UNIPLUX - Maledetto Rock 7'' 1984

Since the 1980s, Uniplux have been an integral part of Rome’s music scene. Born from an idea of Fabio Nardelli, leader of the band’s original line-up, they debuted in the flourishing period of Italian Punk rock, with the Italian RCA label, as a guitar-bass-drum trio, releasing ‘Chi siamo noi?’ - a track declaring the incommunicability and marginalisation of young people. The group’s style, although resonant of the 1980s, takes its roots from ‘70s rock and rediscovers the Italian musical heritage of the ‘60s.

With appearances on national and local networks (Orecchiocchio, Maledetto Rock, their second single – Rai Stereo 2, Onda Verde, Domenica Rock …) their original repertoire was revived. The style was rigorously Italian, of social orientation and linked to the theme of troubled youth as a consequence of marginalisation and urban decay. Following several changes in the band’s line-up, and a stimulating collaboration between Fabio Nardelli and the musician Marco Schiavoni producing music for cinema and theatre, the band’s repertoire reached a new maturity that was reflected in their live performances. The right exposure had finally been found for Nardelli’s visceral guitar playing, his edgy voice, and the creative vision of his daily experiences of psychology and pyschotherapist Reichiano (aspiring shaman..?).

A commitment to the prevention, cure and rehabilitation of the mentally ill and drug dependent became a formidable driving force for a lyricist without compromises, at times harsh and direct, yet always sincere. Recently the group’s lyrics have been enriched due to esoteric-cultural influences, the philosophical leader’s vision of the world.

Amongst their new songs, Fermare il mondo speaks of the painful process of internal transformation, an inevitable journey to reach a new type of consciousness – the only possible alternative to the terrible conditions of homogeneity and alienation of occidental man – a clear reference to Carlo Castaneda’s book ‘Viaggio ad Ixtlan'. Il fantasma della libertà is inspired by Luis Bunuel’s eponymous film and Radiazione Orgonica is a tribute to the work of William Reich, a revolutionary psychologist who was as much a genius as he was persecuted. Dismissed from the official science of our time, the tracks Superimposizione cosmica and Asylum are dedicated to Reich, songs that speak of his death in an American prison in 1957. In 2000, the band was invited to play at the 22nd Girofestival broadcast on Rai 3. In 2004, they appeared on Rai Uno’s ‘Demo’ and in 2005, Red Ronnie’s ‘Cosa succede in città. Also they played Rai Radio 2 on Carlo Posio’s ‘Notturno Italiano’. Uniplux released 3 short films Fermare il mondo, Lady Day and Dott. Carlitos, based on an idea of Fabio Nardelli’s that was produced by Studio ZOBIT and directed by Marco Schiavoni.

The CD Radiazone Orgonica was released in 2002 on Enrico Capuano’s independent label, Blond Records and in 2006 was realeased I Dannati, i militanti e lo stregone with label Atman Records. In December 2007 Uniplux’s latest CD 'Spacciatori Di Soldi' was released in co-production with the independent label Atman Records. (Source: MySpace)

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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KNALLKOPF - s/t EP 1997

With Knallkopf we come to a young band from the beautiful city of Vienna. I knew to date not anything about the band but this is surprised astonishingly positively, musically the guys played pretty rough & cool and spit here four trashy & loudy punk songs out as there was no tomorrow, plus the charming dark-held cover artwork makes this little piece of vinyl a collector's item. Somehow I have to think Beethoven & Mozart, hmmm..funny! I think, it's time to pay a visit to Vienna - Awesome record! Meanwhile they released an album plus two split 12''. Everything is right and Knallkopf rock your house!

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PRIME MINISTERS - Society's Murder 7'' 1983

Three piece Dutch combo from Leiden with their only record on Prime Records. Members are Obelix (bass), Vinnie (drums) and Guus (guitar + vox). Two solid mid-tempo crackers, reminds me a bit of the english Blitzkrieg you know. Anyway, this rare one is good stuff and the flip was taken for the Feel Lucky Skunk?! compilation (which I could even post someday or...?). That's all, enjoy!

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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THE LICKS - 1970's EP 1979

Formed in 1978 in Bishop Stortford the band decided to call themselves The Epileptics following a suggestion from one of their mothers. In August 1978 Crass played in Bishop Stortford and a long lasting friendship was established. Complaints of ‘ill-conceited jocularity’ from The British Epilepsy Association resulted in a name change to Epi-x, then changed to The Licks under pressure from Stortbeat who in 1979 released the band’s debut single, much played by John Peel. The band changed their name back to The Epileptics, more releases followed, then in early 1980 the nucleus of The Epileptics re-emerged as Flux Of Pink Indians. In 1981 the record was again released with the same songs but a bit faster and rougher, listen - Repressed in 2015 on Overground Records in an edition of 500 pieces - Nice one!

- Thx to Fredrik -

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RIFF RAFF - I Wanna Be A Cosmonaut EP 1978

In 1977, Billy Bragg formed the punk rock/pub rock band Riff Raff, and toured London's pubs and clubs. The band released a series of singles, which did not receive wide exposure and so the band disbanded 1981. This first EP was released on Chiswick Records and it's awesome. What a pity that the record was at that time not very successful, which I cannot really understand because there are four punkrock classics that kicks not exactly in the ass but still catchy & snotty and all of you who know Billy Bragg as solo performer you will be surprised how crazy this man was and still is. And today??.. you pay a lot coins for a copy, crazy or? I like the EP and I can listen to it everday and maybe you agree with me. In 2002 came out a compilation CD with all the singles on BMG.

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DRONGOS FOR EUROPE - Death's A Career EP 1982

Here's another classic one from the UK and this is their 3rd 7inch on Tempest Records. I can only say another damn cracker in the punk universe and you will sure share my opinion. I have some info from their home page here which I would like to put in you:  

"Formed in 1979 in Birmingham/England, playing early gigs with mates G.B.H. The Drongos first single was a DIY release in 1981 called 'Hope And Glory'. The band also recorded two EPs on Inferno Records in 1982 - 'Death's A Career' and 'Eternity', which actually charted at around 47 in the national UK charts - Unfortunately, nobody in the band bothered reading music press at the time or listened to Radio One (we were the first punks in our town to have our own flats/ homes, so everyone came back to our place to get wrecked. We didn't need much encouragement to join in) So, to cut a long story short - we never knew

until our then guitarist Anton joined in 1999, that we sold any records, and we of course never made any money and got ripped off like every band on Inferno Records. The band split in 1985 - reformed in 88 - carried on and off until the mid 90s, never actually splitting up but not doing anything, either. "Without doubt one of the most exciting Punk bands playing anywhere in the World today. From the brilliant 'Barcode Generation' to 'Hotline To Hades', the Drongos are no longer playing the best Punk Rock in the UK, but clearly setting the standard for Punk to come. Intelligent. Exhilarating. Honest. Quite simply brilliant". Drongos For Europe are currently one of the hottest bands in the UK gigging and touring more than most bands from the eighties, having toured many times in Europe and also touring the U.S."

Great sound, great songs, great band!

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LES HATEPINKS - Hate!-Oupupo Songs EP 2007

Here we have the awesome weirdos Les Hatepinks from France and they're playing pretty fresh '77 snotty punk rock. Hell what a great fuckin' record!!! Each song is thirteen seconds long and is make to play loud. I quote from the lyric sheet: "Terms of creation: record 16 songs in one night. No songs should be composed before the recording session. No post-recording is possible (no fucking Protool assembly!). No song should be "just funny noise (no spoken word, no instrumental shitty jam...). 5 grams of speed should be used during the recording session. Cocaine ain't speed. Nobody should cry his mother during the recording session. Lyrics should have no more that 2 different sentences. Onomatopeia like "Yeah!", "Fuque!" or "Une deux trois quatre!" do not count as a sentence. Except for a voice, no dubbing is possible... Every song should be a denunciation against this shitty society and the vacuity of modern life. If the result is deep shit, no shame is autorized. Send this crap to the record label in any case. Take drugs and kill yourself." So if you agree with that don't wait any longer and make the stage yours and get this fuckin' awesome record now! 2009 they play a final show at the Machine à Coudre in Marseille.

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KICKS - The Secret 7'' 1981

I was asked for a compilation which I unfortunately do not own. So I wrote an email to my friends and got it finally. However, it still lasts a little up to the Shakedown! post but I will give you a small tidbit by this awesome Brisbane punkers. This 7inch was published original by Shake Records and re-released 2012 by 540 Records. So I wanna use an excellent review from GraveMistakeRecords which descripes the band/record perfect:

"Official reissue on 540 Records of this Australian "post punk" classic from 1981 that sounds so much like Bauhaus it's crazy! This is the 6th in the series of Shake/Savage records reissues of some of the best punk ever to come from Australia. After nearly three years (and nearly as many chords) The Young Identities decided to try something different if not entirely distant. They still get a buzz from fast and sinister music so they change their name to Kicks and release a very limited edition cassette singe titled 'Leather/Godzilla'. Sounding fresh, brash and furious but with more depth than previously heard, the boys continued to expand on the new noise with the 1981 vinyl double A side follow up 'Return of the Action Man/The Secret'. The single sold well locally and was an acknowledged influence on new and upcoming bands like Mystery of Sixes and Public Execution. Officially though, it was to be Kicks last recorded release, until now... where thanks to the good folk of 540 records it raises it ugly hydra-head again!"

I believe therefore everything is said and I can be even grateful to that people who dig out such brilliant classics. Two excellent songs from a very good band.

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POWER AVENUE - California 7'' 1982

Power Avenue was a punk/wave/noise band from Zurich in the early 80's. Their only record was released in June 1983 in an edtion of 1000 copies. This hard to find little fucker is even in Switzerland quite rare. Musically very eletkro oriented with a noisy guitar accompanied and sung in french in german. Two driving monotonous songs that not change the world but wanna be heard. That's all info I can give you but I think you wanna test it, don't hesitate.

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TRUST - Antisocial 7'' 1981

Absolutely unknown band to me (and I listen in the early 80s lots of Metal music) are the next band and this record comes from a French heavy metal band which was founded 1977 in Paris and popular in Europe in the first half of the 80s. Trust are Bernie (vox), Raymond (bass), Nono (guitars) and Jeannot (drums). The band released its first single "Prends Pas Ton Flingue" in the same year. This record was re-released when the band made its first short-lived comeback in 1992. Interestingly Iron Maiden's drummers Nicko McBrain and Clive Burr were part of Trust line-up in the 80s (who would have thought this?). Antisocial is a high-class rocket which I already hear from other combos but this here is the original and it's a typical hardrock tune with a slight punk undertone, mid-tempo and a solid guitar-solo, I'm really excited as well from the flip, a peppy loud 2:42 number. You can tell what you want, if any don't like this sound you better move to Disneyland. The band disbanded in 1984 and reformed in the 2000s for live shows and new recordings.

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -

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