T.S.O.L. - s/t 12'' 1981

 

Damn cool debut record on Posh Boy Records by this great combo from Long Beach/California. T.S.O.L. (True Sounds Of Liberty), formed 1978 and when this 12Inch came out the bands original line-up was Jack (vocals), Ron (guitar), Mike (bass) & Francis (drums). A review: "In the beginning, T.S.O.L.'s tempos were unapologetically fast, and its ultra-political lyrics were characterized by anger and rage. Full of blistering attacks on the U.S. government. T.S.O.L. is obviously left-leaning -- whether the lyrics are more Marxist or more anarchist is open to debate. Some of the lyrics employ Marxist rhetoric; 'Property Is Theft', for example, echoes the communist belief that no one should own private property. But on 'Abolish Government/Silent Majority', the band seems to have more anarchist leanings. Marxism/Socialism and Anarchy are two radically different schools of thought; Marxists, socialists, and communists want a lot of government, whereas anarchists want to do away with government altogether -- and it's unclear which of the two T.S.O.L. prefers. What is clear is that this record hits its mark musically even though its lyrics can be nebulous. Whatever you think of T.S.O.L.'s politics, this EP is an inspired and exhilarating slice of early '80s Punk." (Alex Henderson) - A lot of politics in it; I would simple say: Fantastic Record, definitely listen!

here

T.S.O.L. - Dance With Me 1981

Now a remarkable classic and these gentlemen already appeared in this theatre and since I can't add anything with my own words, I use these who have already said it. Short info by Bradley Torreano from allmusic: "In the early years of Los Angeles punk, one of the premiere hardcore bands was T.S.O.L., which stood for True Sounds Of Liberty. Offering poppier music than many of their contemporaries and featuring an image that appealed to punks who wanted to dive deeper into the gothic subgenre already being offered by many British punk bands, T.S.O.L. became hugely popular on the local scene but never translated that success to national exposure because of their ever-shifting lineup and sound. Formed in 1978 by four pasty-faced youths with a passion for the emerging hardcore scene, T.S.O.L. was originally based in Huntington Beach, California. Featuring the lineup of vocalist Jack Grisham, guitarist Ron Emory, bassist Mike Roche, and drummer Todd Barnes, the band burst onto the local club scene with an image that included white face paint and dark, energetic anthems about alienation and troubled youth. A few members had already tried their luck with a band called Vicious Circle, so gigs in the South Bay and Orange County were easy to get despite many of those shows ending with riots that would ban them from the very same clubs. A politically fueled eponymous EP would be the band's first official release, and its emotional sound and vicious attitude were enough to ensure their standing as a major force in the scene...."

Dance With Me is the debut album by T.S.O.L. and was released 1981 though Frontier Records. While the band's eponymously titled debut EP, released earlier that year, had been filled with radical leftist lyrics, this record moved away from politics in favor of horror film- and gothic-inspired subject matter. The album includes the bands most well-known song, the necrophilia-themed "Code Blue". Colossal & Outstanding record in every way, you better be quick!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

here

T.S.O.L. - Change Today? 1984

Again snow overnight, brrr... Fuck Winter!!! Let's get comfortable with the third album by T.S.O.L. (True Sounds Of Liberty), formed 1978 in Long Beach by Jack (vocals), Ron (guitars), Mike (bass) and Todd (drums), released in 1984 through Enigma Records. Bradley Torreano of Allmusic remarks that Change Today? had "a different flair than the group had in the past. The guitars were gloomier and more focused, while Wood's melodramatic croon sharpened the whole affair into a unique L.A. goth sound." Allmusic's Robert Gabriel gave the album three stars out of five, saying that it "marked quite a stylistic twist for the band. Known up to that time as a hardcore punk outfit, T.S.O.L. suddenly became much more of a traditional rock group with more in common with The Doors than The Damned. All things considered, Change Today? is actually a fine album, most notable for its inspired songwriting and driving guitars. Well, I have nothing to add except a perfect album (with twenty nine minutes far too short), beautiful melodies and the request not postpone important things.

here