NORMAHL - Verarschung Total 1981

Verarschung Total is the modest debut of Normahl on Mülleimer Records, that comes up with provocative political and sometimes funny lyrics, and whose recordings, unfortunately, was produced in a thin quality but nowadays belongs to one of the classics of early D-Punk and the first edition is very sought among collectors. Normahl was founded 1978 by five high school students from Winnenden and were active until 1996, released really good albums in the early days, by that I mean their Mülleimer records, before they mutated into a Fun-Punk combo and became rather uninteresting for me. I found it surprising that this slab has been indexed by the Federal Inspection Office for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM) since August 31, 2014 ("Youth Ban" without suspicion of violating certain criminal laws) and revoked in February 2016, which I think is a joke, but some impotent Christian mutants demanded this, hahahihihoho... Well, Normahl came back in 2002 and has been on the road since then, consistently spreading its poison among the people. A review, which would make the record even more interesting for me, because the negative ones are more appealing: "Mid-tempo ’77 punk from this German hardcore band. If the guitars were turned up twice as loud and the vocals were more raspy, the Normahl might have something going here. This isn’t the case, so the results are less than satisfying. These is an appealing amateurishness evident here, but it’s not enough to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings." (Jeff Bale, MRR #3 • Nov/December 1982) - Convinced enough?

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V/A - New Wave 1979

Well, I have a feeling history is repeating itself right now, and war has unequivocally caught up with stupid humanity again. Hard times are coming and the impotence of the politicians leads to death and destruction. Anyone who still thinks that humans are intelligent beings will be disappointed once again and will have to reconsider their attitude, but I don't want to comment further on the current situation, I'm trying to concentrate on the essentials, and that's the music. - This Compilation from K-Tel Records is a nice selection of hits from bands that were slowly gaining popularity in the late 70's/early 80's and released a few catchy tunes that were heard almost everywhere which added to their notoriety. Many cheap compilations came out , because the fat major record wankers sensed easy money with this new kind of music. This is one of them and not bad at all in my opinion. Dear friends, stay fascinate, have a great weekend and enjoy the sound of this sixteen virtuosos.. wherever you are.

1.Dreaming - BLONDIE

2.Back Of My Hand - THE JAGS

3.Making Plans For Nigel - XTC

4.Toast - STREET BAND

5.Money - FLYING LIZARDS

6.Straw Dogs - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

7.The Prince - MADNESS

8.Because The Night - PATTI SMITH

9.Rock Lobster - THE B-52's

10.Ca Plane Pour Moir - PLASTIC BERTRAND

11.King Rocker - GENERATION X

12.Nice Legs Shame About You - THE MONKS

13.Gangster - THE SPECIALS

14.Charade - THE SKIDS

15.Time For Action - SECRET AFFAIR

16.Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle - SEX PISTOLS

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N.O.S. & ZYNTHSLAKT - Och Hör Sen!! EP 1982

One more request today with this frenetic trashy EP by two Swedish combos with three songs each from the early Eighties. N.O.S. was actually the first band that together with Köping mates Zynthslakt made a record, the Och Hör Sen!! EP. Released on Commando Z, it was all done through TBV, a study circle which offered a good way to record music. "We had access to a rehearsal room through the study circle TBV... that included six hours of studio time, which we used to record the single. However, Lillis (drums) never came to the recording, he cowardly, so we had to use the study circle leader Tjabo as drummer. He ran a drum solo using a plastic cookie jar on a dustbin. Incredible man!" states Goofy (vocals/guitar). Tommy was initially as singer & frontman in N.O.S., Goofy remembered once when they played in Hallstahammar's Folkets park, "A lot of raggers were crowded at the front of the audience and Tommy shouted swear words at the rags all the time. It ended with that we were "chased" by the rags when they went back to Köping. We played an instrumental version of the Czech national anthem. Thought it was neat and cool to play. Maybe it was from that that Per Granberg's Charta 77 was born?" thinks Goofy. These recordings are their only vinyl release. About Zynthslakt you take the information from the previous posts.

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OFFENDERS - Fight Back EP 1989

The Offenders were a four piece, formed 1978 in Killeen/Texas by Davy RIP (vocals), Anthony RIP (guitars), Mikey RIP (bass) & Pat (drums). After relocating to Austin in 1980, the band became known worldwide as one of the premiere Hardcore bands out of the Lone Star state. Raw and rabid, and just as skillful in realizing their musical rebellion as, for example, their friends and drinking mates D.R.I. and MDC.

Beginning stylistically with classic Punkrock, the Four made an excellent turn to an untamed sound, which was brilliantly transformed into impetuous energy and playful sophistication with intensity and enormous passion. They ruled, without doubt the scene throughout the infamous Reagan era. This litte Sucker was brought via Hamburg based label Bitzcore and features five unprecedented quick-witted arguments, two previously released as their Lost Causes 7Inch in 1981 on Suffering Sounds plus three, probably from a demo, non-album recordings. In their eight year life-span they fabricated only two pretty cool albums, a couple of 7Inches plus loads of compilation invites. In 1986, the band dissolved much too early.

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HASS - 4 Track EP 1988

Well, the situation in Europe is extremely tense and we all know why, and probably that's why I'm posting this slab from a combo that has a strong feeling as band name. When Hass founded in 1978, they were one of the first German Punk heroes ever and with their fantastic debut from 1981 they set a grandiose sign full of aggression and offensive lyrics. After a longer creative break, the four from Marl came back with this cute 7Inch on their own label Hass Produktion. Four rare tracks who set the direction as opener for their second album a year later. Uncompromising lyrics wrapped in gruff music that inevitably trigger a feeling and make you realize that life is no amusement park. A look at the cover makes that pretty clear, I think. Hass is hard, direct and gets straight to the point, you can't evade it. Made for all the stupid brains in this world. Take care!

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CUTZ - Space In Time 7'' 1980

In early 1979 the Cutz were formed out of the ashes of the infamous Calgary rock country band the Famous Brothers. Sally (vocals) and Sandy (guitar/vocals) gathered Al (bass) and Lonnie (drums) and a litte later Don (guitar). The Cutz were along with other small bands part that made up the early Punk scene in Calgary. Their music can be described as a cross between X, Patti Smith and Jefferson Airplane, combining the energy and emotion of the late 70s Punk ethic blended in with the musicality and idealism if the late Sixties creating a hybrid that was engaging yet rebellious at the same time. Starting out like most other bands back in the day playing house parties, community halls and pretty much anywhere that would let them, The Cutz set list at first heavily influenced by choice 60s covers envolved into more and more original songs and the result was they started to find their own sound. After playing everywhere theuy could for the better part of a year the Cutz saved up their money and went into Jonathon Sound in January 1980 and recorded three songs and in April they released their only 7Inch with two goodies on Aura Records in an edition of 500 copies.

The band continued to play around Calgary as well as a few out of town gigs that would come their way. With other heroes from the Calgary scene releasing records right around the same time (The Verdix, Hot Nasties, The Sturgeons), the litte scene was starting to gather attention and build momentum. As odd as it sounds legendary blues and rock icon John Baldry saw the five play at a house party and expressed interest in taking the band into the studio to record. This is summertime 1980, with a record out, a loyal local following and endorsement from a rock legend, the Cutz seemed to be on their way. But by the end of 1980 exhaustion, internal struggles and personal conflicts broke up the band. The Cutz reformed once in 2007 to perform a few songs at a celebration of life gathering for close friend Mick Memorex (Verdix) RIP.

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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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