V/A - A Traves De Los Barrotes EP 1993

Small benefiz Compilation from the Iberian peninsula and this was created with the intention of expanding the campaign for the freedom of Pablo Serrano and raising funds for this project and four bands that I know nothing about, but that doesn't mean much, were ultimately passionate about it. Well, that was yesterday and I don't know if the proceeds brought something positive for him... what I know, this is a fascinating contemporary document that captures the musical diversity and creative spirit of people there in the early 90s. This compilation offers a deep insight into the subcultural diversity and currents of social issues that were relevant in Spain at that time. The selection of bands and songs is both varied and representative, creating a dynamic soundscape that is both nostalgic and timeless. Many of the songs reflect the challenges and hopes of the always dull society and the backgrounds and emotions worth thinking about. The arrangements are carefully designed and offer a balanced mix of melody & rhythm and also aggressive hardcore and light metal sounds, the record invites you to sing along and dance. Overall, A Traves De Los Barrotes is an important cultural artifact and is a tribute to the creativity and expression of the Spanish underground scene, very inspiring.

1.Muros De Papel - EL CORAZON DEL SAPO

2.Rectas Y Curvas - ACME

3.Gente Demasiado Lista - BASTARDOS DEL METAL

4.Cada Uno Es Como Es - BASTARDOS DEL METAL

5.En La Prisón - K.B.K.S.

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THE DYAKS - Gutter Kids 7'' 1977

Original released without a label, 1978 via Bonaparte Records with another B-side but all three goddies in this file. Info: The Dyaks were Chris (vocals/guitars), Groll (bass), Brian (drums) and Chris was also behind Jabberwock who produced the Majestic Proggy Glamster Sneakin’ Snaky around the same time. The Dyaks is a punky name and they had a punky sounding single title and a punky cover with a knife wielding kid on the front. But sorry to say, in all truth, an abysmal record that definitely isn’t Punk, PowerPop or NewWave. The single was Gutter Kids/It's A Game and it’s from the Punk school of The Who with its crashing open chords and melodic chorus but somehow fails to convince. A second single On The Run was recorded in February 1978 as a follow up but was never released (limited to 25 or less copies) which is more of the same. The earlier version of Gutter Kids (probably recorded at Pathway Studios in July 1977) is so much better than the released version. Here the guitar slash and crash in an updated 66 Who windmill fashion, while the song structure wins out by debuting the rousing chorus earlier than in the released version with the harmonies bringing a nice Powerpop sprinkling to Proceedings. The flip starts off in Clash mode before going nice and melodic, with an end betraying their pre-punk musicianship. The Dyaks/Jabberwock were really stuck in the middle of Year 0, unsure which bus to take, but as exemplified here; the superior chops and melodic core they possessed were in stark contrast to other more “credible” and run-of-the mill bandwagon Jumpers. Also featured on interesting Compilations, but only the title track of their first single was used for all, hmmmm..... well...at least. Remains to be mentioned that all the studio songs, only fucking four, are included in this delicious cocktail and you can decide for yourself which one is your favorite. It's time for a break, I'm done.

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SCHOOL TIES - No Future 7'' 1980

Now a rare 7Inch by this five piece called School Ties, founded in Hitchin and they consisted of Lian (vocals), Kevin (guitars), Alan (bass), Patrick (drums) & Chris (keyboard), they released their debut without a sleeve via SCF Records and I can't give more infos about the bio or anything else. Fact is, they made two 7Inches, this ist their first one and the second, which also contains two songs, were used for the essential The Quest Tapes Compilation from 1982. But their contribution to the also rare England Belongs To Me #2 Compi proves that they are valued and not everyone gets this attention from the detectives (they aren't gods either). Well, the title track is a refreshing statement with heart that exactly reflects the attitude to life at that time in the UK, a nice mid-tempo number with subtle keyboards... very very nice. The flip, on the other hand, is a bit bumpy, it comes across as stomping but the clean production makes up for everything. Also nice, especially the short solo keyboard sounds kind of snippy. I would say it's exactly the perfect sound to start breakfast, with a cold beer on a cold winter's day, the weekend is safe, only my broken toe is starting to get on my nerves.

- Great Thx to Nolti -

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ACTIVES - Wait & See 12'' 1984

Before I write any nonsense about the pseudo-love day Valentine, I first go to the Kiosk and get myself some poisonous stuff. Don't get me wrong but I don't like these 'self-made social days' at all and it is pathetic that people need such ready-made instructions, I think that if you love your partner, you definitely don't need these pre-arranged and coordinated events. Love comes from the heart, and even if it's empty, you know exactly what to do. And if anyone would like to take this as an opportunity, go ahead... it's never too late to express your love. I'm babbling nonsense again, let's get to the post damn it.... The Actives, hailing from Dunfermline and were formed in 1981 by friends & roadies of already established Anarcho-Punk band the Alternative. The inaugural line-up was Lewis (vocals), Budgie (bass) and Paul (drums). A number of temporary guitarists came & went until Graeme joined in 1982. They quickly recorded a couple of demos, the second of which impressed enough to see them secure a publishing deal with Strategy Music in London. A recording deal with Quiet Records, a subsidiary of the larger Illuminated Records, followed shortly after. In 1983 came then their debut album Kick It Down which is in my opinion an excellent Scottish Punkrock jewel. Four cool goodies on this and I'm sure you like them.

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V/A - Wahrschauer CD #1 1995

Today we come to an interesting Compilation that was created by a Berlin fanzine called Wahrschauer in 1995. At that time, there was an increasing trend to include a free CD as a supplement in the Heftsche, see OX, ZAP or others, in order to introduce new bands/music to the valued readers and of course to give the respective protagonists a platform to become better known through the local scene and thus attract attention and thus enable concerts outside their radius. This didn't always meet with a positive response, some said it was only intended to increase their circulation to Punk fans, but I think it is an excellent idea, because it is the only way for the 'small' bands to have a chance of being heard. And the Berlin Wahrschauer fanzine stuck to this brilliantly, because most of the CDs featured Berlin bands and in some cases the quality was astonishing. The special thing about it is always the do-it-yourself booklet, you just have to cut out the stuff, the dimensions are excellently formatted on the jewel case and you have an excellent self-made copy, which is fun and saves money. I can't say whether that's still the case today, I bought my last fanzine around that time, in the late 90s. Today, with social networks and online reading, that's all a thing of the past, but that was innovation and you were always waiting for the new issue. Well, dear friends, that's how it is. You almost degenerate into a rotten vegetable. I still have a few of them in stock, not many, but they will come out eventually, enjoy the music. Cheers!

1.A Daily Event - GERM ATTACK

2.Voll Proll - 1.MAI 87

3.Ey, Aller - FISCHMOB

4.Time & Money - LAZY COWGIRLS

5.Shit Load Of Records - TWO SECOND MICKEY

6.2$ Haircut - STEAKKNIF

7.W.O.N.G - GUTER

8.American Revolution - LOVE 666

9.Untoten - UNTOTEN

10.H-Story - RAWSIDE

11.Neue Wege - FUCKIN' FACES

12.Die Erfinder - DIE STRAFE

13.00679 - YETI GIRLS

14.Sag Mir Nicht - HAMMERFALL

15.Lost In Mind - SHITYRI

16.Some People - THE HIPPRIESTS

17.HAF - H.A.F.

18.Tequilamond - FLUCHTWEG

19.Story Teller - KELLY

20.Lost - CUBAN REBEL GIRLS

21.Never Reached Marakesh - DREADCLUB

22.Full Of Kings - WHITE MANS BUFFALO

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THE NOODLES - Dead For Nothing 7'' 1987

The Noodles were a five piece from from Angers and consisted of Gilles (vocals), Bruno & Doume (guitars), Jean-Mi (bass), Jeff (drums). Following their bassist's death (unfortunately, the release of the mini-album was marked by a tragic event, Jean-Mi was killed in a road accident), the band disbanded after releasing only one EP and one mini-album. I think, I give you two reviews from the time of release and you can see what a great PowerRock band they were: “Do we have any idea of ​​calling ourselves the Noodles? Especially when, like these Angevins, we are capable of such vigorous titles, between Hoodoo Gurus and Real Kids. Perfect production due to Christophe Sourice, and compositions still a little rough but whose merit is already to offer a perfect welcome to the guitars that sound like a cavalry charge”. (Monique Sabatier, Nineteen #23, June 87) - “Dead For Nothing is a real electric shock, wild and devastating… To be placed with the first Damned, Pistols, Buzzcocks…” (Rock Hardi n°15/16, 1987) - In 2017, Nineteen Something/[PIAS] released a CD compilation with all their studio songs, including their compilation contributions, which you can check out on bandcamp. What remains are some excellent songs from a short-lived band that wasn't able to conquer the French Punkrock ocean...... Dead For Nothing!

- Great Thx to Nolti -

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POP GUNS - Home Address... The Burning Road 7'' 1980

Now a rare PowerPop goodie by the short-lived Pop Guns, a three piece Jonathan (vocals/guitars), Steve (guitar), Graham (bass) with Larry (drums) on these recordings and this is their only piece on the singers label Radium Wreckords. More is unfortunately not published, except one more song was included on the great tape Compilation World Class Punk from 1984. The web says 1999 came an unofficial album out, The Complete Pop Guns 1980/1981 and this sucker includes fourteen songs that were part of the original recording session but I never seen it anywhere. Two nice mid-tempo numbers with cool guitars while the flip is a cool slowdown hit. Overall very nice. 

- Great Thx to Nolti -

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V/A - It Came From InnerSpace 1983

Now an Edmonton Compilation which had a lot of interesting bands on it, not all Punkrock but really cool. A review first: This new Canadian compilation is very much like the English samplers that proliferated wildly in the ’78 epoch, in that it features a bunch of Pop bands and one or two token punk groups. Of the latter, SNFU produces two powerful mid-tempo gems with crunching guitars and sing-along choruses (including the classic “Real Men Don’t Watch Quincy”), while Down Syndrome offers a couple of raunchy garage Punkers. Of the pop bands, the Standards and the Thieves stand out above the wimpy pack by virtue of a heavier guitar sound and an unobtrusive ’60s tinge. The overall effect is rather refreshing in our current era of musical segregation. (Jeff Bale, MRR #12 • March 1984) All in all, a comfortable and stress-free selection that is perfect for cooking and I will now put it into practice and conjure up some meatballs, perhaps I will send you a small visual impression of this. But first I want to get one or teo beers to come in the right mood, while I'm working on another selfmade-sampler and yesterday I dusted off my place so the girls can come.

1.Nerve Gas Attack - THE TOUCH

2.What's Old Is What's New - THE THIEVES

3.Where Is She During The Week? - ROUTE 66

4.I Know Some People - FACECRIME

5.You're A Punk - DOWN SYNDROME

6.Party's Over - MALIBU KENS

7.(Real Men Don't Watch) Quincy - SNFU

8.Break Out - THE STANDARDS

9.421-1111 - MALIBU KENS

10.Screams - THE THIEVES

11.Strip Search/Grunt, Groan, Rant & Rave - SNFU

12.Did I Hear You Right? - FACECRIME

13.Family Tree - THE TOUCH

14.Bums - DOWN SYNDROME

15.Had Enough Of This - ROUTE 66

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HEAVY MÄDELS - Durchdrehn EP 1989

Today a little record that I'm sure many have been waiting for and since I'm a happiness maker, hahaha, I don't want to withhold this nugget from you. We are talking about the Heavy Mädels from Sindelfingen and they are the progenitor of Mädels No Mädels and this is their only 7Inch with six fantastic blasts on FAE Musik. They didn't have a big breakthrough, but here they sound musically rougher and the lyrics are also much more aggressive than later. Musically varied and definitely at home in '77 punk, plus the rich production, which in my opinion is rather untypical for a debut, makes this little piece of heaven essential. Bold melodies and damn authentic, that's what dirty Punkrock should sound like.

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TV-WA® - Berlin West EP 1980

Well, there's a lot of shit going on at the moment and I really have a lot to do to sort it all out, hence my brief absence, I wasn't really in the mood to post here or answer emails. It's another classic slump that life has thrown at me. And the info that krakenfiles is now completely rubbish with advertising etc. is also not convenient for me and I will not re-upload all the files. If you find a broken file, write it in the comments and I will change it. Today's record: TV-War was a four piece from Berlin and consisted of Matze (vocals/bass), David (guitars/vocals), Detlef (drums), Conny (piano/vocals) and this is, I think, their self-released debut with three cool goodies and the first release comes with a xeroxed sleeve and was limited of 100 copies. I like their rough sound and their critical lyrics, which often address social and political issues. TV-WAR was part of the ascending German Punk & New Wave scene and made a name for themselves through their energetic live performances and is considered influential within the Berlin subculture. Anyway, they have a record out and it's coming soon and the EP is absolutely recommendable.

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