ILEGALES - s/t LP 1983

Let's move to warmer regions and visit the north of Spain and meet the Ilegales which formed 1977 in Asturias by Jorge Martínez, his brother Juan Carlos and David Alonso, first as Madson, two years later they change its name to Los Metálicos. Juan later left the band, being replaced by Íñigo Ayestarán on bass. At that time they are renamed as "Illegals". Despite being a rock band, Ilegales have diverse influences and their acid lyrics have made them a reference for groups of their own style, as well as being one of the best punk bands of Spain in the 80s. In 1981 they won the Ciudad De Oviedo rock contest and few months later they release their debut 7Inch "Revuelta Juvenil En Mongolia" on Discos Arrebato. 1983 the band recorded the debut album and the sound is very thin but it shows Jorge's peculiar way of composing, looking for strong and lapidary phrases that reflect a nihilistic view of a marginal + street world, where fatality and violence are omnipresent; letters of stark social criticism, which characterize songs such as "Tiempos Nuevos, Tiempos Salvajes" or "Yo Soy Quien Espía Los Juegos De Los Niños", alternate surrealist words, presided over by cynicism, black humor or provocation, ("Problema Sexual" or "¡Heil Hitler!").

This first highlight (Hi-Fi Electrónica) shows a photo on the front by artist Ouka Leele, which becomes an icon of the group, gets a success that goes beyond the independent label set up by the producer Paco Martín to publish it, which is why the Asturian singer-songwriter Víctor Manuel gets the rights to the recording for the Sociedad Fonográfica Asturiana (SFA), which in turn licenses it to the multi Epic, which was then dependent on the almighty CBS. With the move to a larger label, Illegales are guaranteed a distribution and promotion of the first order, which arrive at the moment when the band is approaching the peak of its popularity. 1983 the 12Inch "Europa Ha Muerto" comes out with two early pessimistic-humorous punk/ska-rock goodies, recorded in Estudios Norte (Gijón) and produced by Pedro Bastarrica and René De Coupaud, a real profit for the band. A lot of records were released until 2011, members change every little time except Jorge, who keeps rocking, some members died and their music coined generations.

Now you are all well informed and let's enjoy twelve wonderful lost rock nuggets!

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WHITE FLAG - Bleedin' In Sweden EP 1986

This one's was from the Wanted-List long time ago and I can't remember who wants this. Anyway, White Flag again and after playing numerous shows around California, the band toured Europe for their first time in 1986 and released this little Live! EP from that tour titled "Bleedin' In Sweden". All songs were recorded 7th June 1986 @ The Yang & Yin in Gavle and released on Punish Records. Seven Songs in a good quality and if I listen now I'm in the mood for a concert. Full of energy, wild and loud, just the right atmosphere and I can imagine how cool this gig was. White Flag is a fuckin' cool band. Get their second album WFO as well and now buy your ticket to Moscow and visit the President.

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KÅMEJNIS KALLSONGER - Extas Rock? EP 1981

Kåmejnis Kallsonger (Khomeinis Underwear) was a punk band from Växjö. They played together between 1977 and 1982. Originally calling themselves Zlem (or Slem), but changed its name in 1980 to Kåmejnis Kallsonger. The band was inspired by English punk bands Sex Pistols and 999. In the spring of 1981 they released their one & only EP titled Extas Rock?. The songs were recorded in the Speldosan Studio in Ödetofta and contains four awesome KBD smashers plus a bonus track. Ecstasy Rock was released in 500 copies and has now high value among collectors. In Peter Janderus book The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Punk the EP's value to 5 on a 10-point scale, where 10 represents an extreme rarity with very high value. The group was Växjö's first punk band (Vägra Raggarna Benzin Vol.3 & 4) and in addition to their gigs they were opening act for Ebba Grön, Dag Vag, and Nationalteatern. Members were Johan Wetterberg (John Olive) who sang and played bass, Per-Ola Evaldsson (Per Capita) vocals, organ & guitar, Jonas Nilsson (Jonas Volta) vocals & guitar and drummer Håkan Bohlin (Malte Metronome). They never really officially split up.

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THE DETONATORS - Billion Dollar Nazis EP 1991

Great four track EP by the Detonators, formed 1979 by Bruce Hartnell & Juan Camacho in Redondo Beach, California, to participate in the emerging hardcore punk rock scene that was exploding in southern California at the time. Just out of high school, the two life-long friends played various parties and gigs with numerous drummers as punk rock was still fairly frowned upon by most musicians, and finding a drummer willing to stick around long enough to allow the band to build an audience what quite a task in itself. Korky Ollerton joined on drums in 1981, and with Hartnell on bass, and Camacho on guitar, the band took to putting and advertisement in a L.A. weekly paper, “The Recycler”, for a vocalist. Mike Mooney passed the audition, and with his inclusion, the band set off work on material that was to become their first album “Emergency Broadcast Systems”. This is just a little intro and you can read their full story via soundclick and not unimportant as well: the needful Smelling Just Another Bad Breath compilation from 1986.

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UK - s/t LP 1987

This combo was a short side project of Mick Fitz and Steve Kent, both members of the legendary The Business and on drums was Mark Brabbs (Tank) and they released their only album on Chain Reaction Records. Ten powerful rockin' streetpunk tunes give us the three but I find them a bit monotonous because each song sounds the same. I like more variety and that's what I miss here, so it's not a bad record and 'Pride Of Hell' and 'Tortured' are really good songs but... well, check out for yourself.

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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CONDEMNED 84 - The Boots Go Marching In 1991

One of the oldest English Oi! veterans are Condemned 84 from Ipswich and they were formed Autumn 1980 as Criminal Tendencies, after three years the band changed their name to Condemned. The 84 moniker was added a year later, coinciding with the release of their first demo tape. This compilation (released via Cock-O-Rama) contains, in my opinion, their best songs: all from the Oi! Ain't Dead EP + In Search Of The New Breed 12'' and a few Gröhlies from the Battle Scarred mini album. Thirteen streetpunk anthems from the Eighties and they don't get tired... but I and there's coming soon a fine movie with Louis de Funès (the man with forty faces per minute). Yeah!!

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V/A - Osaka Battle Royal 1990

This fuckin' christmas time is full with all kinds of crap but the best goodies are the cookies and hot Äppler/Punch/Wine, etc... and I'm getting fatter each time. Well, enough from my little private stories and let's talk about Japanese music. This compilation on O.B.R. Records is decorated with Osaka maniacs, six bands, two songs each and I'm a litte surprised because we find excellent mid-tempo goodies, Punk/Metal/Oi! style, and no screaminhardcorenoisecantunderstandpunk lullabies and that looks interesting like blood im urine. Now I need a shower and come back with a fresh lemon scent. 

1.Easy Life - CYCLAMENS

2.Run Like Hell - CYCLAMENS

3.The Angel Kills You - DOROCHYS

4.Dead End Dreamer - DOROCHYS

5.Wind Jammer - GRUESOME

6.Dog And Stag - GRUESOME

7.Holy Terror - BUGS BUNNY

8.Rusty Eyes - BUGS BUNNY

9.Come Back, Maria - WHITE ROPES

10.Heartache & Trouble - WHITE ROPES

11.Fireman (My God Ittue) - GHAPPS

12.Heavy Time - GHAPPS

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MEN AT WORK - Business As Usual 1981

This record was also very influential in my musical history and I remember very well their hit that splashed over the ether day and night but I mean Men At Work have more to offer than Down Under. Formed 1978 in Melbourne by Colin (vocals + guitars), Jerry (drums) & Ron (lead guitar). They were joined by Greg (flute, saxophone, keys) and John (bass). Business As Usual is the debut album and was released 1981 and is one of the most successful albums internationally by an Australian group. The excellent mix of Pop, Reggae and New Wave makes these ten songs absolutely worth listening to, without stress, melodic, anytime and bring you to a pleasantly relaxed level (that's the case with me). Thirty-five years old and still a delicacy. Also album #2 (Cargo 1983) is, in my opinion, a solid record which I like to hear as well but with the third slab (Two Hearts, 1986) the band loses its class in all points: Uninspired, Boring, Poor, Cruel! Ergo, the group had to disbanded in 1986. Now sing the classics with me again.

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DIE CRACKERS - BRDigung 1981

A complete underrated band I think is the next post: Die Crackers with their brilliant debut album. Sure, in punk circles rather unknown and really only known among local rockers but this album is the best they ever released and that's certainly not only German rock. Their lyrics are funny and frighteningly close on current affairs and the music is pure impact. Originally established 1980 in Wiesbaden at the height of summer, intended to be a joke combo at the beach party of a student nude volleyball tournament, the band has released four albums to 1987 and many singles. Apart from some initial difficulties some of their songs have become great hits. Moreover, they were in 1984, in addition to the Rodgau Monotones, Flatsch! and Hob Goblin are the protagonists of the so-called "Hessen-Power". A national success they celebrated with songs like Phonhaus & Pornokino (both in 1981) and their biggest one was the 'Klassenfahrt Zum Titisee' (1983) 7Inch, in which they coined the term "Turnschuhgeneration" that quickly found its way into the German language. 1987 the band broke up and two years later they recover with a new line-up. Since 1998, however, they play back in the original cast. In 2003 they appeared at the "Silberne Hochzeit" a anniversary concert for the Rodgau Monotones at the Stadthalle Offenbach and played there in front of 8.000 fans. For their 30th anniversary, the band recorded at concerts on 5 and 6 December 2008, the double CD "Die Crackers Live", which appeared in May 2009. The setlist of the evening came in agreement with the audience. In July 2009, the band released the 7'' 'Wir haben einen Traum', the official fan song of the soccer club SV Wehen Wiesbaden. So if you have the chanxe to buy this album (excellent cover b.t.w.) do it, because: it's unique! - Fuck..... it's snowing vehemently

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DENTIST - s/t LP 1978-1979 [2009]

Dentist was a french punk from Nice, founded in the late 70's. They play fast, rough & they make it good. Dentist chose superbly their covers ranging from Otis to Radio Birdman, from The Stooges to Question Mark, essential songs exclusively... Even more, Dentist got to writing their own material inspired by the models that they were caught up in, producing an original sound that was neither ridiculous or immature. The A side of the album presents the 1978 session and on side B their 1979 session. Sliding towards a more 60's sound which was an early sign of things to come and the end of the group. Late 1980, Dentist split to leave space for another story: Les Playboys. All in all a classic punk rock nostalgia and this compilation was released by Mémoire Neuve in 2009.

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