and I will inform you with existing words: London is a four-piece punk band formed in London in 1976, best known for their wild stage act. The original line-up was Riff (vocals), Dave (guitar), Steve (bass) and Jon (drums). They recorded in their short lifespan two singles, a 4 track EP and an album for MCA Records in 1977 actually released in February '78 after the group had disbanded. Most of their songs were written by Riff (including the first two singles Everyone's A Winner & Summer Of Love) or by Riff and Steve. All their records were produced by Napier-Bell at the IBC Studios in London. After an absence of more than thirty years the band returned to live performance and subsequently released the album "Reboot" in 2012 with line-up Riff (vocals), Steve (bass), Hugh (guitars) and Colin (drums). Animal Games is the only album recorded by the original line-up of the Band. The album contained all the band's singles. They toured extensively throughout 1977, including a major UK tour with the Stranglers and their final gig was @ the Marquee Club in Wardour Street on the 8th December 1977. The band broke up shortly afterwards. On leaving, Moss joined the Damned and then formed Culture Club with Boy George. Riff released solo records on MCA and CBS before reverting to his real name of Miles Tredinnick and becoming a comedy writer; Steve formed a new band The Original Vampires and Dave following stints in Metro and Holly and the Italians reverted to his real name of Colin Wight and became an academic (recently appointed Professor of International Relations at the University of Sydney). Simon Napier-Bell went on to manage George Michael and Wham! before becoming a best selling author of rock 'n' roll books. In 1997 Captain Oi! Records released a best of London CD called "London-The Punk Rock Collection" with fifteen smasher... Now pay attention to the four for good forty minutes, because they deserve it and don't forget: a good deed every day!

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V/A - It's A Youth Explosion! Vol.1 2020

Dear followers & visitors, there is a new little series from Heavy Soul Records and what the creators are unveiling here is first class stuff that is pretty close to the KBD compis, and yes, even better because most of the songs are unreleased, jaja... and described as follows: Fourteen rare & unreleased tracks taking in all that was good from 1977-1984ish. You get Punk, New Wave, and Mod revival all within the amazingly created artwork from Alf Button's Revenge. All fully remastered from a whole source of different formats to create a sound crispier than a bag of Wotsits! The names may not be familiar, but the "Sounds From The Street" created will certainly take you back to when all you needed in life was an LP by The Damned, Clash or Jam and a guitar, bass and drums. All original tracks, by a whole range of musical talent. So a perfect gathering of unearthed classics, limited edition is to be specified but no one knows how many copies were actually pressed... who cares!

1.Circa 2 - THE LIMPS

2.Someday - URBAN ENEMIES

3.30 Seconds - PATROL

4.Bright New Future - THE MEDIA

5.Let Me Show You Love - BACKSTAGE PASS

6.Talk - THE TWINSETS

7.Phone You - SLEEPERS

8.Lambs To The Slaughter - MIDNIGHT HOUR

9.Just A Dream - REACTION

10.One Of The Boys - THE DETOURS

11.She Don't Know - THE FACE

12.Dance Step Beat - THE MOD-L'S

13.Sound Of Today - STATION 360

14.In The Crowd - THE PLOY

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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SLOBOBANS UNDERGÅNG - Maktgalen EP 1979

And again I am grateful that my call was answered and I can enjoy this wonderful EP, and you too for sure. A few days I posted Slobobans I Varje Tid 7'' and this is their first record with four songs with a completly different sound. The EP starts with blast, raw, rough and wild and a real KILLER!!!! Further with a slow number, perfect guitar playin' and the bass is also great as in their other 7''. The b-side starts with a cool reggae motive then turned in a fast snotty punk number, the last one spits a three minutes number out and closes the loop and you want to hear this EP again. Famos!!!! - Here's a little more info: "Slobobans Undergång from Partille was formed during the punkyear 1977. In the beginnig they thought it was much to advanced to do own songs, so some well chosen punk compositions was translated after own head. New York Dolls, Bad Detective turned into Dålig I Matte and The Damned's Problem Child become Mellanöl. But eventually they became more secure and more well together, the first record was the Maktgalen EP on Stockholm label Sista Bussen, within the years it should be 4 more singles. It was as liveband Slobobans did best with the Hassling brothers as double frontmen and a sound that often was accused to be heavy metal like. Besides, that was something the guitarist Gert Petterson was proud to confess. In 1985 the band split-up they had then played around the whole country and been through several musical phases. A problem that the band constant struggled with was to write songs which together with Per Hasslings defection killed the inclination and the pleasure to continue. Sloboban do reunion gigs once in a while and sounds nowadays even harder than before." Fantastic, rare and pure KBD sound.

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V/A - Rock Today 1980

I will be a bit softer with the next record which is probably not released (Metronome) and as promo platte cataloged but its still coming out I think. Well anyway, I have a copy here and on this record is a decent gathering of different styles and not all songs are quite cool but more than 50% I would say is acceptable, especially at the end the sound kicks, no wonder with this bands. The drugs show effect and I feel much better than yesterday, must be fit for the stadium tomorrow. All right, that was it for today, tomorrow is another, enjoy the weekend.

1.New Lines On Love - SNIFF'N' THE TEARS
2.So Good To Be Back Home Again - THE TOURISTS
3.The Eton Rifles - THE JAM
4.Hunted - THE PASSIONS
5.American Heartbeat - DUNCAN BROWNE
6.Dead The Beast, Dead The Poison - THE RADIATORS
7.Heavy Duty - JIMMY HIBBERT
8.Gabrielle - THE NIPS
9.Frustration - PURPLE HEARTS
10.Jumping Someone Else's Train - THE CURE
11.Smash It Up - THE DAMNED
12.You're Ready Now - SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS

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