THE MOONDOGS - That's What Friends Are For 1981

Second post by request on this weeend is the fantastic debut by the Moondogs from Derry, which they recorded in New York and released via Sire. At this time, the band broke up halfway through recording and this showed their shift to a different style with brass and longer songs which they were later to regret. For comparison, check out their awesome Who's Gonna Tell Mary? 7Inch from 1980 plus some compilation tracks. I can only write positive things about this slab, the songs impress with their joy of playing, a captivating mixture of Powerpop and Punk that particularly characterizes Gerry's guitar playing and scores with me with beautiful melodies. The three have really wrote a nice album but unfortunately didn't have a good hand with the label, because Warner/Sire 'clean out the cupboards' and it seemed that they would be dropped without the album ever being released, so disappointed they flew back to Derry and disbanded shortly thereafter. Finally it came then out in Germany and is now a very sought after record. Awesome Music!

- Big Thx to Bristolboy -

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V/A - Try A Dull Knife 1983

Today a request and for a short time on the Wanted-List. Try A Dull Knife is a rare C60 tape compilation from Version Sound with bands who received little attention and are not necessarily at home in Punk, with a few exceptions. This dull knife cuts with power and energy and I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of tapes because the sound sucks mostly. This is of course also due to the ripper and the quality of the recordings, but I can really get friendly with this part. White Flag is the only combo I know and made it to further releases while some just made it only to a 7Inch or only on other tapes. Interesting selection in any case and partly also takes getting used to but an important audio document of American subculture.

1.Johnny Wonder - NO-Y-Z

2.She's A Cow - NO-Y-Z

3.Eyes - NO-Y-Z

4.Hell In A Handbasket - WHITE FLAG

5.Love Me Like A Reptile - WHITE FLAG

6.Astronomy Domine - CAHUENGA

7.Bite The Knife - TEST PATTERN

8.Shattered Badge - TEST PATTERN

9.Bleet Bleet - DEATH PATROL

10.You Are Hypnotized - DEATH PATROL

11.Hi Di Hi - DEATH PATROL

12.Soup Or Salad - DEATH PATROL

13.C.P.U. - STRANGER TECHNOLOGIES

14.Royal Blue - ROYAL BLUE

15.Greensleeves - WINDOW PAIN

16.Born To Plagarize - THE SINS

17.Twisted Cross - THE SINS

18.Suicide - SADIST FACTION

19.Rabble Rouser - SADIST FACTION

20.Rainy Days - LLIBLLETRAB

21.Irrigation - SINGING SLEDGE

- Great Thx to Billy -

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EGÓ - Breyttir Tímar 1982

This weekend will be opened with relaxed New Wave sounds from the last corner of Europe and since I like to steal I'll give you the wiki info about them: Egó was a combo from Reykjavík and were founded in fall 1981 by Bubbi Morthens with his younger brother and guitarist Bergþór Morthens and their friend, bassist Þorleifur Guðjónsson. Egó's first drummer was Jóhann Ridar (aka “Motorhead”), and for a while guitarist Ragnar Sigurðsson played along with them. Jóhann and Ragnar were replaced by drummer Magnús Stefánsson and Tómas M. Tómasson. Bubbi Morthens, the frontman and main lyricist in the band had been part of influential punk/rock/reggie band Utangarðsmenn, but had been fired from the band for reportedly having a "big ego", which was also allegedly the reason for the band name "Egó." Their first tour was in Reykjavík and the debut, Breyttir Tímar was released on April 1, 1982, and became quickly one of the best selling albums in Icelandic music history. It stayed in the second place on the Icelandic album chart and stayed in the top ten for nineteen weeks straight. During the promotional tour for the album, Þorleifur quit and was replaced by former Utangarðsmenn bassist Rúnar.

Egó's second album Í Mynd, came out in late 1982. It was considered by most people to be better than the previous album. However, they lost a big part of their sound when Magnús decided to leave them on tour in Scandinavia. He was replaced by Jökull. Also, keyboard player Gunnar joined the band. Both Bubbi & Magnús have said in interviews that they don't have any recollections or memories whatsoever from this time period; mostly because they were all in deep drug use at the time. Finally it was internal conflicts within the band that led to its demise. The relationship between Egó and their record label had also gotten to the point where Egó had broken up as a group, but still recorded one more album due to the contract they had previously signed. According to this contract, they were obligated to release one more album, which did not get very good reviews. Most people believe that at this point in their career, Egó were fed up with each other and only did the third album to satisfy the record label, not out of their own willingness or excitement to make a new record. Therefore, the album is only OK, and doesn't sound like there is much work behind it. After the release of the self-titled third album (working title "Bless" or "Goodbye", which pretty much says it all) the band broke up in different directions. However, in 2001, the members of Egó reunited to release a compilation called Frá Upphafi Til Enda.

Later in 1984, Bubbi returned to Iceland and formed a rock and roll band called Das Kapital and released an album called Lili Marlene. Only he has had any success or fame since Egó broke up, as he to this day has released many solo career albums, mostly with acoustic guitar oriented pop/rock music. Also, it should be mentioned that Magnús Stefánsson has been credited by many people as the best Icelandic punk rock drummer ever. A few years after leaving Egó on tour in Scandinavia, he joined one of Iceland's most successful pop/rock /funk band; Sálin hans Jóns míns.

Soft, gentle pop music wrapped in nine fillet slices, I like it.

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SEKAANNUS - Kutsu EP 1985

Second self-released EP by the pioneers of Finnish anarcho-influenced hardcore punx Sekaannus from Virrat with three creaky pieces which recorded in August 1985 by Juha (vocals), Sami (guitar), Ari (bass), Hate (drums). The tempo was slowed down a bit on this record, but that doesn't make the songs boring, they continued this style consistently on their third 7Inch Eksyneet and I like that. One thing is certain, you can hear their sound on the train without hesitation and looking at the Zombies without running amok (that's relaxing for me because I'm present in this free theater almost every weekend). In 2021 came their last sign of life out, a re-release of this EP via Finnish Hardcore as 12Inch in a limited edition of 500 copies, 100 on semi-transparent blue vinyl, with the whole six song Kutsu demo.

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BAHNHOF - February 82 EP 2015

Superb record by this Italian Oi!/Punk band which was founded in 1979 and broke up in 1984, after the singer had an terrible motorcycle accident which heavily disabled him. Often mentioned in magazines/fanzines, Bahnhof had a tight knit circle of fans that followed the band performing @ places like Virus (the most known Italian squat), Rolling Stone, Odissea 2001 and they played a lot of gigs in those very well known squat and clubs. Their lyrics are all in English and often connected by a common thread. At shows, their best song was Annalisa (February 82), dedicated to a beautiful girl called Annalisa. Her story, like many others of the early Eighties, was connected to heroin, the damned drug that decimated a generation of great kids, and these kids are only guilty of not knowning the devastating effect of this fucking drug. Annalisa committed suicide and they dedicated this song that talks about the entry to the world of heroin to her. Fashion is about plastic people how they stop thinking and let the fashion rule their life, Manager was a song dedicated to their manager and friend Dino. Their most important gigs were the First Italian Oi! Meeting (Monza 13 November 1982) and the second Italian Oi! meeting (Bologna 22 January 1983), where they were the headliner band. The only testimony left by Bahnhof, in addition to a couple of compilation tapes, is this demotape called February 82 on Electric Eye Records from 1982, now re-issued, for the first time on vinyl, by No Plan Records in a limited edition with partially colored vinyl.

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NUDLAUG' - Mei Art 7'' 1981

Now an interesting band, probably from Vienna, with their only 7Inch on Kovarik's Musikothek. Nudlaug' were Randy (vocals), Andy (guitar), Fritz (bass), Ulli (drums) and they recorded two decent rockin' numbers and the classic 'My Way' is brilliantly celebrated by the four in Austrian and that's something a Punk must have heard in this life, really a great performance. The flip is a piece of their own, which also comes dynamic and refreshing. About the band itself I can't say much, apparently they took advantage of the moment and got together for a record, which doesn't confirm any compilation invites as well. But that is a minor matter, this small round slab is big fun and a delicious Schmankerl!!!

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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ZYNTHSLAKT - Hit Med Stålarna! EP 1986

For all who came late to this nice combo the band were merciful and with this self-produced single they threw out their entertaining anecdotes among the people for the last time. Zynthslakt were Punx from Köping and this last pig features all six songs from the split EPs they released in the early Eighties. A short review: "This Swedish ensemble hits with some hard-hitting blows, using raw guitar and drum mixtures with harmonious vocals, a little say, and just pure driving energy." Pushead (MRR #20 • December 1984) - Well, not really to this record, but his words can confidently apply to this one in my opinion. One's for sure, is worth downloading and since it's Monday today, it's an ideal enrichment for the six o'clock tea, enjoy!

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INSTANT AGONY - No Sign Of Life! 7'' 1983

Interesting UK combo from Birkenhead called Instant Agony, active from 1979 to 1984 and members were Hocky (vocals), Ant (guitars), Tabby (bass), Bazza (drums) and they released four singles during their original time together before things went a bit wrong for them. This is their third one on Flicknife Records with two catchy tunes which get you on your feet! "A bit slower than their first two 7Inches with more melodic lead guitar. They still sound undeniably Punk while having come up with a sound that was pretty unique amongst their contemporaries." The band reformed in 1996 and their last life sign was the One Man Army album from 2005. Guest appearances on compilations are also numerous.

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ONE WAY SYSTEM - This Is The Age 7'' 1983

Hmmm, I thought I'd posted something about the following combo, but apparently in my old Blog, well.... I'll catch up on this immediately, because they are among the heroes of early, typical trembling UK Hardcore/Punk sound. One Way System were formed 1979 in the Fleetwood area of Lancashire and shuffled through several different line-ups before settling into a quartet that would make the band's first life possible: Gavin (vocals), Craig (guitar), Gaz (bass), Tez (drums). They made their first mark on the Country Fit For Heroes compilation on No Future Records in 1982 which helped launch the debut EP Stab The Judge on Beat The System!! Records. They didn't release an album until 1983, when they switched to Anagram Records where consequently the debut All Systems Go appeared, based on the single Give Us A Future followed by the second album, The Writing On The Wall. 1984 came the next EP entitled Visions Of Angels, which raised hopes of a US tour as opener for the legendary Circle Jerks. Unfortunately Keith Morris (leader) broke his neck just before the start of the planned tour and the dream was over. One Way System played two shows in the States in lieu of the unrealized tour before deciding to go home and quit. Ten years later, in 1994, punk rock reissue specialists Captain Oi! re-released their two albums, followed by Anagram releasing a best-of in 1995, leading to a reunion. After that, Gavin and Gaz decided to continue and were replaced by Andy (bass) & Lee (vocals) respectively. New material were recorded for a few different labels and they've been rockin' & rollin' to heart attack ever since.

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VENDETTA - Modern Rockers 7'' 1978

Phew, this shitty winter is really taking its toll on my mood and the stupid work doesn't leave much time for creativity and posting. But today I have another cool darling for you. Barely known by record collectors is this rare and wild 7Inch on Les Disques Star Records and it's the only release by moustache rockers Vendetta from Ottawa, and the band consisted of Duggie (vocals), Mitch (guitars), Mr. Ron (bass), Vulture (drums). Both tracks are laden with shredding guitars, vigorous singing and a high octane rhythm section that keeps the listeners attention from start to finish. 2018 reissued by Supreme Echo in a limited edition of 500 copies in form of a flexi 7Inch. Rarely featured on compilations, only on the bootleg Canada's Pissed Vol.3, which I'd be interested in, can anyone send it?

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