POLANSKY Y EL ARDOR - Chantaje Emocional 1983

Weekend is here and once again I beam myself to sunny Spain where find once again an interesting band. Polansky Y El Ardor was a punk/wave group from Madrid, formed in 1981 and after several changes the constant line-up were Victor (vox + guitar), Carlos (sax + keys), Sebastian (bass) and Pejo (drums) and they became one of the greatest representatives of the Spanish punk era. Their sound is a fine mix of post-punk and new wave and the saxophone here is partly annoying, it's just not a Punky instrument but sometimes it's ok. Their were sometimes ironic, sometimes absurd. The Spanish label Spansuls Records pay attention and quick a deal was made and after a few demos they published in late 1982 a 12Inch 'Ataque Preventivo De La URSS' which ultimately would be a great success. In the same year they won a rock contest in Madrid-Region and they signed a contract with the record label Ariola. In 1983 the first album Chantaje Emocional was released and a tour through Spain follows until 1984. Ariola rejected the band and the songs which were recorded sink into the no man's land. So the band finally made the decision to dissolve in mid 1984. Musikra Records choose two songs, El Preventivo (an early version of Ataque De La URSS) and La Noche (Unreleased), for the 'La Movida Madrileña' compilation (has this record anyone??). 2001 came out a superfluous CD on BMG. Those were the words, now click and listen to music!

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TAPPI TÍKARRAASS - Miranda 1983

Tappi Tíkarrass was a famous Icelandic punk/pop band and the name Tappi Tíkarrass, which in Icelandic means “Cork The Bitch’s Ass” was given after Jakob’s father claimed that the band’s music “fitted like a cork in a bitch’s ass”. Tappi Tíkarrass combined elements of punk and pop music to create an exotic post punk with references to Siouxsie and the Banshees and the first stage of The Cure. Miranda was released in December 1983 and with this album the band switched their music style to more pop melodies and mellow songs counteracting their previous punkish Bítið Fast í Vítið EP in 1982. Also in this album, vocalist Eyþór Árnalds was replaced in most of the songs, performing only two tracks: the title song and another version called “Mýrin Andar”. The inner sleeve featured handwritten lyrics of “Mýrin Andar” and a black and white child illustration by Björk. All in all a nice album with fourteen poppy songs, not bad.

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Z - In Berlin 1980

This record is in my opinion very underrated and whenever I see a copy you already get it for three or five euros. I mean cheap is not necessarily bad, got a couple of great plates for low prices and Z's only album, released on Rocktopus records, I've bought at the Au-Fest on summer 2013 for three Euros. Z were founded in late 1979 by David McCormack (vox), Klemens Domning (bass), Michael Kurzawa (guitars), Gerhard Helle (drums) & Johannes Fuchs (keyboards) and in spring 1980 they recorded in the Paragon-Studios their debut 7inch "Legalize Erdbeereis". Albrecht Metzger describes the cultural life of the time in Tip (maybe a scene-zine or whatever) from August 1980 so: "the Berlin scene is alive - more than ever. the late spring of this year blew the creativity and the new lust in making music out from the cellars and practice rooms." A lot of punk & wave bands were formed this time and a few records are still nowadays absolute classics (Beton Combo, Honkas, PVC, Tempo, Ideal, TV War, etc....). On this record are thirteen catchy goodies between wave and punk and that the singer is British makes them, as I find, more authentic. Very good mix of fast numbers, shallow poppies and melodic mid-tempo crackers, my favorites: 'City Groove', 'For The Kids', 'Wasted Heroes' and 'All In The Mind'. Another 7inch follows after the release of the album and their last 12'' comes out 1982 on Reflektor Z called 'Hühnerfarm?' and if anyone have this please send me mp3's. Z is a damn cool band and 'In Berlin' is a great one, "Keine Musik Für Irgendeine Schublade", I agree.

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NOICE - Tonårsdrömmar 1979

Noice was a Swedish pop punk/rock group from Gustavsberg, formed in 1977 and dissolved 1982. After playing cover songs and original songs at youth clubs and talent shows the group a rock band won a contest, Rock-79, at the end of April 1979 where the first prize was a single recording. However they recorded an entire album which was called Tonårsdrömmar (Teenage Dreams). The debut album sold no further, but the March 17, 1980 everything changed when Noice performed the song 'En Kväll I Tunnelbanan' (One Night In The Subway) in the TV program Monday Stock Exchange and became famous overnight. The group's heyday occurred while another Swedish group, pop group Gyllene Tider, also enjoyed great popularity. Noice and Golden Earring was often in contrast, when Noice represented metropolitan and tougher music, while Golden Earring accounted for a small town and lighter pop. Express held a popularity vote between the two, the Golden Earring won barely. Noice disbanded in 1982, but reunited for a short time in 1991 and conducted a handful of concerts. 1995 - 1996 Noice went out on a new tour and released the wild, wild world of old and new songs. Keyboardist Freddie Hansson died in late December 2001, although the singer Hasse Carlsson died in autumn 2002 of chronic liver disease hepatitis. So enjoy this power punk album and pay tribute and honor to this wonderful band.

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SAMIAM - Stump EP 1992

This combo belongs to my personal TopTen bands from the U.S. and I can say I have all their early stuff and more. I remember a sunny day in our WG of the glorious days in the Münchener Straße 28. My former roommate had the first two records of Samiam and he wants them no longer so he gave both to me and after listening I was delighted. They have very personal lyrics and the music is short and abrasive, so my interest awakes and I joined them live in 1999 and much later in the Batschkapp (maybe 2000 or 2002?). But after 'Clumsy' I lost my interest because the platters sounds somehow the same, I miss the rough-edged tone you know. So after the Gig Samiam stands no longer on my agenda. But I had nice moments with them. So here's a bit info: Samiam from Berkeley/California was formed in late 1988 after the breakup of the Gilman club mainstay Isocracy. They released records through New Red Archives and Hopeless Records in the US and Burning Heart Records in Europe. In the mid-'90s, the band had two releases on major labels, 'Clumsy' on Atlantic Records in 1994 and 'You Are Freaking Me Out' on Ignition/Tommy Boy in 1997. In late 2000, the band quietly ceased after supporting the 'Astray' album. Despite what was initially to be a breakup, they continued to tour abroad yearly with occasional shows in San Francisco & Los Angeles. This led to the recording of the band's 7th album, 'Whatever's Got You Down' in 2006. The Songs were originally released in the U.S. as "Don't Break Me 12'' and the German BlackBox label chose three cuts for their 7inch record, which is today a rare item. The special thing here is: all songs are acoustic recordings... Yeah! unplugged if you want. Imagine 'Home Sweet Home' or 'Sky Flying By' in these versions.. outstanding!!

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V/A - Nazis Raus! 1991

More relevant than ever, see the current circumstances every Monday in Dresden, or remember this date 1938 in Nazi-Germany or the racist riots in Hoyerswerda in 1991. I can't understand how they can deal with such a stupid ideology that brought nothing except death and destruction. I guess it's easy to throw life away and lose dignity & respect when you only feel hatred. Life is not always easy but that excused nothing. The one-way thinking is modern and easy but to have an own opinion is really not hard. Maybe this compilation helps, released via Weird System, show nineteen bands that there is another way and encourage to think about yourself.... more relevant than ever!

1.Nazis Raus! - BETONCOMBO

2.Hallo, Ich Heiss' Adolf - ABWÄRTS

3.Eckensteher - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES

4.Herrenreiter - MITTAGSPAUSE

5.Nichts Gelernt - STUNDE X

6.Schweigen - EA80

7.Fahnensog - RAZZIA

8.Nie Wieder Faschismus - DIE MIMMI'S

9.Deutsche Raus Aus Deutschland - THE BUTTOCKS

10.Party In Der Gaskammer - MIDDLE CLASS FANTASIES

11.Vaterland - MALE

12.Fünf Vor Zwölf - DIE TOTEN HOSEN

13.Seekarten - SLIME

14.Glanz & Gloria (Armes Deutschland) - BLUT+EISEN

15.80.000.000 Hooligans - DIE GOLDENEN ZITRONEN

16.No Nazis - RUMBLE MILITIA

17.Gavur - EMILS

18.Dachau Disco - CRETINS

19.Faschos In Sibirien - PISSED SPITZELS

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V/A - Busca En La Basura!! #3 Punk Iberico (1980-83)

Today is again Sunday and I have only this one for regeneration. So I use my time today for this Tape compilation which was released anno 1993 via Bazofia 'Zine and its full with great spanish punk stuff, some bands are known others not. A decent song selection and when you love the Iberian style like me you will not be disappointed. No idea but I'm currently in this country, I wanna move to the sun, I hate this cold season...maybe over Christmas, let's see. Make something beautiful today and enjoy sixty minutes of classics!

1.Chicos De La Calle - TOREROS AFTER OLÉ

2.Vete A Morir Al Salvador - LA BROMA DE SSATÁN

3.Violencia - ULTIMO RESORTE

4.Enterrado Vivo - ESKORBUTO

5.Mario - SINIESTRO TOTAL

6.Kaos - NO!

7.Nacido De La Pota De Un Punk - LARSEN

8.Me Gusta Ser Una Zorra - VULPESS

9.Manos Arriba - OX-POW

10.Genocidio - MG 15

11.Enciendes Tu Motor - ESPASMÓDICOS

12.Soy Un Loco (A) Soy Un Loco Antifascista - Nº 634

13.La Policia - LA UVI

14.Un Día En Texas - PARÁLISIS PERMANENTE

15.Ernesto - LOS NIKIS

16.¿Y Ahora Que? - LA POLLA RECORDS

17.Lili Marleen - INTERTERROR

18.Botas Y Tirantes - DECIBELIOS

19.No Queremos Mas "Rock Ramones Especial" - KANGRENA

20.Las Malvinas Son Pingüinas - CODIGO NEUROTICO

21.La Laguna Debe Morir - ESCORBUTO CRONICO

22.Un Porvenir Oscuro - COCADICTOS

23.Anti-Politica - R.I.P.

24.Maquina De Matar - EXTERMINIO

25.El Pistolon - LOS NIÑATOS

26.Derecho A La Vida - IV REICH

27.El Vampiro - DESECHABLES

28.No Queremos - CHUTE DE ESPERMA

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SEMINAL RATS - Omnipotent M-LP 1987

The Seminal Rats were an Australian punk/indie rock band, based in Melbourne, who existed from 1984 until the accidental heroin overdose death of lead guitarist Michael Weber on January 2, 1999. One of the best post-Birdman outfits of their time, their sound was an anthemic, loud and reckless combination of their musical inspirations: Saints, Detroit rock, '60s garage and American hardcore. More Info at the bands MySpace, worth a look.

- Special Thx to Heinrich -

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LOS VIOLADORES - s/t LP 1983

Fantastic debut album by this legendary punk band from Argentina, Los Violadores. They deserve the full description which I lending from the essential kfth page: Despite its demographic size and socio–cultural importance in Latin America, and unlike Brazil, Mexico or Colombia, Argentina didn't produce many first rate hardcore and punk bands during the 80's. But still, Los Violadores are probably among the pioneers of Punk Rock in the area. Guitarist Hari B. formed Los Testiculos in Buenos Aires in 1978, while the military dictatorship (who ruled the country between 1976 – 1983) was at the peak of their power. The regime, that in a couple of years murdered more then 30.000 left wing activists (or that were suspected to be so), saw any act of non–conformity as potentially subversive, so obviously the first generation of Argentinian punks was very much underground. But they still managed to survive.

In 1980, Hari B., together with drummer Gramatica, changed their name to Los Violadores. Due to censorship, they were unable to publicly use the new "offensive" name for a while, so they ommitted just one letter and remained "Los Voladores" for the early show fliers. About a year later, they were joined by vocalist Pil Trafa and bassist Stuka. After one of the first shows with this line up, about 200 hundred persons were arrested and the band members were charged with "political disturbance", thus gaining public notoriety and making it clear that Punk was alive in Argentina. As they put it "We wanted to make something that was punk but still rooted in our reality. We didn't want to be part of the complacent Argentinian rock scene, which was silent during the dictatorship and thus partner for the atrocities". They were one of the few bands which refused to take part in a huge rock concert sponsored by the military dictatorship as part of the Falkland/ Malvinas war propaganda campaign, even though they were surprisingly invited to participate. Ironically, many of those who did appear there were actually self professed hippies, who probably saw punk as something "violent & fascistic". Los Violadores pointed at that hypocritical "hippy ideology" as their second main enemy after the military regime.

Also in 1982 they recorded their first (self titled) LP, which could only hit the streets in late 1983, after democratic elections took place. It was released by the Argentinian independent label Umbral and it includes 12 great tracks with excellent production. Unlike the raw, thrashy hardcore produced in neighboring Brazil, Los Violadores are more '77 influenced, althought with an updated sound, kinda like Generation X meets DOA.

After the return of democracy, Hari B, who thought that the main reason of existance for the band was to fight the dictators hip, quit. He played for a short time with Argentinian's Oi! pioneers Comando Suicida, long before they became full-fledged boneheads. In 1984, Los Violadores were asked to contribute a track for the now legendary P.E.A.C.E. compilation, being the sole representatives of Latin American punk among the 40+ other bands and maybe making a small name for themselves in the international punk community. In fact, Argentinian rock magazines reported that there was lots of interest in the band from Europe and that they sold thousands of copies in the "old world", but that seems pretty unlikely.

By then, they were already changing direction towards a more commercial one, something typical for many bands from the era. Their second mini album Y Ahora Que Pasa Eh? is definately more rock/pop influenced, but in my opinion still enjoyable. They kept playing until the early 90's and even after that, they reformed several times, but their output is totally irrelevant to these pages. Their old material was reissued on CD by the major they had signed with, but their first LP was bootlegged on vinyl a couple of years ago. (source: killfromtheheart)

-  Special Thx to Reinhard -

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OVERDOSE - Tight Action 1985

This post is dedicated to my former work colleagues Joe and Rainer with whom I had a great time in the 80s in the Rotfabrik and I hope you two are doing well. Both were members of Overdose, a heavy metal band from Frankfurt and I borrowed the album and immediately captured on tape and these days I have somehow their music in my head and thought it would be nice to post this platter here. But I found the damn tape nowhere so I get a copy in the net and to my surprise, the album was re-released in 2009 with new artwork, plus their second demo 'Heavy Metal' from 1984 and a short story of the band inside. It is long ago that I heard the record but this is excellent classic melodious Heavy Metal with balls! Here's a review: "There are so many metal bands by that name, but this is the real deal. Their only release in 1985 is a pure metal Masterpiece loaded with killer heavy metal music, with clever arrangements, cool vocals and fantastic rhythm changes and razor sharp riffs. A bombastic piece of steel, so here it is for all you metal thirsty freaks!" I think this record is a matter of taste and not everyone likes it but for me it's a little nostalgic trip, filled with beautiful memories and still kickin'.

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