Halftime Analysis

Well, it's not going optimal, 0:1 behind and I hope something will work in the second half. But as you can see, my breakfast is ready. Bon Appétit!

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PSYCHOTIC TANKS - Security Idiots 7'' 1981

It'll be time in fifteen minutes, but first an obscure single with two interesting pieces. A band that only appeared briefly and didn't create anything earth-shattering or spectacular either, I guess the gathering was more of a spontaneous mood. The baby is called Psychotic Tanks, a short-lived post-punk combo that tried to live in London and this is their only, a Conny Plank produced, single which issued 1980 on the bands equally obscure Idiot label. They consisted of Robert (vocals/guitars), Schengel (bass), Björn (keys), Schruuv (drums). Two members of seminal German punkband Charley's Girls in a new outfit, after CG had disbanded to become Mittagspause. But both songs are absolutely good, sharp guitar in a pounding rhythm and amazingly catchy. The flip a little more restrained but just as brilliant, both lyrically great. Besides, I ask myself how I should prepare my breakfast now...

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FILM NOIR - Never Ending Dream 1986

A day of rest without a computer is a real relaxation and today I'm fully back, because the important match versus Mainz starts in good six hours. Now to a band that didn't much leave behind, but whose music shouldn't be forgotten: Film Noir, a new wave band from Athens and formed circa 1985 and one year later they released their debut mini-album Never Ending Dream on the essential Wipe Out Records label and it was the label's third release and the line-up consisted of: Maria (vocals), Costas (guitars/keyboards/vocals), Constantinos (bass), Vassilis (keyboards) and Spyros (drums). In 1987 Maria leaves the band in order to pursue a modeling career in Australia. 1990 the band released their second and final album entitled Portrait Of A Child via Aural Art Music Productions and the main vocals was done by Costas Sokialis. After this release the band disappeared. Unfortunately in 1996 Maria dies of cancer and the world has lost another beautiful voice which she impressively demonstrates on the six wonderful and darkly atmospheric songs. I think a woman's voice goes better with melodies like this, I listen more closely and float faster into my fantasy world, I hope, you do as well. In 2013 Eirkti re-released the debut with an extra 7Inch. Before I continue, I cycle to the farmer and get fresh strawberries.

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TECHTONES - That Girl 7'' 1980 + State Of Mind 7'' 1981

More nuggets from the wanted list late in the evening and I'm thrilled. Nothing for a long time and now one rarity after the other. This time an awesome double pack from the other end of the world and as a little intro a few words from the necessary and great Audioculture site whose countless information about the New Zealand underground scene, bands and culture alyways excites me. Be sure to have a look! "Auckland’s music community was going through a major transition in 1980. Emerging from the healthy (if you could call it that) punk scene, it seemed like every week there was a band replacing their safety pins with snappy suits in the manner of England’s “new wave” of popsters. One of the more promising and high-profile at the time, but strangely forgotten since, was Techtones. Techtones was essentially a re-invention of very popular but rapidly disintegrating five-piece, Sheerlux. In early 1980, bassist Peter Solomon joined Sheerlux’s remaining members Steve Roach (guitar/vocals), Jimmy Juricevich (guitar/vocals) and Graeme Schnell (drums) for the band’s last gasp. A few weeks later Schnell had left, and Chris Burt was recruited from hard-working covers outfit Picture This. “I thought I was joining Sheerlux,” Burt recalls. “Picture This was also falling apart, so it seemed like a great offer.” That Girl is probably their well-known track and the band's first single on the legendary Propeller label, which is also featured on several compilations. A classic Powerpop goodie without question, catchy punky melody. The flip is a nice instrumental one. State Of Mind was the second slab and is considerably different, more poppy and already too much for my taste, the flip kicks a bit but both songs are miles away from the first. Egal, listen and enjoy.

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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RUS - Pop Stars 7'' 1980

Rejoice with me because after a long time follows now a rare piece from the Wanted-List. A friend's request comes true, and I hope he's happy about it. About Rus I can only say; from the U.K. and only release on Adventure Records. This unique slab is not a punk record, but with two early British NewWave goodies with a lot of electronic jingling. The A-side has a bit more beat as the flip and lyrically you can imagine what it's about while second track didn't get stuck on the first run (certainly because I took out the garbage). But in principle I don't want to mess around, who and how many are at work in Rus is unknown, neither do any compilation songs, I guess, Rus was a spontaneous project to kick the lame pop stars' asses and show in which artificial suction they swam. If you know more, illuminate us!

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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THE VICE CREEMS - Danger Love 7'' 1979

The Vice Creems, originally the Aylesbury Bucks, formed in Aylesbury in around mid late 1977. They were basically the vehicle for Zig-Zag Magazine editor (& former teenage president of the Mott The Hoople fanclub) Kris Needs (vocals), his best mate Colin Keinch (guitar) & assorted mates from the pub. Following sparodic gigging throughout late 77- early 78, they made their vinyl debut with a fairly typical punky track "No Passion" on the Aylesbury Goes Flaccid local compilation. Danger Love is their second & last release with two tracks. The a-side is a good one, while the flip is a bit lame and not enough ass-kicking, in my opinion. In addition to their records, numerous compliation contributions can be found mostly with the same song, also rather uninteresting for rarity collectors of the notable short-lived combo.

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POP STRESS - So Good To Be In Love 7'' 1981

Pop Stress was a post-punk band and formed 1980 in Montréal by Charles (vocals/guitars), Martin (bass) and Janno (drums). They put out one 7Inch on Micatube Records with two goodies. The band never made an album and I think they broke up after the release but they create catchiness and rhythmic melodies that are bound to have you dancing. Finally in 2013 a compilation (same label) named Full come into the world with fifteen leftovers in a new guise. Interesting band with interesting music from an interesting city at an interesting time.

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THE JACKS - Just Like Yesterday 7'' 1980

I can't much telling about the following band either, except they're hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Jacks made their only single with two fine melodic punchy Powerpop goodies on Debonaire. But this year an interesting compilation, Make 'Em Cry, with further studio recordings was released on Reminder Records, which includes seventeen rare pieces from the early eighties (some issued, the majority unheard) and I think it's worth buying but the increased customs costs for shipping to Europe are not acceptable to me. Well, we all know who's to blame. - The band broke up after going through several different phases in the mid 80's.

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THE CHEETAHS - Radio-Active EP 1979

Only record by the Cheetahs on Zoom Records with three decent numbers. Formed in the late seventies in Edinburgh by Joe (vocals), John (guitars), Andrew (bass), Phil (harmonica), Droo (drums). A solid mix of Punk and Powerpop have the Scots celebrated here and their sound makes wanting for more but they didn't release anything else, so this is unfortunately all. Maybe someone is digging up more lost treasures, because I can't imagine that these are their only recordings. Until that day comes, their fantastic slab remains as an excellent example of early Scottish underground music and I guess the band broke up in the early eighties.

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V/A - The Insane Darrell Wayne's No Disco Album 1980

At the heyday of Disco, a counter-movement formed in America that demanded an immediate stop in production of platform boots. One of the leaders of the anti-disco movement was radio DJ Darrell Wayne. He hated Disco. To set an example against the rampant disco fever, the radio DJ from station KROQ buried a heap of disco records under a ton of sand on the beach in LA in 1979. In addition, Wayne urged the listeners of his show to send in anti-disco songs. The best of them made it on this compilation released by the legendary label Bomp! Records. "The Insane Darrell Wayne No Disco Album" is balm for the wounds of all disco-phobic music listeners. A dozen underground bands from LA expressed their hatred of disco. Punk & New Wave are the musical weapons against the disco lard. In addition to the rumbling DIY songs and the funny artwork are the liner notes in particular that make this record a cult object. Satirical scene reports stir up hatred of the disco movement and supposed doctors report on diseases such as “disco ankle” (“a disability due to platform shoes”). Cool Stuff!

1.Punk, Punk Down With Disco - FARBO & THE CHEESEHEADS

2.Trashy Chic - THE TOKYOS

3.Disco's What I Hate - CLICHÉ

4.Discoectomy - HOMECOOKIN'

5.Disco Sucks - THE PRESS

6.Love Train - CAP'N CRISCO & THE DISCO NINNIES

7.Jerk Teens Jerk - ZILCH

8.No Disco - DIM DANDY & THE DOLTS

9.Dance With The Machines - GROUND ZERO

10.Death To Disco - THE VECTORS

11.Disco's Dead - SGAB FROM THE PLANET ZED

12.Pogoin's For Me - CINDY & THE GIDGET HATERS

13.Disco Trash - MADFOX

14.Pedestrian Beat - UBUIBI

15.Disco Defecation - FLASH BOYANCY

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