THE DOUBT - Contrast Disorder EP 1980

On this rainy Saturday music is announced and before I rip vinyl a quick post by another band from Ireland with their only record that was only pressed 500 times, but was re-released by Incognito Records as Incognito Punkrock Classix Series 2015, also 500 copies. Info: formed in Bangor around 1978 by Hugh (vocals), Paul (guitar), John (bass), Steven (drums) and their main inspiration came from an earlier Bangor band called the Standards. After a few months John Clarke was replaced on bass by Robert Scott from recently disbanded Bangor outfit The Ski's. Over the next year The Doubt played as many gigs as they could. Arguably, their best show ever was a charity gig arranged by the band which also featured slots by Fifth Column and Belfast bands Ruefrex and The Androids. For the first (and last) time the Doubt had use of a proper PA and played a storming set to a crowd of several hundred. The band split in October 1979 despite having discussed releasing a single. As the principal songwriters, Corken and Scott decided to go ahead with the release of an EP and roped in Adrian Maddox (Fifth Column’s guitar player) to play drums on the recording while Corken took over vocal duties. Contrast Disorder was eventually released on Solo Records in early 1980 after numerous delays and sold a couple of hundred copies locally. It featured four brilliant tracks. In 2003, Rave Up Records released a compilation which featured the four songs of the EP plus ten unreleased demo sessions. When the Doubt split Steven and Hugh went on to play in the Co-Ordinates whilst Scott and Maddox formed Palace Of Variety. Later, Scott would form Carpenter Joe. Represented on relevant compilations, for example Bloodstains Across Northern Ireland I recommend for you.

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PUBLIC TOYS - Safety-Pins On Television EP 1998

Public Toys was founded in Düsseldorf 1991 by Fossi (vocals), Uwe & Guido (guitars), Roman (bass), Usenburger (drums) and they convey a whole attitude towards life that was long thought to be extinct. At the beginning of the 90s, a couple of guys from Düsseldorf get together and want to play punk. You'd heard it somewhere before - that's why various newspapers at the time associated: “The grandchildren of the Toten Hosen are now inheriting their inheritance!” But they go their own way and create their own style. "Punkrock has no idols!" and the Public Toys are certainly not a band that could be described as a copy of some punk greats. At the end of 1997 singer Fossi left the band and Pascal joined them as new singer, who from then on wrote many lyrics for the band. All in all, they have enriched the nineties with their refreshing sound and the result are three albums and a few singles (I don't even want to talk about the numerous compilation contributions). This little dittie was released through Pascal’s own label Dirty Faces and transports four catchy numbers in your house and give you peace. An Opinion: "The Public Toys are the last and only true punk heroes. So sweet that the girls lie to their feet, hard enough to hit it off with the punk scene and smart enough to write controversial lyrics that when brought together with the right music are so melodious that you don't want to withhold it from anyone..." (BUT Fanzine). Can stay like this.

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FLACKOFF - The Flackoff EP 1980

 

The rooster crows at an early hour and its wake-up call alarms and urges you to get the following awesome slab by this four piece from Leamington Spa on Sofa Records, and this is the only vinyl release by Flackoff with great female vocals and the band consisted of Claire (vocals), Arthur (guitars), Rod (bass), Rick (drums) and this infectious energetic catchy three song goodie is one of those great local one-off EPs that would get a spin on John Peel back in the day, brimming with an endearing and infectious energy that characterized the era. Re-released 2018 by Inflammable Material/Sofa Records in a limited edition of 300 copies and I don't think it's easy to get hold of one of them today. No wonder, three mercilessly brilliant songs who made it onto the essential Killed By Death #007 compilation. Top record of a short-lived combo that definitely had what it takes for more.

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RAT BASTARDS - 6 Song EP 2004

Now folks, it's getting loud and fast and this post is for all Hardcores out there and this fuckin' 6 Song EP is a great example for brilliant screamcore. Rat Bastards are from Chicago and the band started in the mid 90s featuring former Industrialized Autocracy members, along with late 80s scene member Pat Kelly. They are still playing today (after some lineup changes) and on this little noisecracker are Pat (vocals), Jay & Rick (guitars), Al (bass), Mike (drums), they made five 7Inches, this one on Kangaroo Records (Amsterdam label) and one album. For the collector nerds are the two singles on Will E. Survive Records very interesting, "Contaminated Minds" and the split with Dead Drunk. There's definitely been a shift musically since the early years, starting as a 80's style hardcore band which moved into a newer sound, incorporating into that both Swedish and Japanese H/C influences. They've all played in a lot of Chicago bands in the past and continue to do so. Now enjoy this classic hardcore stuff with the highest volume.

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MACKT & ON-BIRDS - Split EP 1980

On this record we have two combos from Linköping, Sweden and for both is their only vinyl appearance and this little record came via Jörvars Gosskör (punk fanzine & occasional label) in a few different color versions in an edition of 500 copies out. Mackt consisted of Batzz (vocals), Magnus (guitars), Jan (bass), Holger (drums) and they give us five excellent short '77 style biscuits, delicious stuff and I can shake hands with them, while the On-Birds (Jan, Mats, Nils-Göran & Sven) songs are real low-fi noises and if you like this kind of sound you will love them. It's a bit exhausting in the long run for my taste and I'm not a big fan of this but their soupbowl songs have charm, they're funny and they're quick over. Either you love it or not. More infos about both I can't find so search the net by yourself and maybe you find out something. So that's all for now, I'm leavin now because I need some cold beer and the temperatures are a bit benevolent now.

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V/A - See You In Valhalla 1997

Older compilation with international renowned bands that came out on Mad Butcher Records in the mid-nineties. Fifteen bands, including some good old acquaintances, who offer a refreshing streetpunk sound, partly unreleased and only on this slab. I think, here is something for every taste, young and old buddies, and with over forty-five minutes it's an attractive mix and worth listening and I can't make out any unnecessary filler. Lyrically, the mood is consistently positive and should you be moping, this is the right record to blow the gray veil off your mind. You can argue about the cover and the album title, I think it's not that successful, but fuck it, a passionate emotion is part of it and doesn't hurt anyone. Good Record & fertig!

1.Dead But Not Forgiven - STAGE BOTTLES

2.Our Own Way - SKIN DEEP

3.Down Under - THE BRADLEYS

4.They Tell Us - TIME BOMB 77

5.Com'on Palestinans - COMRADE

6.Fighting Times - NEWTOWN NEUROTICS

7.Skins & Punks Unite - REAR GUNNERS

8.Never Too Late - RED LONDON

9.L' Appel De La Cité - BANLIEU ROUGE

10.Hailbut Wars - BARNSTORMER

11.Aut Aut - AUT AUT

12.Businessman - JACK THE LAD

13.Catastrophe - SCHWEDE

14.Going Underground - VULTURE CULTURE

15.Andrò Dove Mi Porteranno I Miei Scarponi - BANDA BASSOTTI

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BOXHAMSTERS - Der Göttliche Imperator 1990

Before I dedicate myself to today's SGE match against Augsburg, I present you, for me an essential D-Punk slab, the second album by the Boxhamsters from Gießen which is a real killer. Released on their own label Bad Moon Records and with Junge as producer, he raised their sound a lot. Was Wie Kinder Aus Bullerbü very simple recorded, this album has the right power, which is more reminiscent of a pop album, but far from it. Splendid produced and excellent mixed, the twelve songs come in a powerful dress of dynamic and refreshing energy. On this album all of their countless hits are represented with which they overwhelmed the fans and it's superfluous to enumerate them all now. Experienced the Boxis many times alive and they never disappointed me and they remain in very good memories. Der Göttliche Imperator is peppered with famous film quotes that are appropriately integrated and perfect inserted, which pushes the record to a real masterpiece. Wer die Boxis mag und dieses Album noch nicht kennt wird es lieben, das garantiere ich, und da es mittlerweile über dreißig Jahre auf dem Buckel trägt (verdammt, wo ist die Zeit hin?), hat es nichts von seiner Aktualität und Härte verloren und ist immer noch ein verdammt großes Highlight deutscher Untergrundkultur, und die Band ist immer noch am Leben und bleibt eine beliebte Größe ihres Genres, wird Zeit für ein neues Album ihr Lieben! That's it for today, tomorrow is another day.

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THE TOILETS - Hjul I Natten 7'' 1982

Let us chill this morning with the Toilets, a short-lived three piece from Olofström, Blekinge and the band consisted of Jens (vocals/bass), Lars (guitars), Stefan (drums) and this is their only record on Amalthea with two decent ska tracks. "I ride without a light in the middle of the night as much as I want.", this is the chorus of "Hjul I Natten (Wheels In The Night)" and it's a swinging scale song, which the cover also gives clear hints about. However, the band did not sound like that at the start two years earlier. After mixing wildly between blues, jazz, funk and songs in different constellations, they started to get tired. Instead, they embraced the new wave of punk ska and reggae and renamed themselves the Toilets. But they never completely let go of their background. From time to time, guitar, bass and drum solos appeared as an extra spice. The texts were usually of secondary importance. They were mostly about everyday things like a bike ride or when the imagination got tired they sometimes stole words from the children's classic book Min Skattkammare (My Treasury). The three did a gig 2005 at home in Olofströrm in connection with the release of the compilation Greatest Shits, a burnt double CD with forty-eight new recordings from the band's huge repertoire. The band had one compilation appearance with a live song on the double CD Rockscen Blekinge 69-99, which was released on Blekinge Museum in 2018. Enjoy two early unique ska tunes which aren't comparable with the next generation.

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EXTERNAL MENACE - Youth Of Today EP 1982 & No Views EP 1983 & Seize The Day EP 1997

Triple pack for the weekend start by this awesome band from the suburbs of Glasgow. Their debut from 1982 Youth Of Today is a classic record and one year later it was followed by their second EP called No Views. Again four smash hits and you get what you're lookin' for. The band went through a few alter ego moments over the following years - playing External Menace songs at gigs but under different names. Beat The System!! had folded and the band released a few compilation tracks on Rot Records. In 1987 Wullie (vocals) was taking a short cut across the M8 when he was hit by a car and killed. A decade on, the band were revived when Captain Oi! records began to show an interest in releasing a compilation album of all the bands previous releases. The band continued to chop and change over the following two years. In 1997 the Seize The Day EP was released. They toured Europe three times, toured the UK, played countless festivals and recorded the Process Of Elimination LP. Again many line-up changes but the band is still active and with their good basic Britpunk sound always a pleasure guest in my house.

Details: External Menace formed from the same youthful energy that gave birth to many of the "second wave"of British punk bands. Put together by vocalist Wullie Hammill and John Sneddon in the summer of 1979, the band were typical of the 1979/1980 punk bands, faster and rougher than the class of 77, but not an all out UK82-style attack. The band played out as often as they could, evolving fully into the UK82 mold, and released two singles and also putting in an appearance on the Total Anarchy compilation (1982). Their sound was typical of the era, kinda speedy punk with gruff vocals and anarcho-inspired lyrics abour war, the evil governments and nonconformism. That was the side of External Menace that most people knew best, but towards the middle of the 80's they branched out in a more melodic (but still hardcore) direction, playing reggae inspired tunes like "Rude Awakening" and "Killing Me Asylum". While the band recorded two or three more demos, putting some of their new tracks down, they didn't manage to get any more vinyl out, and finally broke up in 1985. Fast forward to 1994 Ian Welsh of Swine Flu harassed John Sneddon to get External Menace back together, and start kicking some more punk rock ass. Sneddy agreed, but only if Welshy (what is it with Scots and diminutive names ending in Y?) joined the band as vocalist, since Wullie Hamill had died in 1987. Swine Flu disappeared shortly after their first single was released, and re-emerged with a new name and a new guitarist. External Menace was back.

Their first new release was Pure Punkrock on Captain Oi! in 1995, which featured all the band's Beat The System!! recordings, plus a handful of early demos, and re-recorded versions of some old songs, the release didn't attract the interest of anyone except the UK82 completists. The band were invited to play the first Holidays In The Sun festival in August of 1996, and accepted. The entire festival was recorded (very poorly) and released on video by Barn End, and selections were released on two CDs by Anagram records. The band were invited back for HITS 1997, and (again) accepted. Around the same time the first of the HITS compilations appeared (early to mid 1997), External Menace finally released their first new single, the Process Of Elimination EP. The five track single was a completely unexpected, it featured some serious punk rock/reggae fusion, in the shape of "Rude Awakening", and was a drastic step AWAY from their UK82 roots. Later that year they also released a split 7" with Rectify, and their first album. The songs were a mix of old and new Ex Menace songs, with a few hold-overs from Swine Flu. It was a refreshing blend of UK82 hardcore and more straightforward midtempo punk, with a healthy dose of reggae thrown in for good measure. The album really made people sit up and pay attention, these guys weren't just another 80's punk band back for a few quick bucks, they were talented musicians with something interesting to offer the punk community. Unfortunately they only managed to release on more 7" (a split w/Recharge) before breaking up again in 1999. Puhh, a lot of words again but good infos are part of it!

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NEIL SMITH - Rotten Roll EP 1994

"Wrowdy Music For Wrowdy People!" so Neil himself describes his music and Yes, we're pretty wrowdy. I use here a few words from his site: "Neil grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and had his first experience with music at the age of 8 when he took up saxophone in school because it was the only instrument they offered which was also played by SHA NA NA (Neil's favorite band!). By the age of 10, Neil discovered the guitar and just immersed himself in it teaching himself from books and a few formal lessons, but mostly by ear from his collection of rock'n'roll records. There wasn't much for a kid to do in Indianapolis besides find trouble (and Neil found a LOT of it!) so the guitar became his main outlet throughout his teenage years and he played in many garage bands during that time. In 1986 when Neil was 18 years old, he encountered a guitarist wanted ad on a wall at a local music store. The ad was from a Florida-based band called STEVIE STILETTO who were a punk and pop band with a few records out on an independent label. He met the band and stayed up all night learning their entire latest album, Neil quit his job flipping burgers at Hardee's, quit school, dumped his girlfriend, sold his car, moved away from home and was on the road with a crazy rock band! Neil continued touring and recording with Stevie Stiletto for five years when in 1991 the band finally imploded in Lubbock, Texas. Neil then began releasing his own records and CDs and today he mainly plays country music." So enjoy this little record with four weird-deep-kickin'-ass-punk'n'roll numbers in its most extreme kind.

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