DOMINOES - Lies EP 1982

Superb EP by this four piece from Milwaukee called the Dominoes, consisted of Clancy & Gerard (vocals/guitars), Bobby (bass), Mike (drums) and this is their lone 7Inch on New Deal Records. Info: "Clancy Carroll started playing music at age 13 and within a couple years formed his first band. His early influences included Jimi Hendrix, Alice Copper & David Bowie. He caught the Punk bug a couple years later after seeing the Ramones play live in a small club in June '77. His band at the time was called Ozone. Initially playing house parties and school dances, they eventually went on to win a huge battle of the bands competition. The group was rewarded with studio time and a short run 45. However, once the sessions began, they found out another band was called Ozone, so they changed their moniker to something a little more Punk sounding: The Ones. By mid-1980, Clancy wanted to move in a different direction. So he started rehearsing with Gerard LaValliere who had just left the Haskels. Marty Chittum and Mark Graves filled in for a short while, but things really came together for the band when Bobby Mitchell came on board. He had played in The Haskels as well, but left shortly after they released their stellar Taking The City By Storm EP. Bobby then suggested Mike Farrow, a drummer from Oshkosh, come in to solidify the Dominoes line-up. Mike started playing drums just a year earlier and the Dominoes would be his first band. This is just a short intro about the Dominoes by Mike from Cheaprewards Blog and read the full bio there, I wanna give you a press review from that time: "The Dominoes are a pretty attractive combo who adhere to a classicist version of Rock'N'Roll with their two guitars, bass and drums format. They're aiming for a clean sound approaching the purity of the Rockabilly Music, including in their repertoire mostly tune from the Sixties. It's a joy to hear, and on this base the band shows much potential." Well, it's not as bad as it sounds, three cool songs, the first cut is the winner for me.

Finally a little TV tip: if you're bored, watch Alice In Borderland. Great story, very good actors, excellent dialogue, and worth watching for the visuals.

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V/A - Bloodstains Across Texas 1992

Now it's fucking Monday again and pheww... I can tell you, it's a bit tiring jetting around the world, meeting people and always giving 100%... but the effort is worth it because these are always valuable friendships and they need to be nurtured. Having landed in Houston and with me this beautiful record with eighteen essential Punkrock blasts in my luggage (I think it's the last missing Bloodstains goodie in this damn blog) and the slab shines in all its glory like the area of ​​the second large state of the damn United States. Well, as I said, music from this contaminated state is straightforward and hits you hard in the ears and I guess it is one of the most successful Compis of this series. It starts superbly and ends magnificently; it's pure gold! Considering how much money these records cost these days, it's quite remarkable, especially since they're almost impossible to get anymore. It's a profoundly impactful record and highlights some of the important bands of the early years and is another great piece of American Punk history that you can't missed.

1.Rather See You Dead - LEGIONAIRES DISEASE

2.Cheap Rewards - THE NEXT

3.I.U.D. - PLASTIC IDOLS

4.Doctor's Wives - INSERTS

5.The Badge Means You Suck - AK-47

6.Earthquake Shake - SKUNKS

7.John Wayne Was A Nazi - STAINS

8.Scavenger Of Death - BOBBY SOXX

9.Learn To Hate In The '80s - BOBBY SOXX

10.Busy Kids - HUNS

11.Lost Causes - THE OFFENDERS

12.The New Ones - INANIMATE OBJECTS

13.She's In Love With The Rolling Stones - TELEFONES

14.Are You Into Destruction - BODYSNATCHERS

15.My Girlfriend Is A Rock - NERVEBREAKERS

16.Baby's Playing Games - VOMIT PIGS

17.I Was A Teenage Fuckup - REALLY RED

18.Hydrohead - THE EJECTORS

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PURPLE HEARTS - Frustration 7'' 1979

A quick visit to my favorite city in Europe: London. Here we enjoy the company of a nice band that provides a bit of an emotional moment. And they deserve a bit info from wiki: The Purple Hearts are an mod revival band which were formed 1977 in Romford, eastern Greater London. They were often considered one of the best English mod revival groups, the NME calling them "one of the few mod bands to actually cut it on Rock'N'Roll terms". They started in 1977 when teenagers Jeff Shadbolt, Simon Stebbing, Bob Manton, and Nick Lake formed the band in Romford as The Sockets, before they even knew how to play their instruments. They formed for the purpose of getting a support slot at a Buzzcocks gig at the East London Polytechnic, to debut their tongue-in-cheek rock opera. In 1978, their drummer Nick Lake broke his leg. He was replaced by Gary Sparks. The band switched their name to Purple Hearts, after an amphetamine-barbiturate mixture popular with the mods of the 1960s. Accordingly, they changed their sound from the rough-edged Punkrock, to a more mod-influenced sound, which, thanks largely to The Jam, was beginning to capture public attention. In September 1979, the band scored a minor hit with their debut single, "Millions Like Us" which reached number 57 in the UK Singles Chart. The band then toured the UK with Secret Affair and Back To Zero on 'the march of the mods' tour in 1979. The band's second single, "Frustration" was released in November that year and a tour of the UK follows to promote the single.

In 1980 they released their debut album, Beat That! and was produced by Chris Parry of Fiction Records. The single 'Jimmy' is taken from and gave them another minor hit reaching number 60 in the UK chart in March 1980. After the commercial failure of Beat That!, the band parted company with Fiction Records, before signing a one-off single deal with Safari which produced the "My Life's A Jigsaw" single and the 7Inch did make the BBC Radio One playlist, but didn't make it to the national charts. A final single, "Plane Crash" was released in 1982, on the independent record label Roadrunner Records before the band split up in November of that year after a failed American trip. After the Hearts, Jeff Shadbolt joined The Rage, who included Brett Ascott from The Chords. Gary Sparks joined High Zierra with former members of Department S, Tony Lourdan, Mark Taylor and Michael Herbage. Simon Stebbing joined Hearts On Fire who recorded an album Dreams Of Leaving and two EPs for Midnite Records. Bob Manton joined Simon Stebbing and Peter Green in cosmic country rockers Owen & The Deacons. They resurfaced in 1984 to release a live album, Head On Collision Time (1985) recorded live at the 100 Club, and their second studio effort, Popish Frenzy (1986). A single "Friends Again" taken from this album was released on Unicorn Records. In 1986 the group toured West Germany, Austria and the Netherlands before once again calling it a day. They re-convened at the Mods Mayday '99 show, recorded for the Detour Records live compilation album. In 2003, Stebbing produced a rarities goodie, Smashing Time, also released on Detour Records. Two superb songs, and I'm sure each of us came across with the lyrics and can tell about such feelings, because we're not morons, to that the catchy sound and you're captivated.

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SHAG - Panik In Der Hauptstadt 7'' 1991

An extreme rare record is the only one by this combo named Shag, a four-piece from IDon'tKnowWhere but what I found is, both tracks were recorded in the early Eighties, but released in 1991 via Heinz Mettich Records, for a band reunion. Well, both songs are catchy and not bad at all. The A-side is about people who find themselves in unpleasant situations and panic because it triggers fear, and they desperately search for a way out. The flip is about lies and self-deception, a sensitive topic I've been directly confronted with in recent weeks, and it's time to shed some baggage and go ahead again. In addition to the single, Shag made a small demo tape with eight songs two years later. I would be very interested in hearing it. If anyone has it, please send it. That's it for now, some Re-Ups are done and always remember: Never stand still, my Friends!

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THE THOUGHT CRIMINALS - Food For Thoughtcrimes EP 1979

Before I return to Texas, I'll quickly jet off to Sydney and visit the Thought Criminals, who were founded in the late seventies. The Thought Criminals were an influential and enterprising combo and disbanded in late 1981. The "angular, fast and quirky Punkrock" of the Thought Criminals was a fixture in the burgeoning Sydney underground scene." The band's name was derived from the concept of 'thoughtcrimes' (unapproved thoughts) from George Orwell's book, Nineteen Eighty-Four. They exemplified the do-it-yourself ethos with which they combined considerable business acumen. The band members formed the Doublethink record label and  which provided recording and live performance opportunities for other new bands. They built up a following with performances at mainly inner-city venues. The music of the Thought Criminals, in their early recordings and live performances, has been described as a "jagged, frantic sound" and often had an irreverent sense of humour. This is their second release with five splendid numbers. More stuff in this theater available.

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INSERTS - s/t EP 1981

From Austin/Texas came the Inserts and the foursome consisted of Billy (vocals), Steve (guitar), Vic (bass), Fred (drums) and as their popularity grew, they rushed into the studio to record their debut EP which was released on the Classified label and we listen to three nice goodies. Musically, it's brilliantly driving and catchy, as if they've never done anything else. Texas Punk is, alongside California and New York, my absolute favorites. This record is very subtle and has a great bass line and Billy's voice fits brilliantly, exactly what a tired soul needs. The song "Doctor's Wives" is featured on the Bloodstains Across Texas Compilation. And I just noticed that this compi isn't on the blog... I thought everyone would be there, so I'll add it right away. Until then, enjoy the Inserts!

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PLASMATICS - Meet The Plasmatics 12'' 1979

Absolutely worth listening to and no less interesting is the following 12Inch by the Plasmatics. A Punkrock/Heavy Metal band which formed by Rod Swenson & Wendy O. Williams in New York City 1978. They were a controversial group known for chaotic, destructive live shows and outrageous theatrics. These included chainsawing guitars, destroying speaker cabinets, sledgehammering television sets and blowing up automobiles live on stage. This is, I think, their second vinyl on Vice Squad Records with three cool numbers (the flip lasts almost eleven minutes). They spanned five studio albums and multiple EPs. Aside from Williams and Rod, guitarist Wes Beech was the only other permanent member of the group. Guitarist Richie Stotts was a co-founder of the band and a mainstay of the pre-breakup core group (1978–1983). You should be able to find a few basics, a detailed bio and some information. I need some food now; yesterday is still weighing heavily in my bones. Check them for more records.

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THE DARK - The Masque 7'' 1982

I think The Masque was the Dark's last 7Inch and features two fantastic tracks, released via Fresh Records. Well, what else can I say? They are well known in the UK Punk scene and you have probably come across them, especially they've been on a lot of Compilations which aren't always great records, and mostly with this title track. Why do people do this? Probably to make money, I guess. And whether the band gets anything out of it is equally questionable. Well, life stinks and later I'm on a short trip to Cologne, let's see what's going on there, invited to the company party.

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FEELING B - Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa 1989

Today we're turning on the time machine and enjoying a short trip to a totalitarian state that held its people captive, screwed everyone over, and made it difficult to live a decent life there, at least if you didn't like the system. I bought this record for a bargain at a flea market, and it's the debut of Berlin's Feeling B. A bit info: The band was founded in early 1983 by Rompe as a solo singer-songwriter project Feeling Berlin, but after the addition of Kriening and Landers it was shortened to Feeling B because a band called Feeling Berlin already existed. They started out firmly grounded in the underground Punk scene. As early as the end of 1983, the band was in possession of a so-called "Einstufung," which, at least in principle, allowed concerts throughout the German Democratic Republic without reprisals. Over time, Feeling B's popularity grew greatly and frontman Aljoscha Rompe (1947–2000), a Swiss living in East Berlin, supplied the vocals to the band's songs. Rompe, Paul (guitars) and keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz were the only consistent members throughout the band's history. At various times, the band included bassist Christoph Zimmermann and drummers Alexander Kriening & Christoph "Doom" Schneider. Landers, Lorenz, and Schneider later found fame with Rammstein. First Arsch drummer and future Rammstein singer Till Lindemann participated once with Feeling B for the song "Lied Von Der Unruhevollen Jugend", an interpretation of a Russian communist song, for which he is credited on the album Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa. Landers contributed guitar to First Arsch's 1992 album Saddle Up. Lindemann and Landers, as members of Rammstein, performed this song live in St. Petersburg & Moscow in 2001, during that band's 'Mutter' tour. On 9 November 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, Feeling B was performing in West Berlin as part of a gig endorsed by the socialist government in order to promote the eastern side. Flake noticed some friends among the crowd that wouldn't normally be able to be there and was informed of the collapse of the wall. The band was unable to return home that night because all the holes through the wall were so crowded. Feeling B released two albums following the fall of the Wall, Wir Kriegen Euch Alle (1991) + Die Maske Des Roten Todes (1993), both more successful than their predecessor, according to Flake. The group disbanded in the mid-1990s. On special occasions, the band members got together for individual concerts at Punk festivals, until Rompe died in November 2000 of an asthma attack at 53 years old. Zimmermann died in a plane crash in 1999. Eventually, Lorenz re-discovered tapes of old and partial unreleased recordings. This unreleased material and remixes of some already known songs were released as Grün & Blau in 2007. Their mix of Punk, fun, and amateurism appeals to me rather cautiously, I prefer fast, dirty, and direct, but they lived this style extremely convincingly.

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V/A - Afrika Corps 1983

A mix of established and lesser-known South African bands is a great opener for September and this nice Compilation was originally released on cassette by french label Western Front Tapes in 1983. Compiled by Rubin ‘wildman’ Rose, it features, in addition to the well-known bands of that period - Wild Youth (South Africa's first Punkrock band, formed in 1978 and Rubin Rose's group), Leopard, Gay Marines (both among the very first bands of the scene) and Powerage (from Durban, on the scene since 1981) - lesser-known names with almost non-existent discographies but certainly worthy of being brought to light today. Those selection gave a broader and clearer picture of what it meant to be a Punk band in the apartheid years and the recordings are very authentic and reflect brilliantly the difficulties of getting usable recordings in comfortable studios. So this tape is been re-released by Shout It Loud, and I believe this label is focused of rare international gems of the early days, having already released five nuggets and I'll keep an eye on them.

1.Record Co’s - WILD YOUTH

2.Girls Who Love Me - ULTRA WHITE LOVERS

3.Into The Gutter - DEAD BABIES

4.Your Gen. Make Me Sick - GAY MARINES

5.Pratical Solution - WILD JUSTICE

6.All Is Plastic - PRIVATE FILE

7.Action-Man - WILD YOUTH

8.World War 3 - POWERAGE

9.No Return - GAY MARINES

10.Surf Rebels - ROTORS

11.Is This Your Own Life - WARSPIKE

12.Boys & Bitches - LEOPARD

13.Cars And Girls - ULTRA WHITE LOVERS

14.Terrorist Attack - WARSPIKE

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