NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES - All' Die Jahre (Live) 1986

One of the best German Punk combos of the 80s were Neurotic Arseholes, and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with them. I'm one of the lucky ones who got to see them live three times. The band liked the idea of a farewell LP, and the collaboration with Weird System enabled them to fulfill their wish with this third and final album. Seventeen pieces, three of which have never been released before, were compiled from various live tapes of concerts in West Germany and Berlin in 1985-1986, and mostly from the farewell concert at the AJZ Bielefeld. The quality is excellent and brings the dynamic/power of the Arseholes damn well into your living room, the vocals are sometimes a bit weak and the bass could have more bums, but if you know the songs you'll feel comfortable and it's absolutely catchy for newcomers. And I can tell you, I haven't listened to the record for a long time, but it transports me back where life was carefree and innovative, and every Punk gig brought always a sense of well-being and lots of fun. Unfortunately, I can't confirm that anymore (today everything can be found on the fucking social networks). Well, what can I say, getting old sucks and memories are precious, after all they are part of our history and I like to dig them up every now & then, especially in empty moments. Enough bla bla, enjoy the four guys from Minden and buy their records.

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SUZANNES - Dutch Punk 1977-1978 [2014]

One more excellent Compilation from RaveUp Records and this fucker was pressed 2000 times and is dedicated to the Suzannes, a four piece from Enschede which operated from 1976 to 1978. Influenced by the Ramones, they called themselves to the song Suzanne by Leonard Cohen that was in their repertoire in a Punk version. Characteristic of their performances was by playing tight succession of all the songs. They made an EP on the label ‘1000 Idiots’ with six songs (in two versions, including New Disease sells 2000 copies in Europe) whose “Teenage Abortion” is the most famous song. They performed outside Enschede include in Paradiso and the Stokvis Halls in the schedule of Ultravox. Typical of the Suzanne was changing their names in Suzanne. Key member was Suzanne Ron da Costa, the only non-musician who is named on the EPs. Singer of the band was Suzanne ‘Fedde’ van der Spoel, guitarist Suzanne ‘Loek’ Stolwijk, bassist Suzanne ‘Dick’ Pekelharing and drums Suzanne ‘Klaas Sikkema’. The tracks were from the only EP New Disease Sells 2000 Copies In Europe! (recorded January 1978, live @ Paradiso (November 1977) and live @ the Vestingbar (March 30th 1979; last concert) and the B-Side was recorded live @ the OpenLuchttheater in summer 1977. That sounds pretty decent I would say, and the recordings are absolutely fine. They also appear on some very good Compis. Top!

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ADOLESCENTS - Complete Demos 1980-1986 [2005]

For die-hard fans and Punk archivists, the following album is a must-have; it complements the debut album with rare material and offers fascinating insights into the formative years of the Californian Hardcore scene. The first four tracks suffer somewhat in terms of sound quality, but while authentic at the time, frustrating at times today. Anyone seeking refinement should choose the debut. If you want raw energy, go for it. Special features: "Richard Hung Himself" is the raw original version, which later became more popular through D.I.; the two versions of "Wrecking Crew" provide creative insight; the 1986 reunion demos score with improved sound and more mature song structure. The Complete Demos 1980-1986 by the Adolescents was released via Frontier Records and includes the band's first three demo tapes, recorded between March and July 1980; one outtake from the recording sessions for their 1981 EP Welcome To Reality; and two songs recorded during their 1986 reunion as demos for their second album Brats In Battalions (1987). The first eight tracks are the only material recorded by the Adolescents' original line-up, which included guitarist John O'Donovan and drummer Peter Pan. The remaining tracks include their replacements Rikk Agnew & Casey Royer. What remains: this selection is a goldmine for all friends of the early Adolescents: full of vitality, occasional botched recordings, but with a lot of heart.

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WOMBELS - Back Attack 2014

One of my favorite bands are the Wombels from Ulm and they play energetic and melodic Punkrock, sometimes at a breathtaking pace. Influenced by Eighties West Coast Punk, PopPunk, and even Hardcore, the trio, founded in 1985 by Steff (vocals/guitars), Sevan (bass), Heiko (drums), rose to national renown after various releases on Incognito Records. They toured Germany and gigs abroad in the 1990s, quickly building a loyal fan base. After the bassist left in 2004, the band inevitably shrank to a duo. Following a four-year phase as the Wombels duo, the trio was completed again in 2008 with Granni on bass. Back Attack is their third and final self-released album, featuring sixteen entertaining, hearty, and refreshingly flavorful shooting stars. Don't be fooled by the band name; it may sound harmless, but these three really pack a punch, and I'm thrilled with their music and records. And when I tell you this, you can believe me without a doubt.

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V/A - Fahrt Zur Hölle...Und Kommt Nie Mehr Wieder EP 1998

Olalala, what a very nice 7Inch Hardcore/Punk Compilation we have here from the small Aus'm Bauch label which had a total of six releases and I think that's their debut one. You'll hear six fast, trashy goodies from relatively unknown German bands that hit hard, uncompromising, and furiously forward. It comes in a very stylish, informative format, and the title alone is a great choice, giving you a clue as to where this is headed. I have no idea how many pressings there are, but that doesn't matter; anyone who likes fast and furious will be well catered to here. Every band has released something on vinyl, but as I said, it's rather lost and unrecognized in the vast ocean of Punkrock, which is a shame, but it's no different with international records. The EP isn't very sought after, but it's definitely worth a listen.

1.Untitled - PEACE OF MIND

2.04 - DELLWO

3.Plastikwelt - MAD MINORITY

4.Maul Als Waffe - EL MARIACHI

5.Platt Aber Oho - KOYAANISQATSI

6.Umzu - KÜCHENMESSER NR.8

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DKP - Misère Noire 7'' 1982

Interesting 7inch by DKP, a five-piece from Paris who made a little music in the early Eighties and unfortunately only managed to release one single on CBS, becoming history in 1984. Members were Serge (vocals), Thierry (guitars), Frédéric (bass), Patrick (drums), Alain (piano) and we enjoy two nice rockin' tunes with a solid dose of dirty Punk'N'Roll. Well, unfortunately I can't say much more because there isn't much to find about them, and they're not even on compis either, just bootlegs at the end. But musically they're worth listening to and I would count them among the early French bands with that certain kick (especially the piano part is brilliant), you know what I mean. Listen, enjoy and recommend!

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THE DICKS - Kill From The Heart 1983

First full length by the Dicks and original released via SST Records, my copy is the Alternative Tentacles vinyl version and there are lots of Infos in the Blog and I like to quote here the one from AT, especially for you: "The Dicks, a Commie Faggot Band, emerged during the halcyon days of Austin, Texas Punk. The scene centered around the local dive bar Raul’s frequented by local freaks, artists, and soon-to-be Punkrockers. The band was the creation of Gary Floyd, a 26 year old from Palestine, Texas who had been a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and was openly, flamboyantly gay. Although he was advertising the Dicks before they were even an actual band, Floyd soon joined forces with three “terrorist thugs” to complete the group: Glen Taylor (guitars), Buxf Parrot (bass) and Pat Deason (drums). They started writing burly, blues-drenched punk anthems and began playing raucous, shows with local heroes the Big Boys. Unlike that band’s funk-infused, high-production value drag show, the Dicks opted for a cruder but still spectacular approach. Gary Floyd would assault the audience with chocolate frosting pulled from his panties, inviting any rowdy audience members to suck his dick.

The band’s first single, the masterful Dicks Hate The Police was dropped onto the world in 1980 on MDC’s R Radical label. The title track to this EP is unlike anything else before or after a total powerhouse of a song. The B-side found the band playing faster and harder than most other US Punk bands at the time. Like most of their Texas peers, the Dicks had a sound that didn’t fit any one mold or genre. Sometimes Punk, Hardcore, Blues, or free-form ranting, they were always playing music on the edge of insanity. Their next record is one of the ultimate documents of Texas Punk, a split live record with the Big Boys recorded at Raul’s. While the Big Boys don’t sound as great as their studio material, the Dicks really explode off the vinyl with a ripping live set that captures both the great songwriting and amazing energy they brought to the table. Having caught the attention of Punk producer Spot, the Dicks recorded their first full length for SST. Kill From The Heart finds the Dicks’ blues Punk attacking conservatism and especially racism with unbridled fury. In 1982, before the album came out, Gary and the Dicks moved to San Francisco, followed by MDC and DRI who took up with them at a squatted beer plant known as the Vats. Along with their new neighbors Crucifix and Michigan’s the Crucifucks, they embarked on the 1983 Rock Against Reagan tour: an exhausting three month extravaganza organized by the Yippies. The tour took a lot out of the band, and after its completion only Gary returned to the city by the bay. There he reformed the band with three new musicians: Tim Caroll (guitars), Sebastian Fuchs (bass), Lynn Perko (drums).

This line-up recorded the Peace? 7Inch, a concept single attacking the injustices of war. While the record is powerful, especially the scorching “I Hope You Get Drafted,” it also demonstrated the cleaner, more rocking direction that the new band was taking. 1985’s These People album, released on Alternative Tentacles, showcased a Dicks who were severing ties with “Punk” sounds to play more straightforward, longer bluesy rock songs. Nonplused by the reaction from punk audiences (“play faster!”), Gary decided to end the Dicks in 1986. He and Lynn Perko started Sister Double Happiness, who recorded for SST. Gary later went solo and has a new project called Black Kali Ma on A.T. Glen Taylor, unfortunately, passed away. Alternative Tentacles has reissued a collection CD of Dicks material that is a good starting point, and bootlegs of the LP (good quality) and first 7″ (bad quality) aren’t too hard to come by. Go get them now!"

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LAMINAT.SNYDER - s/t 7'' 2024

Easy Listening by this project from Siegen called Laminat.Snyder and members are Stefanie Shrnk (vocals), Björn Sonnenberg, Florian Gelling, Doe Bed, Martin Kircher (vocals), Christian Stemmann, Oli Spielberger, Christian Schneider (vibraphone, drums and all other instruments) and this is a musical experimental journey with two five minute pieces, released via Frei zum Abriss Kollektiv in a small edition of 33 copies. We listen to noises far removed from the fast-paced time and they invite you to immerse yourself in sound worlds that are extremely pleasant and will shake your head properly and kick all the fucking thoughts out. I find it extremely soothing and stimulating and it helps me with my creativity for a new Compilation that will follow shortly. Experience the band for yourselves, I have to go, the weekend and the sun are calling me.

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MERCEDES JENS - Hand In Hand Zum Amt EP 2020

"Bremen's dumbest band, anyone who says otherwise should show their high school diploma!" We're talking about Mercedes Jens, a three piece which was founded sometime in 2016 by Hannes, Lukas and Thomas. "A very good record with four very good songs!" so describes the trio Mercedes Jens their first record, which is limited to 200 copies. In this file there are six songs in total, where I got the others from remains a secret. This is the soundtrack for adventurous young people, for pensioners who buy their own bread, for all age groups, and for lonely, aggressive pacemakers, also for young and old. They have three tapes and an EP out, and anyone who likes straightforward, magical Punkrock and dares to delve into the fucking ether of the spiritual depths of darkness with every note is in good hands with these guys from the Hanseatic City. Haven't heard such cool shit in a long time.

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FIZIK - Next To Me 7'' 1981

A few months ago I presented you the second and last 7Inch of the Belgian combo Fizik, now follows the first one on Kleo And this record is also a little diamond with two beautiful wavie songs. The A-side one is about the eternal theme of love, the flip takes criticism of a second popular topic: religion. There is no emphasis on violence or aggression in their sound, but rather the words are refreshingly presented at a pleasant tempo and that makes this interesting for me and I am sure for you too, my dear listeners. And that's it for today, I'm following the Women's European Football Championship and want to go to the Main before the next game. Enjoy Summer!

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