HUNGRY FOR WHAT - The Shattered Dream EP 1985

A nice, pleasant day is coming to an end and I still find time to do the second post that was announced for today, a big sorry again to everyone who is waiting for their emails to be answered, I want to do this at the weekend. Let's welcome this Swiss combo Hungry For What which released a few records and this is their 12Inch with five solid powerful goodies on Farmer Records and this domestic album introduces their PopPunk sound to American audiences. From Switzerland (originally in a 70’s Punk band Sozz), these guys combine power and great tunes into an early Clash-like sound. I particularly like the harmonica in the second song, which works brilliantly as a rhythm instrument and gives the sound even more drive. Don't hear that often! Overall a decent record and it's a miracle I managed to get a few more lines out. Good Night und auf bald!

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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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DISTORTED TRUTH - Victim Of The Law EP 1989

Distorted Truth is a three piece combo from Glasgow and they played gigs around Scotland since 1982. The band released their first 7Inch Victim Of The Law on Green Vomit Records in 1989 and on the flip is one of their best and well known street Punk anthems "Party Political Bullshit!". Very underrated and often confused with Australian Distorted Truth. The line-up consisted of Alan (vocals/guitar), David (bass) and Kevin (drums). Their influences stem from bands such as The Clash & Stiff Little Fingers. In addition to the grandiose EP, they contributed a song on a 7Inch Compilation on BPG Records (1991) and before that they released their debut album Smashed Hits which was pressed via Link Records.

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LAST STAND - Approved Cuts 1986

🌞 The warmest day so far this year and I'm in a very good mood and therefore a second post before I dedicate myself to the Bundesliga afterwards and exactly a month ago, Boston's Last Stand made their first notice at wdthtc with their spilt 7Inch from 1984 and today I post their debut on One Way Productions and this four piece existed since 1982 and I can't understand why a few Fuckers sort them to the Oi! genre?? In my opinion, their sound has nothing to do with the typical Oi! stuff so what the hell? On the contrary, I wholeheartedly agree with FPFTP's words: "They combine the best aspects of Boston's PowerPop bands like the Real Kids or DMZ with the fire of England's most biting political Punks, such as the Clash or Stiff Little Fingers. Perfect snarling vocals are worked into rousing music that's deceptively simple - It works its way into your head, rolls around and gets stuck. Like many of the best Rock And Roll bands, Last Stand have a slight blues influence haunting the guitars, setting the chords on fire. Charging Punk that swaggers with Rock & Roll bliss!" - That's exactly it. They have also been guests on Compilations, but they're all largely unknown to me, do you have any? gladly sending me. 🌞

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THE STANDBYS - E.P. 1980

A nice 7Inch for the weekend and this is the Standbys one & only record on World Records. Founded 1978 in San Diego by four students and the band consisted of Tom (vocals/bass), Dave & Jeff (guitars), Ted (drums). The roots of the band go back to jam sessions between guitarist Dave and his brother-in-law, including a few party gigs playing Ramones covers, soon accompanied by singer/bassist Tom. According to Dave in a local Snare 'zine interview, "The name of the band came from it being flashed on the TV. It was either that or technical difficulties, but I couldn't spell it." Word of mouth increased after they opened for the Clash at Golden Hall in October 1979. "The Clash were really nice," says Dave. "I've never been so scared in my life was I was at that show. But Mick Jones thought we were really neat." (San Diego Reader) - The Standbys recorded an album alongside this single called Buy Now Or Die Dumb but I'm not sure if its came out, and split up in 1985. One song was later featured on their only compilation appearance, Back To Front Vol.4.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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STALAG - Date Limite De Vente 7'' 1981

Stalag was a short-lived four piece from Bordeaux, today their lone 7Inch on Studio Isis Records with two superb smasher. Info: It all started in the spring of 1978 when Kick, singer of Strychnine, friend of Thierry introduced him to two of his friends, one bassist, the other drummer: Richard and Jean. Following Chinoi's rapid passage to this post, deemed too old and technical, Vincent "Tungstène" Simonacci, a student from Dordogne, was recruited after having worked hard to impress his examiners. The audition of a first demo was almost fatal to the combo, but the real blow is dealt a little later when Richard, pillar of the band, leaves Stalag to join Strychnine. The savior will be Raymond Belliard, alias "Beber" & "Magic Ray", a roadie from Standards with an unforgettable look that our three friends flashed on. According to legend, Beber, who had a superb bass which he had never played in his life, surveyed the repertoire in a few days. The quartet was born and started with the anthem "You're not good for nothing!" their brief existence. The image of the bad wankers that they give off at the first appearance is contrasted by the committed statements, the sound and the self-sacrificing atmosphere of their concerts. Stalag works hard and Thierry shows in his lyrics with his magic pen with privileged themes such as fashionable Parisianism, society and the left behind, daddy's boys and the forbidden.

Their charisma puts them more in line with the Clash than the Pistols, and Stalag's many fans (who formed very quickly) chant these words as they gaze at the stage and pogo around, nurturing the group's darkest side. Stalag becomes identifiable to the institutions, who call it "public disorder". Some concerts are canceled as a precaution. It is both the excesses and the ultra-realism of the revolutionary message that make Stalag a historic group. Traces of their precocious power can be heard on this 7Inch and on some wild compilations. But Stalag is best enjoyed live. They will include more than a hundred appointments in total, which is not negligible for a group of the time! They owe this activity in large part to the work of Boogie Production, a company run by Richard and Fabrice, which gave birth to the famous Bordeaux rock tours. In 2003 Cameleon Records re-released their single in an edition of 300 copies and was sold out in a short time and 2007 followed a compilation Dernier Cri via Mémoire Neuve with all songs of their active days plus rare live goodies. Stalag rules, even today! 

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ELECTRONAZE - Waiting For... EP 1984

Electronaze was created for the first time 1979 in Hem (suburb of Roubaix) by Mohamed "Luky" Metidji (guitar), Eric (bass) and Martin (drums). Rehearsals, galleys of all kinds and a few concerts including one in Lille 1982, with Jean-Marie Duchemin who came to lend a hand in singing after leaving the Bâtards (with Richard Cuvillier of SURPRISE). Luky: "...a crazy concert. In fact, we often went to Paris from 1979, to see the concerts, like those of the Clash, incredible, we were inspired by it a lot. I knew LSD." At the beginning of 1983, the second formation with the arrival of Nicolas Cailler (†) on vocals, Santino on bass, Eric on guitar & Martin on drums, replaced by Olivier Felix in October 1983 from the group 221 Bis Baker Street. After six months of rehearsal, a 5-track demo is recorded at G.R.A.V.E. by Herr Professor the guitarist of Killer Ethyl, who has already done that. Finally a 7Inch was born called Waiting For... and was published via the Belgian label Aaltrack Records.

In October 1984, in an interview for the fanzine Gratte-toi Le Cul T’Auras Des Verrues: “We put 2000 francs each for the EP & went to Belgium and we did it. We received a letter from Jello Biafra, he's telling us that our record was fucking great! For the concerts, we must have done about thirty, especially in Belgium and in the north of France”. The same year, we had our title "Just Wanna Be Myself" on the 1984: The First Sonic World War compilation from New Wave Records and comments on the insert: "Be Myself" was recorded and mixed live in our basement some time after receiving a letter from New Wave Records... and is the band's first track (which has been around for about five years) so it's normal that it's our first title on vinyl. Five years of getting high, of work, and of course a lot of problems but is it worth specifying. Might as well say that "Be Myself" concerns everyone, well those who still believe in it... ”. This title was therefore recorded before the EP but released after it, certainly due to the time to complete the track listing of the compilation (source:45vinylvidivici)

I guess, the band broke up in the mid 80's and this EP plus some Sampler contributions is all that's left of them, good stuff anyway.

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MANIACS - Chelsea 77 7'' 1977

Nothing new but damn cool and I'm stealing a bit basics from discogs: "Alan Lee Shaw (guitar, vocals) and Rod Latter (drums) came at the end of 1976 from Cambridge to London and founded alongside John "Twink" Alder and Dennis Stow (bass) the group the Rings. Following a few live gigs and one 7Inch "I Wanna Be Free" the group parted ways. Alan and Rod found via an add in Melody Maker the new bass player Robert Crash and the Manicas were found. The first concert was in France (Mont De Marsan Punk Festival) with The Clash, The Damned, and The Police on the same bill. In September 1977 the band recorded five songs, two of them made it to be released as the "Chelsea '77/Ain’t No Legend" 7Inch. In January 1978 the band split. The Maniacs were one of 1977’s original first flush Punk Rock bands in London signing to United Artist Records." Immortalized on numerous compilations and always welcome, not ordinary for a short-lived band.

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THE CORTINAS - Defiant Pose (Singles & Demos 1977-1978)

Uhhhh... fantastic release on Radiation Reissues and I promise, this record saves every fucking day. What's inside: "Bristol Punk quintet the Cortinas began as an R&B covers band, but soon sped up their repertoire when punk arrived, making them local pioneers. A slot supporting the Stranglers at the Roxy brought them onto Miles Copeland and Mark Perry’s Step Forward label and they later signed to CBS before imploding, guitarist Nick Sheppard then joining the Clash and drummer Daniel Swann San Francisco’s the Sneeches. This ace compilation gathers the best of their early work, including the immortal debut Fascist Dictator/Defiant Pose, as well as ‘TV Personalities', both in the studio and live. Another crucial piece of the Bristol puzzle." A limited edition of 100 copies comes in yellow vinyl. Great Music!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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8TH ROUTE ARMY - Think For Yourself EP 1982

Now a small package of three 7Inches (Think For Yourself '82, No Leaders '84 & Outside My Window '85) for you by the Eighth Route Army, a four piece from Northampton, formed in early Eighties and lasting until the end of the decade and the band consisted of Johnny (vocals), Mark (guitars/synth), Jim (bass/vocals), John (drums) and all were released via 1 Dimensional Records. While the first two are quite decent mid-tempo goodies, the third becomes extremely poppy and almost boring, really amazing what motives such a change entails. I can't explain myself with the best will in the world, especially the album Nihilist Olympics ('85) doesn't even come close to going in this direction. And a solid review confirms the debut EP as really strong: "This EP features an eclectic mix of material, Clash rock with horns and slick backing vocals; biting Punk with clever lyrics about future "Punk" politicians ("Vice Presidente"); and a scathing critique of military recruitment set on slower, Chelsea-style material ("Professional Killer"). Multidimensional and thoughtful." (Jeff Bale, MRR #7 • July/August 1983) You see, change is not always an advantage but still necessary, it just needs to be considered accordingly. Enough philosophizing, I want to look for a new desktop today, otherwise I'll turn off.

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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 BRIGADES - Costa Del Dole 1986

Today a really cool record from France with a lot of esprit, refreshing guitars, rich bass runs and pleasant vocals. Melodic and powerful the whole thing and I like this. Info: The Brigades were formed 1981 in Paris and after a few changes, the group stabilized with Vlad "Dialectics" Marcus (vocals), Kid Bravo (guitars), Xavier Saveriu "Chatterton" (bass) and Tony Aigri (drums). Vlad remembers: "I met Kid when I arrived in Paris, a friend with whom I was doing a fanzine (Burning Rome) introduced him to me. On Cité 96 in the evening, we played just after the program of Stéphane Planel and the singer of Orchester Rouge, Théo Hakola. With Kid, we set up the band with Tony on drums, and recruited by the classifieds, (Xavier in Corsica) on bass. Our name was chosen above all for the ease to understanding it in the world. Our first single, Riot & Dance, did a great job, same for the mini LP 'Bombs N'Blood N'Capital', both released on our label Rock Radical Records (founded with the aim of having our own control over what we produce), and we really started touring in 1984 and I remember Dunkirk where we met the Sub Kids. Great guitarists!"

1983 they released their second 7Inch 'Janis Would Say' and a live tape 'My Taylor Is Communist'. Kid Bravo then leaves the group for musical divergence and Tony, Kid's childhood friend, also leaves. Vlad recruits Miguel on drums thanks to a classified ad and Franck on guitar, originally from Toulouse. They rehearse near Nanterre with the Trotskids as neighbors. In 1986 the second LP 'Costa Del Dole' came out, and 1987 their last 'Yours Negatively', both on their new label Negative Records. Many concerts (over 200) followed and take them to Poland, Switzerland, Germany & Great Britain. Their last concert took place at the Cirque d'Hiver in 1989 with Bérurier Noir. 

Vlad wants to mount another formation to continue, so he contacts Fredéric from the Sub Kids, but he cannot. Guitarist of Richard III, Jean-Marc, with whom he is friends (a canceled concert with the Stiff Little Fingers), is not available either. Franck leaves for Toulouse, so the Brigades broke up in 1989. Miguel had already been playing with Dirty District for some time, hence the difficulty of finding dates with him and the other members for concerts. (source: 45vinylvidivici)

A nice review: "Much more rockin’ than their previous releases, the Brigades cut loose with powerful pop-punk. Their style is a cross between mid-period CLASH and ’80s Brit-punk, while their lyrics are unabashedly political. Driving, well-recorded Punkrock." (Tim Yohannan, MRR #36 • May 1986)

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V/A - It's A Youth Explosion! Vol.1 2020

Dear followers & visitors, there is a new little series from Heavy Soul Records and what the creators are unveiling here is first class stuff that is pretty close to the KBD compis, and yes, even better because most of the songs are unreleased, jaja... and described as follows: Fourteen rare & unreleased tracks taking in all that was good from 1977-1984ish. You get Punk, New Wave, and Mod revival all within the amazingly created artwork from Alf Button's Revenge. All fully remastered from a whole source of different formats to create a sound crispier than a bag of Wotsits! The names may not be familiar, but the "Sounds From The Street" created will certainly take you back to when all you needed in life was an LP by The Damned, Clash or Jam and a guitar, bass and drums. All original tracks, by a whole range of musical talent. So a perfect gathering of unearthed classics, limited edition is to be specified but no one knows how many copies were actually pressed... who cares!

1.Circa 2 - THE LIMPS

2.Someday - URBAN ENEMIES

3.30 Seconds - PATROL

4.Bright New Future - THE MEDIA

5.Let Me Show You Love - BACKSTAGE PASS

6.Talk - THE TWINSETS

7.Phone You - SLEEPERS

8.Lambs To The Slaughter - MIDNIGHT HOUR

9.Just A Dream - REACTION

10.One Of The Boys - THE DETOURS

11.She Don't Know - THE FACE

12.Dance Step Beat - THE MOD-L'S

13.Sound Of Today - STATION 360

14.In The Crowd - THE PLOY

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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ARSON - White Folks 7'' 1979

Five piece from Toronto hereby invite you to listen to their only great & rare 7Inch on Motor Records, which was released in a limited edition of 900 copies, and since I can't talk about the How’s, Why’s and Wherefore’s, because I wasn’t there at the time, I found a small but shiny & informative anecdote from someone who knows better, here we go: In 1977, at the height of the punk rock pandemic that was effortlessly engulfing the globe, vocalist and composer Rude Tuesdai fortuitously joined forces with guitarist Marcel Lafleur to begin a musical friendship that has spanned more than three and a half decades and spawned the incendiary band ARSON, the rest of the gang were Chic (guitars), Spyke (bass), Mike (drums). Ask anyone who’s ever heard them live and they’ll tell you that ARSON sonically sutures the Detroit destruction of the Stooges and MC5; the New York noise of the Velvet Underground and New York Dolls; and the British brainpower of the Stranglers and Clash. I could go on, so I will. Arson has independently toured all across North America and played countless concerts in a myriad of notorious rock’n’roll breeding grounds like New York, Detroit, and Chicago while sharing stages with (and stealing spotlights from) much influential legendary luminaries as the Dead Boys, Misfits, Suicide, Troggs, Destroy All Monsters, etc…. Meanwhile, Rude and Martin continued to douse the band’s smoldering ashes with new songs until the time was right to finally tap their past and craft a contemporary sound containing the unflinching fury of their earlier incarnation.

Aided and abetted by John Sutton (Weakerthans) on bass and David Quinton (Mods, Dead Boys, Stiv Bators) on drums, Arson recently recorded an in depth profile for Toronto radio station CIUT while recent concerts have garnered a whole new generation of rave reviews. That not hyperbole, that’s a fact and you can take it from me because I actually was there back in 1977 at the height of the punk rock heyday. So who you gonna believe: me or your own ears? (Bio by Jeffrey Morgan)

Two amazing songs and really too little for a talented band like Arson.

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SPLIFF - Herzlichen Glückwunsch! 1982

Okay folks; Monday evening and surprisingly it has been quite a pleasant day to date... that was not always so, but who fucking cares? - After the success of the album 85555 in early 1982, Spliff followed suit with their third album at the end of the same year. Commercially this was not quite as successful as its predecessor, but Herzlichen Glückwunsch! is still a solid classic nowadays. With "Das Blech" and the title track, two singles went to the crowd in advance, and musically both shot little splashes of dancing pleasure around the mob. The band presents a sound that has little in common with that of the debut. Not least thanks to Reinhold Heil, who pursues his weakness for strange keyboard sounds, and Herwig's electronic drum pads, Spliff is the perfect symbiosis of rock & electronic musicians.

A review: "Released the same year as their smash hit 85555, Spliff's third album Herzlichen Glückwunsch! doesn't feature anything approximating their immensely catchy ironic pop single "Carbonara," but it continues their fusion of rock & electronics and manages to stay interesting throughout its running time. The main forces within the band are still drummer Herwig's rock-based songwriting, the booming sound of his Simmons drums, and his punk-influenced singing voice on one end of the spectrum, and Reinhold Heil's keyboard textures, his laconic, almost rap-like vocals, and his electronic-oriented songs on the other. The group managed to score another hit with the single "Das Blech" (as in "Da Fliegt Dir Ja Das Blech Weg," a colloquialism which could be roughly translated as "This Blows Your Mind"), a coolly arranged synth funk number for the dancefloor, with an electronic percussion solo in the middle. Elsewhere on the album, there's Mitteregger's energetic title track with an almost atonal bridge, a dreamy funk song written and sung by bassist Manfred Praeker ("Tag Für Tag"/"Day By Day"), and the Kraftwerk-ian "Herr Kennedy", with vocals by all four group members. Even though Heil's contributions are more diverse and interesting, the album's best tracks are written by Mitteregger: the frantic "Wohin? Wohin?" ("Where To? Where To?"), a fast-paced rock number about smuggling in Algeria, and the epic album closer "Glaspalast" ("Glass Palace"), which keeps building its intensity from its slow, moody beginning. While nothing on Herzlichen Glückwunsch! is absolutely essential, the album is an interesting clash of styles that rewards repeated listening." [Christian Genzel]

The third album is the band's last usable release. After that, the fucking commerce grabbed them by the balls and 1985 they finally split up due to musical differences and various solo projects.

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BIZON KIDZ - Get Your Kicks By Throwing Bricks EP 1981

The icon of Punk (Sex Pistols) had just disbanded and in England nobody cared anymore about rebellious young people with a preference for hard three-chord music. But Punk has proved to be a keeper to this day, both in terms of music style and attitude to life in the Netherlands and had just started in 1978 in many cities, including Utrecht (of course the hype which started 1976 in England & the U.S., had not gone unnoticed by the Netherlands before 1978.) On January 7, 1977, the Pistols performed @ Paradiso in Amsterdam and Iggy Pop scored a top forty hit with Lust For Life. The fierce and primitive sounds of such as the Ramones, the Clash, Sex Pistols, etc... had a great influence on Dutch musicians. This sound might be alive and kicking in Utrecht, but there weren't many places to play. Bizon Kidz were one of those bands that were founded in the late Seventies by Bertie & Ilonka (vocals), Oscar & Philip (guitars), Buffel (bass), Frans (drums) & released their only piece of cake on their own (500 copies) in the early eighties. Ten minimalist short songs with two-part singing are offered that can easily harmonize with the pleasant November sun, not bad at all!

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DANGEROUS RHYTHM - s/t LP 1981

Today and tomorrow the semi-finals and I can hardly wait until it starts. Four teams, each of which I think has the quality & power for the title, but only two make it to the final, we'll see who achieves it. In any case, my tip is clear if you have paid attention. But let's change the continent for a moment and take a detour to Central America and visit Mexico City and meet Dangerous Rhythm and you heard right, Mexico isn't much known for numerous punk bands, but they exist there too. D.R. was formed in Mexico, August 1978 by Cuban singer Porfirio "Piro" Pendas, Marcelo (guitar), Johnny (bass) & Rip Sick (drums), and can claim to be one of the first punk bands in the country. Piro, the band's vocalist, immersed himself in the whole Los Angeles scene, and was in contact with the Chicano side of the city through Tito Larriva from The Plugz and other bands from the area like Circle Jerks, Fear, and Black Flag. The impact of punk classics like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, or the Ramones obviously had a big influence on their sound. Dangerous Rhythm never forgot their family tree, absorbing large doses of unconventional rock like the New York Dolls, The Stooges, and Lou Reed. All these elements helped the band forge their own style and so they starting with songs sung mostly in English and vibrant, direct melodies and in 1979 the time had come and the band released their first EP No No No via Orfeon with three fantastic killers. After laying the foundations of the non-existent punk scene and recording their first eponymous debut album in 1981. It was released by Hip 70, a label run by Armando Blanco, who owned the club of the same name, which was the focal point of the Mexican scene in the '80s. The end result was mind-blowing and shows a band with nerve that played new wave with a punk rhythm. Their debut was reissued by a Spanish label called Beat Generation on 180-gram vinyl and features replica cover art and inserts plus a liner notes written by Piro in an edition of 500 copies. Solid Stuff!

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THE PARTISANS - Hysteria EP 2001

 

Now militant island stuff and something well-tried and you know I'm a lazy writer I quote a suitable one which I found in the web, written from back then: "If you are really into early UK Punk, chances are that you're a fan of the Pogo punx the Partisans. These guys are back together after thirteen years of silence, but with only two original members Spike on vocals and this time around on guitar also, and Lealand still on guitar. They're back with a new EP titled "Hysteria" via the American label TKO Records. The songs on this slab could have easily been on their second album The Time Was Right. The Partisans are still not afraid of showing their energetic clash influences instrumentally on all three tracks. The lyrics talk about how everyone else is making more money, and etc. (the usual from this band). All along this whole three song record will have you singing the tunes after just one listen for the rest of your life. You know you want this because this is just another great "Top" release by a classic band, so go grab your wallet and buy it, or if you're too "Punk" to buy it steal a copy. (Thx to Brett)" - In 2004 they released their last record and two years later the band toured the UK with fellow Welsh punk band Picture Frame Seduction and played the Punk & Disorderly festival 2007 in Berlin. No further plans are being made to play live, although on 27. November 2015 they opened for the Italian glam rockers Giuda @ Orion, a rock venue in Ciampino, a small town near Rome and maybe they'll come back with a bang, who knows.

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THE CLASH - s/t LP 1977

Veteran of the punk movement and one of the most influential bands that shaped our culture. Their debut album is still the best for me and belongs in every well-stocked record collection. A few basics: The Clash were formed 1976 in London as a key player in the original wave of British punk rock. They also contributed to the post-punk and new wave movements that emerged in the wake of punk and employed elements of a variety of genres including reggae, dub, funk, ska, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky "Topper" Headon. Headon left the group in 1982 and internal friction led to Jones' departure the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986. You can read more about their records and career, etc.. in the net. I need a little refreshment and open now a cold Allgäuer, Cheers!

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VORWÄRTS - A Trip Down Memory Lane 2002

Swiss punk veterans Vorwärts are from the area of Basel, founded by Udi (vocals), RR & Bibä (guitars), Nutty (bass), Roli (drums), and today the oldest Punk combo from Switzerland still playing live. In 1984, when singer Udi and his friends went into the studio for the first time and the result is the very much sought nameless five track 12'', 300 copies exist. Vorwärts already had several years of service under their belt: the band was formed 1979 and Udi remembers his first contact with the punk movement, which was only slowly making its way from London and New York to the Upper Basel area. "When punk was born in 1976/77 we had no idea," he says. It wasn't until two years later that he heard the first songs by the Ramones, The Damned, Clash and Sex Pistols and had pictures in the "Pop/Rocky”or “Musikexpress”. That "simply blown him and his friends away", as he told the bz: "Punk was so much better, more urgent and more important than anything we had heard before." The founding of his own band was "an outbreak, a departure, an undreamt-of freedom". Forward hit the Zeitgeist and were able to record their first successes: with their song TV Generation the quintet made it onto national radio and with a self-made clip (you can find it on YouTube under the title Boring Generation) even on Swiss television. But in their early years, Vorwärts not only met with approval. It belonged then that they were insulted as “Schwuli Söu”, “Gsindel” and “Soupack” because of their appearance - “bright green and black striped jeans, studded belts and bracelets, sprayed shirts, holes in clothes, a lot of leather and so on” the everyday life of the five young men. In 1988 the dissolution followed due to various individual follow-up projects and 1998 the reunion on the occasion of the wedding of a band member and since then they still active and their last record was released two years ago for their 40th year existence! (source: partly bzbasel)

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