V/A - H'Artcore 1981

H'Artcore is a compilation that was published by H'Art Records with various punk bands from the Ruhrpott area, where some variables of the local punk scene, such bands as Upright Citizens were present today, others are only here to hear and then fade away. In 1999 the label Teenage Rebel Records has been re-released this record. The name of the compilation is a play on words and refers to the represented music on this album, which was then still referred to punk as it does not use the term 'Deutschpunk'. "The somewhat strange title is derived from the name of the label H'Art in 1981 and still new term Hardcore, which at that time for the harder, faster punk stood here on the sampler (the term German Punk was not in use)." Well, that was back then. A brilliant soundtrack indeed and even nowadays very audible.

1.Verfolgt - CORNY VARIOUS

2.17 / Rebel Song - CLOX

3.Ich Will Hier Raus - BLUTTAT

4.Fuck The Army - UPRIGHT CITIZENS

5.New Wave Takt - DIE PHANTASTISCHEN 3

6.Dosenbier - ABFLUSS

7.Deutschland - FLUCHTVERSUCH

8.Braune Schweine - N.D.R.

9.Reinol - HECKTOR

10.Arbeitsamt - SUFF

11.Mikel - BLUTTAT

12.Bonzen - FLUCHTVERSUCH

13.Luftballon - CORNY VARIOUS

14.Du Traust Dich Nicht - LUZIBÄR

15.Stadion - THE IDIOTS

16.Politiker - ABFLUSS

17.Natur - EKLATANT AB

18.Alkohol - SUFF

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THE BLITZKRIEG BOYS - Back From Nowhere 1989

The Blitzkrieg Boys was formed 1985 in Tampere, when Marty Blitzkrieg (vox) got an idea to form a band that would be a mixture of the Ramones, Cockney Rejects and the Misfits. Soon he found Gil (guitars), Kukka (bass) and Jussi (drums), excatly the right guys to play this kind of music. In 1988 they relelased their first record in form of an EP on Raktor Records with seven melodic punkies. I bought that in 1989 at a gig in the Marquee in Hamburg when Broken Toys and the Schwarzen Schafe toured through Germany. I was instantly elated. After a period without Punkrock I came in the mid 90s in touch with their only album which was released on the German label Teenage Rebel Records in December 1989 (1000 copies, 225 in orange vinyl and the rest black). The production is bit cleaner (which is almost too much) than the EP but I love the ramonesque style and they make it perfect as well. In 2011 the Finnish label Woimasointu released an album called 'Too Old To Die Young' but I have not yet heard it. All Right, enjoy the Blitzkrieg Boys and a nice weekend!

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NIKKI & THE CORVETTES - s/t LP 1980

Formed in the late 70s in Detroit, Nikki & the Corvettes were part of the late 1970s/early 80s girl group revival that rode in on the tidal wave of PowerPop bands popular at the time. Their only album is a PowerPop masterpiece with a decent dose of punk rock, a perfect mix and they in top form. A lot of infos are present in the web so I use the following words because this review describes their LP very clearly: "If the hormones of teenage girls could talk, they would probably sound very much like this trio of singers from Detroit who have debuted with one of the most delightful records of the year so far. Nikki Corvette, Kristi Kay (who has since left the group) and Lori Jeri have recaptured the spirit of the old Shangri-Las and crank out enthusiastic tunes about partying, boys, drive-ins, boys, dancing and boys.And if they approach the "girl group" musical genre with less wit than Blondie, they at least have more conviction. Among the dozen originals (all penned by Nikki and lead guitarist Peter James) in this album are such cheeky offerings as Back Seat Love, Gimme, Gimme (who says the Me Decade is over?) and C'mon, which confesses "Don't know where I'm headed/But I still gotta go." The back-up band is less precise than the Corvettes (as is the technical production) but even that can't restrain the charms of the group's gee-whiz-thank-you-Ms. songs. For some odd reason, no major label has signed this cheery trio." (Picks & Pans Review, February 23, 1981, Vol. 15, #7) - Nikki & The Corvettes disbanded in 1981. At this time, it was still unusual to have a woman front rock band. The notoriety that Nikki Corvette earned for her role in breaking those barriers led to her being namechecked in the song "Gimme My Radio" by The Donnas. So this whole album is so damn catchy and you can't stop listening to it.

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THE LAST - She Don't Know Why I'm Here 7'' 1978

The Last is a Los Angeles based power pop band formed in the 1970s around three brothers: Joe (guitar + vocals), Mike (vocals), and David Nolte (bass guitar). They released several albums on SST Records and Bomp! Records. The Nolte brothers formed the band in 1976, and the band's sound was influenced by garage rock, surf rock, folk rock and psychedelic rock. After three self-financed singles, the band was signed by Bomp! Records, who issued the debut album L.A. Explosion! in 1979 (described by Trouser Press as "a near-perfect debut"). They reverted to their own Backlash label for second album Look Again (1980), and split up in the mid-1980s. The band were considered a major influence on the psychedelia-influenced LA bands of the mid eighties. The band was reformed in 1988 and signed to SST Records, releasing two albums in 1988 and 1989. The band went on hiatus in 1990, with Joe Nolte feeling "sort of disheartened" after the band's first national US tour (they had previously only played in California). So this is The Last's debut single with two melodic power pop tracks and they could really nail some harmonies that were pretty atypical in early punk. A true classic!!!

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STENGTE DØRER - Sangen Om Vår Vidunderlige Verden 1988

This is the debut album, released by the German label Double A Records, by this Norwegian language hardcore/punk band from Oslo, with origins in the environment around the Blitz house Pilestredet, started in the spring of 1985. Those who were behind the band was Anders Eide (guitar), Harald Tredal (drums) & Dag Rasmussen (bass) - all had a history in Svart Framtid - and Hasse Jørgensen (vox). The songs are all decorated in the typical merciless hardcore/punk sound which is a mark of quality and here I must not long explain what's on it. Tough and loud tunes, brilliant production and each number is a blast. They manage with their energy and untamed rage to ignite a fire. And for those who do not speak the Norwegian language, like me, an English translation is attached, one more plus point. - So, the holy thunder god Thor has once again slammed mercilessly. Great band, awesome record, download obligation!!!! 

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -

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KUDDKRIG - Fly The Jolly Jumper & Fight Against The Law EP 1981

Here's a rare record by a band from Kristinehamn and this is their debut EP. The group did a single that was really rough. Two of the members of Skäms founded Kuddkrig and there is a drastic change that has occurred. Kuddkrig plays calm and melodic music and when I listen to this EP the first bands which came into my mind are the Doors & Beatles (well, somehow 60's style). The title track is a nice melodic song and the 3rd 'Stenstalidens Ögon' is a little different with piano and delicate swedish vocals. The other two songs are made to listen to it everyday, pretty charmin' and I would not say that this EP is a powerpop one, you know. The band could probably be really good just to find a little bit different and personal style for comparison to the other swedish punk pearls here. Believe me, this record melts every woman's heart.

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LOS NIKIS - La Amenaza Amarilla EP 1981 + Sangre En El Museo De Cera EP 1982

Los Nikis (The Polo Shirts) was a Spanish pop-punk group of the 80's that were associated with la Movida. They come with songs that feature very simple music and humorous lyrics. Founded 1979 in a suburbia from Algete which lies in the comarca de Alcalá in the autonomous community of the Community of Madrid. They are known as "The Ramones Of Algete". Los Nikis were capable to create a good collection of tunes with just four chords and seven notes. Two brothers from the drummer Rafa Cabello created Discos Lollipop label and, logically, Los Nikis released on this label some signature songs from their career. In 1983, Rafa Cabello leaves the band and entered Johnny Canut, Nacho Canut's brother, ex-"Dinarama". In 1985 they signed for 3 Cipreses/DRO and released three albums before they split-up in 1989. In the nineties they recorded a new album, "Más De Lo Mismo", that closes the band's history. Nowadays, only Joaquín Rodríguez is active as part of "Los Acusicas".

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NEW HEARTS - Another Teenage Anthem 7'' 1977

New Hearts evolved out of college band Splitz Kidz, who met at Loughton College, comprising Ian Page (vocals), Dave Cairns (guitar), John Harty (bass) and drummer Rob Milne. At the start of 1977, Milne was replaced by Matt McIntyre (he later drummed with The Clash on the Anarchy In The UK tour). Re-naming themselves New Hearts, they were signed by CBS Records at the height of punk rock just two months after their debut gig, and with an average age of just 17, directly from CBS managing director Maurice Oberstein, who had taken a personal interest in the band. New Hearts recorded two singles for CBS, "(Just Another) Teenage Anthem" and "Plain Jane", inspired by acts like Dr. Feelgood and Eddie & The Hot Rods. They also supported The Jam during their lengthy UK Modern World tour, and accompanied them at the 1978 Reading Festival, where they were joined on stage by Hawkwind guitarist Huw Lloyd Langton. Disillusioned, Page and Cairns then folded New Hearts, and set about creating a new band inspired by the dress code and musical stylings of the 1960s Mod movement, changing their name to Secret Affair and leading the whole Mod Revival movement. In October 2009, a new CD containing 23 songs (20 for CBS and three pre-CBS demos) was issued by Cherry Red Records. Nineteen of the recordings are previously unissued.

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SOCIAL UNREST - SU-2000 1985

Social Unrest hailed from Hayward, near San Francisco, in 1980.They soon established themselves as one of the leading forces of the Bay Area early HC Thrash scene. The manic, political vocals of Creetin K-os were well supported by screeching guitars & ultra-fast tempos. The band released their 1st 7" (now much sought after) in 1981 on Infra Red Records. "Making Room For Youth" was produced by none other than Dead Kennedys guitar player East Bay Ray.

SU teamed up again with Ray a year later to produce their classic "Rat In A Maze" 12", released summer 82 on their Libertine Label. The seven songs of this EP are mostly fast except for "I love You", a PIL-like tune. "Red, White & Blue", with it's numerous speed changes, remains a highlight. They also appeared on Maximum Rock'n'Roll masterpiece 47 bands compilation, "Not So Quiet On The Western Front". The band played a lot with all the glory bands of the time, when the usual band brawls headed for some changing.

Original Band members Mark Monti & Danny Norwood remained the core of SU, Bass player John Vollick moved out to band management. In came Ray Vegas on bass duties & Jimi Brogan on guitar. Jason Honea, a Darby Crash fanatic, completed the new SU after the departure of Creetin K-os. The new line-up developped the original, screeching SU sound and brought it to new heights on the band's 1st full length "SU-2000" (again on Libertine) in 1985. Honea's melodic tones & thoughtful lyrics added a lot of deepness to all the great songs featured on "SU2000" : "I wanna be heard","Jimmy Rocks", "Rat In A Maze" are all

scorchers, while "Stranger Inside" & "Out My Window" have some really cool guitar bitterness works that will become one of SU's later trademarks.

A year later, the band released what is probably their masterpiece (unlike most bands, they never put out a weak record, though) ,the mighty "Before the Fall" LP (on Libertine in the US, Konurrel in Europe). The songwriting reached new grounds with songs like "American Steel","Golgotha","The New Tribes". The band was still fast & aggressive, but the vocals & guitars added great, original harmonies that couldn't be heard on any other record by any band. The slower numbers like "Night of the Long Knives" worked quite well too. Social Unrest now really had a sound of their own & were firmly established as one of California's most important band.

They heavily toured the US (they did it 4 or 5 times), opening for the Descendents' last show, appeared on the Viva Umkhonto compilation & got rave reviews of "Before The Fall". They embarked on their 1st Euro Tour in September 87, playing a show in Germany that would end on the"Mental Breakdown" live Album (on Lost & Found).

Ray left the band to join Attitude Adjustment, Ron Isa filled in to record the band's last album, "Now & Forever", released Fall 88. Some of the best SU songs are there w/ "Katarina Witt", "I'm The Nation" & "Sins Of Paris". "Handcuffs Too Tight" features the welcome back of Creetin K-os for a thrasher that brings back the band's original sound. The band called it quit shortly after. (Source: gug65free)

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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PERSECUTED PHARISEES - Keep Smilin' 1990

Persecuted Pharisees is a pretty cool punk band from Frankfurt with female vox. In 1990 they released unfortunately their only record on Alm-Räcords and on it are fourteen aggressive and snotty punk rock pearls. At the time of then German reunification the lyrics are against any and all: banker, cunning and false friends, unity in the ffm. scene, etc.. and steffi's wild voice gives this record a damn cool feelin' and for me a rare classic (b.t.w. 1A cover). A highlight was a gig, I think it was a sunday, with the legendary Gorilla Biscuits here at the Maxims, a more disco shitsucker place - but I still remember exactly, the gig starts pretty late, the store was full with iros and coloured hairs, leather-jackets and hardcore's and it was pretty hot inside and I was good drunk and both bands played hotter than hell and provided some historical moments in my Punk-Existence. Well, nowadays the Maxim's is no more just like the band, I think they dissolved in 1991 or so. And now: one-two-three four...open the door and let's keep smilin'!

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