VACANT LOT - Living Underground EP 1981

This Canberra based punk band released their only record on Doublethink and offers four weird punkies and they are a bit different to the "conventional" sound I know from down under. The songs are split in two great smashers, Multinationals was used for the nasty Bloodstains Across Australia compilation, the opener of this little piece is also a tasty punk tune and the other two goes more experimental with lots of electronic parts but not bad, not such shit which I sometimes find on good records, cuts like a three minute humming or something like that, you know certainly, I have to throw up. Not here, the five stars make this musically excellent. Check them out for gigs because they're still active and enjoy this stuff. Auf Wiedersehen!

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YPÖ-VIIS - Hyvästi Masentava Maanantai 7'' 1980

Ypö-Viis made history in Finnish punk scene. They were the first punk band to have a self-released record out. Ypö-Viis was formed in Karhula in summer 1977. Originally the band was five-piece, but as they changed their style to new wave, the organ player and second guitarist were dropped off. The remaining trio was Miika Söderholm: bass & vocals, Mikko Holmström: guitar and Rabbe Johansson: drums. Their first record was the one-sided self-financed 'Energia On A Ja O' (200 copies) and were published in late 1978. The latter song was a cover version of the Clash's, 'London's Burning'. Followed by the 2nd single 'Mari Pogoaa' from 1979 and a contribution on the great Hilse compilation. They moved to the legendary finnish label Poko Records and in autumn 1979 the 3rd record 'Me Myytiin Itsemme' came out. In spring 1980 they made by far their best release, the single 'Hyvästi Masentava Maanantai'. The B side is sung by Räsänen. Both are catchy tunes, and everything looked good again. Ypö-Viis existed from 1977 to 1981.

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H.D.Q. - Believe EP 1988

H.D.Q. from Sunderland were in the late 1980s one of the most innovative and popular punk bands on the island - More information about the band click H.D.Q. - They founded together with Snuff the new generation of UK bands that are more oriented to American standards à la Dag Nasty as in British No Future Punk. After their split legendary bands like Leatherface and Doctor Bison were formed. And you can hear clearly: Believe, released on Loony Tunes Records, contains four inflaming songs and especially "Through My Eyes" is my absolute favorite one. Today very rare and hard to find and if you don't catch this I don't know what's wrong with you.

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ASBEST - Klaustrofobi EP 2005

Like their previous 7Inch "Nyt Blod" from 2003, Copenhagen's Asbest offers us with these record once again beautiful hardcore thrash punkies in the vein of Discharge or early Black Flag. The anger & passion sonicate the harsh sound and the gruff vocals round off this perfect mixture, if that’s your thing don't hesitate to grap this. Released via the great Danish label Kick N' Punch Records and this melodic goodie is not only for fans of K-town hardcore interesting, pick this up or get fucked - Cooool. Achja, two more bloody asskicker on the tasty København I Ruiner compilation.

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DANGEROUS PYJAMAS - Throwaway Kids EP 1982

Utrecht-based punk band with their only release, but exclusive trax can also be heard on the Onutrechtse Toestanden compilation from Rock Against Records which was recordrd live 1981 at Huis Verzetsfeest. I found this one on my hard drive so it's not my rip but this six song EP is one more fine dutch punk record. The single starts with a leisurely tempo, a little ska-oriented, worth mentioning the use of a saxophone which is always risky and makes me shiver but here excellent interspersed. In general, the songs are very varied and the last two cuts are fast and dirty and make clear: this is punk!, both tracks appear for good reason on the Killed By 7inch #8 EP. Dangerous Pyjamas done everything right and set a really good single in the world. Respect!

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GRAUZONE - Eisbär 7'' 1981

Grauzone was a Swiss band of the early 80's. The press called them pioneers of the Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW) but that is shit in my opinion. At the end of 1979 Marco Repetto (drums) and GT (bass) left the punk band Glueams, to form together with Martin Eicher (guitar, vocals, synthesizer) a new band called Grauzone. Martin had already supported Glueams on their 7'' Mental. They gave their first concert in March 1980 at the club Spex in Berne. Martin's brother Stephan Eicher (guitar) & Claudine Chirac (saxophone) complemented the group temporarily in live performances and recordings. The group refused, however, the commercial requirements, and concentrated on film and studio work. Grauzone was known by the two pieces 'Eisbär' & 'Raum', which were used for the compilation "Swiss Wave - The Album" on Off Course Records. Eisbär hits the lifestyle of that time and got radio airplay in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The song was released as a single and reached number six in the Austrian and place 12th in the german charts. The b-side is a minimalistic synth-pop love song and delight any woman's heart. A classic record I can listen to it everytime, brings back a lot of memories.

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KUSCHELWEICH - Ich Küsse Dich 1981

As I rummaged in my record box today I found this gem from the 80's. I thought that I must rip the record as well because I've heard this a long time ago. So tepid as the band name might suggest the group was not for me, even if they were not as provocative as Hans-A-Plast, not as cocky as the KFC or quite as subversive as Slime. Kuschelweich offered laughter and factual stories of everyday life combined with simple punk and Poprhythms. Here & there a 'Schlager' (Azzuro is Azuroh, Silent Night/Tief In Der Nacht) or television melodies (Bonanza).

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URRK - De' E Dax EP 1979

Here's one more great 45er from a very unknown band with their only record. Self-financed and in small editions (300 or 500 copies) released, nowadays very rare and what we get are three fantastic punk smashers, b.t.w. awesome cover! A lot of good 45ers came from Sweden and I must say this one is definitely one of the best fuckers and if you don't know what means KBD then this sound is an excellent example. You can read more info at the essential SwedishPunkFanzines site, particularly interesting is the background to the grandiose cover. As I said, all three songs are brilliant, but my favorite is 'Lördagsurrkare'. The singer is there particularly motivated, haha.. he sang later in Razzia. Urrk are present on Bloodstains Across Sweden #3 compilation.

- Big Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Raw & Rare British Punk #1 1997

Raw And Rare British Punk was a little serie of four compilations which came out end of the 90s on Raw Records, I think as bootlegs, but am not sure. Anyway, the idea is bring more rare UK punk smashers among the people and if I compare the Bloodstains and the numerous other records with rare UK punk so is in my opinion the potential of early GB Punk far from over. Let's start with # 1 and we find old friends which are already available here on the blog (Jerks, Pretty Boyd Floyd) and new stuff which I heard for the first time (Bee Bee Cee, Duggie Briggs Band). The title of the series is a bit irritating because it is far away from "Raw" Punk, it's more good ole '77 stuff but which makes it no less interesting. Well, somehow the shit has to be baptized. Safe is: very good song selection and gives me pleasure. Others will follow in this theater, good night!

1.Get Yoor Woofing Dog Off Me - THE JERKS
2.A.C.A.B. - THE ROWDIES
3.You Gotta Know Girl - BEE BEE CEE
4.The Back End Of Nowhere - ACCIDENT ON THE EAST LANCS
5.Radio Interference - THE IGNERENTS
6.Kicks In Style - THE USERS
7.Spread The World Around - PRETTY BOY FLOYD & THE GEMS
8.Punk Rockin' Granny - DUGGIE BRIGGS BAND
9.Hold My Hand - THE JERKS
10.Freeze Out - THE ROWDIES
11.We Ain't Listening - BEE BEE CEE
12.Rat Race - ACCIDENT ON THE EAST LANCS
13.Wrong Place Wrong Time - THE IGNERENTS
14.Dead On Arrival - THE USERS
15.Hold Tight - PRETTY BOY FLOYD & THE GEMS
16.I'm A Flasher - DUGGIE BRIGGS BAND

- Big Thx to Drago -

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DOCENT DÖD - s/t LP 1980

After a hard day I need now cozy music and with the debut album of the Stockholm band Docent Död I park right. Docent Död are among the better-known punk bands in Sweden and recently a limited 7inch with two rare pieces was published on Slyngel Rekords. After three famous singles (listen here) they have captured their debut album on Sonet and filled with fourteen mid-tempo goodies. Crispy melodic guitars dominate the pop/punk sound, the drums brings its full intensity herein, decent bass-line and a singer who has appetite in the recordings. I think you can hear those positive vibes and that creates a large number of fans. Docent Död have made a great debut, are present on several compilations and can make music, rätt så! 

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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