SLAM - End Of Laughter 1987

Third and final album by Slam from Gävle and line-up on these fifteen songs were Zone (vocals), Thomas & Uffe (guitars), Pär (bass), Tony (drums) and the year after they got the chance after releasing this album (in the US by Subcore Records) and embarked on a two month U.S. tour that resulted in twenty-seven shows at various venues which made them playing together with such acts as Circle Jerks, Gang Green, SNFU and many more. Slam's last show was in 1987 at the now defunct Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen, and Fagersta Fokets Hus. No further material have been released until 2008 when they appear on 'Svenska Punk Klassiker Vol.2'. Here's a review which I feel the same way: "Out of the fifteen mid-tempo Punk songs here, most are made up of delicate guitar leads, simple drum beats, and droning vocals that lean toward the dark side. Maybe the songs are too long, maybe the band doesn’t live up to their name, but this slab just doesn’t stand out. (Martin Sprouse, MRR #42 • November 1986) - Well, unfortunately they didn't make a big bang with this record but I recommend checking their debut album which is a complete different caliber.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

here

NEONBABIES - Harmlos 1982

I hope it's finally getting warmer in this country, but until then the appropriate music has to help out, and wavie sounds are coming today by the Neonbabies from Berlin with their second album. The band has absolutely nothing to do with the Neue Deutsche Welle and their original & timeless songs belong to the best in the German underground scene, unfortunately they didn't get the attention they deserved, probably because the older ones the Humpe sisters got a lot more resonance with Ideal after she left. A newspaper at the time wrote: "Harmlos has humour, wit and irony but the catch was that the Neonbabies have just that spark of wit that the masses don't understand." That hits the core 100% in my opinion. Well, I like the album with its ten songs, which are characterized by Inga's beautiful voice and were brilliantly set to music by the talented musicians.

here

V/A - Killed By John Peel #2 2021

At the end of the month another request that I'm happy to fulfill is the second splendid new installment of the Killed By John Peel series, focused on the less known, Punker side of the amazingly rich archive of John Peel's BBC 1 Radio session recordings. A collection of hidden underground gems with fourteen tracks of pure Punkrock bliss by some of the most exciting (and unfairly forgotten) bands of their era. Released again by Vatican Radio Records and maybe a third Volume will follow in the foreseeable future, because such rare records are indispensable. This is the start of a one-week vacation for me, which of course will continue in April with lots of more great posts. A good start is made today, sunny weekend to you!

1.Mary Thompson - 2TV

2.Nasty Media - EXPELAIRES

3.Escort Girls - THE PERFECTS

4.Paranoia - THE PETTICOATS

5.I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry - TANZ DER YOUTH

6.Jilly - THE PIRANHAS

7.Skill - THE DESPERATE BICYCLES

8.Just Like Lazarus - JIMMY NORTON'S EXPLOSION

9.Love Is Just A Dream - LEYTON BUZZARDS

10.Face The Facts - ICON A.D.

11.Rolf - SPLODGENESSABOUNDS

12.Disco Love - THE MOLESTERS

13.Drink Problem - GYMSLIPS

14.Hungry - THE ZEROS

here

THE A.G.'S - Because A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste EP 1988

Founded 1985 in southeastern New Hampshire, this is the A.G.'S second 7Inch on SuperSeven Records and line-up on this six track piece were Bryan (vocals), Jon (guitars), Thatch (bass), Mike (drums). They released three Singles and one album before broke up early Nineties. In 1996, a solid compilation, This Earth Sucks, with all their studio songs was released via Ringing Ear Records which also includes an extensive biography of the band. Musically a treat for all KBD friends, catchy mid-tempo east coast sound that offers pleasant joy for ten minutes. I'm surprised that the detectives didn't put them on one of the relevant compis. Egal, the boys have talent and the snotty songs are exciting and good to listen.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

here

TWISTED NERVE - Caught In Session EP 1982

Awesome 7Inch by Twisted Nerve from Edinburgh, a four piece which were founded 1978 as the Insults by Gordon (vocals), Billy (guitars), Norbert (bass), Keith (drums) and this is their first record on Playlist Records. All three songs were recorded on a Session at the BBC Studios on 17/18th October 1981, broadcast by John Peel on November 2nd and 16th. They are one of the most underrated but one of the best goth Punk bands out there and after a long break they're back and and go on tour and here and there further vinyl comes out. A lots of Compilations contributions are not surprising because the catchy songs fits perfect with any decent record. A really interesting band that I can only recommend. Top!

here

FORD'S FUZZ INFERNO - Death To The Fuzz Family EP 2023

I'm a little behind, because Ford's Fuzz Inferno already put their creative sound machine into operation in January and presented another chapter from the fuzz workshop in the tranquil village of Kekerdom, and as self-confessed flitzefozzi I can only say: "Uiuiuiui!". Five dynamic and also 'melodic' pieces conjured they out of a hat which show a clear progression and infuse any damn tired mind with positive energy. Yesterday I finally had time, muse and the technique to listen & rip their fourth 7Inch and I will not repeating myself, but Mister Hans & Mister Patrick know write impulsive music. The Ford's appear in all songs short, concise, precise and focused on maximum effect, which rarely exceed the two-minute limit and combine explosive songs, a good songwriting with driving sawtooth fuzzbeat in a pleasant way and the fifth book is already out. Superb!!!

"Death To The Fuzz Family will unquestionably appeal to all the fans of raw, melodic, energetic Punkrock that carries all the vital elements of Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Proto-Grunge, and Indie Rock." (THOUGHTS WORDS ACTION - 30th January, 2023)

A few band words: "Yes boys & girls, it's Ford's Fuzz Inferno's fourth EP of totally fuzzed-out Punkrock awesomeness. Featured are the (relatively mild) track 'My Reality', which was previously available on the Book Of Fuzz - Part 1 CD, plus four more scorchers. Fuzz on!"

here

THE WRETCHED ONES - Live EP 1999

This cool picture vinyl by Knock Out Records feautures four cool live recordings (including the classic 'Goin' Down The Bar') and were taped 23.05.1998 in Hamburg @ the Grosse Freiheit 36 when the Wretched Ones supported Angelic Upstarts and Pit (vocals), G.T. (guitars), Bob (bass), Mike (drums) do a very good job. The Wretched Ones are a quartet from Midland Park, New Jersey and active since the late Eighties and with the demo ('89) they have released four albums, the last in 2007, and lots of 7Inches. To my knowledge the band broke up in 2009. What a good live band they were, shows this record impressively. "Fueled by singer Pit's gravelly, venom-spitting vocals, thick guitar, these guys are masters at this sort of stuff. It's basic, no-frills Punk, built on good riffs and sarcastic and smart lyrics" and the recording quality round off this little show 100%.👍

here

PINKOES - Into The Red EP 1979

OK folks, I'm back in the game and the following EP is the first vinyl rip in a good ½ year and I want to know if the shit works sound-wise and therefore I want to know from you if the rip is good or not. And it would be really helpful if you put your lazy ass up and leave your opinion on the sound. The Pinkoes was a short-lived three piece from London and consiste of Ted (vocals/guitars), Eric (bass), Peter (drums) and this is their lone piece on Popular Music with three amazingly good songs and I took note of the slab via Nolti's broadcast from 23/01/2023, which by the way is a must for any early UK Punk maniac, and I liked this song so much that I looked out for the record and could buy it cheap. Can't say more about the band but that's in this case not important, because their music is so fucking catchy and superb with two mid-tempo shots on the a-side and a dizzy gloomy flip about Mr.Smith, TOP! 

here

KNOTS - Heartbreaker EP 1980

First one today and it's a superb re-release by Knots only 7Inch with three tracks on RaveUp Records (500 copies). Info: "Back in the 1970s, Max’s Kansas City introduced many fine bands. Some of the best never got famous. Fuse, aka Knots, was one of the finest. Let’s start at the beginning: Joey Pinter (guitars) was looking to put a band together in the mid Seventies when he met ‘the loudest drummer I’ve ever heard in my life’: Niki Fuse! They recruited vocalist, Tommy Bell and began rehearsing with a parade of now forgotten bass players and began gigging at various dives in and around Manhattan. Soon, they scored gigs at CBGB and Max’s and began to attract a following that included Eric Dufaure, a former Island Records executive who asked them to record for his new label, Ideal Records. Unfortunately, band infighting had reduced Knots to Joey and Tommy, so they entered Neal Steingart’s Fly Studios in Brooklyn with replacement drummer, Jerry Ryan, and Pinter doing double duty on guitar & bass guitar! There, they recorded a few songs: the two that made it to the single, plus “Rock‘N’Roll,” “New York,” “Blinded By The Darkness", and “Glad To Be Alive“. When the finished record hit the streets in 1980, Knots became a hot commodity. I put the single on the Max’s jukebox, and Bleeker Bob’s sold out multiple copies. On Manhattan’s downtown club circuit, Knots shared bills with now-legendary outfits like the Heartbreakers, The Cramps and VON LMO, as well as headlining their own shows at Max’s. With Nick Fuse back in the drum seat and Big Tony Corio on bass, the Knots were on their way to fame and fortune! Knots also toured the nation with Johnny Thunders, but then in ‘81, Max’s Kansas City closed, CBGB went New Wave and Johnny took off for Europe. Knots broke up. Joey and Tony joined The Waldos, Fuse went on to play in a number of local groups, and Tommy disappeared. However, the Knots recordings have had a life of their own. They were covered by underground bands all over the world, used in a film soundtrack, and included on Punk Compis and so the legend has been kept alive. Through the years, only three of their recordings survived: “Action”, “Heartbreaker” & “Glad To Be Alive”, the latter released here for the first time!" (Peter Crowley)

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

here

V/A - This Is Mod Vol.2 (More Rarities 1979-1981)

I'll end the spring week with another compilation that's bursting with interesting music and a perfect start to recharge your batteries. A few weeks ago I started Volume 1 of this nice little series by Anagram Records which is brilliantly stocked with rarities, and the second ties in seamlessly with it. Seven more mod revivalists with their 7Inches are gathered here and intensifies this short-lived subculture with impulsive sound. And with this, a sunny weekend.

1.Twisted Wheels - KILLERMETERS

2.SX 225 - KILLERMETERS

3.Plane Crash - PURPLE HEARTS

4.Scooby Doo - PURPLE HEARTS

5.Gun Of Life - PURPLE HEARTS

6.The Fashion Plague - THE EXITS

7.Cheam - THE EXITS

8.Needs Somebody To Love - THE V.I.P's

9.One More Chance - THE V.I.P's

10.Stuttgart Special - THE V.I.P's

11.Who Knows? - THE V.I.P's

12.Janine - THE V.I.P's

13.Modern Boys - THE CROOKS

14.The Beat Goes On - THE CROOKS

15.Wild About You - THE CROOKS

16.Movements - THE CROOKS

17.All The Time In The World - THE CROOKS

18.Banging My Head - THE CROOKS

19.The Odd Man Out - TEENAGE FILMSTARS

20.I Apologise - TEENAGE FILMSTARS

21.Just A Little Mod - TERRY TONIK

22.Smashed & Blocked - TERRY TONIK

here