Original released without a label, 1978 via Bonaparte Records with another B-side but all three goddies in this file. Info: The Dyaks were Chris (vocals/guitars), Groll (bass), Brian (drums) and Chris was also behind Jabberwock who produced the Majestic Proggy Glamster Sneakin’ Snaky around the same time. The Dyaks is a punky name and they had a punky sounding single title and a punky cover with a knife wielding kid on the front. But sorry to say, in all truth, an abysmal record that definitely isn’t Punk, PowerPop or NewWave. The single was Gutter Kids/It's A Game and it’s from the Punk school of The Who with its crashing open chords and melodic chorus but somehow fails to convince. A second single On The Run was recorded in February 1978 as a follow up but was never released (limited to 25 or less copies) which is more of the same. The earlier version of Gutter Kids (probably recorded at Pathway Studios in July 1977) is so much better than the released version. Here the guitar slash and crash in an updated 66 Who windmill fashion, while the song structure wins out by debuting the rousing chorus earlier than in the released version with the harmonies bringing a nice Powerpop sprinkling to Proceedings. The flip starts off in Clash mode before going nice and melodic, with an end betraying their pre-punk musicianship. The Dyaks/Jabberwock were really stuck in the middle of Year 0, unsure which bus to take, but as exemplified here; the superior chops and melodic core they possessed were in stark contrast to other more “credible” and run-of-the mill bandwagon Jumpers. Also featured on interesting Compilations, but only the title track of their first single was used for all, hmmmm..... well...at least. Remains to be mentioned that all the studio songs, only fucking four, are included in this delicious cocktail and you can decide for yourself which one is your favorite. It's time for a break, I'm done.
