T.S.T - 7'' + 12'' Collection 1981-1984

Another superb collection of 7+12inches in this file, the first EP Vås Punx (1981), No Teenage Future 12” (1982) and the Sweden 12” (1984). "T.S.T was formed 1977 in Västerås by Jarmo (JM’s), Karri (Zäba) and Nandor (Nalle), but then named Panic and later on The Rats (Rots?). The name T.S.T (The Schock Treatment) came from Ramones 2nd LP and the song Gimme Schock Treatment. The band played a lot at Bryggis in their hometown Västerås before the first 7inch came (Vås Punx EP), then followed a numerous of gigs around in Sweden. Then came (No Teenage Future 12”) and T.S.T took part in an live recording for national radio P3’s show Ny Våg (New Wave), it resultet in an LP which to put it briefly was called T.S.T. By this time a new drummer had replaced Karri for the recording of the album, then followed another Maxi (Sweden 12”), the band then changed members in a couple of rounds before the last Lp came in 85 (All Throught The Nights LP), where Karri had come back as drummer. After approximately 2 years T.S.T departed and was reformed to Grim Jacks, to eventually form Dynamite Wasteland by Jarmo" (source: Swedishpunk.com). Musically there are flaky '77 punk with a pinch of hardcore, a total of 22 songs.

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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LAUFMASCHE - Hey Du 7'' 1985

Not much info about this Austrian all-girl band, think they were from Vienna and this is their only release on Tonau Records. Two classic Austro-Pop goodies about love etc... The flip has with 'Schöner Fremder Mann' a cover version of Connie Francis' hit from the 60s. Saw this record at ebay and asked of course my Austria connection and as you can see successful. Nice plate from pretty women which musically don't need to hide. Check it out!

- Special Thx to Reinhard -

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AZRA - Lijepe Žene Prolaze Kroz Grad EP 1980

Azra was a rock band from Zagreb (Croatia) which were popular across Yugoslavia in the 1980s. Azra was formed in 1977 by its frontman Branimir "Johnny" Štulic. The other two members of the original line-up were Mišo Hrnjak (bass) and Boris Leiner (drums). The band is named after a verse from "Der Asra" by Heinrich Heine. They are considered to be one of the most influential bands from the former Yugoslav New Wave rock era and the Yugoslav Rock scene in general. This release (Pretty Women Passing Through The Town) was their second EP on the legendary Jugoton label. 3 pretty songs, one instrumental and so here it is.

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HARD-ONS - All Set To Go 7'' 1987

"This record is dedicated to anyone who has ever gone to a show and started a fight... FUCK OFF!" Clear statement and a look at the brilliant cover showing what idiots here are also meant. Two short melodic goals rushing through and give every constipation a quick end. A little info from discogs: The Hard-Ons are a melodic punk rock band from Sydney, Australia who officially formed in 1982. They are often acknowledged as Australia's most commercially successful independent band and have found international success since the release of their debut Surfin' On My Face EP in 1985 (later re-released in 1987 on Australia's Waterfront Records). The band's origins can be traced back to Western Sydney's Punchbowl Boys High School, where all three band members were students. The multicultural trio of Keish De Silva (of Sri Lankan descent), Blackie (Yugoslavian heritage) and Ray Ahn (Korean ancestry) were initially too young to play gigs in pubs, but honed their skills playing at parties, school dances and the famous Sydney "all ages shows" of the era. Largely influenced by punk, metal and psychadelic bands, the Hard-Ons sound is hard to categorise, though their love of the independent punk spirit (with the members deliberately controlling their own careers: recording, booking and promoting themselves, creating their own artwork (Ray), choosing support bands and even managing the merchandise desk whilst on tour) has found the trio never short of fans (Henry Rollins being one 'celebrity' who is never short of a good word to say about them). These unconventional decisions, combined with first class songwriting talents, powerful live performances and a healthy sense of humour earned the band a large following in Europe as well as their native Australia. This record was released in two different color sleeves, blue/yellow and red/orange. Let it run!!

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TIGER TAILS - Words Without Conviction EP 1980

Another band which released only one brilliant EP is this 4-piece combo from Burnley (Lancashire) on Snotty Snail Records. And like the Tyrants post before all three songs are very catchy and made to listen again and again. This is the kind of music for which I am willing to spend a few euros. At the Au gig last week a record seller told me he gets five copies from 8th Routh Army's Nihilist Olympics album for five Euros and I'm sayin' it's incredible. The typ found the albums in his cellar and all in excellent condition. It's clear that he has not long to ask and immediately grab it. He now offered each for € 18, -. This is free market economy. I guess with this fantastic EP this is excluded.

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KLINISCH SAUBER - Kommerz EP 1982

Low-Fi-Synth-Punk would I describe this little record from Klinisch Sauber and behind this name stands Charly Schmid from Zurich and he's extreme angry. This is reflected in his magnificent lyrics. The increasing commercialization of the present as well as 1982 becomes here a different view. The title track denounces the stupid & wasteful consumer society which run next to us like aimless mutants and be blinded by the colorful neon signs.... buy buy buy and commercial is used only for profit related interest without consideration for people, nature, culture... a hot topic, then and now. "I am your whore, I spread my legs, always ready..." The second track is about the fuckin' war. "...they want war, they make war....against us..." Charly creates the line between fear and rejection and bangs mercilessly provocative his aggressiveness in his voice. The last song is about interpersonal relationships, cold war, east & west, unwillingness to compromise, unity. Musically accompanied Charly his chant with minimalist monotone eletrobeats which shoots after prolonged listening me into a true ecstasy. Kommerz Records, re-released 2013 in a limited edtition on Rotten Totten Records. What can I say? This record is damn cool and should be heard.

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MONROE - Polio For The People 7'' 1978

First one for today and I start with a fantastic two-sided killer 7inch. I'm glad I found some info about this record and I can tell you this is a must have!! I post this because it was a request. From lastfm comes this: "Legendary punk-rock cult-band from the Netherlands (Vlissingen, Zeeland), fronted by singer Jaap van Boven. They only released one single (Polio For The People/Disco Fever) in 1978. The single was very controversial. Around that time there was an outbreak of polio in the orthodox-protestant community in the province of Zeeland, because they refused vaccinations because of their belief. The picture sleeve showed the band around an open grave, with Jaap taking a crap on the coffin. “Is God your Shepherd, who commands. The Wheelchair dealer rubs his hands is a classic line from the song’s lyrics. Jaap van Boven would later re-emerge in several other bands (such as Het Electric Combo) and is still active in the local music scene." And toine1962 wrote a perfect review about this rare record and I would use here and I'm thankful: "Monroe was the first punk-rock band in the Dutch province of Zeeland. Singer Jaap van Boven and his band released one single, which a lot of people considered as tasteless. Most of that had to do with the picture on the sleeve, on which he took a crap onto a coffin. In the late 70's Zeeland suffered a polio epidemic, mainly hitting orthodox protestants, who would not have their children vaccinated. Polio For The People was a protest against their way of life (...is God your shepherd who commands. The wheelchair dealer rubs his hands....). Nowadays the single is a true collector's item." I have nothing to add!, thank You!

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ARLO STENMIT & HIS HAMMERKIDS - Belinda 7'' 1979

Almost no one from the Vienna punk scene at that time heard of this band. Only in the nineties acquired Arlo Stenmit & His Hammerkids a certain level of awareness with the song 'Belinda' on the international punk compilation Bloodstains Across The World #2, in their choice set and these obscure 7" (b.t.w. cool cover) were soon on the search lists of all the punk record collectors worldwide. If you listen at 'Belinda', you can understand the reason why. The song rocks!!! It sounds like a punkrock joke in the style of Johnny Moped: bad English, disguised voices, snotty dirty guitar riffs and sing along choruses which can be desribed as comedy punk. That the single was released on a commercial, otherwise dreary Pop/Rock specialized disco label, does not detract the fun too. The flip has with 'COP's Boogie' a nice instrumental tune which starts like an E.L.O. intro, awesome!!!

- Huge Thx to Reinhard -

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V/A - Back-Stage Pass 1986

Back to some old stuff to what every punk out there already knows. Released by Rossil Records in Portugal originally in 1980 and I have here the Polish pressing on Pronit Records from 1986 and I don't know if there's a UK release. Anyway, on it the Créme of early UK Punkrock and I think the makers use the current singles from that time to put it together and bring them closer to the scene outside the UK. Maybe an unofficial release. There is sadly no info inside. Worth mentioning are the tracks by Manufactured Romance with a female singer and I have never heard anything before and do not known the band to date. Who takes a look at the tracklist will find out that only hits are represented and you have when listening a lot of fun & maybe many nice memories as I.

1.Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone? - SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS

2.Wanna Be A Star - COCKNEY REJECTS

3.Fireball - CYANIDE

4.Emotional Blackmail (Parts 1+2) - U.K.SUBS

5.You - MANUFACTURED ROMANCE

6.Murder Of Little Towers - ANGELIC UPSTARTS

7.Crashed Out - THE EXPLOITED

8.Closed Groove - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

9.Police Car - COCKNEY REJECTS

10.Barbed Wire Love - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

11.I'm Me - BOB DE VRIES

12.Police Oppression - ANGELIC UPSTARTS

13.Long Distance Love - MANUFACTURED ROMANCE

14.I'm Mad - SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS

15.No Government - ANTI-PASTI

16.Mess I'm In - CYANIDE

17.New York State Police - U.K.SUBS

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BLUT+EISEN - Schön Geseh'n 1985

"Hart zu sich selbst, gegenüber anderen" - Blut+Eisen is a German Punkband which you can't ignore and I'm sure a lot of you know their powerful debut album which features an energetic and thrashy sound. And with their second LP the band shine with polished lyrics, they describe the everyday horror, the sudden overturning of normal into deep, dark abyss. Bloody, sometimes sober, laconically, but mostly gripping and originally. The production is again perfect and holds the standard of the first album. Musically splendid! A band I can listen to every day and I'm glad to have both albums. They featured on the great Keine Experimente compilation and if you want more info then click here and find an interview with the band from 2008, mind you in German. - "Not Words And Reforms Will Change The World, But Blood & Iron" (Otto von Bismarck anno 1862) -  A Must Have!!!!

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