THE CROWDS - Sieger Sind Die Helden 1986

The Crowds is a damn cool punk band from Munich and they kickin' since the wild 80's in Munich - but strangely, they always led a largely unnoticed shadow existence. I first took notice of them via a compilation called Kulturschock Attacke #2. Punkrock gems such as their debut single 'Lügner' and this great mini album were, if anything, only perceived by some music insiders or punks to know and appreciate. And strangely enough, in Germany, very few people know the mega-punk hit 'Little Big Horn', what a shame! Sieger Sind Die Helden (one of my favorite D-Punk slabs, Riot Records) is peppered with eight fantastic tracks, hard and with provocative lyrics as I like it. No leaf is taken in front of the mouth and everything else would have been a disappointment, fat 100% production and they, probably with Razzia, one of the first bands which used a keyboard, absolute brilliant sound. B.T.W., this awsome record is meanwhile reissued with bonus material. This is my fresh rip from yesterday... in this sense.

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OHEISVASARA - Vasaranmerkki EP 1998

Another finnish hardcore band I bring in your house is this eight killer attack EP! Founded in the late 90s in Helsinki by Une (vocals), Mariska (vocals), Janne (guitar), Uosu (bass) & Pete (drums), they have previously published a couple of split EP's and in September 1998 they recorded their "first" EP and is released via the belgian label Prejudice Production in a limited edition in fat blood-red vinyl (so my copy). Full wild, rough, fast sound and the energetic female/male vocals gives the songs a delicious listening experience (I speak only for myself you know, haha..), comparisons for example with the Danish punx Paragraf 119 lie close. OK! enough babble. Get this lolly quick and Finnish HC rules!

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PARASITES - Last Caress 7'' 1991

Well, there are songs which are predestined for cover versions and you really make nothing wrong with that and a perfect example is 'Last Caress' from the Misfits. Many bands use this goodie and I have not heard a bad one and the Parasites played a few (remember their En Homage Aux Beatles EP). Released via Shredder came this green sleeve version out in a total of 2845 copies on orange marbled vinyl. The flip is a demo of 'Fool For You'. Nice one!

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DIE SKEPTIKER - Die Anderen Bands EP 1989

Very cool debut record by Die Skeptiker, founded 1986 in East-Berlin by Eugen (vocals), Andreas, Christoph (guitars), Andreas (bass) and Marcel (drums) and they were part of the so-called Die anderen Bands (The Other Bands), a conceptual summary for alternative music bands in the last years of the G.D.R. and characterized among other things by more frequent use of open or hidden system-critical lyrics and many participants coined the turn of 1989 with. The band is one of the few which could gain a foothold in unified Germany even after the "turnaround" and was more or less successful. After two demo tapes and the rising popularity of the band the Berlin label Amiga was forced to release this EP plus the debut album 'Harte Zeiten'. Then numerous LP's, Gigs, etc followed and in 2000 the band broke up temporarily. 2006 was the 20th anniversary of the band and since then they keep rockin'. My special thx to iNgo at this point who inherit me this rare slab.

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V/A - Go Ahead Make My Day/Smashing Odds Ness 2 1989

We stay fast, dirty, rough and aggressive and move to the east in our beautiful world and make stop in Japan. Odds Ness Records released this magnificent compilation with nine combos and immortalized twenty-four "Fuck You" trashers in the typical scream-melodic-wacky land of the rising sun style. Most of the bands have a few releases out and as always with Far East bands very rare and hardly available here in Europe. That's why compilations are made that bring us closer to the stuff through small labels or distributions (or via www). The first volume was released as an EP in 1987 with eight nuggets. Together, all fit on a CD. I think it's time for breakfast.

1.Change - F.V.K.

2.A Rumor-Monger - F.V.K.

3.Keep On Thinking - F.V.K.

4.Misunderstanding - F.V.K.

5.Wind Of Pain - BASTARD

6.(Not!) Weak Persons - DON DON

7.Final Terror - DON DON

8.Damn Christians - SIC

9.Easy Tube Selfish - SIC

10.Because I Hate You - SIC

11.Song Of Hope - SIC

12.New Song Today - SIC

13.童夢 - COMPLETE

14.108 - COMPLETE

15.Dark Street - SICILIAN BLOOD

16.Drunker - SICILIAN BLOOD

17.The Matter - SWEATS

18.Weight Around - SWEATS

19.Seized Fear - SWEATS

20.残 - ASBESTOS

21.Over The War...? - ASBESTOS

22.Fall Down - IDORA

23.Empty - IDORA

24.Communication Break Down - IDORA

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DAUÐYFLIN - Drepa Drepa EP 2016

This slab blows through properly and makes clear that Iceland arrived in terms of hardcore. "A dirty, energetic feminist blastwave of tastefully reverbed pogo infused ferocity from Reykjavík. This is the kind of punk that makes us all rigid and fevered up. It is at once the new sound and the classic feel of pure rage", so a short review. Released via the small German D.I.Y label Erste Theke Tonträger and this non-profit was founded in 2010 and will always be a one man operation dedicated to bringing you vinyl releases of your favorite punk, hardcore, powerpop and rock’n'roll bands. All releases shine with lovingly fitted artwotk, limited editions and at fair prices. I became aware of the band/label by browsing the net and it's nice to see that there is still really good Punkmucke to discover (far away from the crappy mainstream). Be warned, this record is a dynamic explosion!

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CITY VIBES - s/t EP 1979

Five piece from Zurich and City Vibes were Andi & Stascha (vox + guitars), Hopi (lead guitar), Rinalda (bass) and Veit (drums) and this is their only record via P.T.M. Records with four none punky tunes, goes rather in the pop/chanson direction I would say and groovy vibes are guaranteed. The band is represented with one more song on the not uninteresting Definitiv Zürich compilation ('86) and more is not to tell (except that it's fucking cold and I'm still sick)... time for tea

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WEGSCHAUN...GOLD - An Deiner Tür 2004

Not much info about this German band from Magdeburg I think. This is herein their first release (and hopefully not the last), all self-produced and a blast! I think the CD is available with different covers, but I'm not sure....anyway. Just like V.V.L. or Ende November goes the music here into a dark melancholic direction. Ten Songs, no one under three minutes. These band can play their instruments and create with their sound a doleful gloomy and very personal atmosphere, the intro alone is very oppressive (from which movie?). And the kick of the fat guitars accompany the struggle for survival. I really have to tell this band hit me. My favorite songs: 'An Deiner Tür, Ein Lied, Trostlosigkeit'. Visit their MySpace site and leave them some nice words, they deserve it!!! And remember: Love/Life is a struggle, every day, no time to rest!!

- Extra Special Thx to iNgo -

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FORGOTTEN REBELS - In Love With The System 1980

Jetzt hat mich die Grippe doch erwischt und so unglaublich heftig dass mein Hirn ausbrechen will, FUCK!!! Schwappen wir lieber über den Atlantic and visit the Forgotten Rebels, punk from Hamilton/Ontario and founded 1977. There is much info about this great band in the web so I will only quote this little anecdote: In a world and time where absolute free sex was everywhere, drunk driving was normal, sponsorship was a sellout to the system, mushrooms were legal, political correctness The Forgotten Rebels were born. After a demo tape (Burn The Flag) the bands first record release was the four track Tomorrow Belongs To Us EP on S&M Records (1979) and became a surprising success. The debut album followed 1980 with twelve awesome smasher via Star Records and solidified there position forever in the "Punk Hole Of Fame". Lots of albums and gigs were made and the Rebels are still alive. Fazit: Solid debut in thirty minutes, Superb! On indispensable compilations: Killed By Death #26 and Bloodstains Across Canada and a few more... Ich hau mich jetzt wieder ins Warme, Aloha!

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THE DRONES - Be My Baby 7'' 1977

This is quick inflammable material by the Drones, a british punk formed in October 1976 in Manchester and disbanded around 1982. The band started out in 1974 as a Glam Rock band called Rockslide, releasing a single in October 1975. The Drones then relocated to London and became one of the pioneering punk bands that performed in the first few months of the now-legendary Roxy Club. This is their third single 'Be My Baby' and was not released because Valer Records went bust and only 200 white label 12" test pressings were made with no picture sleeve. In 1996 some counterfeits emerged, alegedly from the band, as well as a 7" version and in 2017 the German label Mad Butcher released this officially again in a imited edition of 500 copies,100 in coloured vinyl. Be My Baby is a fantastic cover from the Ronettes (1963) and the flip kicks as well. Unfortunately, singer/guitarist M.J. Drone died on 10.January 2013 but two years later the band re-formed with original members Steve (bass) and Gary (guitars) plus new amplification by Martin (drums) & Glenn (guitar). They're playing festivals, gigs and recording a live album as well as new material. Great Band!

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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