THE FREEZE - Rabid Reaction 1985

Let's visit Cape Cod, Massachusetts and honor a fantastic combo who release absolutely brilliant records and live are a real pleasure: The Freeze with their second album on Modern Method Records and it is equipped with ten mid-tempo nuggets, speedy melodies and smart inspired lyrics with piercing social observations, recorded by Cliff (vocals), Bill (guitars), Pete (bass), Lou (drums) and I can only say: Top Record! And if you wanna hear the gents live I recommend the rare album Live From Cape Cod which came out 2007 and was recorded @ the Mill Hill Club, 12.April 1980 and I guarantee you a special experience. One of the greatest American punkbands of all time and they're still active and they may come into your town!

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VITAMIN A - Anarchie In Disneyland 2003

Damn rare record by Rotten Totten Records and this Berlin label is known for its small editions. Specializing in rare punk from the early years from the capital, Vitamin A came from Neukölln and consisted of Erbse (vocals), Norman (guitars), Ronnie (bass), Torpedo (drums) and apart from compilations the band didn't put anything on vinyl. Side A contains these recordings while the B-side provides us ten songs from their demotape, but in modest quality. Howsoever, the makers of RTR do a very good job and we are grateful for that, 200 copies of this beauty were pressed. Enjoy your damn hot weekend!

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UPROAR - Never Forgive 1985

This band shots forward vehemently with their second album on Underground Records. Uproar is a four piece from Peterlee/County Durham and started under the name The Demented in 1980, on this record are involved Stu (vocals), Baz (guitars), Woody (bass) and Gav (drums). Tim Yohannan reviews in MMR #38, July 1986: "A big sound, classic Britpunk sound - lots of production, accent on vocals and choruses. Professional punk from England." I would say short and sweet but there is nothing to add, remarkable two cover versions of old classics which they celebrate properly. This stuff was released via the German label Wave Records and they also guest on a few solid compilations and their last sign of life was the 2017 album Waiting For The Revolution which they self released, I think they're still alive so watch out for gigs and more records and the album title "Never Forgive" also suits the seventy-fifth anniversary of the atomic drop by the American army on Nagasaki, but that is pure coincidence.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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THE SUBHUMANS - No Wishes, No Prayers 1983

Second and final album by the Subhumans, a Vancouver band, on SST Records, a bit info about this record: In 1981, just back from a gruelling tour across the continent which included a full-scale police riot in LA and other harrowing events, Gerry and Jim left the band. They were replaced by bassist Ron Allan and drummer Randy Bowman for more gigs and touring, working up for this album with twelve catchy punkies and like their debut Incorrect Thoughts highly recommended. A good review for you: "An aggressive ’77-punk style melds with strong lyrics to create brilliant cuts like “America Commits Suicide” and a very catchy version of “Googolplex”; there’s even a killer cover of MENACE’s “Screwed Up” to satisfy Britpunk enthusiasts. All we can do now is hope that they get back together and tour." (Steve Spinali, MRR) - There's nothing to add and all those who asked for re-upps, will come tomorrow.

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TECHNYCOLOR - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (1979-1981) 2015

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien ("No, I don't regret anything") is the most famous chanson by Édith Piaf and the fitting title of this splendid compilation by Static Age Records, which was released in 2015. 400 copies were pressed, from that 100 limited in red wine silkscreenprint cover (my copy). Switzerland is a very small country, but has produced an infinite number of good bands. Punk exists there as music, political and youth culture, with the scene developing from the mid-1970s and flourishing between 1976 and 1981. One of the first bands (1977) was the Zurich Nasal Boys. Later bands like Bellevue, TNT, Sperma and of course Technycolor were founded, which released their first EP "Bunker" in 1979. Today priceless the original. Technycolor from Geneva make dark (post) punk with French lyrics. Especially "Tot 77" about the death of the RAF members in Stammheim convinced with provocative German exclamations like "Stammheim/Helmut Macht Frei". Whoever dug here did a great job. There are unpublished studio recordings, radio sessions (all from the early days) and lots of material that makes you wonder why it wasn't released back then. This record is a collection with fourteen varied & experimental songs, consisting of the Bunker 7Inch, plus unpublished pieces of their early repertoire, and already very sought in these harsh times. Comes with a twenty-four page booklet in french/english and Ford Rouge (vocals), Ray & Victor (guitars), Yvesteric (bass), Mike (synth) and Fred (drums) invite you for dance, so let's pogo.

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YOUTH BRIGADE - Sound & Fury 1983

Now a masterpiece, the sun is gone and it seems rain is coming soon. Youth Brigade is an L.A. institution of awesome Punk music and established in 1980 and going strong ever since! Formed as a trio by brothers Shawn (vocals/guitar), Adam (bass) and Mark Stern (drums) in 1980, the band subsequently founded the great BYO (Better Youth Organization) label and they released five studio albums (counting one released as The Brigade), of which the last was released in 1996. Almost each album was recorded with the original lineup of the Stern brothers; bassist Bob Gnarly replaced Adam in 1985 during the recording of The Dividing Line, which was released as the Brigade. Adam returned in 1991 (when the band reunited) and contributed to the band's 1992 Come Again EP and their next two albums (Happy Hour & To Sell The Truth) before leaving once again in 2007. Youth Brigade continues to tour to this day, although, other than six new tracks on the 1999 split album BYO Split Series Volume II, they have not released a full-length studio album since To Sell The Truth in 1996. Youth Brigade's first and most influential album is the classic Sound & Fury record. Thirteen blasts, including tracks "We'll Sink With California" and "What Will The Revolution Change?", the latter being an introspective critique about the punk movement itself. Two very different versions of this album exist, with the rare first edition containing many different songs from the second edition. The first edition is now available on CD and is entitled "Out Of Print". Represented on relevant compilations, a few I have and coming soon.

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P.F. COMMANDO - Jag En Duva 1980

Third and final album by P.F. Commando from Gävle on Mamma and here they show again that they can write very good songs, a total of eleven catchy examples of grandiose music. More dirty samples, the Manipulerade Mongon album + two singles are also recommended and since it will be a hot day today and tomorrow, nothing will happen in this theater. Enjoy the Sun!

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UHF - À Flor Da Pele 1981

Endlich das debut by my favourite band UHF, a Portuguese rock band formed in the late 70s, more precisely in 1978, with the formation composed by Américo Manuel (drums), Carlos Peres (bass guitar), Renato Gomes (guitar) and António Manuel Ribeiro (voice & guitar). They were one of the main responsible for the ‘boom’ of the so-called Portuguese rock that emerged in the early 1980s since, until that time, Portuguese publishers did not bet on rock bands that sang in Portuguese, and, tell the truth, Portuguese youth preferred music sung in English. Their music is a mix of powerpop and punk, I would say, and I have highlighted them enough with every post and if you think that's shit then check out the EMI album and convince yourself, a first-class band with fuckin' great music. Perfect for vacation or a beer by the water and all in 320k/Bit! with the single which was only available with the first 10.000 copies of the album, it wasn't sold separately. 

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THEE UNDERTAKERS - Crucify Me 2001

Here is another excellent example of what Friends of Network brings together: request for this record, emailed on, received: that's the way it goes! Search the net for info and here it is: Thee Undertakers from East Los Angeles first started practicing during mid-1977. They decided early on not to go for the "leather or New Wave look" and would instead wear black suits on stage to emulate their namesake. By 1978 they found Art, who became their singer. In 1979, the band hooked up with Willie Heron, from Los Illegals, who helped the band get on many bills at the Vex and other East L.A. clubs that would host punk shows. The band played heavily during 1979 through 1982 and played at clubs like the Vex, Starwood, Hong Kong Cafe, and the Whiskey to name a few. The band opened for many bands including D.O.A., Plugz, Gears, Fleasheaters and others. The band recorded their first demo in 1980 and returned to the studio in 1981 to record what was to be their first LP. The band was going to have their LP released through Tito Larriva's Fatima Records label (who released Plugz album and The Brat EP), but after a falling out between Tito and the band, the record never materialized and sat in the can for twenty years. In 2001, Grand Theft Audio released their awesome collection of studio recordings from 1980-81. Thee Undertakers from 1977-1982 were: Art Reyes (vocals), Tracy Lee (Skull) Garcia (bass), Tony (Fingers) Naranjo (guitar), and Mike Chaidez (drums) and this is a solid compilation with demo & master recordings from 1980 andreleased via Grand Theft Audio. I continue to cure my bruised ribs and so you may be able to enjoy more slices in the early afternoon. Now chilling continues and tomorrow is another day.

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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VIRUS 27 - Parasitas Obrigatórios 1987

Good Morning  dear friends of cool music and today we listen to the debut record of Virus 27, a Brazilian Oi! combo from São Paulo, on Devil Discos. The band was formed in 1982 with Di on drums, Braz on guitar and Pezão on bass. They started with a mid-tempo hardcore punk sound just like many of their contemporaries in the early Brazilian scene; very similar to Cólera. The name of the band came from the label Alternative Tentacles because the founder of the band was a big Dead Kennedys fan. He died sometime in early 80's. Their first recorded apperance was 1985 on the Ataque Sonoro compilation. A year later they released the Parasitas Obrigatórios album and this showed the band moving away from hardcore punk to more of an Oi sound, like Garotos Podres. However, Virus 27 still sang critical lyrics about society and seasoned with an unique sound - slow but very good. In late 80's, the band took a turn towards right wing politics, and released their second album Brasil Oi!. They became too nationalist and the punk scene abandoned their gigs, it became a band just for Skinheads - at that time punks and skinheads in Brazil started to go in different ways and hate each other. Their last record Caso Sério!!! was released in 1996 and then the band broke up. Well, at least Virus 27 didn't became nazi and racist, only patriotic and play rough Oi! music in a very strong catchy way. A very good debut in my opinion and rough as a street punk record should be.

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