SIGN LANGUAGE - Belief And Other Propaganda.... 12'' 1986

Interesting find from this Blackpool four piece featuring Laurence (vocals), Paul (guitar), Simon (bass) & Damian (drums) and I apparently missed the original post from 2008 by C.G. on his Phoenix blog back then and so it's only natural to dig up those four track 12'' again. "This beauty was their only release and an early one on Fire Records. Sign Language formed in 1981 as a Punkband but moved more to a New Wave/Post-Punk sound over the years. The band has reformed and occasionally do some low-key gigs. There's another song 'The Killing' that appears on the 2nd 'Blackpool Rox' Compilation issued on Vinyl Drip Records." Well, that's all the info I have on the band, but musically this slab is an absolute treasure. Dynamic rhythms with great guitars, powerful and hardly polished, jagged and with tempo. So I really wonder, why didn't came out more? The potential was definitely there.

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V/A - Digging In Water 1987

The cover alone is worth buying this cute Compilation on Manic Ears Records & Children Of The Revolution Records and gives a brilliant impression of the slab's musical quality. Refreshing mixture of Hardcore/Punk with relevant bands that didn't have to be asked twice to be part of Digging In Water. And it's not uncontrolled thrashing, rather amazingly solid heavy melodic stuff by seventeen bands that can do that. "This album does a perfect job of summing up a scene, and is a collection of the hottest UK Hardcore bands..." Enough for today, enjoy the weekend and soon the ball will be rolling again.

1.Overproduction - DISORDER

2.Kill Your Baby - CHAOS UK

3.Senile Fools - CONCRETE SOX

4.Single Ticket To Hell - RIPCORD

5.Coconut Song - VICIOUS CIRCLE

6.Ultracore - C.C.M.

7.Bullshit Propaganda - EXTREME NOISE TERROR

8.Life - ELECTRO HIPPIES

9.Oldest Trick In The Book - GENERIC

10.Slumber Party - THE STUPIDS

11.Firing Line - DEPRAVED

12.Truth - BAD DRESS SENSE

13.Mr. Parkinson - DR. & THE CRIPPENS

14.The Fairer Sex - CIVILISED SOCIETY?

15.Face The Facts - EYES ON YOU

16.Miserable Bastards - POTENTIAL THREAT

17.Pigs For Slaughter - OI POLLOI

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V/A - Skloom Al Komul! 2021

Well, as you can see, my old schoolmate Teddy is more than happy with his new girlfriend and he asked me to put some of his favorite songs together and share them with you. Of course, I would like to comply his request, even if I hardly find time and my computer soon crackes off, I have taken the trouble to create the following compilation from the extensive repertoire of his hard drive and now finally present it as the ninth release on WDM Records. He chose a healthy mix of old and new classics and I am very satisfied with his selection. I'm responsible for the artwork, which I think is excellent, and all this together makes this little musical composition another highlight on this damn uninteresting Blog. Wherever you are now, enjoy the days off, make the most of it and always remember, You're Not Alone!

1.Dream Within A Dream - PROPAGANDA

2.Tangled Up - CRANES

3.Alle Tage Sind Kein Sonntag - LINDEMANN & GARRETT

4.Fascination Street - THE CURE

5.Everything In Its Right Place - RADIOHEAD

6.Too Drunk To Fuck - NOUVELLE VAGUE

7.River - NATALIE MERCHANT

8.Young Folks - PETER, BJÖRN & PAUL

9.When It Rains - PINK TURNS BLUE

10.Last Caress - METALLICA

11.Strenges Mädchen - JOACHIM WITT

12.Johnny & Mary - PLACEBO

13.Coming Down - EA80

14.Los Paul - TRIO

15.White Rabbit - JEFFERSON AIRPLANE

16.Die With Your Boots On - IRON MAIDEN

17.Crystal - NEW ORDER

18.In My Life - THE BEATLES

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APPENDIX - Top Of The Pops 1984

Hell Yeah, the first day of vacation and after a very long sleep and a short visit to my friend Januz at the weekly market, the blog is now getting down to business, with the second longplayer from Appendix from Pori which came out via Propaganda Records, licensed by the divine Cologne scum label Rock-O-Rama. Who already likes the debut of the four will be intoxicated here as well. Fifteen fantastic catchy melodic songs, mostly under two minutes, in an appealing sound quality, Egoldt wasn't certainly at the knobs, still virtuosos at work; Mikki (vocals), Jaska (guitar), Tomi (bass) and Vesku (drums). Arto Hietikko from the Toinen Vaihtoehto Magazine wrote: "On the second album Top Of The Pops the band mixed catchy punk with hardcore, and the result was an overall fine album. Faster hardcore songs alternate with slower songs and there are even some post punk influences to be heard. The record was released by Rock-O-Rama and it didn't seem to get as much attention among Finnish punks as the first album. Appendix definitely had a sound of their own compared to other Finnish bands. In Finland, at least, everybody instantly knows what’s meant a band is said to be “Appendix influenced”. They might not have been as extreme, angry, or in-your-face but they are still very much liked among punks worldwide and will undoubtedly continue to find new listeners with new generations of punks in times to come. More recently, Appendix has reformed, doing their best to spoil their legacy on a series of new releases, all of which are mostly watered-down crap, but in their heyday the band surely put out some world top class songs & they undoubtedly deserve their place in the Finnish 80’s hardcore punk history."

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V/A - Asfalttidisco 1980

In Finland, at the end of the seventies/beginning of the eighties, amazingly good compilations were released, and most of you are probably familiar with the two legendary labels Poko and Propaganda Records, Asfalltdisco (fantastic album title) came via Kräk!, a rather unkonwn label for me but should also be considered, and this compilation, available as tape either, is not a bad one because we listen to thirteen varied melodies; NewWave, PowerPop, Punk or simple Rock: All In! The scope of this record is another solid demonstration of the musical diversity of interesting, sometimes short-lived bands and illustrates the innovative wide passion of the Nordic composers. Fazit: A sunny, entertaining mix and not only suitable for dinner parties. Now it goes on with the second day of the round of sixteen. ⚽

1.Tahdon Olla Vapaa - SOS

2.TV:n Uhri - KORROOSIO

3.Ulkona - NAUTA

4.Kuljen Ja Kuljen - LOUIE

5.Naapurin Poika - AARNEN VALINTA

6.Sun Täytyi Mennä - TURTA LEEVI

7.Idiootit Vauhdissa - SOS

8.Vanhat Jarrut - TEURASTAMO 5

9.Kuka Myi Kapinan - KORROOSIO

10.Elämäni Lotto - AARNEN VALINTA

11.Hienot Ihmiset - NAUTA

12.Oravanpyörä - LOUIE

13.Eläviä Ruumiita - TEURASTAMO 5

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MASSACRE - s/t LP 1985

Finnish three piece from Kuru, alive from 1984 - 1989, got back together 2006. On their rare debut at the start: Pete (vocals/guitars), Minnie (bass), Make (drums) and recorded for Propaganda Records, distributed by Rock-O-Rama. It is known that Finnish bands have a large following, fan base or at least enjoy a high status. From the far north of Europe comes great musical enjoyment in form of extreme hardcore, melodic ramonespunk, powerful punkrock and dark heavy metal, something for everyone. Massacre confirm this impressively with their eleven varied blasts. The record is hard to get and is all too often offered at overpriced Euronen, so enjoy every song as I do. Two more albums followed, four singles and lots of compilation contributions, some can be found in the blog. Great Stuff! 

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THE LUCHS BROTHERS - Kill Me I'm Rotten 7'' 1978

Debut killer 7Inch by the Luchs Brothers, Kurt (vocals), Marv (guitar), Gary (drums), from Chicago on Retread Records. The Luchs Brothers originally started out as a comedy troupe and they really had only one track that was in the punk vein, but since it was well-known at the time they are lumped into the punk scene. Kurt remembers "Kill Me I'm Rotten was written in ten minutes after my first exposure to the voice of Johnny Rotten, which I thought was one of the funniest things I'd ever heard, and to which I wanted to pay some kind of comedic homage. To this day, I'm amazed at how little press is devoted to the humor of the Sex Pistols and how seriously everybody takes punk. The idea that this man has made a living from singing all these years is, to me, hilarious. Still, I'm a big fan and I've enjoyed pretty much everything he's done. We soldiered on for a while with our comedy shenanigans. Our second record was unfortunately a major abortion, an attempt to combine songs with comedy bits, and it all sounds pretty awful today except for one cut, Luchs Brothers On Parade, which is nice but too long. I wouldn't stand by anything else on the record except for the ingenious homemade packaging, which is based on Chinese propaganda of the period, and includes things like a political playlet, etc." In 1979 a second 7Inch "We Are Farmers & Comedians Too" followed which moves more into comedy. Both songs are pretty cool stuff!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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SISTE DAGERS HELVETE - The Hell 1984

Fuckin' rainy today, first class blog weather and I'm digging out another classic record by Siste Dagers Helvete (freely translated Last Days In Hell) from Moss, just south of Oslo, and the band consisted of Oskari (vocals), Morten (guitars), Knut (bass), Rune (drums) and were active from 1981 to 1986 and their album "The Hell" had landed on Rock-O-Rama because the famous Finnish label Propaganda Records went bankrupt and H.E. grabbed with his greasy fatfingers for the masters, the band writes today: "[...] it was released without the band's approval, with wrong song titles, no royalties and worst of it all: the label did a radically different mix, destroying the master tape that originally had a depth and punch very unusual for a hardcore band at this time." Nevertheless are thirteen fast, catchy, irresestible smasher are left at its best. In 2010 appeared a splendid compilation called Hele Helvete 83-09 via Fysisk Format with all their recordings plus live material.

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PROPAGANDA - The Nine Lives Of Dr. Mabuse 12'' 1984

Now a post which is in my opinion one of the best records of German Pop culture. The first release by Propaganda from Dusseldorf, formed 1982 by Ralf Dörper (a member of the German industrial band Die Krupps). As a trio, with artist Andreas Thein and vocalist Susanne Freytag, the group made initial recordings in Germany which were destined for future release in the UK, where Ralf Dörper's early experimental recordings had received critical acclaim by radio DJ John Peel and journalist Chris Bohn aka Biba Kopf. With the inclusion of classically trained musician and composer Michael Mertens and singer Claudia Brücken (who had worked with Freytag in her previous band, The Topolinos), music journalist Paul Morley signed the band to Trevor Horn's newly formed ZTT Records label.They were one of the initial roster of acts signed to Trevor Horn's ZTT label, between 1984 and 1986, during which they released the critically acclaimed album A Secret Wish. "Dr. Mabuse", named after the fictional character made famous by filmmaker Fritz Lang is a fantastic ten minute pop goodie and I'm still excited and there is no comparable in this way. The third single Machinery is also a cracker. I still have some pop treasures and maybe I'll let them live again. Enjoy!

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V/A - Russia Bombs Finland 1982

The perfect sound for a Monday comes today from Finland, more precisely by Helsinki's Propaganda label (specializes mainly in Finnish hardcore, punk and much more) that gave birth to this fantastic compilation over thirty-seven years ago and has not lost any of its hardness and fresh sound in my opinion. All bands are likely known to every maniac of fast-paced short songs, you can find some records in the blog, and for those who want to discover this heart attack noises for themselves this record is an excellent start, I promise. And if you don't have enough of this plenty harsh stuff I recommend you the essential Killed By Finnish Hardcore compilation by Redrum Records... b.t.w. the first 500 copies came partly with booklet which I don't have.

1.Vapaus - BASTARDS
2.Lahdataan Ne - BASTARDS
3.Ei Tulevaisuutta - BASTARDS
4.Univormukonnat - BASTARDS
5.Sodan Uhka - BASTARDS
6.R.A.Y. - ANTIKEHO
7.Peace & Love - ANTIKEHO
8.Suomi 83 - ANTIKEHO
9.Uhoan - ANTIKEHO
10.Politiikka - KAAOS
11.Ei Enää Koskaan - KAAOS
12.Ei Luovuteta - KAAOS
13.Natsi - NATO
14.Presidenttipeli - NATO
15.Helsingin Yöt - NATO
16.Villi Ja Vapaa - NATO
17.Mä Haluan Paljon Rahaa - TERVEET KÄDET
18.N.Y.T. - TERVEET KÄDET
19.Älä Luota Systeemiin - RIISTETYT
20.Painu Helvettiin Natsiäpärä - RIISTETYT
21.Sä Maksat - RIISTETYT
22.Rajoitukset - RIISTETYT
23.Mä En Jaksa Elää - RIISTETYT
24.En Jaksa Enää - 013
25.Työnvälittäjä - 013
26.Takaisin Todellisuuteen - 013
27.Aku Ankka Raskaana - MAHO NEITSYT
28.Mikä Mun Päässä Nykii - MAHO NEITSYT
29.Sinä Ja Minä - APPENDIX
30.Tää Maailma On Meidän - APPENDIX
31.Suomi Vapaaksi - SEKUNDA
32.Lepakon Hämyt - SEKUNDA
33.Poseeraajat - SEKUNDA
34.Elukat - DACHAU
35.Huomena Haudassa - DACHAU

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RELEASE THE BATS - Ever Pleasant Smile... 1986

Say Hello to Saturday with a piece of Deathrock. Posted by Curious Guy eleven years ago on his phoenixhairpins blog and his comment on the record coincides with mine so I quote his words for this: "Release The Bats were a goth band from Bolton, members were D. Stephens, K. Taylor, M. Naylor and Rod Barker. Don't know much more but they released a 7" in 1985 with two tracks: 'Unacceptable Behaviour' & 'Harsh'. Both tracks can be found on the album. I won't say that this album is classic stuff but it's damn rare and worth a listen. For those who don't know, First Floor was a sublabel of the infamous Rock-O-Rama. This label started as a punklabel, releasing German punk and also licensed records off of Propaganda Records from Finland so that people had easier access to those classic Finnish hardcore punk records. But later the label also released records by Skrewdriver and other RAC/WP bands. Rock-O-Rama ceased all activity in the 90's after the police raided their office. I don't think that bands like Release The Bats, Saigon and They Must Be Russians were aware of the connection; or maybe they didn't care?" I was lucky to acquire this slab for little money, and musically not bad at all.

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DESTRUCKTIONS - Vox Populi 1983

Ingenious Hardcore from Ulvila by Destrucktions, the four was founded in 1981 by Mike (vocals), Poko (guitars), Mixa (bass) and Jaakko (drums) and Vox Populi was recorded for Propaganda Records but is released via Rock-O-Rama in 1983. At that time Destrucktions had already split up, so that is the only record they have ever released. Compilations featuring the band at a few, one in this blog: Finnish Spunk/Hard Beat. Fifteen absolutely short kicking bombs with fierce sound which gives the band proper power and anger. Höhnie Records released 2007 a record named Complete Destrucktions with all their recordings plus rare demos in a gatefold sleeve with lyrics and band history, both in Finnish and English as well as some archive pictures which you can get via Melonville Hardcore blog. Fazit: first class twenty-five minutes of Finnish Hardcore!

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VAURIO - A Shout From The Night 1984

From Turku are Vaurio and they were founded 1981 by Sauke (vocals), Masa (guitar), Sidi (bass) and Brando (drums) but Brando left one year later the band and new drummer Minni came in and this line-up formed the band's standard composition and also played on all Vaurio recordings, while other band members were either visiting or just being there for a short time. The group was active until summer 1985 after which it re-assembled only on May 11, 1990, at the six-year anniversary celebration of the turkish Aura brewery. Vaurio is part of the Finnish hardcore punk movement from the early 80s and recorded one EP, Sortoa Ja Vainoa on Propaganda Records in 1983 and this full length which was released via Rock-O-Rama, the German label we all love... and two tracks on the great Finnish Spunk/Hard Beat compilation (coming soon), also on the Cologne label. Vaurio's sound stands for short fast songs, not so aggressive as Terveet Kädet or Riistetyt, rather slight melodic mid-tempo songs and in between, of course, short catchy numbers, fourteen nuggets in twenty-five minutes. Fuck info at the end: singer Sauke died at the age of 38 in 2003. - In his honor: A Shout From The Night!

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RIISTETYT - Valtion Vankina 1982

I'm busy ripping records tonight and I'm working on some Hardcore stuff from Finland and I wanna post of course another classic album and I'll recommend this right now: Riistetyt - originally called Cadgers - was formed 1981 being one of the very first hardcore punk bands coming from Finland. The first Cadgers line-up did only one split 7'' with Kaaos, both bands being pioneers of hardcore in Tampere. Soon the band name was changed to Riistetyt and the next release was "Laki Ja Järjestys" EP, also released by P.Tuotanto 1982. It followed the debut album Valtion Vankina (As A Prisoners Of State) and the Skitsofrenia 12" on Propaganda Records. Prisoners Of State & the next release "Raiskattu Tulevaisuus" (Raped Future) were also pressed in Germany by not-so-reputable Rock-O-Rama Records (the band had nothing to do with that as it was a deal between Propaganda Records and Jock-O-Rama). Years 1981-1983 the band did a lot of shows around Finland and ended up on US tour 1984, at that time the line-up and the style had faced a radical change (they also had a rock band Pyhät Nuket "Holy Dolls" those days). After the US tour the band had no other solution than have a break since 1985. 1999 there was a funeral of a classic squatted house "Lepakko" in Helsinki and Riistetyt shared the stage with many other old bands from 80's like Kaaos, Terveet Kädet, Appendix etc. After that they recorded a new 7Inch with new line-up but that didn't last long and after more line-up changes there was a team that managed to play together around five years releasing more records and toured in Europe, Brazil & USA, this ensemble played 2008-2010. In the end of 2010 Jukkeli quit playing drums and Perttu re-joined drumming and the nightmare continues! The latest record "Korppien Paraati" was released 2013 on vinyl and CD. (source: Riistetyt) - Twenty-two raw + loud pure energy drinks they have recorded here and no shirt stays dry... guaranteed!!!

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APPENDIX - Money Is Not My Currency 1983

For breakfast, I serve gentle Nordic dance music from beautiful Finland and invited are: Mikki (vocals), Jaska (guitar), Tomi (bass) and Vesku (drums) = Appendix. Hailed from Pori, a small town in the western coast of Finland, and although they were not as raw, fast or chaotic as most of the other Finnish hardcore bands at the time, they undoubtedly deserve their place in the Finnish 1980’s hardcore punk history. Ei Raha Oo Mun Valuuttaa is their debut record and was released via Propaganda Records (the label for exquisite Finnish hardcore) and in Germany via Rock-O-Rama, one of the wiser decisions of the Cologne. Sixteen melodic straightforward mid-tempo punk & hardcore songs guarantee lots of wet ear orgasms. The second album, Top Of The Pops (1984), continues seamlessly with more catchy crackers and in autumn the same year the band split up. In the mid 90s Appendix has reformed and made new records/gigs but they can't reach the level of the early days... now it's time for a warm shower!

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V/A - Propaganda EP 1981

All right you fuckers, I'm back here and let's have a visit to the north of Europe with this little 7Inch, the first various compilation by Propaganda Records, a Finnish independent record label, founded in 1981 by Heikki Vilenius. It specializes mainly in Finnish hardcore, punk, suomirock, rock, hard rock, blues, folk, outlaw country. Six bands, six times punkrock of the first hour, all great and you have to get this. Fuck You all for not leavin' comments or anything else. This is a nice little one what you otherwise missed, Blah! 

1.Syylliset - OPIUM

2.Ei Sun Tartte Ajatella - NATO

3.Eteen - O13

4.Lasten Hautausmaa - AAPELI KISSALA JA ANTIPATIA

5.Metabolla Otsaan - ELASTIC BOREDOM

6.Välinpitämätön - VIIMEISET KIUSAUKSET

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V/A - Pultti EP 1982

This little juwel was a self-released one and discogs says Pultti was a fanzine made by Pexi, the singer of Maho Neitsyt and probably 118 copies were pressed but I'm not sure. Fact is this one is a very rare one and the music here is all quite good. Starts with the classic Appendix from Pori and I think you know them well because they had two albums released in the 80s, nice mid-tempo punk at its finest. Maho Neitsyt from Kuusankoski with a short dirty goodie, always nice this pinched voice. They released a lot of 7inches through the 80s and essential is a compilation called "Näinkö Viina Vaikuttaa?" with all their recordings, it's sure a bootleg, don't know when this came out. From Etuala exists only this song here, maybe it's a side-project from some of this band here, no idea, sure the song kicks enormous. Behind Antikeho stuck no other than the Bastards, the hardcore kings, everyone knows. More Antikeho you can find on the great "Russia Bombs Finland" compilation on Propaganda Records. Nato is another unknown band, maybe from Helsinki and here with the longest track, 3 minutes. Cool Punk'N'Roll sound with snotty guitars and a fine solo. They're ditto on the "Russia" comp. and a few other bootlegs. Appendix close this record with a Killer one. Resume: Successful record, no failure, nice artwork, Pogo guaranteed!

1.Ei Raha Oo Mun Valuuttaa - APPENDIX

2.Ne Ei Myyneet Mulle Viinaa - MAHO NEITSYT

3.Päästä Vetää - ETUALA

4.R.A.Y - ANTIKEHO

5.Isänmaa Vituttaa - NATO

6.Kytän Unelma - APPENDIX

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