DÄMMERATTACKE - Das Märchen EP 1981

Damn, I'm late with this slab, it was requested seven years ago and I said yes. Sorry for the extreme delay, but I'll take care of it today. Not many records exist from this combo which were formed by school friends 1979 in the Wiener Neustadt called Dämmerattacke and the line-up were Walter (vocals/guitar), Thomas (bass), Wolfgang (drums), Erich (keys), Michael (sax/vocals) and 1980 they performed together with X-Beliebig @ the Vienna Amerlingbeisl and gained attraction of Austrian Punk pioneer Panza who released this fucking 7Inch on his Panza-Platte label (200 copies) and we enjoy four shallow New Wave goodies and if you want to get the original EP you have to dig deep into your pockets, which of course is completely exaggerated in my opinion, there is no re-release either (their only album Tausend Seen was reissued in 2012 in an limited edition, if that interests you). The album received unfortunately not much attention (I think the Punk community wasn't open to this kind of music) and after this commercial failure the band was dropped by distributor Ariola and folded by its members. Thomas and Wolfgang later formed the Bates Men.

I have to admit, I can't listen to their songs all the time, I have to be in the right mood and it may sound clichéd, but this is exactly the right music for gray November days like today. But it's all a matter of taste, as always. Dämmerattacke is a clinical term for states of short-term altered consciousness and now decide whether you wanted to do this to yourself or not... I say: you can do it!

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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SLAUGHTER - Bite Back 1980

Before I have to go to the dentist and after two cups of coffee, a short visit to England. Slaughter, better known as Slaughter & The Dogs, were formed in 1975 in Wythenshawe, Manchester and this is their second album on DJM Records. Their original line-up consisted of singer Wayne Barrett, guitarist Mick Rossi, drummer Brian "Mad Muffet" Grantham and bassist Howard "Zip" Bates. I think they left their punk roots a bit on this album and switched to a more rockin' sound, which is clearly noticeable in the length of the songs, many faded out (which I don't really like). Overall, not a bad album and the eleven songs are not boring, but somehow I miss the dirty, the rough sharpness that made them stand out on Do It Dog Style, probably they wanted to get away from the wild sound and therefore made the slab a little too smooth in my opinion. Well, whatever... quite decent and audible. Find them on some compilations in the blog, and now on my bike and go!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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THE BATES - Pleasure + Pain 1995

At home in the north of Hesse, we visit again the bubblegum punx from Eschwege. Pleasure + Pain is the fifth studio album by the Bates and this was the band's breakthrough in the mid-1990s. Unfortunately I almost want to say, I think they lost a little identity thereby. And the useless MTV videos didn't do them any good either, only financially and Punx with a lot of money produce a lot of shit. Well, Vergnügen + Schmerz offers the typical Bates style and contains mostly quickly played three-chord numbers, which branch out with melodic highlights and smooth ballads. A special feature is the cover version Donna Clara, an old hit from the 1920s. It is the only German song on the record and Bela B. & Farin Urlaub (under the pseudonym "Kill Kill Gaskrieg") from die Ärzte took over the background vocals. The lyrics of the slab are relatively simple. No political slogans were used, instead the punk attitude was tried to be implemented, and the magic of love also appears again and again. The Bates were here: Zimbl (vocals/bass), Michael (lead guitar), Thomas (rhythm guitar) & Frank (drums). Records by the four bring fun because they dig out pop pearls in order to roast them in their unmistakable way.

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THE BATES - Angel Face 12'' 1989

A long day on the computer with a lot of music is coming to an end and I complete this stormy Sunday with a very good combo from the Wiener Neustadt. Ex Bates Men released this 12" on RST Records and featuring a Goth Rock cover version of The Glitter Band's "Angel Face" and they had to change their band name into Bates Unlimited due to a legal controversy with the German band The Bates. Four solid rockin' goodies with a touch of melancholy (want I to throw in) have they recorded here which I can't hear every day but now and then... check for yourself!

- Special Thx to Reinhard -

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THE BATES - Punk? EP 1998

The Bates was a German punk band, founded in Eschwege, federal state of Hesse/Germany in 1987. The name refers to the character Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho. This EP is limited fan edition and contains thirteen tracks. The Bates published alongside original compositions on each of their albums at least two cover versions. On 18.June 2006, singer & frontman Markus Zimmer (R.I.P.) died at the age of 41 years in his apartment. As a basic circulatory collapse is given as cardiac arrest, which is due to the long-standing alcohol and drug addiction. Two days later he was found. A sad sad story indeed. A fuckin' cool live band and unforgotten.

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BATES MEN - Für Immer 7'' + THE BATES - I See Love In Your Eyes 7'' 1985

Well, a pleasant evening is coming to an end and I'm not tired so I'm here now. Let's post this rare band and they formed 1985 in the Wiener Neustadt as Bates Men by ex-Dämmerattacke members Thomas Guth (vox & organ) and Wolfgang Leinweber (drums) who recruited Hannes Eder (bass), Dieter Nemetz (guitar) and Joe Stickler (synth). The bands debut self-released 7" Für Immer/Das Schweigen before changing their name into The Bates and both songs are classic theatrical post-punk, pretty dark and the key sound accompanied the cold atmosphere which lasts nearly ten minutes. I like the Dämmerattacke album with its subtle hint of Gothic and the desperate vocals and every time I listen to I know: everything is perishable! Uhh, that means not I hang around at cemeteries, ha ha.... No, their songs have their own authentic and unique character, which, in addition to the ability to write really cool numbers was mainly due to the highly unique and far from the pop cliche vocals, the two men behind the microphone Walter Leinweber and Michael Andersch. So the songs are still functioning admirably and there are a few bands that simply have it, but I digress...... as always, hehe...

As the Bates they released their 2nd 7" I See Love In Your Eyes/You're Better Than Me, finally released on new label Cactus Records which had been founded by friends. Musically they changed their style and move to an Alternative sound and in my opinion they lose a bit of class. The songs not bad but they are nothing special. But it's a matter of taste, right? After another 12" on RST Records, featuring a Goth Rock cover version of The Glitter Band's "Angel Face" they had to change their band name into Bates Unlimited due to a legal controversy with the German band The Bates. In 1994 the band split, Nemetz and Bechtloff forming Seven Ages. So overalI I can say both records are pretty ok and worth the download because they fuckin' rare (check eBay for silly offers). And I would note that they are not present on the cool Austrian compilations Es Chaos Is Die Botschaft and 'De Guade Oide Zeit' which is a shame but there are certainly reasons. Enough words, enjoy the music!!

- Extra Special Thx to Reinhard -

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V/A - Cannabis Weekend 1995

Let's start June with a nice German compilation with a heavy funny title and almost all twenty-one songs of course deal with pot smoking or goes with it. Except Serene Fall and they were the reason I must bought this CD. 'Faces' is one of the best songs from the Gladbach band and only here released in their original four piece line-up. It's about bad feelings which eat yourself and go into the mark, stay there because it can't goes worse, know what I mean?... let's see for yourself - The record is a very good mix of alternative/punk goodies, my favorites are the unforgotten Bates, Three O'Clock Heroes, Tote Hosen, Rausch and Fitt Band Experience. Ca 80% exclusive tunes on Dope Records.
A perfect opener for sunny days or.... ?

1.The Deal - AG HANF 
2.All Shut Up - THREE O'CLOCK HEROES 
3.Gute Reise - DIE TOTEN HOSEN 
4.Warten - TIEFLADER 
5.Lazy - FITT BAND EXPERIENCE 
6.Witness - AG HANF 
7.Begreife Deine Wirklichkeit - KALTE ZEITEN 
8.Zuviel - LEMON 8 
9.Heo - THE BATES 
10.Rollerskates On Ice - THROW THAT BEAT 
11.Marc's Kochstudio - PHASE IV 
12.Stoned Faces Don't Lie - ANDREAS DORAU 
13.Looser - M.WALKING ON WATER 
14.Holiday From Myself - RAUSCH 
15.The Cops - AG HANF 
16.Faces - SERENE FALL 
17.Paint - 2 BAD 
18.Envy - GUNJAH 
19.Reggae Music - OUTASPACE 
20.Homecoming - AG HANF 
21.Mit Einem Bein - HIGHZUNG

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V/A - Not Great For Great Men 1988

Sometimes it's cool when I buy a record and I can't get any info or reviews at all. So this experience I made with this magnificent slab. A fantastic compilation of largely unknown bands and every single song is a killer!! The known-bands here I know are the Bates from Eschwege, who later released a few records and with their many cover versions they were very successful and Funeral Oration from Holland. The rest of it are absolutely unknown to me and there's no information on the back cover or an insert and the label Weckewerk has probably not live a long time. I call that real underground in a brilliant D.I.Y. style. And I can warmly recommend you this stuff very well and I remember this was my first vinyl rip. Essential!!!

1.Wet Look - THE BATES

2.Paisley Park - ECHOLETTES

3.Lies For Survival - FUNERAL ORATION

4.Polaroid Injection - THE HAUNTED HENSCHEL

5.E.O. Jugend - THE ACORNS

6.DownTownStreet - DIE GLORREICHEN 7

7.No Excuse - A.B.O.R.

8.I Wanna Play In Sun City - SYMPHONIC HUGHES

9.I Believe In My Time - BROM

10.Wild Freud - SIGMUND FREUD EXPERIENCE

11.O.S.L. - SCOUNDRELS

12.Arbeiter 2100 - DUKES ON L.S.D.

13.Watch Out - THE THRILLING TORTURES

14.Springtime - KING FROG

15.Frustazzione - NO RETICI

19.The Rain - MORE SONGS ABOUT SEX

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