V2 - At The Edge Of Chaos 2019

We stay in this gray City and meet V2 which formed in March 1977 evolving from the early Manchester Punkscene based around the legendary Electric Circus venue. Of the four Manchester Punk bands around at the time, the Fall, Buzzcocks, V2 and Warsaw, V2 were the ones who fell to earth: ‘as subtle as flying buzz-bombs’ and destined for the same early grave. V2 gigs were chaotic, but this was where they really made their mark. Audiences were treated to a white-faced, black-eyed, bad-skinned young band wearing Frankenstein boots, who attacked the crowd with guitars hacked into cricket bats, bombed them with flour bags and once, set them on fire with cheap flash-bombs thrown by a drunken ‘helper’. You either loved ’em or you fuckin’ hated em! Faced with a constant lack of money/motivation and bad management the band fell to bits. Underachievement has given the band a cult status that some ‘more successful bands’ can only dream of…This LP (500 only) compiles both of their classic singles Man In The Box and Speed Freak, their withdrawn third single Is Anyone OutThere? and various studio recordings that never saw the light of day, packed in a full colour cover with insert detailing the band’s history. A damn hot record that sweeps the dust out of your deaf ears.

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V/A - A Manchester Collection 1979

Somehow I'm not really waking up today and the long working week has fucked me off, despite the holiday, but I also want to make a first post on this sunny Sunday before I have to take care of the stupid obligations as a tenant. This nice compilation shows bands of the Manchester Musicians Collective and was released via Object Music and is an early audio document of the emerging underground scene in this city. A short intro from the BandOnTheWall site which describes those early days in detail: "When the idea of a Manchester Musicians Collective first emerged, it was expected that the participants would be from the exploratory end of the music spectrum, free improvisers perhaps and committed experimentalists, possibly mixing music with performance art. This expectation was based on the involvement with other collectives of the two original protagonists, music graduates Trevor Wishart and Dick Witts (Trevor in York, Dick in London). But soon after the Collective got going in April 1977 it was obvious that Manchester’s version would be very different: much more Rock’N’Roll." Well, infected by this spirit, in addition to the loud, horrible Punk music that emerged at the end of the seventies, numerous bands were formed and left us unforgettable moments with their tuneful sounds. A refreshing record, that still pushes me in a good mood!

1.You Are The One - GROW-UP

2.Night Rally - GROW-UP

3.I'm In Love - I.Q. ZERO

4.I Must Obey - I.Q. ZERO

5.Why - FAST CARS

6.What Can I Do? - FAST CARS

7.Monotony - MEDIATERS

8.Fireplace - FIREPLACE

9.Dutchman - FIREPLACE

10.First Floor - PICTURE CHORDS

11.Levitating Ladies - PICTURE CHORDS

12.The Cake Shop Device - MANCHESTER MEKON

13.Property Of... - PROPERTY OF...

14.Wooden Gangsters - VIBRANT THIGH

15.Working On The Line - F.T.INDEX

16.Double Face - SLIGHT SECONDS

17.New Me - SLIGHT SECONDS

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DIE SALINOS - Du Siehst Nicht Aus Wie Ich Ausseh 1981

Welcome on this wonderful hot summer day and I don't want to stay long at the Computer because life is calling me, so here we go: the Salinos consisted of Achim (vocals/guitar), Lotte & Peter (guitars), Bert (bass), Siggi (drums), Beate (accordion/flugelhorn/minimoog), Gabi (accordion), Meggi (percussion) and was formed 1978 in Gelsenkirchen and featured members of the theatre group "Küchentheater". Their first performances were done in the same year under the name of "K.O.T.S." (Küchentheater On Tour Secretly). In late June 1979, the Salinos released a six-track EP, which was one of New Wave's first self-produced singles. In September they performed at the 'Antifascist Festival' in Berlin. On December 29th they took part in the event 'Geräusche Für Die 80er' in the Markthalle Hamburg (they belonged together with Minus Delta t, Tempo and Liebesgier to the experimental bands, which were attacked by parts of the audience (Stupid Morons) and sometimes physically attacked). In 1980 the live tape Überzeugungstäter was released, and in August 1981 the album Du Siehst Nicht Aus Wie Ich Ausseh and it sold thousands of copies within a few weeks. Until 1982, the band played regularly in trendy bars in the Ruhr area and repeatedly in the Ratinger Hof in Düsseldorf. Their heterogeneous audience included "Punks as well as old freaks or many NORMAL people". Since then there have been various event-related reunions. Musically, they took their cue from early Rock'N'Roll and refined it with their own garage-like New Wave/Punk sound and played their self-written material: In addition, they adapted classic German Schlager. In their songs they showed a "sense of enigmatic wit, a rarity in the otherwise so stupid, dead serious German Punk scene" (Sounds/1979) and "constantly walked on the border between genius and kitsch" (Spex/1980). Thomas Groetz recognized in the lyrics of the song a "tongue in cheek criticism of social conditions". In 1985 the band split up. - Enough words; beer ready+go!

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THE MEANIES - Come'N'See 1992

I think, the Soccer World Cup would start today, but this year it's different and I have to say I don't like watching the WM in winter... but that's another story. - Also this weekend I start with a cracker and for that we travel 'Down Under' and visit Melbourne and meet the Meanies there. They were formed 1988 by Link (vocals/guitar), D.D. (guitar), VB (bass), Ringo (drums) and this is their great debut album on Au Go Go Records with twelve unleashed catchy melodic numbers. The level is constantly high and powerful and this full dose of energy pushes you immediately into a good mood mode, oh yeah! A bit background: "the four provides energetic performances, with Link injured on stage on several occasions. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, they "were the undisputed kings of the inner-city/all-ages circuit. The band's frantic, Ramones-inspired power pop and hyperactive live shows drew capacity audiences of alacritous fans. The Meanies were also one of the most productive independent recording bands of the day." But shadows hovered over the band, D.D. died in February 2008 after being diagnosed with cancer. Their guitarist from 1993 onwards, Tasman died in August 2008 in a car accident as well. Jaws joined as a new guitarist and they recorded two more albums, the last, their fourth Desperate Measures, came out in 2020. Now I'll leave you alone and have a good start after work with this brilliant music.

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ROSES ARE RED - Can't Understand 7'' 1979

Not really new in blogland, but this bloody record is always worth a post and it belongs to a five piece from London and their only slab on Posthumous Petal with two superb killer tracks. Formed in the first half of 1978, Roses Are Red suffered a series of personnel changes before in March 1979 line-up featuring Chris (vocals), Nicky & Greg (guitars), Ian (bass), Jon (drums). Unfortunately the band only had a short existence in the punk world, but their single is a fantastic outpouring of solid and powerful hip swings that other combos at the time couldn't even come closer to. Fire and dynamic are paired here in one breath and the New York label Sing Sing Records recognized this as well and re-released this goodie in 2009, a good decision. They've also been invited to a few compilations, and for good reason. Enjoy!

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ENEMY MIND FEEL - Halflife 10.000 Years EP 1989

From Calgary comes this obscure short-lived combo and this is their only output on Raging Records. The baby is called Enemy Mind Feel and consisted of Mikhail Cyber (vocals/harmonica/rhythm guitar), Killer (lead guitar), Dev Ttypl (bass), Finger Bone (sax/clarinet) and in 1988 they released a tape called Wintermute and they describe themselves as the first "Cyberpunk" band in Calgary and they live this lifestyle: anarchistic computer geeks by day, rock gods by night. Their twisted brand of noise/punk/no-wave rock makes even the most seasoned listener cringe with delight. The band members believe that Armageddon will come in a blast of feedback. Enemy Mind Feel has been together for nine months, and has placed select live dates in Calgary. The first performance occurred after the band had been together for only a week. On this piece of wax are four... I would say moody but catchy tracks and with a voice I enjoy listening to and suits the sound perfectly. This is really a superb EP from the late Eighties and rarely heard from Canada, at least I don't know of any comparable combo. Do something good for your ears and listen to this cool record.

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BIKINI KILL - Reject All American 1996

Second album by Bikini Kill from Olympia/Washington on Kill Rock Stars. They were credited with instigating the Riot Grrrl movement in the early 90's via their political lyrics, zines and confrontational live performances. Twelve catchy songs with passion and emotion which maybe aren't as hard as on their debut Pussy Whipped but received generally favorable & mixed reviews and "Reject All American has the requisite raw production, blistering three-chord riffs, and Kathleen's gut-churning screams". Well, I think the album is okay and I would recommend it as an entry for all newcomers and check out their fourth 7Inch from 1995 I Like Fucking as well.

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GUTTERSNIPES - The Poor Dress Up 1989

Melodic songs with a slight Oi! breeze comes from the small island in Western Europe: the Guttersnipes were formed 1987 in London by Shug (vocals/guitar), Andy (guitars), A.K. (bass), John (drums) and early gigs quickly gain the band a reputation as an exciting live act, supporting the likes of Splodgenessabounds, Mega City Four and the Senseless Things. During mid 1989 their debut album The Poor Dress Up was released by the independent label Razor Records and went on to sell 1500 copies despite complete lack of promotion or advertising by Razor. The album sells only because of Andy and Shug’s work in promoting the band through the fanzine network in Europe. During 1991 they make their first trip to Germany where they are astonished at the reception. This keeps the enthusiasm going & they sign to new label Vice Records who release their 2nd album Hairy On The Inside.... four more albums followed, the last one in 2016, and in this file you can listen to the CD version with their only single as bonus. A fine Scheibchen! 😌

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INOCENTES - Miséria E Fome 1988

Recently we hosted Olho Seco and speaking of important & influential bands from Brazil, the Inocentes are definitely one of them, an essential hardcore combo that made it as famous as... useless Infos: Inocentes is one of the oldest active Punk combos in Brazil. The group was formed 1981 in São Paulo by Ariel (vocals), Callegari (guitars), Clemente (bass) & Marcelino (drums), former members of pioneer locals Restos de Nada and Condutores de Cadáver. During their first incarnation in the first half of the 1980s, they played basic energetic and politically charged Hardcore/Punk, exemplified by the Grito Suburbano compilation tracks. The band's powerful performances and firm stance soon raised it to the level of one of the movement's spokespersons. Clemente (bass) wrote in his 1982 manifesto: “We are here to revolutionize Brazilian popular music, to paint Asa Branca in black, delay the Trem das Onze, step on Geraldo Vandré’s flowers and make Amélia a woman.” Whatever, they were one of the most requested bands of the movement at that time, present in several TV articles, magazines and in the documentary “Garotos Do Subúrbio” by Fernando Meirelles. In 1983 they released the Miséria E Fome EP on their own and in Germany two tracks on the Life Is A Joke compilation (my first encounter with the band) via Weird System. At the end of the same year the band ended their activities.

In early 1984, Inocentes returned to the stage with a new sound and formation, appeared in the Rock Paulista scene in 1986, were hired by Warner and signed in the same year as the first Brazilian Punk band to a multinational label. They released the mini-LP Pânico Em SP and embark on their first national tour, gaining exposure across the country and eventually reaching mainstream media and the general public. Still with Warner, they released two more albums, 1987's Adeus Carne and 1989's Inocentes. This file is the re-release by Devil Discos and all tracks were recorded 1983, the first four tracks were released on the debut EP and the rest not. Reasons are from liner notes on insert: "This record should have been released in mid-1983, but due to problems with censorship, we were obliged to turn this LP into a 'compact'." And since I don't know exactly why and my Portuguese is rusty, I can't say more about it. It's not important either. Fact is: this record is excellent stuff with a great pissed sound how I love it and not uninteresting for Wenke Myhre fans.

- Great Thx to Julio -

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ANTI-CIMEX - The Complete Demos Collection 1982-1983

"One of the most pioneering and seminal Scandinavian Hardcore bands ever, that influenced past and present generations with their trademark of rough sound, iconic art and enraged tunes: Anti-Cimex". Formed 1981 in Gothenburg, the original line-up was: Nillen (vocals), Jocke (guitar), Jonsson (bass) & Charlie (drums). After rehersing for a while, they released their first EP Anarkist Attack. In 1982 the band kicked out Nillen and Jonsson took over the vocals part and Conrad became the new bassist. They also released a new single later in the year called Raped Ass and in 1983 they released another 7Inch Victims Of A Bombraid. Three years later Anti Cimex released a mini-LP called Criminal Trap. At this time, Jocke had got tired of the band and they asked Cliff, if he wanted to join the band, but he said no and the rest of the band members got tired of the problems and it resulted in the band splitting up. In 1990, Anti Cimex decided to start the band again after Cliff had agreed to join and they say, that it is thanks to him, that they regrouped. They released the comeback album Absolut Country Of Sweden the same year. In 1993, Anti Cimex released a raw live album Made In Sweden. The show was also shot on video, but never released. They later released a new live 7Inch Fucked In Finland Live 92 and later on followed the album Scandinavian Jawbreaker. After the release of this album, the band split up and the members started in other bands, such as Driller Killer (Cliff) and Wolfpack (Jonsson). In 2004, Pelea Records released the A Tribute To Anti-Cimex compilation, featuring a line up of d-beat and crust bands from all over the world, that were influenced by the Swedes. With this record, which took a lot of time and effort, the Italian label Agipunk cobbled together a firework of twenty-nine raw and pure tracks, and equipped them with interesting infos and also conjured up some colored limited vinyl for collectors. Fascinating, Spock would say!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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