STIDLJIVA LJUBIČICA - Jesenje Frke 1982

The second album of the Croatian combo Stidljiva Ljubičica stands firmly in the ground like a monolith. The debut Osvrni Se Na Mene is already a powerpop opera. The album was recorded in the Jadran Film studio, but unfortunately the composer, guitarist, Zlatko and bassist, Tvrtko could not take part in the mix because they went to the army immediately after recording. Elvira and Renato attended school and Zlatko with great confidence left PIKI STANČIĆ to finish the mix, and it was agreed earlier to make an album cover. Zlatko wanted the album to be called A GIFT FROM HEAVEN and the song to be the announcement single, but that didn't happen, but the title of the song from the last album Jesenje Frke was taken as title of the second album. The release of the album was announced by a song using a live string quartet called Ne Idi, but the actual hit (promoted by the National TV show "Hit Of The Month" with the band's appearance in military uniforms) was the song Tvoj Broj. There was very little but no praise for the album because there was not much opportunity to promote it. Only at the beginning of 1984 the group was physically able to reunite in the same composition, but the members of the band could not promote the "old" album, so there was only one concert in the original lineup in Zagreb in the Pauk Hall. The group was again full of new ideas and even more interested in experimenting with rhythm and style. So all twelve songs are small melodic, energetic pop anthems and weave a fascinatingly refreshing sound.

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F.A.K. - Grußlos 1981

F.A.K. is a post-punk band from Stuttgart and was active in the early 1980s, the band consisted of Maggie (vocals), Martin (guitars), Ulf (bass), Vic (keyboard), Simon (sax) & Alfred (drums) and 1981 their first EP Verzweiflungstat 1 appeared on Schreckschuss Schallplatten, available in any well-stocked record store at bargain price. Useless Review: A push from the Stuttgart area, which ended the 7Inch trial phase with a very pleasant work, and has difficulty in getting the hoped-for attention, but it definitely deserves to be mentioned. Playfulness and a good concept is behind it - and you can hear that. 'Grußlos' is published by the small Stuttgart Intact label and is very contemporary, the band operates with currently popular means, with straight rhythms, a slightly snotty voice, small electronic gadgets, brittle guitar sound, a saxophone that sets the right notes at the right time (Bad Charly), from time to time it gets weird, it always stays fresh and unprofessional. (Martin Sulkowsky, Sounds No.1/January 1982) - Translated this means: a convincingly real slab with potential and musically are F.A.K. snappy, angular and with an evil sound, rarely represented on compilations and what F.A.K. means remains hidden in the shadows of the microcosm, Hell...Yeah!

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RIVAL EATERS - Det Är Kallt Men Det Är Motorväg EP 1982

Sweden again and there is not much info about this band either, just a few basics. Formed 1978 in Kissleberg, Herrestad outside Uddevalla by Thomas (vocals & guitar), Michael (guitar), Lars (bass) and Björn (drums). Clas replaced Björn in 1981 prior to this EP 'Det är Kallt Men Det Är Motorväg' issued by Last Buzz. They also had a song featured on the Big Deal! (Alternative Takes & Unreleased Tracks 1978-1988 - Vol.2) compilation from 1990. I guess, after the single they broke up to become millionaires or involved in other artistic activities. The four songs on this record aren't the wild kbd style but they professional and you can always hang up to.. enjoy!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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NOTHIN' - Jag Måste Ha Nån 7'' 1980

This four-piece combo from Sweden, which released their self-made single in 1980 with two rocking numbers, is largely nowhere to be found and there's no information in the web either. The band consisted of Ulf (vocals/guitar), L-G Johansson (guitar), Bo (bass), Max (drums) and both songs hiss at a moderate tempo and say hello while the coffee goes through or you enjoy a cigarette and if you wanna buy the slab you have to dig deep into your wallet.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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PYHÄT NUKET - Tää Yö On Meidän 7'' + Bella Ciao 7'' 1984

Now a double feature in this theater and with atypical sounds from the far north. Stolen info: Great Finnish band from Tampere which were founded 1983 while Riistetyt was on a break due to Perry's compulsory military service, Riistetyt's bass player Nappi and vocalist Lateri started a side project called Holy Dolls, with plans to record slightly different, darker music. In studio Nappi played all bass and guitar tracks, Lateri sang, and Stydy (ex-Riistetyt) played drums. Nothing else was originally planned for Holy Dolls, but when they were mixing the tapes, Rike walked in, and he suggested to form a real band that would play the kind of music they had recorded. At the same time the undermanned Riistetyt was booked for a gig, so Rike was asked to fill in. And when Bastards broke up, Rike joined Riistetyt as a permanent member.

The line-up was the same, but the name was changed to Pyhät Nuket (literal translation to Finnish) by record label's (Finnlevy) request. In 1984 Pyhät Nuket's first album Kuoleman Sotatanssi was released. Soon after that Nappi left both Riistetyt and Pyhät Nuket, and Riistetyt was put on hold. First Perry was recruited as the new Pyhät Nuket bass player, but he still didn't have time for it, so that didn't work out. Jakke from Kaaos was also in the lineup for one day's time. Later, before the second album Enkelit Sulkivat Silmänsä was released in 1985, Pyhät Nuket got a permanent bass player as Miki (ex-Tampere SS) joined the band, and Make became the keyboard player. As their fame grew, so did the conflicts between the bandmembers. So, after Tuhlaajapoika 12" was released (1985), Pyhät Nuket broke up. The band's original name Holy Dolls Nuket was later put back in use when Lateri formed a new band with new members. In total they made two albums, five singles and a CD compilation (2003) with unreleased material from the 80's. Nice stuff!

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KIE 13 - Music For Zeros EP 1983

Very rare EP by this four piece called Kie 13 and members were Pascal (vocals/guitar), Jesper & Klaus (bass) and Kai (drums) and this is their self-released EP. The members of Kie 13 where at the time very young and from Basel. There is a story, that one of the bandmembers was picked up by his dad from the studio Bernex during recordings, because his dad didn't like all of this at all. On the label it says Kei 13 instead of Kie 13. Seven simple unspectacular catchy songs in charming Swiss dialect takes you straight back with their handmade sound to 1983. Nice one!

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MIDNITE CRUISER - Rich Bitch 7'' 1977

Northern Ireland didn't have a big underground scene but some cool bands came from there and Midnite Cruiser from Belfast is one of them and they consisted of Paul (vocals), Crow & Peege & Rodney (guitars), Jimmy (bass) and Ger (drums). Their only 7Inch was released on Cliff Moore's IT Records label. He owned four record shops in Northern Ireland and after a meeting with Chiswick in London, he returned home and to set up his own label. Only five singles were made. A bit useless info: Midnite Cruiser were basically Speed with extra guitarist Rodney joining the ranks. The music is much punkier than the previous Speed release. The tracks for the single were recorded at Hydepark Studios, Templepatrick and engineered by George Doherty, who would go on to form his own Rip-Off label the following year. The band split soon after the single's release. Paul West (real name Paul Maxwell) went on to join the Tearjerkers. The two songs are also guests on the indispensable Bloodstains Across Northern Ireland compilation.   

- Great Thx to Fredrik - 

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THE CROWDS - Der Fette Marodeur 2010

The Crowds is a pretty cool punk band from Munich and they drive even since the wild 80's in Munich to mischief - but strangely, they always led a largely unnoticed shadows, and the public perception of the mainstream, far down below, in the Munich underground. Punk-rock gems such as their 1984 single released or published their 1986 mini-LP were, if anything, only perceived by some music insiders or punks to know and appreciate. And strangely enough, in Germany, very few people know that the 86-mega-punk hit 'Little Big Horn' of them. This is their latest record with eleven awesome tracks, hard and again with provocative lyrics as I like it. No leaf is taken at the mouth and everything else would have been a disappointment, a fat 100% own production release and with a brillinat sound. B.t.w., their famous Sieger Sind Die Helden is reissued with bonus material.

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ARMATRAK - Demo 1985

Kick off weekend and say hello to this four piece demo by Armatrak from Auckland, a band which was founded in the early 80s by Steve (vocals), Trevor (guitar), Peter (bass), Geoff (drums) and had their active time in the mid-1980s and were one of NZ's first forays into the American Hardcore/Emo sound of the mid 80's. Three cool singles were created in these years, in 2008 the band released a CD compilation A Wall That Has Art Has Life with recordings from 1984-1985 at Last Laugh Studios. Three years later one more self-released 10'' as a collector's item (60 copies) for die-hard fans. On numerous compilations as well, two of that Life Is A Joke Vol.2 & Death Pays All Debts within reach. Excellent stuff in any way and now.... woman, sun & beer!

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TEENAGE HEAD - 78 2017

This rare record was released via Cameleon Records, 300 copies, and for the first time on vinyl: ten unreleased nuggets from 1978 by Teenage Head, a French band from Pau and they consisted of Ricky (vocals), Guy & Didier (guitars), Alain (bass) and Alain (drums). The five play solid catchy Rock'n'Roll including some sixties classics in a nice garage sound. Hard to believe that nobody took care of the band and it had to take over forty years before an album was finally released. You can listen to it on bandcamp and let yourself be convinced. I have to say, I get a little nostalgia when I listen to this music, and I feel like I'm back in the wild beat generation, a pleasant feeling... Top Record!!

- Great Thx to Nolti -

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