THE PAST - In The Future With The Past 1990

Short and painless, this is the sound of the first record by the Past after their long hiatus and it's an Explosion!, released via Birdnest Records and twelve smashers in less than twenty minutes have Linus (vocals/guitar), Pelle (bass/vocals), Roger (drums/vocals) smashed out at the Studio White Room on a cold grey November day. I guess, the songs turned out extremely awesome because there is a lot of darkness in Sweden at this time and I can well imagine how I would jump out of my skin with the gray haze and I have to admit I couldn't live there, too little sun. Well, maybe that wasn't the reason and I've never been to Köping, so it's purely fictional. Well, considering that the Past have released a total of four albums (last in 2021) there is little information about them, but that's okay. The music is decisive and with this album, which you aren't find on the crawling table for a special offer, the three created a solid little masterpiece. I know, you will love it!

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SPERMBIRDS - A Columbus Feeling 2010

Now to a band that I like to play again and again and I have to admit that I would have liked to posted their debut but I can't find the record anymore. I've looked everywhere but this fucker isn't there and I know I had the first two, what I found is a burned CD of the two albums but I'm not in the mood to rip it now. I postpone that to later and now the band's eighth album (Rookie Records), and this shine with unruly Hardcore/Punk, and since 1983 the German underground scene, and Lee lyrically expresses here again his strongest and best.

We're talkin' about the Spermbirds from Kaiserslautern and by members of the melodic combo Walter Elf (including Lee Hollis, an American G.I. stationed in Germany, as vocalist and Frank & Roger (guitars), Markus (bass), Beppo (drums), they created a fast Hardcore/Punk sound with excellent lyrics that gained popularity in Germany and beyond. Spermbirds’ most successful album was their 1986 debut, Something To Prove, which drew influence from many American bands. The cover features a picture of Cerebus the Aardvark created by Canadian comic book author Dave Sim. Sim made mention of the album in his widely column in Cerebus, saying that although the band had not obtained permission to use his artwork, he would not harass them with legal action. Spermbirds split up in 1990, but reformed later in 1993 releasing a number of albums and are still touring today.

A very good powerful start into the weekend is guaranteed and let's see what's going on tonight.

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ARNAKIA - Στο Στόμα Του Λύκου 1993

A beautiful day ends with the travel documents that arrived by post today, and I want to announce where we are going with the following slab and I found some infos for you: "This album is a landmark in the Greek underground scene. An unsurpassed and unique record that to this day when you listen to it you understand its value. The lyrics are mostly pessimistic and dark and show how much they were influenced by the Darkwave scene of the time. Aρνάκια (transliterated and commonly known as Arnakia) were a three piece that started 1984 in Athens. They played concerts in many well-known clubs and venues (such as Pegasus and Scarecrow). The also participated in protest concerts, and on the famous Anti-Death Recipe Compilation from 1986. As a three member band, Dimitris (vocals/bass), Charis (guitars), Antonis (drums), they release their first record titled In The Mouth Of The Wolf at the end of 1993 via Wipe Out Records. The album features eight melodic nuggets with strong lyrical content and a powerful Punkrock-influenced sound, characterized by dynamic guitars. In October 1996, and while recording their second, self-titled record, their drummer Antonis died due to a heart condition that he had from birth. They disbanded in 1999." Very catchy & pleasant music like a delicious drink, Cheers!

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X RAY SPEX - GermFree Adolescents 1978

A real classic is the debut by X Ray Spex with the unforgettable powerful voice of Poly Styrene, who sadly passed away in 2011 and this album features great songs about identity, feminism, and consumer society with fire and joy. Musically, the five keep the level constantly high, even with an instrument that is not typical for Punkrock, a saxophone, they manage to integrate this passable. A perfect review: "Perhaps the most utopian aspect of the U.K. Punk scene was that it offered creative, articulate young people the opportunity to express themselves, and to kick up an exuberantly noisy racket in the process. X-Ray Spex certainly came from this wing of the movement, the brainchild of two female schoolmates who re-christened themselves Poly Styrene and Lora Logic. X-Ray Spex was far from the only female-centered British punk act, but they were arguably the best, combining exuberant energy with a cohesive worldview courtesy of singer and songwriter Poly Styrene. As her nom de Punk hinted, Styrene was obsessed with the artificiality she saw permeating Britain's consumer society, linking synthetic goods with a sort of processed, manufactured humanity. Styrene's frantic claustrophobia permeates the record, as she rails in her distinctively quavering yowl against the alienation she feels preventing her from discovering her true self. Germfree Adolescents is tied together by Styrene's yearning to be free not only from demands for consumption, but from the insecurity corporate advertisers used to exploit their targets (especially in women) -- in other words, to enjoy being real, imperfect, non-sterile humans living in a real, imperfect, non-Day-Glo world. Fortunately, the record is just as effective musically as it is conceptually. It's full of kick-out-the-jams rockers, with a few up-tempo thrashers and surprisingly atmospheric pieces mixed in; the raw, wailing saxophone of Rudi Thomson (who replaced Lora Logic early on) gives the band its true sonic signature. The CD reissue of Germfree Adolescents appends both sides of the classic debut single "Oh Bondage Up Yours!," one of the most visceral moments in all of British Punk, which means everything you need is right here." (Steve Huey) Great stuff and still unique!

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V/A - 1984: The First Sonic World War 1984

This great Compilation is not really new in Blogland but this is my copy and all scans are within and I think, the 1984 serie by the French label New Wave Records has spawned a remarkable series of international combos over time that sooner or later made it to some notoriety. The first part consists mainly French sounds, but that changed with each additional one and bands from all over the world were asked to send their demos for the following volumes and exclusive, four comps in all, were created. Rare items these days I would say. A short review: "This French Sampler contains a wide variety of Punk styles: classical, garage, thrash, skunk (big in France), and drum-machine/synth Punk (which the French seem to have cornered the market on). Some choice thrash, and there’s lots of good stuff and a dozen more. Tres bien!" (Tim Yohannan, MRR #15 • July 1984) A little Oi! stuff is also there. I like the slab for its perfect mix of songs and the artwork is also excellent. Never boring and selectable at any time. It's getting warm today, so a little trip to the lake... music on.

1.Benefactor Of People - HUMAN BEING

2.Nucléaire Mon Ami - LES CADAVRES

3.New Clear War - ANGRY RATS

4.The Kind - ABJECT

5.Paul Tibbets - STAKHANOV SS

6.Mitterand - K.B.T.

7.Don't Be The First - SUB KIDS

8.Hazler Reir - LOS TOREROS

9.Schlag - HEIMAT

10.Just Wanna Be Myself - ELECTRONAZE

11.Alleluia - R.A.S.

12.Agenouillé Dans Les W.C. - COLLABOS

13.Les Poings Levés - L'INFANTERIE SAUVAGE

14.Hurt - HURT

15.Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - PANIK

16.Les Dix Commandements - RICDU'S CHAOS

17.Svetlana - KREMLIN KONTINGENT

18.Psalm № Ⅱ - DEADLOCK

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COSMIC PSYCHOS - Blokes You Can Trust 1991

As I write this post I'm sitting here at the computer, drinking my third beer and listening to relaxed music that doesn't belong here, but I know this record by Australians Cosmic Psychos by heart, and you attentive followers know I dig these guys with their "arty kind of Punk noise" and for their third album, the band signed to Amphetamine Reptile Records for the American market. Unfortunately, they only gained limited recognition, but those who don't appreciate their music are just simply stupid morons in my eyes. Known for their droning, fuzzed-out bass and wah-wah guitar with repetitive lyrics, the Cosmic Psychos have a simple sound that works well in context and remained largely untouched since they formed in 1982. You will find excellent examples ☝ in the blog and I especially want to recommend the live slab to you: dynamic driving Punkrock like I love it which they continue with ten goodies on this album, no foot & ass stays still, I promise. The Cosmic Psychos are a fantastic combo, an essential part of the Melbourne scene and in general Punkrock music... believe me! And today soccer is finally starting again, life is superb (in some moments). ENJOY!!!!

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STRYCHNINE - Je Veux 1981

Second album by Strychnine on Disc'Az. Coming from the Punk wave of 1977, the group made up of five friends from the François Magendie high school in Bordeaux and took part in the Mont-de-Marsan Festival. A year later they recorded the first album Jeux Cruels in 1980 and one more fucking year later this piece of wax and broke up nine months later and reactivated in 2008 and the third album, Tous Les Cris followed in 2010 and earned mostly positive feedback. They're also featured on lots of nasty Compilations which want to be found. Twelve songs that are a bit more wave oriented than the debut and for my taste it lacks a bit of power, but still some highlights and my short review: nice and acceptable.

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DIESTINCT - Se Men Inte Röra 1981

Three young piece from Sundsvall and Diestinct consisted of Jan (vocals/guitars), Mikael (bass), Jörgen (drums) and was a magnificent live band, a hard-hitting trio that delivered pop-punk at a level no other band could at the time. Hundreds of gigs, two albums and four singles were released before disbanded in 1985. This is their first full-length on Mistlur with ten PowerPop/Punk nuggets, some of them have more than four minutes, which I find a bit long among others, but overall the three make it mostly acceptable and therefore not uninteresting. Also rewarded on numerous Compilations, which you check out for yourself. Good record.

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SCHLIESSMUSKEL - Sehet, Welch Ein Mensch! 1989

Two years after their great debut, the second album followed on We Bite Records with thirteen cool goodies with again sharp & nippy lyrics plus fast music. Schliessmuskel is, I think, a splendid band name, but transported the four immediately into the Fun-Punk category, which they always rejected for good reason. "Their songs are mostly between one and two minutes long and present the band from their funny and crazy side nad the songs gives you a peculiar, sick mood, which is reinforced by the rarely life-affirming lyrics. Humor is an integral part of the four. Although their understandable words regularly speak of self-doubt and fears - or gloomy, grotesque stories are told, her simple rhymes almost never lack a portion of irony or comedy." I recommend the CD Compilation 1986-89 which contains their first EP plus both albums, a brutal explosion of blood, sweat and Punkrock. Weekend rings!

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CEREBRAL BALLZY - Jaded & Faded 2014

Formed 2008 in Brooklyn by Honor Titus (vocals), Jason & Mason (guitars), Melvin (bass), Crazy Abe (drums), Cerebral Ballzy released their debut 2011 and shot immediately through the roof. Their love for energetic Eighties Punk is unmistakable and the third and final album Jaded & Faded (released via Cult Records) features thirteen tracks in just under twenty-six minutes and demonstrates this in an impressive way. Distorted fuzz sound meets fast solid tempo, that's exactly what a decent Punk record needs, no one sleeps or dawdles here, the five wash the dust out of your brain and kick ass hard and the level is constantly tense, plus sounding melodic and aggressive characterizes the band. I'm telling you, if you've had a shitty day at work and need the boost back, put this music in your player and you feel yourself alive again, guaranteed. Info at the end: following their release of Jaded & Faded, Cerebral Ballzy parted ways with guitar player Mason. They performed with Mason on Last Call with Carson Daly on 6 May 2014. It is alleged that Mason left the band shortly after while they were on tour with OFF! in 2014 and the band eventually broke up in 2015. What remains? A few singles and three very good albums from an extraordinary combo. Superb!!!

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