UTANGARÐSMENN - Ha Ha Ha (Rækjureggae) EP 1980

Let's move to the far north of Europe and meet a band that I'm happy to invite to my home and that led the New Wave movement in Iceland. We're talking about Utangarðsmenn from Reykjavík which were formed 1979 and this is their rare debut EP which came via Steinar. The name of Utangarðsmenn is complicated when talking about the Punk revolution that hit the country in the summer of 1980, although the band's music is considered much more rock than Punk. Utangarðsmenn appeared at the same time as Bubbi (vocals) as a solo artist, and changed the Icelandic music scene, which had been in the doldrums for many years. At the same time and as a result, fresh Rock & Punk bands sprung up in the same spirit and the country's youth absorbed new currents, a new revolution that surrounded Icelandic music, and even today there is a hint of those changes. It soon became clear to the people that something new was brewing, and the band immediately received a lot of support with their original raw sound and indeed also reggae music. Two 12Inches plus a single (guest on numerous compis) were made and in 1981 they disbanded after only two years. Brilliant stuff!

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EGÓ - Breyttir Tímar 1982

This weekend will be opened with relaxed New Wave sounds from the last corner of Europe and since I like to steal I'll give you the wiki info about them: Egó was a combo from Reykjavík and were founded in fall 1981 by Bubbi Morthens with his younger brother and guitarist Bergþór Morthens and their friend, bassist Þorleifur Guðjónsson. Egó's first drummer was Jóhann Ridar (aka “Motorhead”), and for a while guitarist Ragnar Sigurðsson played along with them. Jóhann and Ragnar were replaced by drummer Magnús Stefánsson and Tómas M. Tómasson. Bubbi Morthens, the frontman and main lyricist in the band had been part of influential punk/rock/reggie band Utangarðsmenn, but had been fired from the band for reportedly having a "big ego", which was also allegedly the reason for the band name "Egó." Their first tour was in Reykjavík and the debut, Breyttir Tímar was released on April 1, 1982, and became quickly one of the best selling albums in Icelandic music history. It stayed in the second place on the Icelandic album chart and stayed in the top ten for nineteen weeks straight. During the promotional tour for the album, Þorleifur quit and was replaced by former Utangarðsmenn bassist Rúnar.

Egó's second album Í Mynd, came out in late 1982. It was considered by most people to be better than the previous album. However, they lost a big part of their sound when Magnús decided to leave them on tour in Scandinavia. He was replaced by Jökull. Also, keyboard player Gunnar joined the band. Both Bubbi & Magnús have said in interviews that they don't have any recollections or memories whatsoever from this time period; mostly because they were all in deep drug use at the time. Finally it was internal conflicts within the band that led to its demise. The relationship between Egó and their record label had also gotten to the point where Egó had broken up as a group, but still recorded one more album due to the contract they had previously signed. According to this contract, they were obligated to release one more album, which did not get very good reviews. Most people believe that at this point in their career, Egó were fed up with each other and only did the third album to satisfy the record label, not out of their own willingness or excitement to make a new record. Therefore, the album is only OK, and doesn't sound like there is much work behind it. After the release of the self-titled third album (working title "Bless" or "Goodbye", which pretty much says it all) the band broke up in different directions. However, in 2001, the members of Egó reunited to release a compilation called Frá Upphafi Til Enda.

Later in 1984, Bubbi returned to Iceland and formed a rock and roll band called Das Kapital and released an album called Lili Marlene. Only he has had any success or fame since Egó broke up, as he to this day has released many solo career albums, mostly with acoustic guitar oriented pop/rock music. Also, it should be mentioned that Magnús Stefánsson has been credited by many people as the best Icelandic punk rock drummer ever. A few years after leaving Egó on tour in Scandinavia, he joined one of Iceland's most successful pop/rock /funk band; Sálin hans Jóns míns.

Soft, gentle pop music wrapped in nine fillet slices, I like it.

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V/A - Northern Lights Playhouse 1981

This record was posted long time ago by Curious Guy on his Phoenix Hairpins blog which is unfortunately no longer active :( so I thought to repost this great compilation because it's a nice one. Released on Fálkinn in co-operation with Rough Trade and all the infos you need has Curious perfect described so click the orange letters and you will be enlightened. Search for more stuff from some bands here in the blog and listen to this sound, right for the comin' fuckin' X-mas days, hope you have a pleasant time.

1.Life Transmission - ÞEYR

2.Heima Er Best - ÞEYR

3.It's Easy - UTANGARÐSMENN

4.Where Are The Bodies? - UTANGARÐSMENN

5.Her Longing - TAUGADEILDIN

6.Tíminn - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

7.Slöggur - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

8.Læknir - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

9.Gleði - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

10.Andlit - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

11.Tilfinning - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

12.Þreyta - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

13.Grunsamlegt - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

14.Ást - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

15.John Merrick - PURRKUR PILLNIKK

16.Rebellion Of The Dwarfs - FRÆBBBLARNIR

17.No Friends - FRÆBBBLARNIR

18.It May Be Quoted - FRÆBBBLARNIR

19.Paradísarfuglinn - MEGAS

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UTANGARÐSMENN - Geislavirkir 1980

April, in the far north, back to Tomanien. I love the Scandinavian Punk Culture and I would like to introduce you to another classic: Utangarðsmenn (The Outsiders) was a Icelandic punk band, they were active from 1980 to 1981, outside a brief return in 2000. The band was composed Bubbi Morthens, Mick Pollock, Danny Pollock, Magnús Stefánsson and round Erlingssyni. The band’s only studio album, "Geislavirkir" (Radioactive), was released in November 1980 and has since become a classic, sung in icelandic & english. On it the band runs through guano rock ditties such as “Hiroshima”, with catchy chorus. The band was, along with Fræbbblunum, one of the most punk rock band in the country in 1980. In 2001 came out a collection record released by Bad Taste. A special album from the far north island underground. Essential...really. B.t.w. one more Iceland Punk stuff on the cool PhoenixHairpins blog. Get this too.

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THE OUTSIDERS - s/t 12'' 1981

There are records that deserve re-posting and today is a good day to do this and it's a new fresh rip. Originally posted in December 2011 by the Girls From Tahiti blog, unfortunately only available as an archive today, but always worth a visit. We're talkin' about the Outsiders, better known as Utangarðsmenn from Reykjavík and they also released this 12inch in their Icelandic language as 45Rpm on Steinar, one year after their debut album Geislavirkir. Six songs can be found here, all of which shine with catchy melodies, especially 'Where Are The Bodies' is a classic with a slow pace that you can't escape from. This is not really a punk record but my taste. There are few punk bands from the volcanic island, but most of them played decent music and their records are hard to get. Well, what else can I say? A very good record with pleasant sharpness and creative power from a short-lived combo who split up much too early in 1981, but honored on numerous compilations - and now... breakfast!

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