BADBOLL - Valen EP 1979

First private release from this swedish band from Stockholm and such a damn classic. This is one of the Holy Grails of Swedish punk for sure! At this stage the band was a trio with a much punkier sound than their later EP Badboll Lever! Three great and very catchy punk tracks with killer gritty guitar sound on this one! Only 500 copies pressed and nowadays one of the rarest punk records. Does anyone know more about them?

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INTIMSPRAY - s/t LP 1982

The group Intimspray was created around 1980 in Innsbruck. At the beginning, none of the musicians thought of the continuation of the bands musical career, but band leader Heinz Heisl persuaded his ex-musicians into a unique gig in Innsbruck. However, after the new music follows well-received by the audience, the spark jumped on the whole band and they go further. Heribert Kornfeil, Walter Moriel, Hubert Nedwed, Mike Moll, and Heinz Heisel, known from the rock band 'Abu El Mot', planed only one gig where they would play some modern punk/ska music just for fun, but when the audience jumped on chairs and tables and went wild in the overcrowded Hottinger Club, it was clear that this couldn't be just a one-night stand. When they heared from a viennese band that was also called The Sprays, they changed their name into Intimspray. After some gigs in the local scene, mentionable one as the supporting act for D.A.F., they conquered the Munich scene with the help of their friends the Nighthawks. In 1980 they released a rare EP called Too Much Monsters (lim. 500 pieces), which was pressed in Switzerland and sounds like a mix of garage/punk/ska. In Munich, after Walter left and Bill Pugh (former Nighthawks roadie) joined the band, they became the house band of the RIGAN-CLUB, MARIENKÄFER, WHY NOT,...and later on the famous DOMIZILE. It was the time when new wave got more attention by the major labels, and in 1982 RCA knocked on their door with a record deal. They played some live shows in bavarian television. The teenie magazine Brave made a foto story with INTIMSPRAY in London, where their LP was mentioned in NME. In 1984, after some more gigs in Germany and Austria, the band split (with help from Mr.Luziprak).

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ANTIDRASH - Against 1991

Now autumn comes slowly and honestly I'm not really happy. I guess, I'll have to survive these days with lots of beer to calm my skull. Well, even this time goes by... - I come to the next post, one year after their fantastic debut record Katastash Kindynou shoot Antidrash their second album out, again on the famous Greece label Wipe Out! Records. Musically in the similar direction as the previous album, plus here are some songs with organ which brings a slightly gloomy feeling (for example the first track). Of course, again fast angry hardcore pieces on it and especially the sawing guitars cut it out. A powerful album with twelve good songs.

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KOHU-63 - Valtaa Ei Loistoa 12'' 1982

Kohu-63 was formed already in 1977, so it can be said that they are one the pioneers of punk in Finland. Their first recordings appeared on a legendary compilation, called Hilse LP, that came out in 1979. Hilse LP was the first Finnish punk compilation and it really has all the important punk bands of the late 70's. After that compilation they only sang in Finnish. Their first record came out in 1981 and it was a EP called 'Pelimannimusaa'. It was released on Poko Rekords. After that Kohu went more and more in a Hardcore direction and they released their MiniLP called 'Valtaa Ei Loistoa', also on Poko Rekords. "The missing link between Lama and the younger Finnish thrash bands. Kohu-63's newer material is considerably faster than the tracks on their '77-like 'Pelimanimusaa' EP. They certainly haven't lost any drive or power, though some of the melodic hooks may have been trampled in the stampeding tempo. Still, a fine record, and check out the Cockney Rejects-Exploited parody ('Härpsälä Kids') for a good laugh.'' - Jeff Bale (from Maximum Rock'n'Roll #3, November/December 1982)

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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THE JAGS - Back Of My Hand 7'' 1979

The Jags were a British rock band formed in London in 1978, and composed of Nick Watkinson (vocals), John Alder (guitar/backing vocals), Steve Prudence (bass), Alex Baird(drums), Michael Cotton (bass/backing vocals) and Patrick O'Toole (piano/keyboard). They signed to Island Records in July 1978 and initially released a four-track EP. On 8 September 1979, the powerpop single "Back Of My Hand", written by Watkinson and left-handed guitarist Alder, entered the UK Singles Chart. It had a chart life of 10 weeks and peaked at Number 17. "Back Of My Hand" was included on their debut album Evening Standards, which was released the following year. Their follow-up single "Woman's World" entered the UK Chart on 2 February 1980 at Number 75 - dropping out the next week. 1981 saw the release of their second, and what proved to be, final album, No Tie Like a Present. The Jags disbanded in 1982.

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GENEVA - Two Minutes Thirty 7'' 1980

Only release by this English band and this rare piece of vinyl is pressed on Valiant Records. Two energtic powerpop goodies here and the b-side was selected for the Powerpearls Vol. 4 compilation. Otherwise there are not much signs of life or information about the band available. Both songs run well and quite cool.

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JACK & THE RIPPERS - A Wonderful Piece Of Punk Rock 1997

Jack & The Rippers were one of the first punk bands in Switzerland, based in Geneva, which has at that time an equally vibrant punk scene such as Zurich. Most important members of the band were the brothers John (vocals) and Francois (guitar) Seilern, Englishman with Austrian blood which that occurs from the work of their parents were aground in Switzerland. Their mischief drove the Rippers although only for about 8 months (October 77 - June 78), and therefore the release of their first single experienced no longer as a band. Musically the band can be describe as brilliant power punk with strong English strike on the right track. Their only 7inch was released 1979 on Another Swiss Label in a small edition, 500 copies or so, and is for me one of the best swiss punk records all the time, (the original 7” single is now very hard to find.) 'No Desire' is a hymn, a short ecstasy with great lyrics. I can use the song for any compilation, totally addictive stuff! They recorded a 2nd 7inch 'Don't Pretend' but it was never released, first 2003 from Fan Club Company in limited edition of 500 published. Loud, Proud & Punk Records recognized the genius of this band and released this slab with all their early recordings, 2004 Dirty Faces comes with another compilation with two more songs. After the end of the band the Seilern brothers founded relatively quickly a new band with their bassist Babine and two members of another Geneva punk band (The Bastards) called the Zero Heroes. The sound was almost as significant to the English power pop with influences of ska elements, they released two albums. So enjoy this wonderful piece of punk rock!!!!

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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THE NITWITZ - The Scorched Earth Policy 12'' 1981

Amsterdam's youngest punk band were formed in 1978. They released several singles, a mini album and a split LP with Götterflies. Here's a short look at their biography: "In the press they got less attention. And when they got some, they got negative critics. The English press called them imitators of English bands. New Musical Express about their first single: "Too late for the Pistols, or even Sham 69, they take their lead from the likes of the Rejects and the UK Subs. Do I need to go any further?". The lyrics of The Nitwitz were not political at all in the beginning. It was about girls, Wickie the Viking and get beaten up by disco-visitors. In March 1979 they played in Paradiso (The Netherlands) with the anarcho band Crass from England. Crass decided to sabotage the set of The Nitwitz by turning of the soundinstallation. After all, The Nitwitz were sexists. This shows how narrowminded the free-thinkers from Crass really were. In 1981 The Nitwitz discovered new music like bands as Weirdos, Germs and Dils and the LP Group Sex from the Circle Jerks. The Nitwitz broke up in march 1982. Eric quit and started the band Outrageous. The others go on with on the vocals the 17 year old singer René van de Meer, formerly Dustman. With the new singer B.G.K. (Balthazar Gerards Kommando) was formed. 1996, the Nitwitz played together with the original members since may 1982." You can read the full Biography here. For me they are a fantastic punk band with their own sound and this little album here proves that a lot. 9 Songs in 15 minutes, snotty guitars blew me away, excellent tempo and very consistent too. The Nitwitz are cool and I can listen to them at any time.

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V/A - Bloodstains Across The UK 3 1998

Time for another compilation with lots of strong and dangerous material on it. Volume 3 of the U.K. section is full with rare songs between rough punkrock and shallow powerpop from the late 70s. Here's something for every taste and who appreciates the Bloodstains series as I will be satisfied with this record. Detailed information on the back cover, probably 1000 copies and a coveted collector's item. A pretty good selection of tracks.

1.Love Is Not Real - THE NEGATIVES
2.I'm Not Your Type - TINOPENERS
3.Terrorist - FUTURE BODIES
4.Heart To Heart - SILENT NOISE
5.Guest - LIP MOVES
6.14 Year Old Lover - HENRY ESSENCE
7.Getting High - MEDIA
8.Kill The Bill - THE MENTAL
9.Me And Bobby McGee - LENNY & THE LAWBREAKERS
10.Stay Clean - NIGHTRIDER
11.T.V. Movie - SLOWGUNS
12.Stake Out - THE NEGATIVES
13.First Mistake - THE RATS
14.No Survivors - SPEEDBALL
15.East Coast Kids - WHAT
16.Dumb Dumb - STEROID KIDDIES

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GENIUS FREAK - Whose Body Is It Anyway? 7'' 1990

Genius Freak were formed from the ashes of The Shout by lead singer Leeson O’Keefe. They did one 7” with Damaged Goods Records which came in a very nice poster sleeve. Two brilliant melodic punk rock songs in the tradition of Snuff, Guns & Wankers or Leatherface. I think it's their only release and both songs have power, fat guitars and brings fun in every house. Then they left and continued playing around the UK for another year or so. Leeson is still playing in bands today. Cool Songs, nice cover, nothin' more to say.

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