SOFA HEAD - Invitation To Dinner EP 1990

We stay in the UK for a while longer and fly to the north and visit Darlington where we meet Sofa Head (brilliant band-name), a great Nineties Punk band that composed largely of members of Dan with Claire (vocals), Ian (guitar/vocals), founder Ian (bass) and Andrew (drums). Tracks from the band's first first demo, "World" and "Ugly" appeared on the Meantime Records Compilation Spleurk!. Early performances featured a drum machine until they managed to lure drummer Laing from the audience. Andrew (ex-Dan) also recalled playing a handful of gigs as the band timekeeper. Drawing inspiration from the Punkrock pioneers of the 1970s, such as the Ramones & the Sex Pistols, Sofa Head infused their own unique style into the genre, pushing boundaries and defying expectations. Their music was characterized by its raw intensity, blistering guitar riffs, and aggressive, high-octane performances. Their lyrics delved into themes of societal discontent, political disillusionment and the struggles faced by the working class.

Sofa Head made four albums. Pre Marital Yodelling (1127 Walnut Ave.), the title of which is an oblique reference to both Jehovah's Witnesses and Laurel & Hardy. Recorded in July 1989 it was released on Meantime in the UK, on the Double A label in Germany and on the Profane Existence label in the USA. This was followed by the four track EP Invitation To Dinner on the Rugger Bugger Discs label and a John Peel session. This 7Inch featured on the second album What A Predicament. The band released a 12", titled Twat!, featuring two studio tracks & live tracks on the flipside. Laing left the band and joined Leatherface, replaced by a drummer called Graham for the 3rd album Acres Of Geeses. However, Graham disappeared on the eve of the support tour and Laing filled in, finally being replaced by Matthew from the Cleveland band KITO. This line-up did two European tours and a live US 4th album (More Is Not A Word In Our Vocabulary). Sofa Head disbanded in 1994.

Sofa Head's music was characterized by its raw intensity, blistering guitar riffs, and aggressive, high-octane performances. Their lyrics delved into themes of societal discontent, political disillusionment, growing up and a shitty childhood, and all the shit we go through as young People, blah blah blah... the 1st & 2nd album have subsequently been released on a Boss Tuneage CD Compi "Pre Marital Predicament". Enough nonsense, now I'm going to the kitchen and see which delicious dinner I can prepare for myself. Take care!

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DISCO ZOMBIES - South London Stinks 2021

Let's kick off the gloomiest month of the year with a highlight, and I love this band; everything about them is just perfect: the vocals, the humor, the music, the band name, the clothes, hahaha... and the guys have recorded three fantastic 7Inches and, I don't know if I can say this, they started working with a drum machine quite early on, because it's already present on their third 7Inch. The band consisted of Dave (vocals), Mark & Andy (guitars), Geoff (bass), Andy (drums) and the Disco Zombies should rank high in the pantheon of legendary English DIY Punk bands, but a frustrating career of bad timing, record label mismanagement and three terrific singles slipping through the cracks have kept them in the shadows. In 1977 they were Leicester’s greatest Punk band but the single that might have shot them to the top of the UK heap, filled with pop gems like Top of the Pops and Punk A Go Go, was scrapped at the last possible minute due to a production company implosion. Still hopeful, they moved to London and prepared for stardom. They recorded and released the John Peel favorite Drums Over London themselves, a song whose satire may have been too subtle for the masses. Sung from the viewpoint of a xenophobic right-winger, many took it as racist and it found fans among the crowd they were trying to critique.

Peel had to explain to Rock Against Racism it actually supported their views! Due to the success of Drums Over London, their first single finally saw release as The Invisible EP. Unfortunately as it was a year late it was seen as being out of time and quickly sank without a trace. With hindsight we can hear it for what it really was, an EP of killer Pop-Punk. And had it come out on time, their Top of the Pops would’ve beaten the Rezillos to the charts by six months. One more single, an artier affair with a drum machine and DIY atmosphere, was released. Here Come The Buts backed by Mary Millington, their tribute to England’s most famous Porn star suicide, marry a more PostPunk atmosphere of repetitious drum machine programming with their usual infectious melodies and snarling guitars.

Three more aborted records followed and more songs, only ever played live, were heard by increasingly fewer people as the Punk dream gave way. But now, at long last, the Disco Zombies, a great pop band with catchy hooks, witty lyrics and infectious energy - can be appreciated by the rest of us. Available for the first time since their release, the Disco Zombies’ three classic, collectible singles, coupled with seven bonus unreleased tracks, are featured on the new Acute Records Compilation Drums Over London. In addition, the digital download contains a complete live set including five more songs not recorded or heard anywhere else, as well as some choice covers that will prove the Disco Zombies are more than another forgotten Punkrock hard-luck story. 

I'm grateful for all these words, and unfortunately I can't remember where they came from. When the double LP came out back then, I had to grab it immediately. With its colored vinyl and excellent band history, the release on Optic Nerve Recordings was an absolute must fro me, and I can only recommend that you buy it. It's worth every fucking penny. - Again in detail: The Invisible EP, Track 5 was recorded in Leicester sometime in 1978 and is an unreleased demo cut, the Drums Over London 7'', Here Come The Buts 7'', plus more stuff which was recorded @ Alvic Studios/London in 1980 and remained unreleased till now. Essential !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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V/A - Earth Rapers & Hell Raisers 2x7'' 1989

We stay fast and loud and come to this double 7inch on Hippycore Records with mostly American bands that are rather unknown to me (except Samiam whose song is almost out of place I think) but somehow and where all of them made a 7inch or even a record. It's a Benefit release for Phoenix Earth First!, I can't say exactly what it is or was but it doesn't matter, the song selection is consistently cool and sharp. A healthy mix I would say, Hardcore with a bit of metal influence and solid like a good friend who won't let you down, a second release followed in the same year on green vinyl with different colored cover. That was the weekend on wdthtc and let's see what's coming up next week, apart from a dentist appointment at 7:00 in the morning, I'm already looking forward to that....

1.Technology (The Evil) - SINS OF THE FLESH

2.Intellectual Hypocrites - BENT!

3.Nuclear Delicacies - JESTERS OF CHAOS

4.Graveyard At Sea - PISSED HAPPY CHILDREN

5.Hold My Breath - REALITY CONTROL

6.Gender Slavery - CONSPIRACY OF EQUALS

7.Blind Man's Holiday - MACHINE

8.Insightful - SAMIAM

9.Fuck, Kill, Destroy - PLEASANT VALLEY CHILDREN

10.Kenny's Song - POLLUTION CIRCUS

11.Earth First! - SEEIN' RED

12.Christian Crack Diary - CHRIST ON A CRUTCH

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THE DICKS - Kill From The Heart 1983

First full length by the Dicks and original released via SST Records, my copy is the Alternative Tentacles vinyl version and there are lots of Infos in the Blog and I like to quote here the one from AT, especially for you: "The Dicks, a Commie Faggot Band, emerged during the halcyon days of Austin, Texas Punk. The scene centered around the local dive bar Raul’s frequented by local freaks, artists, and soon-to-be Punkrockers. The band was the creation of Gary Floyd, a 26 year old from Palestine, Texas who had been a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and was openly, flamboyantly gay. Although he was advertising the Dicks before they were even an actual band, Floyd soon joined forces with three “terrorist thugs” to complete the group: Glen Taylor (guitars), Buxf Parrot (bass) and Pat Deason (drums). They started writing burly, blues-drenched punk anthems and began playing raucous, shows with local heroes the Big Boys. Unlike that band’s funk-infused, high-production value drag show, the Dicks opted for a cruder but still spectacular approach. Gary Floyd would assault the audience with chocolate frosting pulled from his panties, inviting any rowdy audience members to suck his dick.

The band’s first single, the masterful Dicks Hate The Police was dropped onto the world in 1980 on MDC’s R Radical label. The title track to this EP is unlike anything else before or after a total powerhouse of a song. The B-side found the band playing faster and harder than most other US Punk bands at the time. Like most of their Texas peers, the Dicks had a sound that didn’t fit any one mold or genre. Sometimes Punk, Hardcore, Blues, or free-form ranting, they were always playing music on the edge of insanity. Their next record is one of the ultimate documents of Texas Punk, a split live record with the Big Boys recorded at Raul’s. While the Big Boys don’t sound as great as their studio material, the Dicks really explode off the vinyl with a ripping live set that captures both the great songwriting and amazing energy they brought to the table. Having caught the attention of Punk producer Spot, the Dicks recorded their first full length for SST. Kill From The Heart finds the Dicks’ blues Punk attacking conservatism and especially racism with unbridled fury. In 1982, before the album came out, Gary and the Dicks moved to San Francisco, followed by MDC and DRI who took up with them at a squatted beer plant known as the Vats. Along with their new neighbors Crucifix and Michigan’s the Crucifucks, they embarked on the 1983 Rock Against Reagan tour: an exhausting three month extravaganza organized by the Yippies. The tour took a lot out of the band, and after its completion only Gary returned to the city by the bay. There he reformed the band with three new musicians: Tim Caroll (guitars), Sebastian Fuchs (bass), Lynn Perko (drums).

This line-up recorded the Peace? 7Inch, a concept single attacking the injustices of war. While the record is powerful, especially the scorching “I Hope You Get Drafted,” it also demonstrated the cleaner, more rocking direction that the new band was taking. 1985’s These People album, released on Alternative Tentacles, showcased a Dicks who were severing ties with “Punk” sounds to play more straightforward, longer bluesy rock songs. Nonplused by the reaction from punk audiences (“play faster!”), Gary decided to end the Dicks in 1986. He and Lynn Perko started Sister Double Happiness, who recorded for SST. Gary later went solo and has a new project called Black Kali Ma on A.T. Glen Taylor, unfortunately, passed away. Alternative Tentacles has reissued a collection CD of Dicks material that is a good starting point, and bootlegs of the LP (good quality) and first 7″ (bad quality) aren’t too hard to come by. Go get them now!"

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V/A - Attack Is Now Suicide 1988

A short appearance from me and in my mind is the next record, a fucking hot Compilation of the late Eighties and released in 1988 by the small but equally important German label Double A Records in collaboration with Americans from Phantom Records and is chock full of superb international Hardcore/Punk material with some exclusive highlights. US.Distress opens the musical ecstasy with an fucking energetic track and so it happens one after the other, short and intense songs (especially the Vatican Commandos & Dusk is a brilliant example with an unusual title and a rough sound and Dresden 45 contributes the longest track, which bears the band's name and creates a dark atmosphere). This beauty offers a diverse mix of aggressive and experimental sounds. Although not all tracks are equally strong, Attack Is Now Suicide is an interesting contemporary document of the Hardcore & Punk scene around the world of the late 1980s. The album also contains a folded insert with band photos and song lyrics which is not included within.

1.Who Possesses You? - U.S. DISTRESS

2.British Troops In Cyprus - SIC BOY FEDERATION

3.Housewives On Valium - VATICAN COMMANDOS & DUSK

4.Fjernsyn - O.H.M.

5.Bimbirimbirimbam - S.H. DRAUMUR

6.Werewolf's Life - FEAR ITSELF

7.Intolerance 2:24 - I DENY

8.When You've Got The Choice - DAWN OF LIBERTY

9.Dresden 45 - DRESDEN 45

10.Korruption - EXTREM

11.Don't Waste Your Time - COLLAPS

12.Paralized - RANCID DECAY

13.Nor & Far - RAPED TEENAGERS

14.Russia Nuked Themselves - STIKKY

15.Aggression - NO FRAUD

16.Koyhat Kyykuyn - TERVEYSKESKUS

17.Breakfast Of Champions - PROBLEM CHILDREN

18.Call For Freedom 3:14 - ASOCIAL

19.Ain't No Crime - DAMAGE

20.Gente - SUBTERRANEAN KIDS

21.Fuck S.A.C.E.M. - PIN PRICK

22.Master Of All - DEVIATED INSTINCT

23.Can't Reach Me Now - AFFLICT

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SUBURBAN STUDS - Slam 1978

Formed in 1976 and hailing from Birmingham, the Suburban Studs consisted of Eddy Zipps (vocals/guitar), Keith Owen (guitar), Paul Morton (bass), Steve Pool (drums) and with their already punky sounding name were one of the first bands to be signed to an independent, the equally punky sounding Pogo Records, and marketed through the major label WEA Records. In their time they released two 7Inches and even an album within a year, a feat not reached by many a Punk band of the time. Originally featuring the sax antics of Steve Heart the instrument was felt to be inappropriate to their sound and he left to start the Neon Hearts.

The Suburban Studs were active live throughout 1976 but were a different looking proposition then with a more glam look. Supports at the time included The Runaways. They played their first London gig at the 100 Club on the 31st August '76 supporting the Sex Pistols and The Clash. A quote from a Sounds review by John Ingham appears The Clash book "Last Gang In Town" where he describes their set as 'a laughable mixture of tacky jumpsuits, tacky make-up, tacky props and tacky music'. The Studs also headlined over the Clash on the 27th of October '76 at Barbarellas in Birmingham, this time complete with haircuts and a more Punk image, though still playing the same dated glam set as they did at the 100 Club. Gigs at the usual suspects like the Marquee, Vortex, Roxy Club and Barbarellas and tours even supporting the likes of AC/DC and The Runaways did nothing to break the band. Not even a John Peel session broadcast in December 1977 or appearing in a Punkrock special on ATV helped.

WEA supported with marketing and also helped land them on the double Live At The Hope And Anchor album with a live version of 'I Hate School' along with The Stranglers, 999, X-Ray Spex & The Saints among others. Their WEA Press release which accompanied their album Slam l is suitably hyperbolic and manages to sadly spell the bands name wrong in the first sentence! WEA Press Release Born in the slums of the Midlands and educated with street level certificates, the Surburban Studs are deeply involved with their music. "We're fed up with rock superstars", said lead vocalist Eddie Zipps. Their music has got fuck all to do with living on the street today. We live in a slum... You've got to play music, that's life, that creates a situation. Their debut album 'Slam' reflects the seamier side of life and focuses on Suburban Studs instinct. Unfortunately the music didn't live up to the hype. Mediocre album reviews in the music weeklies didn't help either. PR was reduced to occasional gossip including the singer being subject to random Punk violence which was prevalent at the time and the shenanigans of their fans when two girls at their Thames Poly gig flashed their breasts on stage, daubed graffiti & set off fire extinguishers. With no sales the band who were astute enough to jump on the Punk bandwagon couldn't progress further and just fell off the Punk map.

Having said that however, the single Questions/No Faith (1977 Pogo Records) is a peach as good as any. Classic driving overdriven punk at a frenetic and heart attack inducing pace. Steve Harrington (sax) who was later in the Neon Hearts played on the first version of Questions/No Faith (July 1977) which was withdrawn, both tracks were re-recorded when Harrington left to start the New Hearts and e-released in November 1977, this time with "No Faith" as the A-side. Slam their album feels like Punk by numbers. All the ingredients are there but there's something missing and that's a spark. For once I think the reviews of the time got it right. Like the art work on Slam below? They couldn't get straight jackets from anywhere and in the end had to have them tailor made. Their only other single was I Hate School/Young Power (1978 Pogo Records) pulled from their album and this time reusing the album over in monochrome. They are also on the Live at the Hope & Anchor Compilation (March 1978) again singing I Hate School in the company of The Stranglers, 999 and X Ray Spex. Ironic as one of them went on to become a teacher.

While bands like Eater and Menace never got a John Peel radio show, the Suburban Studs did which aired on 22.11.77 and which featured "Suburban Stud, I Hate School, Necro, No Faith" and that was it! (source: punk77)

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V/A - Även Vackra Fåglar Skiter (Live) 1992

Released via Birdnest Records gives this double record set an fantastic impression of the Swedish underground scene with bands that have caused a sensation with good Powerpunk rock since the mid-eighties, all this were recorded live during Totalgalan, the 18th and 19th of October 1991. This is the CD Version and we find we also infos inside but only in Swedish. But I'm sure these little bio or liner notes express what can be heard, namely a solid selection of bands/songs that achieved a bit of fame in their country and outside of it. Check out the blog and you will find studio material for many of the protagonists mentioned here. Cool piece!

1.Grusgrop - KÖTTGROTTORNA

2.Zuga - KÖTTGROTTORNA

3.Can't Stand It - CHARTA 77

4.Vikingjazz - TUK TUK RALLY

5.Betongbarn - STREBERS

6.Elsa - STREBERS

7.Hallucinationer - D.L.K.

8.Yellow Submarine - PUBLIKEN

9.Svart Jul - CHARTA 77

10.Sånger & Eld - TUK TUK RALLY

11.Lycklig - 23 TILL

12.Hungrig - KÖTTGROTTORNA

13.U.S Of C.C - THE PAST

14.Do Anything You Wanna Do - 23 TILL

15.C.P Framför Sin T.V. - D.L.K.

16.Bonnrock - KÖTTGROTTORNA

17.Häxcalypso - KÖTTGROTTORNA

18.Midsommarvisa - STREBERS

19.Whats Your Feeling - THE PAST

20.Bikt I C-Dur - TUK TUK RALLY

21.Pärleporten - STREBERS

22.Doesn't Make It Alright - CHARTA 77

23.Ensam Kvar - CHARTA 77

24.Tänk Om Jag Vore... - D.L.K.

25.Sofia Dansar Go-Go - TUK TUK RALLY

26.Sista Supen - 23 TILL

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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ALOHA FROM HELL - Shark Attack! EP 1997

The first contact I had with Aloha From Hell from Rodgau came about at a street festival in Frankfurt, where the three, Steinbernd (vocals/guitar), Inga (bass/vocals), Billy (drums), had a great performance and then I absolutely had to buy their 7Inch and also had a short chat with the guys, very very friendly. Short info from their bandcamp site: "The trio exists since 1996 and is closely linked to Rock'N'Roll, Surf and Rockabilly. Their passion for handmade music and joy in playing has made the band a safe bet for fans of extraordinary live concerts. By switching between electric bass and double bass, the band's musical spectrum is further expanded and fows between genres. Always with a certain garage factor and their own sound." This four fine surf beat stomper quality track EP is their debut record and was released in an edition of 500 by Kamikaze Records and to date they have released three more vinyl goodies. Check out these buddies and enjoy this upbeat hip-swaying music!

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V/A - Molde Punx Go Marching Out 2LP 2020

Fantastic re-release of this awesome tape which was originally released on Anathema Records in 1983 and how many of these were distributed is not ascertainable. It was time for a re-issue, and it's lovingly made by Cease Fire! in various limited versions. This double album features early Eighties bands from the small Norwegian town of Molde and some made it onto vinyl, others didn't even exist for four or five years. You can imagine what time and work such a project entails, and it was worth all the effort: the rough sound, the hearty music and the extensive booklet go hand in hand and make this a historical audio document of Norwegian subculture. Probably sold out long ago, but if you have the opportunity to get in touch with a copy, buy it... it's worth every penny! Strong Release!

1.Staten - NEVROSE

2.Tvilsom Frihet - NEVROSE

3.Byens Fine Fruer - LYDMYR

4.Rundbrenner - LYDMYR

5.Klaus - LYDMYR

6.Passa Ikkje Inn - LYDMYR

7.Sahara - LYDMYR

8.Naken Kropp - MAKK

9.Systemet - MAKK

10.Framtida Di - PARANOIA

11.En Ny Dag - PARANOIA

12.Kaos - PARANOIA

13.For Seint - STYGGE FØT

14.Kutt Ut - STYGGE FØT

15.Tørre Hjerner - STYGGE FØT

16.Jobboman - STYGGE FØT

17.Mannen Med Ljåen - STYGGE FØT

18.Teite Individa - STYGGE FØT

19.Intro/Slappist - STYGGE FØT

20.I Kongens Navn - STYGGE FØT

21.Alternativ Jobb - STYGGE FØT

22.Systemet Med Kompleksa - STYGGE FØT

23.Pog På Nazistan - STYGGE FØT

24.Søken - RAD D

25.Glem Aldi - FORBUDT UNGDOM

26.Hat - FORBUDT UNGDOM

27.Krig - FORBUDT UNGDOM

28.Tema - FORBUDT UNGDOM

29.Vil Det Aldri Ta Slutt - FORBUDT UNGDOM

30.Stilla - SKABB

31.Purken - SKABB

32.Karaktera - SKABB

33.Idolene Er Borte - PERMAFROST

34.Tør Ikke Tilstå - PERMAFROST

35.Aids - PERMAFROST

36.Glass - PERMAFROST

37.Dina Mina - PERMAFROST

38.Dame I Sort - PERMAFROST

39.Huset Vårt - PSYKISK TERROR

40.Politikk - PSYKISK TERROR

41.Nazista - PSYKISK TERROR

42.TV Skrik - PSYKISK TERROR

43.Religiona - PSYKISK TERROR

44.Øresus - ANFALL

45.Sinnsyk - ANFALL

46.TV - ANFALL

47.Tvangsinnlagt - ANFALL

48.Ung Og Kriminell - ANFALL

49.Bak Låste Dører - BANNLYST

50.Ingen Framtid - BANNLYST

51.Kjemp Du! - BANNLYST

52.Krav - BANNLYST

53.Liv & Død - BANNLYST

54.Spillets Regla - BANNLYST

55.Ukjentes Grav - BANNLYST

56.Gi Faen I Oss - PIGGTRÅD

57.Sitter Her Aleine - PIGGTRÅD

58.Tog Kø - R.A.D.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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KNOTS - Heartbreaker EP 1980

First one today and it's a superb re-release by Knots only 7Inch with three tracks on RaveUp Records (500 copies). Info: "Back in the 1970s, Max’s Kansas City introduced many fine bands. Some of the best never got famous. Fuse, aka Knots, was one of the finest. Let’s start at the beginning: Joey Pinter (guitars) was looking to put a band together in the mid Seventies when he met ‘the loudest drummer I’ve ever heard in my life’: Niki Fuse! They recruited vocalist, Tommy Bell and began rehearsing with a parade of now forgotten bass players and began gigging at various dives in and around Manhattan. Soon, they scored gigs at CBGB and Max’s and began to attract a following that included Eric Dufaure, a former Island Records executive who asked them to record for his new label, Ideal Records. Unfortunately, band infighting had reduced Knots to Joey and Tommy, so they entered Neal Steingart’s Fly Studios in Brooklyn with replacement drummer, Jerry Ryan, and Pinter doing double duty on guitar & bass guitar! There, they recorded a few songs: the two that made it to the single, plus “Rock‘N’Roll,” “New York,” “Blinded By The Darkness", and “Glad To Be Alive“. When the finished record hit the streets in 1980, Knots became a hot commodity. I put the single on the Max’s jukebox, and Bleeker Bob’s sold out multiple copies. On Manhattan’s downtown club circuit, Knots shared bills with now-legendary outfits like the Heartbreakers, The Cramps and VON LMO, as well as headlining their own shows at Max’s. With Nick Fuse back in the drum seat and Big Tony Corio on bass, the Knots were on their way to fame and fortune! Knots also toured the nation with Johnny Thunders, but then in ‘81, Max’s Kansas City closed, CBGB went New Wave and Johnny took off for Europe. Knots broke up. Joey and Tony joined The Waldos, Fuse went on to play in a number of local groups, and Tommy disappeared. However, the Knots recordings have had a life of their own. They were covered by underground bands all over the world, used in a film soundtrack, and included on Punk Compis and so the legend has been kept alive. Through the years, only three of their recordings survived: “Action”, “Heartbreaker” & “Glad To Be Alive”, the latter released here for the first time!" (Peter Crowley)

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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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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DACKELBLUT - Fluten & Tauchen 1997

Now an older rip and some of you may be familiar with the sound of Hamburg's Dackelblut, sprouted from the rest of the seeds of Blumen Am Arsch Der Hölle, which in turn were the successor band to the legendary Angeschissen. With a slightly different line-up, the band consisted of Jens (vocals), Andreas (guitars), Wieland (bass), Heiner (drums) and this is their second & last album on Schiffen Records. In terms of lyrics, haunting everyday observations are written in witty words and musically packed in brilliant perfection. As with the debut, Frankie Stubbs managed to give the songs the right polish. All records of the band are only available on vinyl and in 2022 the complete discography (two albums & one single) were re-released as a double LP which I can only recommend (buy here). Fluten & Tauchen has thirteen great, cynically refreshing Punkrock attacks that hardly any other combo can write and anything but botched! A very good record that shouldn't be miss in any decent collection.

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UNDERJORDISKA LYXORKESTERN - Lögnens Mästare 12'' 1982

Now to a band where I'm really undecided. On the one hand their music bores me a little, on the other hand I can't say they suck, do you know what I mean? There are passages that I really like and some that don't infect me and I'm open to good early sound that came out of my youth, and you can't know everything and there was a lot of crap as well (see NDW) but I'm really undecided on this combo. Kicks partly and becomes uninteresting at the same time. A damn conflicht. But I'm posting it now, because it's rare and not total scrap, decide for yourselfs. Some facts: Underjordiska Lyxorkestern (Underground Luxury Orchestra) were formed after TT Reuter and Garbochock were finished and was a Swedish band from Lund and consisted of Henrik (vocals/keys/horns), D.F. Mikael (guitars), Peter (bass/violin/vocals) Binke (drums) and this is their second release on Heartwork Records after the fucking rare Kärleksön 7'' (five testpressings made & remains unreleased, was 1983 as one-sided single released). The only album, Prairie Romanser, was released in 1982 via Silence, and that was it. After releasing their first record, they were the opening act for Siouxsie & The Banshees on their Scandinavian tour in Summer 1982. Peter left the group in 1982 and they continued for a short time as a trio before disbanding in the mid Eighties. Found on some comps, one of them the great Vägra Raggarna Benzin Vol.3 & 4 double record set on Massproduktion. Well, it would be interested what you think about it and write your opinion in the comments.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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THE FIX - Vengeance 7'' 1981

The Fix was a short-lived band of less than two years and had their first vinyl release on legendary Midwestern label Touch And Go. This is their debut (200 copies) with two fantastic short killer tracks and a review can tell you more about it: "Faster and younger than the Ramones, these boys from Lansing, Michigan give us two sides of vinyl and finish it all in two minutes and thirty-nine seconds. This is so fast that you won't even have a chance to sit down, so you better dance with your turntable. This is basic, no frills hard Punk and proves once again that Punk still goes on five years after the initial English explosion." (Sinclair Elrod, Coolest Retard 14, June 1981) - A year later their second and final EP Jan's Room followed before breaking up in early 1982. Really amazing they didn't made an album with their potential, I'm sure it would have been a masterpiece. In 1990, German label Lost & Found Records released a double LP called Cold Days, compiling all six songs from the two singles, the compilation track, four outtakes & twelve live cuts. Excellent Stuff!

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ABGAS - 2x7'' 1981

Welcome to 2023, you came over safe and sound and a new year is ahead of us. The first post is a self-released double 7Inch by Abgas, a three piece from Switzerland and consisted of Gary Sinnlos (vocals/guitars), Bobo Ramoene (bass), Tomy Abschreck (drums) and whoever has this record is rich, haha... - Here we go with some basics: Abgas was founded in Kreuzlingen at the end of 1980 by Gary and Thommy. Thomas Leuch was the band's first bassist until spring 1981. All three members played musical instruments for the first time on the founding day. After seven days, the debut concert took place on New Year's Eve 1980 @ the Jägerkaserne in Konstanz with seven self-composed songs. In early 1981 their first demotape Greatest Hits was released. There were ten songs on it plus a live recording from a gig @ the youth center in Kreuzlingen on February 21st, 1981 on the b-side. The distribution was made by their own label Gefahrenzone Records. Abgas also appeared on the Kampf + Unrecht tape compilation, which was mainly distributed in Germany. In the spring of 1981, Bobo Ramoene joined the band as new bassist. Then the rare s/t double EP with songs such as 'Münsterlinge', 'Die Welt Ist Tot' and 'Kleines Mädchen' came out and is the bands first vinyl output with fourteen great low-fi goodies. Dozens of concerts in Switzerland and southern Germany followed. Stefan Tatendurst served as a temporary help at concerts when Bobo was absent. He replaced him shortly thereafter. The following year further concerts in Switzerland and a tour through Italy. Various live recordings were released on the label Schizoid Disaster (Bern) and on August 1st, the national holiday of Switzerland, Abgas produced and distributed the Anti-Sampler with seventeen bands from the Swiss underground scene.

As of 1983, the band stopped playing earlier songs. A new sound emerged with nameless and strange songs. Stage sets were created and from then on the band played naked and only painted with finger paints. Dozens of concerts were played in some larger halls such as the Rote Fabrik. The stage show became more and more spectacular. A June 1 live recording of two shows was self-released on cassette. In the next two years, the music repertoire was enlarged again. The cassette And I Wait (self-published) made it into the LP charts of the Tagesanzeiger, which was created by Musicland, shortly after it was released. A few more concerts on Swiss soil followed before the band members fully engaged in their own art. Twenty-four years later, Abgas were back in the rehearsal room and working on new songs, which were presented live in August 2011... gehen wir es ruhig an und auf ein neues!

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NORSKE GUTTER - Hvem Faaen Tror Du Du Er? 7'' 1980

Norske Gutter (Norwegian Boys) was a five piece and part of Oslo's underground scene in the Eighites and early Nineties. They played a solid mixture of Punk, Pop and Rock and their lyrics, which were in Norwegian, often had explicit content. The line up consisted of Stein (vocals), Johnny Yen (synth/piano/organ/vocals), Ståle (guitar), Ole (bass), Tom (drums) and they released in their lifespan four 7Inches on various labels. A bit info: The single's packaging and content were of a kind that the Kingdom of Norway had never seen before: nationally romantic motifs were homoerotically parodied on the cover, and the lyrics horrified puritans of all stripes. With the next release, "Madam Arthur"/"Jenny Jenny", a kick against double standards, and the third, "Gud Signe"/"Dans" (led to accusations of insulting majesty), playing live became increasingly less likely. But it was not due to a lack of musicality or pop quality, because the music critics praised the band, and the public bought the records - the first single's circulation of 1600 was e.g. sold out. After many years of silence, a new line-up was crafted in 1992, and the single "I Am The Eggman" came out, but without the same uproar that previous releases caused as far as the content was concerned. But the group's composition attracted a lot of attention in the press and the record also became Norske Gutter's biggest success in terms of sales, with around 2500 copies sold. (source: Norsk Pop & Rockleksikon) - Rarely represented on Compilations but on the first Anarki & Kaos: Norsk Punk 1979-1981 they were rightly included. Done, the last Friday post in 2022

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DECLINO - Terra Bruciata 2LP 2017

I thought, I had already posted something from this great band, but even after checking it three times, I didn't find anything except a few compilations. Well, it's time to change that today, and the best way I can do that with a fucking great release by F.O.A.D. Records. We're talking about Declino, a four piece based in Turin, active between 1982 and 1985, and they were one of the most influential Hardcore/Punk bands in Italy. Members were Sandro (vocals), "Mungo V.R." Bertotti (guitars), Max Occhiena (guitars on A1 to A9), Silvio (bass), Orlando (drums on A1 to A6), Roberto (drums). They were featured in early MRR reports on the Italian Punk/HC scene and were also featured on the essential P.E.A.C.E. double LP compilation on Radical Records! Their style was a very energetic clash of speed, rage & creative songwriting. They were definitely the first in their area to develop a mature style that leaned more towards the intensity of full-on Hardcore than the rawness of Punk.

So this essentiell Anthology (limited to 550 copies on black, 150 copies on ultra clear vinyl) includes all their existing studio recordings, consisting of: the debut EP (1983), Mucchio Selvaggio split tape/LP with Negazione (1984), three unreleased tracks (1984), Eresia 12″ (1985) and a complete soundboard live recording (Denmark 1985) never released before in its entirety. I know all you maniacs of angry and raw energy will love this double album, and all you others as well.

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THE DICKS - Peace? EP 1984

Long overdue the following combo from Texas, the Dicks which were formed 1980 in Austin by Gary (vocals), Glen (guitars), Buxf (bass), Pat (drums). The four are known for their confrontational stage presence (Floyd was an open homosexual who frequently appeared in drag on stage and had no qualms about getting in the face of close-minded audience members) and raucous music. They started writing burly, blues-drenched Punk anthems and began playing raucous, shows with local heroes the Big Boys. Unlike that band’s funk-infused, high-production value drag show, the Dicks opted for a cruder but still spectacular approach. Their first masterful single Dicks Hate The Police, released in 1980, brought them much attention and is now regarded as a classic and has rightly been republished in large numbers. This EP is unlike anything else before or after, a total powerhouse of a song. The flip found the band playing faster and harder than most other US combo at the time. Peace? is their second 7Inch on MDC Dave's Radical Records label with three great numbers. In 1983, the band relocated to San Francisco. However, Glen, Buxf, and Pat soon decided to return to Austin. Floyd carried on with the Dicks' name, recruiting new members Lynn (drums), Sebastian (bass) and Tim (guitar). This line-up released the second album (These People) before calling it quits in 1986. Floyd and Lynn went on to form Sister Double Happiness. 

The group disbanded in 1986, although occasional one-off reunion shows featuring the Austin lineup occurred through the 1980s & 1990s. In 2004, Dicks began playing regular reunion concerts in Austin and elsewhere. The line-up for the shows consists of the original Dicks, with the exception of Glen, who died sadly in 1997. A documentary film, The Dicks From Texas was released in 2015 about the band, Austin & the Texas Punk scene along with a tribute album with twenty-seven bands covering twenty-eight Dicks songs. The Dicks announced that their final show would be October 30, 2016 @ Grizzly Hall in Austin however due to popular demand, a second show was added the day afterward. That's it folks!

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