BITCH BAND NO 1 - Zirrppppp! 1981

Let's come to a record at the weekend that doesn't have much to do with punk but is rare and somehow interesting, at least for some. Founded 1979 in Hamburg, Bitch Band No 1 were an international female band with singer Betsy (vocals), Barbara (guitars), Claude (bass), Poppy (keys), Lottie (drums) and they toured in the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Germany. In 1981 they played at the first women's rock festival Venus Weltklang in the Berlin Tempodrom and released their only album on GeeBeeDee Rekords. Not all fifteen songs can thrill me, some are too long and splash senseless and emotionless off, but musically the ladies can play but unfortunately nothing earth-shattering, even my fleas in the carpet look at me questioningly. Why post? Reason is, that some out there are looking for the record and couldn't go out of the house, others ran amok, even splitting the tongue is handed down, jaja, and before you get rid of a lot of money make sure if the record is worth it. Now I'm riding relaxed to the train and enjoying two days off.

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RAMONES - Leave Home 1977

Let's waste your time with the second album by the Ramones and it was released on January 10, 1977, through Sire Records and the songs were written immediately after their brilliant debut album writing process, which demonstrate the band's progression. The album had a higher production value than their debut and featured faster tempos. The front photo was taken by Moshe Brakha and the back cover, which would become the band's logo, was designed by Arturo Vega. The album spawned three singles, but only one succeeded in charting. It was also promoted with several tour dates in the States & Europe.

The songs in Leave Home concentrate on various themes, with the musical tones being diverse as well. Some tunes were more pop-oriented, while others, like Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment and Pinhead were loaded with distorted guitars and had a more punk rock sound. The song Carbona Not Glue was taken off the album because it potentially violated the trademark of the stain-removal product Carbona. The track was replaced with Babysitter in the UK and Sheena Is a Punk Rocker in the United States (prior to its inclusion on Rocket To Russia) both Carbona and Babysitter were included on the 2001 expanded edition. Critical reception for the album was generally favorable, with several reviewers pointing out the fact that it highly resembled the band's debut. Critics also said the album was less groundbreaking than their debut but had humorous and enjoyable pieces.

Joey relates: "We thought we had a lotta songs that should've been hits. If you grew up in the sixties, things would just get played and be hits right off the bat. So we thought since our music was doin' something unique that everyone would pick up on that. What really happened was we were so alien that no one wanted to touch us. And so we wouldn't get played."

Last Words: all previous Ramones posts in the blog are re-upped; The FOUR were brilliant, are brilliant and stay brilliant - R.I.P.

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V/A - Popstars Play Poptones 1991

This interesting compilaton is the only release by Red Phoenix Records and I have no idea who and when this file was beamt to me, it just comes in too much and I can't remember everything, especially since I'm almost a bit overwhelmed, but in the end it doesn't matter. The fact is, four bands, largely unknown to me, intoxicate with excellent music, catchy melodies, occasionally longer pop songs trilled with organs in the middle and short crisp crackers as well. Three songs per band and I can't help, but somehow I feel a slightly melancholy undertone in the whole thing, I think people tend to be a little romantic in the Balkans, ahhhh... I love that. Fazit: All ingredients for a delicious menu are available, Chapeau!

1.Pivo - HOGARI

2.Ima Dana - HOGARI

3.Giške - HOGARI

4.Tramvajljudi - EX-CESS

5.Sputaj Udove - EX-CESS

6.Monopol - EX-CESS

7.2 Spomenika - POKRET OTPORA

8.Podkultura - POKRET OTPORA

9.II Priča - POKRET OTPORA

10.Grčka - KONTEJNER A.D.

11.Neki Deo - KONTEJNER A.D.

12.Deni - KONTEJNER A.D.

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V/A - Punkrock From Holland 1996

Monday is the fucked up day of the week and it's a splendid choice to start the week with a decent compilation (unofficial) by outstanding Dutch bands with rare blasts + every fucking song is worth hearing. 100 copies each on blue, clear and orange vinyl and a bunch on black vinyl (my copy). A slab that doesn't hurt anyone, because it only contains long-forgotten classics from the late seventies and the spirit of the songs still packs a punch and the feeling captured in these recordings are as relevant as ever. Sound-wise, it's not the killer production, but that's how it was at the end of the seventies and the beginning of the eighties, raw & simple. Frenetic recordings and you won’t feel alone anymore, interesting and effective.

1.Sex - FILTH

2.Nothing For Me - FILTH

3.Facist Fuckers - NEON PUNKZ

4.Speedtwins - SPEEDTWINS

5.Boring City - THE NIXE

6.Lost And Lonely - THE METS

7.Welfare - SUSPENSE

8.O! Zit Dat Zo - THE MIRANDA'S

9.Dead Or Alive - PANIC

10.Goodbye - FLYIN' SPIDERZ

11.Wap Shoo Wap - IVY GREEN

12.Fine Words - THE BROMMERS

13.City Cowboys - THE SQUATS

14.Camera Security - DIE KRIPOS

15.Oppression - NITWITZ

16.Dancing With God - RAILBIRDS

17.Duty - BVD

18.Hang The Pope - THE RAPERS

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DEAD KENNEDYS - Too Drunk To Fuck 7'' 1981

Well, I don't think I have to say much about this band, only that this is my all time favorite Dead Kennedys single and just like the title song it describes, once I was very drunk and had a horny lady with me, but I couldn't do anything except snore... well friends, that's another story. This is one reason I like this record, the other is the band shows once more their versatility which underlines Jello's fantastic songwriting, on one hand the typical DK Fetzer on the a-side and a rather unusual 'quiet' song on the flip. This is terrific! I don't know any US band that masters it so gandlessly. 

A few facts: Too Drunk To Fuck was the fourth single by the DK's. The record was released in May 1981 on Cherry Red Records with The Prey as the B-side.The single reached Number 36 in the UK Singles Chart, although it was not stocked in some record shops because of its provocative title. It was the first UK Top 40 single to include the word "fuck" in its title. It was banned from Radio 1 airplay by the BBC. In chart listings, it was usually referred to as "Too Drunk To". When it reached the Top 40, presenter Tony Blackburn referred to it simply as "a record by a group calling themselves the Dead Kennedys". The Dead Kennedys supplied a sticker for some record stores who took offense to the title which said, "Caution: You are the victim of yet another stodgy retailer afraid to warp your mind by revealing the title of this record so peel slowly and see..."

The song features a heavy surf rock/garage rock riff from guitarist East Bay Ray and satirical lyrics from Jello Biafra that paint a trenchant picture of an outrageous, moronic party. The song ends with a sound of a man vomiting. After the rest of the band were awarded the rights to the Dead Kennedys material, they licensed "Too Drunk to Fuck" for use in the film Grindhouse. Almost immediately, Biafra criticized his former bandmates, specifically citing the song (a cover by Nouvelle Vague) being used in a rape scene in the movie, saying "Some people will do anything for money." The rest of the band responded in kind, challenging him to donate his share of the money to charity.

You will never be disappointed with any record of this great combo that is indispensable when we talkin' about punkrock; today, tomorrow and in all times!!!

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POPPERKLOPPER - Wir Sind Mehr EP 2019

Now to a band which was founded 1989 in Bollendorf, near Trier, and they keep, for over thirty years, the level high, with their refreshing music: Popperklopper is Carsten (vocals/guitar), Udo (bass), Lars (drums) and the guys have now perfected their own mix of German and English punk rock songs on nine albums + various singles/10 inches/samplers. In addition to the typical songs of the early days, which were strongly influenced by the old German political punk bands, more classic '77 numbers and occasional rock'n'roll elements were added over the years, which made the overall sound more varied and the band more interesting than many another 08/15 German punk bands. Therefore, the blinkers can confidently be pulled out and the stereotyped thinking can be switched off. The lyrics still predominantly denounce grievances and dubious developments in the selfish and consumer-hungry society. This EP was released via Aggressive Punk Produktionen in an edition of 300 copies and reflects exactly what the band is all about: Three times powerful, melodic punkrock with an unequivocal message.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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AL KAPOTT - L'ours 7'' 1986

 

Debut 7Inch by this four piece and musicians on this record were Bichon (vocals), Erwan (guitars), Patrice (bass), Fred (drums). Al Kapott was formed in November 1983 in the constituency of Bellevue in Brest. The local rock-punk scene was then teeming, enthusiastic but very uneven due to lack of means and above all due to its youth and lack of experience. During an interview with Bichon, the band rehearsed in the beginnings Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons, in our apartments. It was hot, we were obviously making noise. We got pissed off, we had the cops a few times. The neighbors complained: they asked us to "lower the drum", which was impossible! We didn't have any gear or sound, just a bit of drums, a little amp. I was singing into a transistor. The band molds itself into the typical punk sound of the 80s and sings in French. Not indulging in any trend, they made a name for itself with their fantastic songs and most of them have been released on compilations. A mini album was released, as well a 7Inch, self-produced and 1000 copies pressed, not really much and in 1987 they broke up. Bichon explained that they lacked money before and after the tours, and decided to separate by mutual agreement, "without confusion". Then reformed more than fifteen years later in 2005, to separate again in 2009. Becoming a cult group on the punk rock scene of the 1980s, Al Kapott's comeback was especially celebrated by long-time fans. Their style is known for accompanying rhythm and powerful sound and the satirical-rebellious lyrics, which are embodied in the special tone of their singer Bichon, who unfortunately died in October 2019 at the age of 52.

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GOMESS - Demonstration 12'' 1987

Everyone know what exactly happened in Japan seventy-six years ago and for this reason today a post by Gomess, a four piece from Tokyo I guess, and the band consisted of Hisae (vocals), Osamu (guitars), Atsushi (bass), Shonen (drums) and this six track mini album was released via R.B.F. Records and scored high sales and made them very popular in the Japanese punk scene. In addition, two more Flexi 7Inches were released and that's it. Demonstration assaults us with sturdy melodic songs with intense energy, huge hooks and a catchy female voice which is strong from beginning to end. The four understand their craft in every respect. Fazit: A solid record I enjoy very well, and far from the usual wild, crazy hardcore beats we all know from the Nippon connection, and a worthy opener for the weekend ahead.

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V/A - SF Underground 2 EP 1980

Hollajodrio, stoße ich doch umgehend und aus purer Freude den zweiten kurzen Erguss mit vier weiteren Frisco-Bands vom erfrischenden Subterranean Records label heraus, diesmal wurden 3500 Exemplare fabriziert. Wieder vier bands mit anständiger Mucke, wobei die Spikes bißchen abfallen mit ihrem Song, da tut sich nicht viel, plätschert unspektakulär dahin. The Lewd können es auch wesentlich besser was sie auf ihrem Album eindrucksvoll demonstrieren. Society Dog fetzen ordentlich rein und wecken dich mit ihrem crazy short track, erstklassiger Gesang, Undead machen sich an Hitler's Brain unorthodox zu schaffen, ein bißchen monoton das Ganze doch mehr muss nicht. Gute Scheibe, nicht mehr nicht weniger.

1.Life Is Hell - SPIKES

2.Mobile Home - THE LEWD

3.Title Role - SOCIETY DOG

4.Hitler's Brain - UNDEAD

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V/A - SF Underground EP 1979

First release by Subterranean Records and this nice EP came with a foldover sleeve and lyric insert, 2000 copies. Subterranean and fellow punk/alt/underground San Francisco label Alternative Tentacles both sprang forth from the D.I.Y. punk movement in 1979, and were quite successful on college and community radio stations in the US. These labels helped define the San Francisco punk movement. Subterranean was the more avant garde of the two. While originally just focused on documenting and promoting the SF area, over the years Subterranean has released records by artists from many areas and genres, this a little label backinfo. For your ears: four solid numbers, something for every taste.

1.Johnny Got His Gun - NO ALTERNATIVE

2.Earthworm - FLIPPER

3.Asexuality In The 80's - THE TOOLS

4.Ballad Of Pincushion Smith - VKTMS

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