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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NEW ROSE - Circus Of The Human Race EP 1986

Swedish five piece from Ljusne, Hälsingland and this 7Inch has four solid rocking numbers and is the debut of New Rose, Anders (vocals), Maths (guitars), Ingvar (bass), Peter (keys), Roger (drums), on Slam Records. An album followed (In The Land Of Overnight Daylight, 1988) plus a flexi 7inch (split with The Pedaç Moped, 1989) and I guess after that the band broke up. Musically played decently, melodically and the keys are not too dominant and sound at the right time without getting on your nerves and as far as I know, there aren't Compilation invitations. I think, there are far worse ways to waste ten minutes of your life, New Rose aren't one of them.

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BASTARDS - Schizo Terrorist 1978

A fucking cool record and one I posted already in my former Blog is the next one by the Bastards, a five piece from Geneva and consisted of by Marie-Pierre & Sando (vocals), Jean-Francois (bass), Ralph (guitars), Didier (guitar/drums). The band emerged from the Slam, one of the first Swiss glam rock bands that formed in 1976 and changed its name and sound in 1977, and in their short existence one 7Inch was released through Zaki Records (the original record is available for a cheap € 350,-) and in 2006 Feathered Apple Records reissued this in two versions, first pressing of 500 numbered and the second pressing 1000 regular copies. This combo is pure Punkrock and belongs to the best bands from this country, that is confirmed also by numerous Compilation contributions. They play in the top league of SwissPunk with their snotty songs and are always welcome in my domicile, nine blasts will convince even those who don't know them, definitely! Brilliant Stuff!

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SLAM - End Of Laughter 1987

Third and final album by Slam from Gävle and line-up on these fifteen songs were Zone (vocals), Thomas & Uffe (guitars), Pär (bass), Tony (drums) and the year after they got the chance after releasing this album (in the US by Subcore Records) and embarked on a two month U.S. tour that resulted in twenty-seven shows at various venues which made them playing together with such acts as Circle Jerks, Gang Green, SNFU and many more. Slam's last show was in 1987 at the now defunct Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen, and Fagersta Fokets Hus. No further material have been released until 2008 when they appear on 'Svenska Punk Klassiker Vol.2'. Here's a review which I feel the same way: "Out of the fifteen mid-tempo Punk songs here, most are made up of delicate guitar leads, simple drum beats, and droning vocals that lean toward the dark side. Maybe the songs are too long, maybe the band doesn’t live up to their name, but this slab just doesn’t stand out. (Martin Sprouse, MRR #42 • November 1986) - Well, unfortunately they didn't make a big bang with this record but I recommend checking their debut album which is a complete different caliber.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Punk Territory Vol.3 - US Hardcore 1981-84 [1994]

Holladrio my dear friends, I'm back from my vacation (I hope you missed me a little) and before I give you a few impressions, and there were a hell of lots, I'll be back musically, as promised, with a Bang! Volume 3 of the Punk Territory and this is catchy as hell. Fifty-five short blasts of eleven US bands come here together and the tracks are from their first singles which are nowadays as rare like snow in the Sahara. Exact details are mentioned in the booklet but unfortunately not here and I save myself the call for good scans, unfortunately there is no feedback but fuck it. This compilation is again varied enough to hold the interest of punk afficiondos from all eras and kicks the shit totally out of you, so welcome Honey!

1.Your Way - SHELL SHOCK

2.My Brain Is Jelly - SHELL SHOCK

3.Execution Time - SHELL SHOCK

4.Crucial Point - THE MOB

5.We Can - THE MOB

6.N.Y. Slam - THE MOB

7.Dr. Butcher - THE MOB

8.Pinstripe Suit - THE MOB

9.Label It - THE MOB

10.101 - THE MOB

11.Common Criminal - THE MOB

12.Fight For Right - THE MOB

13.Marionetts - JERRY'S KIDZ

14.B.R.S. - JERRY'S KIDZ

15.That's Life - JERRY'S KIDZ

16.Who Cares?/Death - C.I.A.

17.Hazard - C.I.A.

18.Commie Control - C.I.A.

19.Love & War - C.I.A.

20.No Thrills - C.I.A.

21.The Land Of The Free - PATRIOTS

22.Nobody No More - PATRIOTS

23.Subvert - STATE

24.New Right - STATE

25.Attention - STATE

26.Hard Line - STATE

27.No Illusions - STATE

28.Police State - STATE

29.Girl Violence - STATE

30.Fascist - WHITE CROSS

31.No Straight Edge - WHITE CROSS

32.Speed Of The Presses - WHITE CROSS

33.American Way - WHITE CROSS

34.Jump Up - WHITE CROSS

35.Suburbanite - WHITE CROSS

36.Nuke Attack - WHITE CROSS

37.Having Fun - WHITE CROSS

38.America America - SIN 34

39.Children Shall Not Be Heard - SIN 34

40.The Uniform - SIN 34

41.12 Hour Trip - SIN 34

42.Join The Race - SIN 34

43.Stupid Jerk - THE QUEER PILLS

44.Time To Fuck - THE QUEER PILLS

45.The Todd Killings - THE QUEER PILLS

46.They Saved Hitler's Cock - THE QUEER PILLS

47.Toy Soldiers - N.O.T.A.

48.Justice In America - N.O.T.A.

49.Fucked Up - N.O.T.A.

50.Cattle Call - N.O.T.A.

51.Riot Kids - N.O.T.A.

52.Life Is One - ANTIDOTE

53.Nazi Youth - ANTIDOTE

54.Real Deal - ANTIDOTE

55.Foreign Job Lot - ANTIDOTE

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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DISASTER AREA - Die On Your Board 1986

In 1979, the later members were in the process of developing their skate skills on the concrete surfaces of the Berlin district of Märkisches Viertel, known as the ghetto. A trip to London with the Berlin Skate Club led to contacts with the punk scene. This resulted in the connection between skating and punk music for the band. In the winter of 1980/81 they began to rehearse as C&A (Chaos & Turmoil) in a boiler room. Under this name they played their first concerts with the Suurbiers (from which Die Ärzte later emerged) and die deutsche Trinkerjugend. In 1984 they were inspired by the "Loudest Band in the Universe" appearing in the series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and renamed themselves Disaster Area. In the same year they produced two tracks for a split single with the band Die Schlimmen Finger on the Berlin label Pogar. The debut Die On Your Board was created in just three days 1986 and after a record review in MaxiMumRocknroll, the band received more and more concert inquiries. In 1987 Disaster Area played for the first time at the skate contest in Münster, where they appeared regular since then. In 1988 the second album Back From The Reservation came out and is stylistically more influenced by hardcore punk. The song 'Skate Tonight' from the first single was also newly recorded. In 1988 Oli suffered an eardrum injury from feedback at the Skate'N'Roll Festival and left the band. Frusti became the new drummer, and Norman joined as second guitarist. In 1989 they took part in the Berlin Senat Rock Competition and made it to the finals.

In 1990, the third album Cut The Line came through Bonzen Records and the Ox wrote at the time: “Germany's Skate Punk Band No.1". This was followed by a tour with the Badtown Boys and a live album, recorded at SO36 in Berlin. Norman switched from guitar to snowboard and Domi became the new guitarist. Shred Ready is the band's fourth album and for the first time, metal borrowings were clearly heard in the music. The guitarist received a postcard from Marty Friedman of Megadeth with the words: “It Rocks! The fun of the Ramones with cool lead guitar, too. Keep up the good work! ". In 1994 Disaster Area played as the opening act for The Offspring and in December the same year made a ten-day tour through ten Berlin concert halls to mark its tenth anniversary. In 1996 Domi switched to the metal band Orth and Disaster Area continued as four piece. The new songs became much more melodic and the Powder EP was released the same year. The next album Slam Section was released in 1998 on the metal label Noise Records by Karl Walterbach. At the end of a tour with CIA (Ex-Slime) and several concerts with Millencolin followed. In 1999 Tom, who had previously played in Mr. Ed Jumps The Gun joined the band. Tom already knew Disaster Area back in 1984. He had played guitar on the split single for Die Schlimmen Finger. A tour with California punx The Line followed and for the 20th anniversary of the band the last album Forever was released.

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THE SEIZE - Everybody Dies EP 1982

Second 7Inch by the Seize on Why Not? Records and here at work Colin (vocals/bass), Ross & Tim (guitars), Chewy (drums). Four catchy pieces and a short review: It's been a long time since their first single and the SEIZE haven't come out of the garage yet. In the great tradition of slam, crash, and slobber, this EP has a nasty edge and should be played at high volume. Four great ditties are included, but "In For Me" is the standout track. (Ruth Sschwartz, MMR #3, Nov. 1982) - More hearing orgasms of the four in the blog.

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PUBLIC ENEMY 23 - Burned By The Night 1985

This rare mini 12'' by Public Enemy 23 from Hamburg was released on Gabba Gabba Hey Records and the band consisted of Franky and Esther (vocals), Gale (guitars), Jenne (bass) and Fingers (drums) and I first came in touch with the band through a song on the blessed Slam-Brigade Haifischbar compilation via Weird System (1991). They rocked the clubs of the Reeperbahn in the 80s with their refreshing Punk'n'Roll in which they celebrated numerous Gassenhauer plus own goodies and which coat they gave them can you recognize by these six songs. I would say: Lost Little Nugget!

- Great Thx to Nolti -

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V/A - 病原体 Virus Compilation 1988

To coffee now a decent portion of hardcore and a trip to Japan is not the worst place and the punkers there celebrate it in their very own way I think: extreme energetic, partly chaotic, unrestrained and simply authentic, and exactly that stimulates me a lot and often I don' understand a word because the singing is mostly screamin' out (I mean, the Italians, Spaniards or Brazilians, to name a few, can do that too but the Japanese I find specially and unique) and that makes the music so simpatico. This record, released via the French label Jungle Hop International, proves it with sixteen fantastic delicious cocktails.

1.Ugly Today - SIC 

2.I Don't Wanna - SIC

3.Right Stuff - LIP CREAM

4.Yellow Beauty - LIP CREAM

5.Open Your Eyes - FUCK GEEZ

6.No Fun - FUCK GEEZ

7.Buffalo Slam - FVK

8.A Summer Vacation - FVK

9.Jap Gate - SYSTEMATIC DEATH

10.Jock - SYSTEMATIC DEATH

11.Hi - SYSTEMATIC DEATH

12.Bloody Character - MAD CONFLUX

13.Go Out - MAD CONFLUX

14.Pink Panther - MAD CONFLUX

15.Always Hate - DON DON

16.We Don't Want Fuckin' Laws - DON DON

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V/A - 1984 The Fourth 1990

I'm sure a lot of you know the 1984 compilations which were released via the french label New Wave Records and all four volumes had lots of international bands and the chance to immortalize their songs on vinyl, some became known, others dissolved. Fact is that each volume has been provided with loving inserts, partial two record-sets and the rather unknown fourth part contains a 7Inch. The musical bandwidth goes in all directions of decent underground sounds from all worlds cellars. Twenty-four good reasons convince you to grab this platte and let this hot Monday end gently.

1.Convicted - CONVICTED

2.Whose Life? - NAUSEA

3.Few Lines & Tones About Dr. Mengele And His Railway Selections - MENGELE

4.Dismembered Corpse - VNA

5.Painclothes Dick - SANITY ASSASSINS

6.The Sound Of Confetti - MENTAL DISTURBANCE

7.The Thin Man - THE DISPOSSESSED

8.But With This Word - DIE SCHWARZEN SCHAFE

9.Outrage Rebellion - OUTRAGE REBELLION

10.Barrier - KRULL

11.HC Bomb - TOXIK TRASH

12.Victims - WHITE PIGS

13.But Every Sunday Morning - CIRCLE OF SIG-TIÜ

14.Agur L'Azurrebel - NOISE & DECKER

15.Misaki - TOSHIYUKI HIRAOKA

16.L'Utopie C'est Pour Demain - ASPIDISTRA

17.Cherry Bomb - FREE LOVE SOCIETY

18.Lay Down The Law - DEMONAX

19.What The Fuck - ONCLE SLAM

20.The Dark - SAMAËL

21.Get Off My Back - FOREIGN LEGION

22.Blinded By Science - ACTIVE MINDS

23.United Scene - DISGORGE

24.Yourself - SLAVER

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V/A - TV Räjähtää! 1981

And as I have not enough shit on the shoe, I got a damn cold again and my nose is constantly blocked, I hate this condition and let's see what goes today. Now a nice litte compilation from Finnlevy Records with fifteen goodies and what we find is a sound which ranks right through the alternative/pop genre plus one punk blast (Lama). Overall, a vital platte with a few highlights, filter them out by yourself.

1.Varjo Seuraa Onneain - PELLE MILJOONA OY

2.Mitä Tänään Koulussa Opit - PELLE MILJOONA & AVOIMET OVET

3.Myrkytyksen Oireet - JUICE LESKINEN SLAM

4.Itkevä Huilu - TUMPPI VARONEN

5.Hevi Tulee Hevi Tappaa - SLEEPY SLEEPERS

6.Lasten Mehuhetki - TUOMARI NURMIO

7.Haaveet - ARI VAAHTERA

8.Tänään On Kuin Eilen - WOUDE

9.Synnyin Tanssiin - SIG

10.Koiranpennut - MAUKKA PERUSJÄTKÄ

11.Tilulilu - HECTOR

12.Labyrintti - STRESSI

13.Kadonneet - SE

14.Väliaikainen - LAMA

15.Ihminen Hallitsee O.K. - MISTAKES

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V/A - Birkagården Gärdet 1986

I love stuff like this and next here is a ultra-rare live compilation which was released on Rosa Honung Rec. The songs were recorded in January & August 1985 and the rest in February 1986 at different places in Sweden. Besides the Instigators there are only Swedish bands present. A hot mix of punk & hardcore come along in a decent sound quality. If you search for some new bands then this record will inspire you. SKÅL!

1.T-Dojja - GUDIBRALLAN

2.Sommarlåten - TRÄD, GRÄS & STENAR

3.Passenger - WATABOUT

4.Vår Peggy Sue - KÖTTGROTTORNA

5.Välkommen Hem - ASTA KASK

6.Alarm - ANTICIMEX

7.Dom Styr Våra Liv - MOB 47

8.The Fix - INSTIGATORS

9.God Shave The Queen - INSTIGATORS

10.Poliser - TREDJE KÖNET

11.Rooms Of Darkness - SLAM

12.LTO - ROLANDS GOSSKÖR

13.Ditt Land Behöver Dej - CHARTA 77

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V/A - Sacred Cattle EP 1993

One more nice surprise that arrived in the last days via email is this record from Existential Vacuum with previously unreleased Texas punk 1977-1982 in an edition of 600 copies. It took a bit to pull it (I'm very busy at the moment) but here it is. There stand lo-fi on the front but I understand something different, for example the Swiss band Abgas fits this description but all five goodies on this 7Inch are in my opinion excellent kbd stuff, all good recordings (the first track is a real smasher) and The Ejectors as well. A fuckin' great record! Get more early Texas Punk and enjoy!

 -Extra Special Thx to hiroshima.mon.amour - 

1.Participation - BOY PROBLEMS

2.Poor Sid - VAST MAJORITY

3.Duke Is Dead - VAST MAJORITY

4.Slam Dance - THE EJECTORS

5.Six Feet Under - NCM

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V/A - Auf Tierfang Durch Die Welt Für Unseren Zoo EP 1985

Let me finish October with a further highlight of German Punkrock. This rare self-released 7Inch compilation hosts three combos, two songs each, from the north of our beautiful republic. Starting with Blanker Hohn from Hamburg (the only band with an album on Jax Pax Records) with awesome quake sound and a damn nasal voice, lovely. Die Erben, also from Hamburg, come along with a female voice and brilliant lyrics which are food for thoughts, both excellent playin', lovely. And as third R.Z.Amok from Tostedt with two decent goodies which go pretty forward, musically as well as textually, lovely. In my opinion the latter both had deserved an album. Info for all collectors among you: this record is limited to 600 copies and comes in a double-sided fold-out info/lyric sheet - I slam me again, must become healthy, meet you tomorrow.

1.Linie 44 - BLANKER HOHN

2.The Solution - DIE ERBEN

3.Texte - R.Z. AMOK

4.Mind Police - DIE ERBEN

5.Machtmonopol - R.Z. AMOK

6.Essen, Trinken, Rauchen... - BLANKER HOHN

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SLAM - Ingens Slav 1984

Slam was formed 1982 in Gävle/Sweden by five skaters who shared a common music interest, but with none or little band experience. They started as Destroy with their first gig at Paletten Sätra, after rehearsing only for some weeks. About a year later their first recordings released as a tape in January 1983. They were active playing most local and national gigs. Their records were on their own label and sold by independent distributors all over. Their first full length album came in 1984 called Ingens Slav. In 1985 they appeared with a track for the american skate magazine Thrashers skaterock vol.3 compilation "Wild Riders Of Boards". Same year they were also participating on the compilation of european punk bands called Chaos In Europe, on the French New Rose label. Slam split in 1987 and played their last show at the now defunct Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen. - Excellent Scandinavian Punkrock. -

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V/A - Chaos In Europe 1985

Another wonderful compilation of brilliant Oi!/Punk stuff is this record, released by Chaos Production and it brings a small sample of the punk scene here in Europe of the early 80s. I must confess that it's a long time ago I listen to but it's always a pleasure when I pick this record up again. Here's a review that says all: "Despite a well-drawn but obnoxious macho cover with blatant evocations of violence, the third Chaos Production compilation proves to be another very strong release. This one has band from all over Europe on if, thereby extending its range and variety. Herein one can find the standard French-style skunk (KOMINTERN SECT, REICH ORGASM, L'ENFANTS SAUVAGES, and Spain's DECIBELIOS), catchy pop punk (AL KAPOTT, DREI ORLOK, Spain's T.N.T., Holland's NV LE ANDEREN, and a killer cut from Sweden's ASTA KASK) pure Oi (BRUTAL COMBAT and Italy's NABAT), and all sorts of punk (KAMBRONES, Germany's F.F.F. and NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES, and Sweden's SLAM). Highly Recommended." - Jeff Bale (from Maximum Rocknroll #27, August 1985) - Nothin' to add, so let's start the download and open a beer meanwhile.

1.Tous Ensemble - KOMINTERN SECT

2.Supporter - REICH ORGASM

3.Dodot No Ha Muerto - DECIBELIOS

4.Guernicka - T.N.T.

5.Les Bras Musclés - AL KAPOTT

6.Bobby's Spelunke - F.F.F.

7.Blutige Gesichter - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES

8.Ingens Slav - SLAM

9.TV'n - ASTA KASK

10.Toujours Ca D'Gagné - KAMBRONES

11.Cunégonde - DREI OKLOK

12.Laida Bologna - NABAT

13.The Girl On The Pavement - NV LE ANDEREN

14.Mercenaire - BRUTAL COMBAT

15.Pépé X - ROBERT ET LES ENFANTS SAUVAGES

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