THE UNUSUALS - 44u EP 1980

Debut EP by this three piece from Calgary on Living Room Records with four excellent PowerPop goodies. A bit info from the web: the Unusuals line-up were Ron (vocals/guitar), Danny (bass), Paul (drums) and the boys were one of the early bands on the scene, bridging the gap between the then-dominant cabaret acts and the new and burgeoning Calgary Punk scene, and they could play covers, but they also had some very cool original songs. They were also one of the first combos who infect the Calgarians and opened the doors for the entire scene to have a common meeting place. Solid songwriting and a great live act. 1981 followed their second & final brilliant single The More I Drink The Better She Looks To Me which I have maybe somewhere as well. Regardless of the detectives, they're only allowed to dance on Canada's Pissed Vol.3 compilation. Enjoy them as I do!

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RAT'S GOT THE RABIES - Trashy Life EP 1988

Ex-Boskops veterans Pedder (vocals/bass), Ralle (guitars), Raffa (drums) founded Rat's Got The Rabies in Hanover 1988 and released in their short life-span two 7Inches on Schlawiner Records and one full-length Crassfish via Nasty Vinyl/Double A Records. The three play powerful, solid mid-tempo stuff with English lyrics and didn't attract much attention, which I think is a bit of a shame, because the band definitely doesn't have to hide. But at the end of the Eighties, the Hardcore wave and hoodies came along and pushed straight Punkrock the hard shoulder. Anyway, I'm too tired to waste any more words on this topic and in a few hours it's the weekend and as a kick-off for the same the four songs fit in brilliantly, believe me. 😋

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OLHO SECO - Os Primeiros Dias EP 1988

One is still going today, freshly ripped and now on the table: we enjoy Brazil's greatest Hardcore band and they have 100% to smash your shack: Olho Seco, and they played rough and fuzzy music somehow retained a melodic undercurrent, making their songs instantly ingrained in the old medula for all time and the interesting thing about their music is the totally distorted recordings and I always think about it, do they use a guitar? Their songs sound like a harvester or a forest worker, so I'm really blown away every time when I listen to this fucking noises. Sure is, this is a perfecrt record for all raw Hardcore maniacs worldwide and you certainly like bands such as Ratos De Porão or Lixomania. Olho Seco were from São Paulo, formed in 1980 and on this record were involved Fabio (vocals), Redson (guitars), Val (bass), Sartana (drums) and this blast was released via New Face Records. The raw and direct sound typical of Punk bands became heavier and faster in Olho Seco's interpretation, which helped the band win respect and influence new generations of Punks. After their compilation tracks they put out the split album Botas, Fuzis, Capacetes (available today at inflated prices) with Brigada Do Ódio, this split was very well received and resulted in the band being invited to participate in many international compilations such as Welcome To 1984, released by Maximum Rock'N'Roll. After that, Olho Seco released several albums on their own and many tributes to this band have been produced, the most important being the Tributo A Olho Seco compilation, which included the greatest Punk/HC bands in Brazil, as well as Força Macabra (from Finland) and Cripple Bastards (from Italy). At the end of the day, Olho Seco continues to be faithful to the style which they made famous: fast & agressive Punkrock.

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THE VORES - Love Canal EP 1978

Juhuuu, Feiertag today and finally being myself and this feels so perfect. What's for breakfast today? The Vores from Buffalo/New York recorded two 7Inches on Family Only and this is their first one. The line-up consisted of Biff (vocals/guitar), Dave (guitar/vocals), Gary (bass), Mike (drums) and four pieces we have on this little sucker. Forming in the late 70s they came from the Punk/NewWave and apart from being included on various compilations documenting that era in US punk/music from New York at that time, they have generally been neglected. This is apparently due to the few really interesting labels of the time and therefore no entry ticket was available. But the slab is acceptable to me and it's not for nothing that the detectives invited them to the catchy series called Killed By Death and Bloodstains. Schee!

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TRÖCKENER KECKS - Nie Alle Meisjes Zijn Verliedfd Op Kors EP 1982

Or "Not All Girls Are In Love With Kors", a clear statement and so we swing into this excellent second EP by Tröckener Kecks from Amsterdam with three lively numbers. When it comes to releasing records, the band worked according to the 'Do It Yourself' principle and up to and including 1987, records are released independently, so also with this small piece of wax full to the brim with hearty enjoyment. From 1983 another guitarist was added and gradually, the band's sound shifts to that of a mainstream rock band; and that is remarkable at a time when many bands opt for the fashionable new wave sound. Numerous albums and singles followed and the band has become one of the most popular in the Netherlands.

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THE UPRISE - One By One EP 1988

Looks like a typical Oi! record but that's isn't the case. The Uprise were a Hardcore/Oi! band from Morrisville, formed in 1986 by Skinny Jimmy (vocals), Scott (guitars), Matt (bass), Rob (drums) and disbanded two years later. In their short life-span they released two demos and this nice EP via Oi! Core Records with four fantastic killers. An apt review from Threatening Society fanzine I would like to quote: "Oh No, Skinheads!" is what you’re probably thinking. But these guys are different. They’re really nice and they’ve dedicated to the scene. And their EP rips, to boot! They’ve really improved, and their melodious sound comes across incredibly well. They’ve also matured a lot lyrically. Very positive lyrics (despite the titles), especially in “Destruction” where they plead for unity. Now that legitimate reason has called it quits, the Uprise seem to be the most promising band here in Philly, Watch for them! [MICKEY, Threatening Society/Issue #7, circa 1989] - They're featured on a couple of compilations, mostly on cassettes.... and that's it for today. 

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ØRESUS - Ansikt Til Ansikt 1983

Øresus was a Punk/New Wave band from Skien and existed between 1979 and 1983. The band started under the name Mikey Mads Band and released two 7Inches and one album (Uncle Remus Records) during their lifetime. Øresus consisted of Jan Ove Lorentzen (vocals/guitar), Pål Lillefjære (guitar), Frode Wara (bass) and Ragnar Køhn (drums). Galt Et Sted was the great debut 7Inch on Øreplater, followed by the second one Mannen I Badekaret in 1982 before the album came out in 1983. All were released on the band's own record label. Musically, the band developed from ska-inspired Punk via more aggressive sound to gloomy new wave inspired by Joy Division. They disbanded in the summer of 1983 when Lorentzen moved to Bergen, where he was part of the Radio Phantoms. The rest of the members have all been in several bands, Frode has played in Electric Gangsters, Fructdrops, Tracemen, Svarte Faen, and Ragnar in Paal & Paal Band. Øresus is one of very few bands from the period that has a reunion and plays concerts here and then. Ansikt Til Ansikt has ten catchy powerful candies that come across amazingly professional. Nice Record!

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V/A - Maanalainen Vuosikerta 1989

Yesterday DFB Cup final and again very exciting and with a happier ending for RB Leipzig. I stuck with Freiburg, but they underinvested after half-time and Leipzig really showed a strong performance with ten men. Congratulations on the first title. Next week's CL final, which is sure to be just as exciting. - Another rare compilation, that I've been looking for a long time and finally able to purchase a few years ago, was released on the Finnish Stigma label in 700 copies. In addition to well-known virtuosos, there are bands that haven't hardly made much appearances, but they're a solid contribution and their musical variety makes this slab a little masterpiece. And that's exactly what I like, and I love to discover the unknown, like a researcher. In addition, an A4 booklet with lyrics and presentation of each participating band, thus an excellent investment, with heart and soul. And all this included. Nice release with interesting music/bands and worth getting.

1.ATK - MAHO NEITSYT

2.Loputon Odotus - MAFIA

3.Mies Leikkii Legoilla - ALIVALTIOSIHTEERI

4.K - RADIOPUHELIMET

5.Inhaa Mätää - KAUNEUS/TERVEYS

6.Rai! - TURUN TAUTI

7.Vanha Holvikirkko - SUB

8.My Baby Don't Care How I Wear My Hair - SURFIN' DEAD BOYS

9.Mä En Pääse Pois - KOHU-63

10.Upright, Negative - ROTATE WRYCHT

11.Nuori Ja Vihainen - KEUHKOT

12.Hyvää Joulua - HC ANDERSEN

13.Isä (Tule Hakemaan Mut Kotiin) - SEKAANNUS

14.No More Songs About Having Fun - GOD'S LONELY MAN

15.Lisää Väriä - LAPSILTA KIELLETTY

16.Alcoholica Intoxica Intra-Analis Gravis - ATTANAS

17.Silmä Silmästä - ATTANAS

18.Children Of Tomorrow - UNBORN-SF

19.Gangrenous Transplant - JOHNNY SPUNKY

20.My Generation - W.D.M.

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V/A - Give Us A Future (TR Compilation) 2018

Wednesday's emotions have largely subsided and things continue as 'normal'. A while ago I took a look at the Turkish Punkscene and this nice compilation on Wargasm Records, which came as a tape out, gives us an interesting overview of bands that are currently active and some that are already history. The bandwidth of the songs is consistently variable and anything but monotonous. All I can say; eighteen solid tracks in excellent quality and in my opinion this piece deserves a vinyl release. Certainly a challenge to establish yourself as Punk in this country, as well as to get performance opportunities that are definitely hard to come by, I guess. That's why it's important to listen and come in touch with this underground scene and, if you can, provide adequate support. Very good release!

1.Sesi Görmek Işığı Duymak - LOW SEXUAL DESIRE

2.Addicted - PROJECT YOUTH

3.Sik Bakalim - OFISBOYZ

4.Dünya Düzeni - HEDONISTIC NOISE

5.Don't Trust Anyone - CRUDEZ

6.Kisa Devre - LIFELOCK

7.Fake Dissidents - ROTTING SYSTEM

8.Live Another Day - ACCUSATIONS

9.Okulda Kaos - LES

10.Oblivious - SECONDHAND UNDERPANTS

11.Sadece Yaşa - LESS

12.Midnight Scenes - REPTILIANS FROM ANDROMEDA

13.Handcuffed Into The Sanity - TATLIN EFFECT

14.Blind Regime - UGLY SHADOWS

15.Lambda - MALAZLAR

16.Gelecek Nesil - POSTER ITI

17.Beynimi Yediler - OFSAYT

18.For Your Friends - THE AYILAR

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BETON COMBO - Sound Ltd EP 1983

I can still do one more post today and this combo doesn't need many words: straight forward, verbally & musically aggressive and in every way not remorseful, if I can say it so. Beton Combo were an influencial political Punkband which were formed in spring 1978 as DC10 in Berlin and this is their only 7Inch which came two years after the great full-length on Karl's Aggressive Rockproduktionen. For them, the political is more important than secondary. They play at squats, at demos, in front of prisons,etc..... Radical anti-capitalism is paramount. After this EP they also record the mini-LP 23 Skiddoo, which was their last regular release. 2014 re-issued by StaticAge in partially limited gold vinyl edition. Three uncompromising blasts with a killer production that is raw yet powerful! BetonCombo is a musical monument and we leave it this way. I'm going to eat something now, turkey goulash with salad, and tomorrow I will be back in 100% topform..... I promise!

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