HALF LIFE - Under The Knife EP 1986

Four piece from Pittsburgh who were active in the Eighties and Half Life consisted of Jeff (vocals), Vince (guitar), Mike (bass), Damon (drums) and this is their debut 7Inch on Mind Cure Records with four perfect smasher. A review: "One of the better sounding domestic HC releases in a while. Good power and production on all four tracks, and although it’s mainly generic metal-influenced hardcore, there’s a gripping urgency that carries it off. Lyrics are pretty bleak, although “Consider The Alternative” offers some hopeful thought." (Tim Yohannan, MRR #45 • February 1987) In addition to their first demo from 1985, they have each released two 7Inches and albums, featured on some good Compilations as well, and in 2002 the last testament was brought via Stab Wound in form of a CD with the nostalgic name All Our Yesterdays which definitely sounds interesting. Fazit: cool record in every way and I hope, I can spend more time with the blog this fucking weekend.

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THE CURE - More Rarities 1979-1989

Well, this nice compilation I have made a few years ago and sheds light on the first ten years and the phases the Cure have traveled through. I joined the band at the time of their first records, where they recorded short, almost punky songs, changing to dark sounds with Faith and Pornography, but always reflecting my emotions and accompanying me until the early Nineties. The last interesting album for me is Wish and after the formation changed and I couldn't relate to the '96 album anymore. The Cure were an important band and left remarkable traces in the music world and the range of their songs creates room for interpretation and listening pleasure that definitely doesn't get boring and if a band manages to accompany me a long time of my life, it is exceptional and innovative enough to recommend its name to others. Got a bit of a sore throat and the beer tastes kinda weird but I want you to enjoy every single song on this compilation and I'm sure you'll find tracks you may not have heard of. Enjoy this sucker with a glass of wine and a kiss!

It's Not You/Winter/Faded Smiles aka I Don't Know/Play With Me/I'm A Cult Hero/Going Home Time/The Violin Song/A Normal Story/Throw Your Foot/All Mine (live)/Play For Today (live)/At Night (live)/A Forest (live)/Forever (live)/Push/Lime Time/A Night Like This/The Exploding Boy/Hey You!!! (12'' Mix)/Fear Of Ghosts

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BAICAL - Euphoria 12'' 2017

Today I introduce you to an interesting German band whose music is suitable for every conceivable moment and first of all I would like to thank iNgo for this tip and I would like to quote a few lines from their Bandcamp home: Baical are a three piece band based in Leipzig, Germany, dedicated to translating their emotional experiences into expressive and ethereal music of the goth, new wave and pop persuasion. Influenced by some of the most prominent alternative bands of the 1980s, they have been inspired by the finest aspects of these groups yet their fresh approach offers a new chapter for fans of this style. When they formed in 2017, they quickly got to work creating their debut EP, Euphoria, (300 copies) which was written in a basement over the course of two days during a cold winter. The forbidding seasonal state left an impression on their music that seems to have carried throughout their sound, blending sadness with beauty. Playing shows with Belgrado, Soviet Soviet and Bleib Modern cemented the strength of their songs and gained them further recognition. The following year, members Richard, Chris and Willi, recorded the album Funeral Party with producer Magnus Wichmann at Lala Studios in Leipzig. The result is a modern high quality sound that does justice to the strength of their songwriting. Featuring chorus saturated guitar tones reminiscent of the Cure and an authentically 80s drum sound, these finer details all come together to form a unified and harmonious debut release. The album is full of catchy hooks, luscious melodies, and even contains some dance friendly grooves.

Well I enjoy this band and while their music may seem very dark it is uplifting and full of positive vibes and I'm sure they will find many friends with their sound. TOP!

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V/A - Bloodstains Across The World #6 2019

Oh Yeah, the last across the world Bloodstains to date and how we can move into the mood for the weekend more splendidly?... right, drinking with good friends, telling stories and hang out. There are supposed to be 100 copies and like the previous ones, #6 was created by the same detective. All songs are at least decent and some have already appeared on other compilations. What bothers me a little is the poor loveless artwork, very cheap card sleeve and no info about the bands except year of release and their country of origin... but enough grumbling. I have to hurry to catch the train and two beautiful days lie ahead with lots of Backgammon, beer, music and Happi Happi, Cheers!

1.Wha' Der Yer Want? - BOUNDSTONE SCHOOL

2.Men Of Action - STATE OF EMERGENCY

3.Nostalgie - EVIL ROXY

4.I'm Being Followed - THE NOVELS

5.So What - SILVERSTONE

6.Tytot Irvistaa - IDIOOTTI

7.Thinking About The Sun - THE SPIES

8.C'mon Everybody - BRENT FORD & THE NYLONS

9.Media - THE VERDIX

10.When You Were My Baby - THE VERTEX

11.I Just Need Myself - THE CURE

12.Look At Me Now - THE MYSTERONS

13.Destruye - FAMILIA REAL

14.Depresion - FAMILIA REAL

15.Bingo - THE ESCORTS

16.I Hate Being In Love - AMY & THE ANGELS

17.Subway - NO KNOWN CURE

18.Pretend You're Not Crazy - PHOBIA

19.Republik - BANDAGE

20.Lip Gloss Factor - PAUL WEST & RHYTHM SQUADRON

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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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THE CURE - @ The Zenith/Paris October 1992

There is music that remains timeless, emotional and will never be forgotten, and especially when the sound for years accompanies you through your ups and downs. For me it's the Cure whose records I own all the way up to the Wild Mood Swings record, from then on they weren't the same. I'm not sure, in addition to the numerous bootlegs, the first official live records came out in the early nineties, this one and the fantastic Show double album. Yesterday evening after ripping vinyl I listened to these two records after a long time and thought: what great music and why not post it? And then the thought occurred to me what a blessing to grow up with such a brilliant band. Nowadays there is no comparison and I regret the music lovers who grow up with the short-lived artificial formations whose music always sounds the same and completely shitty is and doesn't have any character, compiled by the majors, only to earn money, without a heart or attitude to life. That's the modern musical world; radio compatible, dumb, uncritical, non-reflective, mass-produced and a waste of time. And that's why it is important to rediscover such classics like this album. Of course, I recommend all those who aren't yet familiar with Cure records, get them and enrich your musical horizon.

The Figurehead/One Hundred Years/At Night/Play For Today/Apart/In Your House/Lovesong/A Letter To Elise/Dressing Up/Charlotte Sometimes/Close To Me/A Night Like This/Trust/A Forest

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DIE GOLDENEN ZITRONEN - Doris Ist In Der Gang EP 1986

Punkrock with humorous, sometimes nasty, schlager-like lyrics are the trademarks of Die Goldenen Zitronen from Hamburg, and their motivation and ideals come in the heavily politicized Hamburg of the 1980s. Founded in 1984, the Zitronen are delighted to immerse themselves in the counterculture of the squatter scene in Hafenstrasse. At the same time, they plunge headlong into the no longer entirely new, but also by no means dead world of punk rock. And they prove this very well with their first records. Doris is, I think, their first single, that was pressed on their own Zitronenterror label, with four fantastic, sometimes funny numbers, which usher in the long Whitsun weekend with an atmospheric way. Don't miss their debut album Porsche, Genscher, Hallo HSV to come into the right holiday mood. I still have some housework to do before I go to a cure for a week, but don't worry, I continue with more stuff that is worth listening to.

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LES LORDS - 1979-1980

 

The working year 2020 is over and four days off are comin'. Let's see, how I will end it musically and the opener is a treat, and this slab was released by Vidi Vici Records 2013 in edition of 300 copies. The Les Lords were Britz (vocals), Richard & Fifi (guitars), Laurent (bass), Lelett' (drums) and founded 1979 in Caen. And since nobody knows these guys until now, it is time for detailed information from the great creators of 45vinylvidivici which I would like to quote at this point:

1979: The musicians of the Caen punk group R.A.S. are orphans of a decaying movement. Britz, the singer-songwriter, mourns Sid Vicious. The others are starting to clearly prefer the power-pop energy of Jam, Skids, XTC or 999 to the neo-baba wanderings of the Cure or other Simple Minds.

The 60’s aesthetic and winks of the Who are already very present in punk, from black suits and string ties to the T-shirt with cockade of Billy Idol (Your Generation). Not to mention the Jam, of course. But when some members of R.S. land in Britain, it’s the shock. This one lives at the hour of "Mod Maydays", powerful revival which creates its own underground scene (Merton Parkas, Chords, Mo-Dettes, Squire...) in reaction to a punk now in the process of integration. "We hate the punk elite" sings Ian Page of Secret Affair. The musicians of R.A.S. are conquered, shop at Carnaby Street and return to Caen to tell friends about London news. The group is prompt renamed Les Lords.

As a result of this radical turn on the aesthetic level (because the songs remain the same) it appears fairly quickly that everyone gets into the idea of breaking their mouths, starting with the hard core of punks, more and more more influenced by the skinhead renewal and the “OI” wave. During the Lords' second concert in Lisieux, the skins came in force and have every intention of pissing off as much as possible. The chairs fly and the fans fall back on stage, somehow trying to send them away while the group continues to play. Arrival of the constabulary and relighting of the lights. We resume all the same and the Lords end in apotheosis by a resumption of "My Generation" of Who respecting to the letter the spirit of the original, that is to say accompanied by a methodical destruction of the material and the overturning of the columns sound system. Lying on the ground, arms outstretched to hold the

sound system lying on him and not to perish crushed, its owner, an old baba, manages to whisper "it's great, it's great...".

Great it is. The Lords continue the momentum of the most fit but harmonically rich punk, say Generation X to locate, incorporating 60’s influences, pre-psychedelic reminiscences (Creation, Move) and especially by tracing a new road, theirs. The group does quite a few covers: the instrumental The Persuaders ("Amically Your") as a concert intro, "For Your Love" by the Yardbirds mid-set and "My Generation" as a reminder. For the rest, it's a slaughter: slamming drums, metallic and melodic Rickenbacker bass, rhythmic Gibson "sound wall", dazzling escapades from the soloist on Telecaster. And there is the front man, with limited vocal capacities but remarkable texts and unparalleled charisma. It was obvious to who had once seen these kids in concert that they had fantastic potential. Because these are kids we are talking about, 17 years old at the time of history and just over 18 when it ended. Not really a "sex, drugs and rock n’roll" story, shot by the punk generation. No, just another story of tormented and rebellious teenagers. A story of music lovers who convert Gérald, the full barter shop of Throbbing Gristle to boots and frilled shirts. In return, he introduces them to Kinks and Small Faces, but also Real Kids, Charlie Mingus, Faust or Mother’s Finest. It is a story of rain (Normandy...), at night, of endless walking. Mopeds were rare, so scooters... It’s a story of cavalcades and frantic leaks, in the sad France of the end of the seventies whose "peripheral rascals" were so well sung by Renaud at the time.

On this front the Lords take radical measures by weaving an alliance with the gypsies, which allows to calm quickly done well the skins and to bring them back to feelings of healthy camaraderie. As for the neo-Mod movement, it is developing like wildfire. In two strokes of a pot spoon, there are more than 200 Mods in Caen. Punks converted after concerts, fans of the Specials or Joe Jackson, high school students who wanted to piss off their parents. Barely 16 years old, Laurence gives up everything to join Fifi, the rhythm guitarist of the Lords and returns on a scooter at the end of the hutch to give the teachers honor by shouting "We Are Mods", as in Quadrophenia. Britz, Laurent and I are going to see the film dozens of times at the cinema of the Carrefour shopping center, in Hérouville, one of the working-class suburbs of Caen. So we pass and we pass again in front of a band of thugs, "Arabs" as they said at the time, who stagnate on the benches of the shopping center and do not take long to look for the fight. It degenerates for good and ends with a punch outside. "We are the Mods"! Impressed, the most devious of the so-called "Arabs" quickly bought a costume and asked to join the mods.

In Caen, these are a mass movement from the proletariat, the working masses. With guys who in case of confusion are more quick to fight than to parley... There is José who fights after the group has won the French flags in a party on July 14, Franck says "Barjot" the former rocker and fisherman, "Clash" who crushes my parents' flowers in a Vespa and shoots the rockies on Saturday afternoon in the middle of traffic jams, with a WWII Luger. And then other groups that are formed: Dandys, Holly Boys and Neckties. These are 13-14 year olds who have had little time to learn English. Suddenly they proudly adapt the Who in French, "I Can’t Explain" becoming "the Caennais complain."

The Lords play in Paris at Golf Drouot. They finish well last of the "springboard rock" but fuck a happy mess and meet that evening the fabulous Stunners. A core of Parisian fans of the Lords is formed around Laurent ("Stax"), Denis, Thierry and soon Patrice Bertrand, former Hells Angel turned Mod who sells US garage rock records in the Scooter shop in Les Halles. The Lords don't pretend. They provide the first part of the Olivensteins whose equipment they demolish ("My Generation"), the Dogs from which they steal the show and a whole bunch of others. They make all the fire, open for Valérie Lagrange and even go on tour for a few dates opening for Caravan, an old British progressive rock band.

Soon the mod-revival spreads in Paris then in the provinces. Lords are heroes and kings, but there is a misunderstanding. Basically they have little to do with twinks disguising themselves as twist dancers, petty bourgeois in polka dot dresses and groups making desperate efforts to sound "garage". In fact, while the Parisian skins led by Farid - a ringworm - are having fun persecuting this bunch of little wankers from fine neighborhoods, they carefully avoid attacking anyone who wears a "Caen" patch on their jacket. Britz and the hard wing of the Caennais accentuate the demarcation with the installers by calling themselves "Glory Boys" and adopting black shirts and white ties. But hey, it's all starting to go around in circles. Especially since despite their multiple trips back and forth in the capital, where I settle as a manager, the Lords are still out of recording contract. There are indeed some contacts with Antoine De Caunes, Marc Zermati or Patrick Eudeline, the tour of record companies, a photo in the monthly Best, but nothing comes out. Meanwhile, the sken-mod conglomerate of Caen feels winged. After two years of intensive fights against rockers (very bad in those distant times) and all that hung around as thugs in the Normandy countryside, these became real terrors. Wounds that set everything on fire and blood during the Jam concert in Rouen. The Lords are victims of Sham 69 syndrome: overwhelmed by the movement they have instigated and the excesses of their audience.

The tension rises with the rhythm, Fifi, a simple heart. Then with the bass player who stands in solidarity with him. Finally with Britz Notre Dame, icon of mods, always so frosty and uncontrollable who does not want to understand that such a radical trip cuts the group from a wider audience. In a few weeks everything crumbles. Fifi and Laurent will try their luck with another group. Britz moved to Paris where he succeeded in a few months in transforming a gang of Daddy's sons into a respected gang. Richard and Denis recruit a bass player and pursue the Lords in the form of a blazing power trio.

In the end, there will be nothing but wonderful memories and rehearsal recordings from this brief epic, in mini-cassette. Despite their obvious limitations, they will no doubt give a better idea of what the Lords were than the album they would have done at the time on a major, under the guidance of a survivor of the yéyé who was converted into a producer. And the fact that more than thirty years later RAS or Les Lords are arousing interest shows that at least the flame has been transmitted. So all is well that ends well. Raymond Debord (Summer 2013)

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V/A - Bored Teenagers Vol.7 2014

Once again an infernal bang from the Bored Teenagers series with twenty-eight Great British Punk Originals 1977-1982 and who exactly ignites the explosions follows now:

"This volume kicks off with THE SINGLES who were from the Rochdale area and released one of the rarest UK Punk 45s back in 1978 with the controversial title of ‘Adolf Hitler. The song is about a German soldier who is the trenches and questions his belief and why he is here! The next two tracks are by IN THE GYM with two tracks taken from the incredible rare single from 1981. This band hailed from Kidderminster and this was their one and only 7Inch. Following on with the KATZ from Swindon with two tracks taken of their extremely rare 7Inch from ‘79, plus six unreleased tracks on the CD version. Next band to grace your speakers are from our very own Capital CHAOS UK with two super snotty punksters. This was the bands one and only 7Inch release before re-surfacing as the Mandies. Our next stop is Birmingham with two ultra rare absolute gems from THE HOBBS. Collectors around with world will be familiar with this band as they release Bop Around The Shop on the ‘Big’ label in 1978 but did you know that they had an aborted single that they recorded a year earlier for the ‘DJM’ label? Sadly these tracks never came out as the band were dropped in favour to the Satan Rats’. You are gonna be in for a treat with these two blasts….. Now comes THE WHAT?, hailing from South Humberside who released a killer little 3-Track EP in 1979 that includes the anthem East Coast Kids! Now we are heading all the way down to Cornwall to THE VENDETTAS, who trod all the Cornish music haunts throughout 1977 and called it a day in 1978.... great rough stuff that will stick in yer head and you’ll find you're self singing the lyrics without knowing it! The next two tracks that come blaring at you are from our front cover stars SKIDMARX. Hailing from Carlisle and relocating to South London and then Brighton. The last band to be featured are SYSTEM X from Enfield in North London. In their lifetime they offer no vinyl output but did record five tracks, all can be heard in their full glory on the CD version."

That reads brilliantly, doesn't it ...? Now it's your turn!

1.Adolf Hitler - THE SINGLES

2.Mercy - THE SINGLES

3.Don't Go Slow - IN THE GYM

4.Playing The Fool - IN THE GYM

5.Talking 'Bout You - KATZ

6.I'm So Nasty - KATZ

7.I'm Over Here - KATZ

8.Hold On (I'm Coming) - KATZ

9.White Socks - KATZ

10.I'm So Nasty - KATZ

11.Summer Of Hate - CHAOS UK

12.I Wanna Be Left Alone - CHAOS UK

13.(Just) Don't Come It With Me - THE HOBBS

14.We're The Hobbs - THE HOBBS

15.What Is The Cure? - THE WHAT

16.Anything Goes - THE WHAT

17.East Coast Kids - THE WHAT

18.Such A Pity - THE VENDETTAS

19.Inside Looking Out - THE VENDETTAS

20.I Bin There - THE VENDETTAS

21.Red Lambretta - THE VENDETTAS

22.No Way - SKIDMARX

23.Life's A Farce - SKIDMARX

24.Underground - SYSTEM X

25.Homage - SYSTEM X

26.Got The Evidence - SYSTEM X

27.Anything Goes - SYSTEM X

28.Threats Of War - SYSTEM X

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ABWÄRTS - Der Westen Ist Einsam 1982

An album that I haven't heard for a long time and thanks to iNgo, I dug up this nugget and realize how great this stuff is, the second Abwärts album. It sounds somber and darker than anything that previously appeared from the four, and can certainly be viewed in the context of the emerging Gothic culture. Critics put it in line with releases by British post-punk bands such as Theatre Of Hate and Killing Joke. Band boss Frank Ziegert confessed in an interview with Diedrich Diederichsen in 1988 that Abwärts had to a certain extent been forced by the punk audience at the beginning of the 1980s not to present any sophisticated compositions: “[…] we were literally afraid to make music. Everything always had to be hard, that was the word: hard. We increased ourselves into a senseless aggressiveness that had nothing to do with us at all, I wasn't really tough all the time and neither were the others." Unsatisfied with the care of their previous independent label ZickZack Platten, the group wanted to work more professionally and offer their next album to a major label. Work on it began in the autumn of 1981 at Hafenklang Studio Hamburg. A whole month of self-financed and self-produced studio recordings was followed by a week of mixing at The Town House in London by producer Nick Launay. At the end of 1981 the album was finished, which was then offered to various record companies for publication. For an advance payment of allegedly 50.000 DM, the band finally signed with the German major label Phonogram which released first the Beirut, Holiday Inn 12" with four tracks. "Der Westen Ist Einsam" is the first band release without Margita Haberland, who left the group in 1981.

The album was released in April 1982. For publication, they went from May 11th to June 13th 1982 on an extensive tour with side trips to Switzerland and Amsterdam. The group made a spectacular appearance at the Münchner-Rocktage-Festival, at which FM Einheit destroyed parts of the stage structure. At some concerts, the newly founded Toten Hosen played the supporting act. Down, in turn, was hired as the opening act for The Cure tour. On the title "Beim Ersten Mal Tut's Immer Weh", Muscha and Trini Trimpop produced a video clip and the group even published a homestory in the youth magazine Bravo. Despite all of this, the album did not achieve the sales figures we had hoped for. As a result, FM Einheit and Marc Chung left the band for good to concentrate on the Einstürzende Neubauten, of which they had already joined as full members in 1981. In addition, drug problems also led the band to bury themselves for the first time. - And now: Bundesliga ⚽

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ALERTA ROJA - Historiko 81-87: La Otra Cara Del Punk 2013

 

Awesome stuff today from Alerta Roja, an Argentine Punk band from Gerli, Buenos Aires and they are considered one of the precursor bands of the genre in this country. In the late 1970s, Argentina was under a bloody military dictatorship. While Punk was rolling in the United States and England, the wave did not slosh into Argentina. At that time, a young man named Pedro Braun, alias "Hari-B", formed the group Los Testicles (1978), which would later become Los Violadores (1980). In that period, "Hari-B" had to perform Military Service, and his colleagues Sergio Gramatica and other members decided to change the name of the group to Los Violadores. From them, other groups quickly appeared, such as Los Psicópatas (1979) or Los Laxantes (1979), with Gamexane, future member of Todos Tus Muertos (1985) on guitar. Los Psicópatas (1979), later called State Of Siege, was initially made up of Pablo Stella on guitar, Fernán Contreras on drums and Daniel García on bass & vocals. After two months of rehearsals, the band would have their first five songs, from which they would choose the ones that would be part of their first demo. In mid-1981 they released the first Simple Punk from Argentina, which would be released months later, after the Falklands War. That demo would be a 7'' under the independent label created by the group itself, Pelmaso Records, produced by Marcelo Gasió, later a keyboardist for the band.

Months before the Malvinas conflict, they had already decided to call themselves Alerta Roja, as a symbol of the political moment that the country was experiencing. In reference to the chosen name, when interviewed on Radio del Plata by Tom Lupo in '83, they would mention that "" Red Is Not The Way Out Either "". During this time, Sergio Spatavecchia joined the band in voice: 11. In the case of Alerta Roja , we first called ourselves The Psychopaths. They censored us. Then we changed into State Of Siege, the same thing happened to us and before Malvinas we put on a Alerta Roja, to reflect the state in which the country lived. People didn't understand punk, and they don't understand it now. We were not Bolsheviks or Nazis. We just sang revolution, we wanted a much more powerful change. We were apolitical, totally anarchists. Alerta Roja wanted to reach the general public "without trading". Basics to the thirty goodies: Fernán (vocals on tracks: 1-19), Mongo (vocals on tracks: 1-26), Pablo (vocals on tracks: 1-19); Pablo (guitars on tracks: 1-26) & Ucci (guitars on tracks: 27-30), Daniel (bass), Fernán (drums), Marcelo (keyboards) and Chiflo (sax). Songs 1 to 19 belong to "Derrumbando La Casa Rosada", recorded in October 1982 at Estudios del Jardín. Songs 20 to 26 belong to "El Llanto Interior", recorded in September 1985 at Avatar Studios and lollies 27 to 30 were recorded live in Cement April 1987.

This great comilation from Pinhead Records shines with historical recordings of the band and they existed and survived under the nose of a violent and oppressive military dictatorship. The band played gigs in Buenos Aires in the early '80s, giving a voice to a generation of angry Latin American youth. After so many years, these thirty tracks are finally getting a proper CD and their influences pulled from music that managed to cross the ocean and fall into the hands of its members, one might hear the Clash, Sex Pistols or Wire seeping from the groves, but don't be surprised if you get a small dose of the Cure as you listen to this gem. Alongside other amazing bands from South America, Alerta Roja reaffirms that despite the conditions and lack of resources, these nations produced some amazing punk music/attitude.

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THEE UNDERTAKERS - Crucify Me 2001

Here is another excellent example of what Friends of Network brings together: request for this record, emailed on, received: that's the way it goes! Search the net for info and here it is: Thee Undertakers from East Los Angeles first started practicing during mid-1977. They decided early on not to go for the "leather or New Wave look" and would instead wear black suits on stage to emulate their namesake. By 1978 they found Art, who became their singer. In 1979, the band hooked up with Willie Heron, from Los Illegals, who helped the band get on many bills at the Vex and other East L.A. clubs that would host punk shows. The band played heavily during 1979 through 1982 and played at clubs like the Vex, Starwood, Hong Kong Cafe, and the Whiskey to name a few. The band opened for many bands including D.O.A., Plugz, Gears, Fleasheaters and others. The band recorded their first demo in 1980 and returned to the studio in 1981 to record what was to be their first LP. The band was going to have their LP released through Tito Larriva's Fatima Records label (who released Plugz album and The Brat EP), but after a falling out between Tito and the band, the record never materialized and sat in the can for twenty years. In 2001, Grand Theft Audio released their awesome collection of studio recordings from 1980-81. Thee Undertakers from 1977-1982 were: Art Reyes (vocals), Tracy Lee (Skull) Garcia (bass), Tony (Fingers) Naranjo (guitar), and Mike Chaidez (drums) and this is a solid compilation with demo & master recordings from 1980 andreleased via Grand Theft Audio. I continue to cure my bruised ribs and so you may be able to enjoy more slices in the early afternoon. Now chilling continues and tomorrow is another day.

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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LOCKJAW - Journalist Jive EP 1978

Lockjaw were UK punx that originally consisted of: Bo Zo (vox), Micky Morbid (guitars), Andy Septic (bass) and Oddy Ordish (drums). Simon Gallup (later of The Cure) joined by the release of their second single. All tracks are great melodic punk songs, released for Raw Records. Formed out of the ashes of 'The Guernsey Flowers', then changing their name to 'The Amazing Doctor Octopuss' before settling on 'Lockjaw'. The first ever gig was under the name of 'The Guernsey Flowers' and it was at 'St Francis' Church Hall, Balcombe Road in Horley. In their two year existence, they recorded many tracks for 'Lee Wood's' Raw Records & managed to release two singles on his label. This is their 2nd and last one and it's a fine platter and I add the first Radio Call Sign 7Inch wthin.

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THE CURE - London 03.12.1981

Can't say exactly where I got these beautiful recordings but the early concerts of The Cure are always a highlight for me because I grew up with them and they are still part of my life. Eighteen songs from their first four albums recorded here in a very good sound quality and it's amazing that they sound still fresh and audible at all times. Thanks to unknown for this pretty nostalgic dessert. Don't miss them in Melkweg/Amsterdam 2.12.1979 which is almost even better and further stuff on this Blog.

The Drowning Man/In Your House/Splintered In Her Head/Funeral Party/Primary/The Figurehead/Charlotte Sometimes/Other Voices/At Night/The Hanging Garden/M/Play For Today/A Forest/Forever/One Hundred Years/Faith/10:15 Saturday Night/Killing An Arab

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OHL - Oktoberrevolution 12'' 1983

Exhausted, dull & with a cold I sit here with a delicious tea and wonder why the purchase and sale of OHL records is locked at discogs, does anyone know? I think that is a bit exaggerating and can't understand this. Anyway, this is the 3rd 12 inch slab and its a mini-album with eight smasher and was released in two different versions, mine is as you can see on the cover, the second one. From this album the band spoke in songs such as Russen In Afghanistan and Roter Terror against the real socialism and stressed on the back of the record that after the debate against old and new nazis, also against the extreme left is necessary. Since then, the band has repeatedly distanced itself from left-wing as well as right-wing political extremism and religious fanaticism. Ultimately, the music is crucial and everyone who has a bit of sense will know if he likes it or not. Don't miss Verbrannte Erde and more stuff.... and now back to bed and cure myself, Amen!

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WALPURGIS VOLTA - s/t LP 1988

Brussels punx Walpurgis Volta released one 7Inch and two albums and were founded by Bob (vocals), Éric (guitars), Georges (bass) and Phil (drums) and this is their debut on La Rage. I remember very well the flea market where I bought this slab for little money, didn't know the band at all but the cover did my favor and so I took it with me. They packed twelve crazy friggel short songs on it and this investment has more than paid off. Not much is known about the band only after the end of Walpurgis some members start a new band called PPz30 in 1992 and their style is described as "freaka-rocka-funky-dirty" sound, formed of three former Voltas Eric, Phil and Georges with American actor and mime Bruce. PPz30 draws its influences in many genres such as funk, rock, hip-hop, reggae. The name of the group comes from the chemical formula of cement and this combo released four 7Inches + five albums. Sadly Éric dies in January 2012 and this event marks the end of PPz302. Okay, enough for today, I lie down and cure my migraine.

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EA80 - Alle Ziele 2001

Yesterday I had a slightly crappy day because the work was so damn hideous, so I went out and decided to walk at the main and listen to my friends of EA80, don't think that when I feel bad put out the EA80 records, No! No! (rather Cure albums) but whenever I hear the Gladbacher I feel much better and so how it should be, right? Alle Ziele is the eighth album and one of their best, rough fat production (as Schweinegott 1998) and all songs are dynamic and powerful blasting right from the start. The highlight is the ten minute song "Waldmenschen" which is a superb example what great musicians they are and how much emotion can be put in one fuckin' song and I didn't felt this by any other band. Who has seein' EA80 live knows what I'm talking about. Lyrically, as always, very demanding and critical, and those people who put this band in a "depro" drawer has nothin' understood or are deaf and blind. I know, I praise the guys very high but many fans confirmed this through their numerous visits at EA80 gigs and that's not always easy. Alle Ziele is a further milestone in the EA80 discography and far away from the traditional punk crap. Glorious vinyl rip made to play always loud!!!!!

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B.TRUG - Lieber Schwierig Als Schmierig 1982

And one more German punk slab from the fucking Rock-O-Rama (RRR14) label and this record comes from a time when the streets create the honest, pure & rough punk sound, far from the self-righteous politicay correct political incorrectness of later productions. Not only the uncompromising sound, but also the lyrics are absolutely authentic. B.Trug were Joe O. (vocals & bass), Jolly (guitars & vocals), Pit (guitars), Susi (drums) and came from the deepest heart of Bavaria, a region called Allgäu, they recorded fourteen solid mangy wild songs in the typical ror sound but the hardness can't cure properly because the sound is peculiarly leaky. According to punk-quality standards, the reason for the disappearance of the group could be mistreated. Too bad, since they have at least laid one of the last legitimate garbage punk classics (Frank Apunkt Schneider, Ventil Verlag 2007). In 2006, Teenage Rebel Records reissued the album. Enjoy this classic, I turn to the next knockout round, Belgium-Japan.

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DIE BLUMEN DES BÖSEN - Übermut Werde Spaten 1995

80s punk combined with wave influences, that's the sound of Die Blumen Des Bösen, founded in 1992 in the southwest German province and named after the poetry book of the same name by Charles Baudelaire. They could never describe their music and the influences are varied: punk, new wave, C-86 guitar pop and much more. Striking in the early years was the tender voice of Marty. Over time it came to frequent cast changes, including Marty left the band and was replaced by a male successor. Despite all the changes, they were productive over the years, released a total of three albums and gave concerts in Germany and France. After a last tour in Germany fall 1999 as opening act of the Fliehende Stürme, it became quiet around the flowers. In 2000 they finally withered and 3/4 of the members founded the new band Dot-Commando. Übermut Werde Spaten is their debut album on Kaktus Records and we enjoy fifteen melancholy beats, including a nice cover of a Cure song in Spanish, plus an awesome one from Loonatik which is written by the Blumen and presented in their version, grandiose! Altogether a very nice album what the four recorded in my opinion.

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THE MIRRORS - Dark Glasses 7'' 1978

Last post in 2017 and there is something new from the Wanted list and it's the second single by the Mirrors, a short-lived combo from South Wales, and on these recordings involved: Gary (vocals + rhythm guitar), Alan (bass), Bree (lead guitar) and Trevor (drums), released by the small London-based label Lightning Records. On the a-side we enjoy a lumbering four minute piece who monotonous pulls its laps and I can permanent listen to this fuckin' rhythm. They play exactly the drive as I love it, sure for some boring and uninspired but this soft bluesy melody listen I seldom and the four gentlemen do it very well. On the flip-side is a pleasant 2:30 mid-tempo KBD powerpop/punk goodie which rounding the record out. On compilations not often represented but Cure For Cancer was taken for the Young Raw Sounds UK #1 (Zeus Records, 1997) record, only bands/songs from Lightning releases and highly recommended. Enjoy or endure the music!

I wish you all a nice New Year's Eve and thanks to all who helped me this year, sent good music, gave some comments and we face the 2018 challenge!  

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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