BUZZCOCKS - Total Pop 1987

Rare, Live And Great 1977-80, that's here including. Rare B-sides & live cuts (from the Roxy recordings), released via Weird System. A bit wiki info: Buzzcocks were formed in Bolton 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto. They are regarded as a seminal influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop and pop punk. They achieved commercial success with singles that fused pop craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy. These singles were collected on Singles Going Steady, described by critic Ned Raggett as a "punk masterpiece". Devoto and Shelley chose the name "Buzzcocks" after reading the headline, "It's the Buzz, Cock!", in a review of the TV series Rock Follies in Time Out magazine. The "buzz" is the excitement of playing on stage; "cock" is northern English slang meaning "friend". They thought it captured the excitement of the nascent punk scene, as well as having humorous sexual connotations following Pete Shelley's time working in a Bolton adult shop. Per the band, there is no "the" in Buzzcocks. Devoto left the band in 1977, after which Pete Shelley became the principal singer-songwriter. Shelley died on 6 December 2018, but the band has remained active with guitarist and co-founding member Steve Diggle assuming lead vocal duties. They added a new guitarist Mani Perazzoli. They are still touring and draw in large crowds from around the world. A decent compilation, I think, full with the band's classics.

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V/A - Bored Teenagers Vol.10 2017

December, and behind the first door waits another haul of damn rare punk goodies in the ongoing Bored Teenagers series, and for those who are ignorant up to now I recommend every publication, and as long as you can get the vinyl version, these were mostly limited, get the slab, but if you fail, in this case, the CD heals too (suitable as an exclusive Christmas present, maybe?) - I quote a sweet description for you unfortunate consumers:

Info: "First up we bring you the FEATURES who were another old Roxy Club Punk band from Orpington in Kent. Both tracks have been taken direct of the master acetate that the band had cut in 1978 and pressed up 500 copies on their own Progress label. The next band the INNOCENT BYSTANDERS is a real coup for us as its features six unreleased tracks from this obscure London based band. This is the same band that released "Where Is Johnny" on a split single with the "Debutantes" on the 'ROK' label in 1979. I can't stress to you how good these tracks are.... Full of attitude with sneering vocals and the story behind this band is awesome! Next both goodies are brought to you by VAIN AIMS who are a very obscure Welsh band who only ever did one gig and split but in their very short existence they managed to record and released a single to die for and is so hard to track down as only 500 were pressed. What stands out for me on these two tracks are the vocals and the catchiness of the songs..... I can't believe this record is not on every body’s wants list, I put that down to the fact hardly anyone knows about this release! We then bring you the delights of from this North London based band called FENZYX who were mainly made up of ex members of Demon Preacher and released a sole 7" on the collectable 'Ellie Jay' in a pressing size of just 500 copies again in 1981. The third track from this band is totally unreleased until this day! It is a dub version and very unique. Following on we bring you the rarest UK Punkrock single ever pressed. Yes, the GREAT BRITISH HEROES (aka GBH), both tracks have been taken from their withdrawn Lightning Records release. When this single surfaced a few years ago, ALL the collectors around the world went into total meltdown and were shocked that it was actually pressed, NOT even the band were aware! We now move onto another old favourite of ours as we were the first ones to crack the mystery of Birmingham’s ANTI SOCIAL. Most collectors would of heard these tracks by now but we wanted to share the story behind this band. Plus a third track by this band what was going to be on their second single which never happened. The penultimate band THE PEROID hail from the outskirts of Manchester and were mates of the Buzzcocks. This band started off life in 1976 and did go through a few line up changes but did get their act together enough to enter into a studio. Sadly over the years, the master tape had got lost and these tracks have been salvaged from an old cassette found at the back of a draw. Now onto the band that closes this volume for us are UNDERDOG who were from Harlow in Essex. Not strictly a Punk band as they were on the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene but we thought it was a cross over single. Plus both sides of the single are a Full On Attack Of Noise and in the true punk spirit they formed their own label and self financed a run of just 500 copies - another tough record to find! So there you go and enjoy another album filled with rarities & great nuggets!"

Once again a brilliant selection of twenty-four catchy UK Punk Rarities. ENJOY!

1.Drab City - THE FEATURES

2.Job Satisfaction - THE FEATURES

3.(I Wanna Be A) Mercenary - INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

4.Waiting - INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

5.Master Abnormal - INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

6.Abnormal Dub - INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

7.C'mon Everybody - INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

8.I’m Not Your Stepping Stone - INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

9.Fuck You - VAIN AIMS

10.Count - VAIN AIMS

11.Soldiers - THE FENZYX

12.Angels Of Mercy - THE FENZYX

13.Angels Of Mercy (Dub) - THE FENZYX

14.Eric Miller - GREAT BRITISH HEROES

15.Don't Give A Damn - GREAT BRITISH HEROES

16.Traffic Lights - ANTI SOCIAL

17.Teacher, Teacher - ANTI SOCIAL

18.Sun Arise - ANTI SOCIAL

19.We Hate Wigan Casino! - THE PERIOD

20.Seaside Towns - THE PERIOD

21.Don’t Go Swimming On A Period - THE PERIOD

22.I Feel Sick - THE PERIOD

23.Life At 21 - UNDERDOG

24.Blue Water, White Death - UNDERDOG

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V/A - Winters Of Discontent: Peel Sessions 1977-1983

A feature of Peel's BBC Radio 1 shows were the famous John Peel Sessions, which usually consisted of four songs recorded by an artist live in the BBC's studios, and which often provided the first major national coverage to bands that later would achieve great fame (These 'sessions' are similar to 'Live Lounge' sessions recorded today for the station). The BBC employed it's own house bands and orchestras and it also engaged outside bands to record exclusive tracks for its programmes in BBC studios. This was the reason why Peel was able to use "session men" in his own programmes. Sessions were usually recorded and mixed in a single day; as such they often had a rough and ready, demo-like feel, somewhere between a live performance and a finished recording. John Peel remained on BBC Radio 1 for 37 years, until his death in 2004. During that time over 4000 sessions were recorded by over 2000 artists. Many classic Peel Sessions have been released on record, particularly by the Strange Fruit label and this one of these.

1.Somethin' Better Change - THE STRANGLERS
2.Love In A Void - SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES
3.Gary Gilmore's Eyes - THE ADVERTS
4.Shoplifting - THE SLITS
5.Fast Cars - BUZZCOCKS
6.Rich Kids - RICH KIDS
7.Of One Skin - THE SKIDS
8.It Doesn't Matter - ADAM & THE ANTS
9.Another Girl Another Planet - THE ONLY ONES
10.Suspect Device - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
11.Mess Of My - THE FALL
12.Stretcher Case - THE DAMNED
13.Anti-Pope - KING
14.Read It In Books - ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
15.Sus - THE RUTS
16.A Brand New Life - YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS
17.Start From Scratch - THE NIGHTINGALES
18.Big Jesus Trash Can - BIRTHDAY PARTY
19.A Matter Of Gender - THE ASSOCIATES
20.The Fan And The Bellows - THE CHAMELEONS
21.Wall Of Fir - THE VERY THINGS
22.Enchanted - WILD SWANS
23.Sun - MICRODISNEY
24.Kick Over The Statues - REDSKINS
25.A New England - BILLY BRAGG

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THE ROUSERS - A Treat Of New Beat 1980

A real masterpiece of PowerPop classic is the debut record by this combo. The Rousers from Broek op Langedijk (near under the smoke of Alkmaar) were one of the first Dutch New Wave bands. Inspired by the new momentum in the British pop music the band was founded on 19 September 1977 by the brothers Cock (vox + guitars) and Jan de Jong (drums), along with Rob Marienus (bass) and Theo van der Plas. In the beginning they play their own work and some covers. They played songs by The Beatles, The Damned, The Ramones and The Buzzcocks and this combination would determine the sound that the band develops and that they refer to themselves as New Beat. In January 1979 the Wieb (guitars) and Bonne Zigtema (vox) brothers join the band, Theo left. In the same year the first 7inch 'Magazine Girl' was released on Ariola/Torso and became a legend. Quickly they became celebrated, no wonder with their bright guitars, polyphonic harmonies and rhythmic clapping, the influence of the early beat music is clearly cognisable. Nevertheless, the band has a distinctly contemporary sound. After this record the band released all in all three singles and a second album called 'Touched'. 1981 the band broke up and split into The Thought and The Shavers. If you want more from the Rousers visit Frank's ShotgunSolution blog for the rest. By the way, the grandiose cover reminds me a little of Hergé. A Treat Of New Beat is truly one of the best albums I've heard this year.

- Many Thx to Fredrik -

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THE BIPS - This Is Jurisdiction 7'' 1990

'77 punk-rock: that's The Bips from Nijmegen/Holland and they active since 1987. The music style is the old UK punk. TV, radio and a lot of stage experience. Played in major venues with major bands like UK Subs, Buzzcocks or The Briefs. Visit The Bips at home. Two songs found here and for me is the B-Side "The Fall Of The Perfect State" the winner. Cool platter! - Now it's Bundesliga time, must out :)

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V2 - Speed Freak EP 1978

Damn good debut record by this Manchester combo on Bent Records with three awesome KBD smasher and because I'm a lousy writer I steal a little Info: "V2 were formed in late 1976 by David Wilks and Mark Standley. Both were regulars at Bowie/Roxy clubs in Manchester and became aware of punk rock when Dave Went to see the Sex Pistols in Manchester. This seminal gig at the Lesser Free Trade hall, at which the Pistols were supported by Manchester bands, Slaughter and the dogs, the Buzzcocks, inspired the next generation of bands to come out of Manchester, the Drones, Joy Division, the Fall, and V2. V2 brought their Glam Rock past to the band, and quickly became a popular live act with over the top shows, explosions, smashing up their equipment, and bassist Stan the Man attacking audiences with his cricket bat guitar when they spat at him once to often. Their first single, released on Bent records, (small bent one) was released in late '77, and quickly sold out 3 pressings. It featured three songs, Speedfreak Nothing to do and That's it. It went into the alternative top ten on each release." Read the full V2 bio. R.I.P. David! Compilations featuring the band: England Belongs To Me and the brand new Greater Manchester Punk - matchless!

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TRÖCKENER KECKS - Schliessbaum 1981

Another nice record is the bebut album by Tröckener Kecks. Founded in May 1980 by De Leeuw and Kenter, know each other from the boarding school and they take the initiative to set up a band. Unlike other Amsterdam punk bands in those days they were apolitical. Belong to the second wave of Dutch punk bands (The Ex, The Work Mates, and The Nitwitz) the band release their first EP in the 'do it yourself' principle. Rik Ringers comes out in 1981 and shortly after their first LP, all on TK Records. Musically inspired by the Buzzcocks and the Undertones with great lyrics. The melodic vocals by Edward Tilburg is especially notable for the lyrics: macabre, absurd stories that demonstrate a flawless sense of language. After missing the connection with the punk movement, they are not surfing along on the wave of Dutch bands in the early eighties. With the German-sounding band name has been deliberately pursued other not to be associated with the English upturn already quietly announced in 1980. More records followed but they changed their sound away from the good old dirty punk rock. Anyway, this record is rare as hell, according to my information only 500 copies were pressed.

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V/A - Burning Ambitions (A History Of Punk) 1982

Burning Ambition: The History of Punk, attempts to be a definitive overview of the British (except DK) wave/punk scene in the late 70s/early 80s and while it falls short of its goals, it's nevertheless an admirable effort. The Crème de la Crème are here to honor, only classics on it. Surely some of you, like me, have the original records at home but this double album should become a favorite of yours, because this record is one of the finest punk compilations which is ever released. Love to hear all these classic songs in this order and believe me.... you will enjoy it as a good fuck.

1.Boredom - BUZZCOCKS

2.Bingo Masters Breakout - THE FALL

3.12XU - WIRE

4.Life - ALTERNATIVE TV

5.Keys To Your Heart - THE 101'ERS

6.I'm Alive - 999

7.Gary Gilmore's Eyes - THE ADVERTS

8.Justifiable Homicide - DAVE GOODMAN & FRIENDS

9.Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone - SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS

10.(Get A) Grip On (Yourself) - THE STRANGLERS

11.Your Generation - GENERATION X

12.Baby, Baby - THE VIBRATORS

13.Identity - X-RAY SPEX

14.Read About Seymour - SWELL MAPS

15.I'm Stranded - THE SAINTS

16.Chinese Rocks - HEARTBREAKERS

17.Lock It Up - EATER

18.Ain't Got A Clue - THE LURKERS

19.Lady - ADAM & THE ANTS

20.Love Song - THE DAMNED

21.Looking After No. 1 - BOOMTOWN RATS

22.Where's Captain Kirk? - SPIZZ ENERGI

23.In A Rut - THE RUTS

24.Angels With Dirty Faces - SHAM 69

25.Stranglehold - U.K.SUBS

26.Flares & Slippers - COCKNEY REJECTS

27.The Wait - KILLING JOKE

28.No Goverment - ANTI-PASTI

29.Holiday In Cambodia - DEAD KENNEDYS

30.Dead Cities - THE EXPLOITED

31.Last Rockers - VICE SQUAD

32.Harry May - THE BUSINESS

33.Police Story - THE PARTISANS

34.Someone's Gonna Die - BLITZ

35.City Baby Attacked By Rats - G.B.H

36.Complete Disorder - DISORDER

37.Russians In The DHSS - ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER

38.Lust For Glory - ANGELIC UPSTARTS

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -

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SPORTEN ÄR DÖD - s/t LP 2019

Good morning dear folks, today we start for breakfast with fresh girl power and I promise you, your bread will taste particularly good. Sporten Är Död (translated as Sport Is Dead) were an all female Swedish new wave/punk band between 1980 and 1982 formed in Kungälv. The group consisted of Ulla Åkerström (vocals & guitar), Åsa "Paste" Wassberg (bass) and Eva Herngren (drums). The band were named after the words of a Swedish broadcaster, who would proclaim the sport is dead, when there was a cancellation of a sporting event. This record was released via Fördämning Arkiv, 300 copies and side A was recorded at Studio Nigaf on 11th April 1981 and released as the Sporten Är Död cassette, side B was recorded live @ Sprängkullen on 23rd May 1982. An excellent review which I can only underline: "This looks exactly as it sounds: three cool teenage punk girls making tremulous punk rock with songs dedicated to John Peel, Bruce from the JAM, and their favorite chocolate bar! This isn’t wild screaming KBD mania, they have a nervous restrained quality, which is not to say this sounds inept, just that it isn’t the manic punk insanity you might expect from a teenage Swedish band circa 1981. They called their band Sport Is Dead, and formed as a result of being fans of the Buzzcocks and the Undertones, and you can hear the nervous pop sensibility! I’ve seen comparisons to Dolly Mixture and Lilliput, but I would say that is not the case here, they are not as polished as the former and not as wild as the latter. They have their own contained punk concept and identity that doesn’t sound like a collage of other ideas. This is a reissue of their demo tape with a live performance on the B-side. It sounds great and is definitely worth picking up for all fans of that underground girl sound, the sound of youth inspired by the DIY ideal…" (LAYLA GIBBON, MMR) - Seventeen minimalistic smasher with a great booklet, solid release!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V2 - At The Edge Of Chaos 2019

We stay in this gray City and meet V2 which formed in March 1977 evolving from the early Manchester Punkscene based around the legendary Electric Circus venue. Of the four Manchester Punk bands around at the time, the Fall, Buzzcocks, V2 and Warsaw, V2 were the ones who fell to earth: ‘as subtle as flying buzz-bombs’ and destined for the same early grave. V2 gigs were chaotic, but this was where they really made their mark. Audiences were treated to a white-faced, black-eyed, bad-skinned young band wearing Frankenstein boots, who attacked the crowd with guitars hacked into cricket bats, bombed them with flour bags and once, set them on fire with cheap flash-bombs thrown by a drunken ‘helper’. You either loved ’em or you fuckin’ hated em! Faced with a constant lack of money/motivation and bad management the band fell to bits. Underachievement has given the band a cult status that some ‘more successful bands’ can only dream of…This LP (500 only) compiles both of their classic singles Man In The Box and Speed Freak, their withdrawn third single Is Anyone OutThere? and various studio recordings that never saw the light of day, packed in a full colour cover with insert detailing the band’s history. A damn hot record that sweeps the dust out of your deaf ears.

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UNIPLUX - 1981 2016

Late in the evening and while I ripping vinyl a quick post in-between and we visit Rome and meet Uniplux which formed in the early 80s. Before disbanding in mid 80s (the band will reunite later on and continue up to these days) Uniplux released two 7"s. Both records are very hard to find and sought after, mainly because Uniplux offered a unique vision of melodic Punk Rock. While at the same time heavy and melodic, the sound of Uniplux always carried along a certain dose of melancholy, notably underlined in their lyrics and dramatic vocals by two different female singers that sang on these two 7"s.

Incredible but true, but your fave label discovered an entire unreleased punk rock album from the land of spaghetti and mandolino! Uniplux were one of the few bands of 1977 roman punk scene that included bands such Trancefusion, Elektroshock, Luxfero, Ulster Punk Group, Apologia Di Reato, Bads, Stigma, Ddt. This scene is well documented on the magnificent Claudio Pescetelli’s book “Lo stivale e’ marcio” (rave up books 2014) that talks about those pionieristic days. This band released two singles, the first, released for a major label RCA and entitled ‘Chi Siamo Noi?’ came out in 1982, the 2nd one Maledetto Rock, (Pogo Records), came out two years later in 1984. both records are very hard to find and sought after, mainly because Uniplux offered a unique vision of melodic punk rock. in 1997, a bunch of european punk collectors compiled Killed By Death #201, dedicated to Italian 1977/82 punk rock scene, selecting the track “U.X.” to represent this band. After over thirty-six years, RaveUp Records unearthed from the tomb eleven killer tracks amazing Italian punk with female vocals, for fans of Generation X, Buzzcocks, Penetration and all early UK punk rockers, limited to 500 copies!, first 100 on orange vinyl!

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RUNE STRUTZ - Musikforum Brinner! EP 1978

Rune Strutz was a Swedish punk band from Uppsala that were active between 1976 and 1983. The group was formed in winter of 1976 by Roffe Björnevad (guit.) and Animor Dobrovich (guit. + vox.) which were strongly inspired by groups such as the Ramones, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, New York Dolls and other bands. The band name comes from the phone book where there was a musician called Otto W. Strutz, and who used the stage name Jim Basso. As another musician did not want to use this surname was considered a fitting choice for the group. The idea was to make a Swedish version of the story, to pair it with Gudibrallan which was a prog rock band that never was housebroken in the circuits. Later they were more influenced of the British scene with Buzzcocks and Wire. The goal was simple, energetic music with Swedish lyrics performed using simple equipment in small premises. Independence was a keyword. Then their only record was released on Mläll Pop and all three songs here sounds as they had recorded them directly in the rehearsal room. Jolty & rough, classic stuff '77 KBD stuff!! On the compilation 018/Trio Grupper which has exclusively bands from Uppsala on it appear Rune Strutz with two more songs.

- Special Thx goes to Fredrik -

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RATSIA - s/t LP 1979

Ratsia was originally formed in 1977 by Jyri (vocals/guitar), Juha (guitar), Rudi (bass, vocals) and Pasi (drums) and they were mostly playing Stooges & Ramones songs, but soon they started writing songs of their own, sung in English. The language was then switched to Finnish. Ratsia took part in the Finnish rock championship competition in 1979 and won in the "New Wave" genre! They were featured on the Hilse compilation with a song called 'Ihohygieniaa', a cover version of Breakdown by the Buzzcocks and many more. In the same year followed the band's debut album, released in fall with great melodic mid-tempo tunes (pretty the Clash cover of 48 Hours). Fourteen smasher all in all and if you really want to find something to complain about the album, you could say that it sounds too clean and February was way too warm. The band broke up in fall 1981.

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CELA NR 3 - Per Tempus 1985-2020 [2021]

Seventeen melodic songs, very varied anniversary album with many new songs and a few old hits in alternative versions by this Polish combo from Grudziądz, inspired by such legendary bands as Ramones, Sham 69 or Buzzcocks. Orginally formed 1985 as Zanik Pamięci (Memory Loss). In 1986, in the train, which the band went to a concert in nearby Toruń, there were quarrels, which resulted in a forced stay in the Grudziądz detention facility. As if to commemorate that event, the group changed its name to Cela Nr 3. In 1987 they released their first Tape To My and that was it. It tooks more than ten years before the second tape, Kwiaty, and a live tape in 2000 were released. Finally, the first vinyl album Jedynka followed in 2001. The band's most recent sign of life is a live CD, Bulbojugend Live Series Vol.1, which was released in July 2023 on Bulbojugend Records. During more than thirty years of playing together six releases were brought among the people (some of them only on tapes). This particular platter features Gruby (vocals/guitar), Dee Dee (guitar/vocals), Anda (bass), Melody (drums) and it's an amazingly good one.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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TRÖCKENER KECKS - Rik Ringers EP 1981

Dutch-language punk rock group that becomes one of the most important Dutch rock acts. They were formed in May 1980 and this is the group's first single which is released one year later. The Kecks are inspired by the Buzzcocks and most of all the Undertones. The 2nd single Niet Alle Meisjes Zijn Verliefd Op Kors ('Not All Girls Are In Love With Kors') was released in 1982. In 1983 the band reaches the finale of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands Talent Show. Astonishing or? Anyway, early brillant dutch punk which fucks your brain. Schliessbaum is the first full length and is full with goodies.

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V/A - Break The Rules #9 1999

Out on Insekten Records, here's another cool LP with tons of rare punkrock tunes from 1978 - 1982 and so it's my fuckin' duty to follow up with Number 9 after the post before And again a pretty collection of songs which should not disappear in the immensity world of Punk-Music. If you like the old goodies sound then this is again a must have. Ripped from glorious vinyl (with lots of help by Franziskaner, hehe..) for our addiction & sick deaf ears. Especially cool is the cover version of  Buzzcocks 'I Don't Mind' by Ratsia. Sounds 1000 times better..aahhhh. I added all the artwork in the file with lots infos to every band. And now you come!!

1.Ikuinen Rakkaus - RATSIA
2.Päästäkää Mut Irti - RATSIA
3.Grown Up Age - THE BUREAUCRATS
4.Livin' Downtown - The A.D.'s
5.Fixed Up - THE OUTSIDERS
6.Kill Me - ROGER C.REALE
7.Nazi - NIVEAU NULL
8.Ambulance - PAIN
9.Churchyard - PAIN
10.Paskaa - LAME
11.Genetically Stupid - JETSONS
12.Betonikolossit - VANDAALIT
13.Now We're Through - RICHARD & THE TAXMEN
14.Butler Did It - TREND
15.Zink Tabletz - TREND
16.Toy Section - TREND
17.I Like You - SUSSED
18.Got To Have Pop - THE MODERNS
19.Reason For Treason - THE LAW

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INNOCENT VICARS - Funky Town 7'' 1980

Specially the b-side is the burner here, brilliant song with pointed lyrics.

I never thought that would mean so much now.

The music from this band is really one of my favourites and it's no wonder that I choose the flip 'Voices' for my selfmade compilation Forward Into The Past because it's one of these tunes I can hear again and again, all day long you know. So Richard Norris was part of the Vicars and he wrote some info about when and why:

"The Innocent Vicars formed in 1980, with an average age of 14. The St. Albans band met at school, bonding over a love of Bo Diddley, the Undertones and Buzzcocks. The line up chopped and changed for a while before settling on Richard Norris (vocals + rhythm guitar), Aaron Russell (lead guitar) brother of the Toys Mick Russell), and Nigel Benson (bass) who went into a Christian recording studio in Wheathampstead to cut 'She's Here'/'Antimatter'. A host of local talent guested on the record, including Nick Egan from the Tea Set on backing vocals, Cally from the Tea Set on drums, Mark Adams from the Bodies on Roland 101 synth (making the acid house noise on 'Antimatter' nearly a decade early) and Waldo's Phil Smee on production duties.

The single sold out of it's initial 500 pressing, thanks to support from John Peel and Radio 1's Round Table show, where it was spun straight after the Clash. The band played many school discos, local clubs, various church halls and youth clubs in St. Albans, Hatfield, Luton and Harpenden, as well as a number of spots at St Albans City Hall (supporting Kagagoogoo and Paul Young's band Q Tips). They also played at the Fleur De Lys pub, despite all being underage, at a girl's Boarding school and in St Albans Abbey (twice).

After a quick line up change (Mike 'Mac' McDonald replaced Nigel Benson on bass, Steve Watts took over on drums), the band recorded a second single, a cover of Lipps Inc's 'Funky Town' backed with 'Voices'. They also appeared on two compilation albums, with the tracks 'Starship 22' and 'She Was My Girl'.

Since their release thirty years ago, the original singles have been bootlegged a number of times in America and Japan and regularly sell for over £100 on ebay. BBC Radio's Steve Lamacq named 'She's Here' one of his all time favorite records, playing it on BBC 6 Music as recently as February 2011. Richard Norris, 'Mac' McDonald and Steve Watts have all had long careers in music. Aaron Russell and Nigel Benson are currently missing in action (any updates gratefully received)."

I hope you have come to taste and on compilations: Teenage Treats Vol. 1, Killed By Death #69, The Class Of '81 and Rupert Preaching At A Picnic, all classics I think.

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THE DISHRAGS - Love/Hate 1997

A quick re-post now: When the Dishrags formed 1977 in Victoria, British Columbia, they were like the Runaways without Kim Fowley's behind the scenes machinations: three teenage girls, singer & guitarist Jade Blade, bassist Dale Powers and drummer Scout, devoted to the Ramones and the Clash and creating their own short, sharp shocks. Moving to the more punk-friendly Vancouver scene (where bands like D.O.A. and the Pointed Sticks were already defining the sound of western Canada's new wave) in 1978, the Dishrags made their debut on the now-legendary Vancouver Complication anthology. If they had never made another recording, the Dishrags would remain beloved in punk-fanboy circles for the track "I Don't Love You." 103 seconds long and built on an insistent, scratchy guitar riff and a positively crazed drum part played primarily on the ride cymbal, "I Don't Love You" is as clangorous and primitive as U.K. second-wavers like the Slits or the Desperate Bicycles, but it also features an instant-classic pure pop chorus that would do the Buzzcocks or the Undertones proud.

The Dishrags followed that up with a slightly more polished three-track EP, "Past Is Past," and following a lineup change (Powers being replaced by second guitarist Sue MacGillivray and bassist Kim Henriksen) the band traveled to London to record the EP Death In The Family. Produced by Chris Spedding and featuring a more traditional punk-pop sound akin to the Adverts' first album, Death in the Family was insistently tuneful and clever. The wistful title track seemed to have actual hit single potential, while "Love/Hate" explored a darker post-punk sound along the lines of Siouxsie & The Banshees. Though RCA's U.K. imprint released the EP, it disappeared almost immediately, and the Dishrags broke up. Over a decade and a half later, the Canadian reissue label Other People's Music gathered the complete recordings by the Dishrags -- the two tracks recorded for the Vancouver Complication sessions, including the previously unreleased "Bullshit," the single, the EP, and ten demos and live tracks including covers of Lou Reed's "Vicious," the Ramones' "I Don't Wanna Walk Around with You," and the Clash's "Janie Jones," alongside previously unheard Dishrags originals. This is a textbook example of how to do a punk-era reissue properly. Review by Stewart Mason (source: AllMusic)

- Great Thx to Dante D -

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THE PROLETARIAT - Soma Holiday 1983

New stuff for me: The Proletariat, punx from Southeastern Massachusetts, whose heyday was during the 1980s, when they were active in the early Boston hardcore scene, sharing the bill with many of the best punk and hardcore punk acts of the time, despite their recorded output having a decidedly non-hardcore aesthetic; the Proletariat show more strongly the musical influences of early British post-punk bands such as The Jam, Buzzcocks and Gang Of Four in their fractured guitar sound. Tired of the pompous bands of the 70’s with their elaborate stage shows they gravitated towards sparse presentation, preferring to let the music and lyrics stand on their own. Between November 1981 and March 1982, they recorded material at Boston's Radiobeat Studios and brought a couple of songs as reels for airplay on local radio stations, the band gained national exposure via the excellent This Is Boston, Not L.A., a compilation of bands from the local scene released by Newbury Comics' Modern Method Records, a self-released limited seven song tape EP called 'Distortion' followed shortly thereafter. Four songs from this demo surfaced on vinyl along with fourteen more songs to comprise the band's first record 'Soma Holiday', Steven Blush, author of American Hardcore: A Tribal History said: "The Proletariat played offbeat post-Punk with Hardcore intensity and a radical twist. Frontman Richard Brown wrote oblique lyrics, part Ginsberg, part Mao.. 1983's Soma Holiday LP came off light years ahead of its time." In 1984, the band return to Radiobeat Studios to record another album and an early version of "An Uneasy Peace" brought the band international attention via its inclusion on the P.E.A.C.E. compilation from R Radical Records. Later that year, before their second album was completed, many line-up changes accelerated the end of the Proletariat and shortly after performing a pair of final shows on 1.July 1985 with Italian band Raw Power @ the Living Room rock club in Providence/Rhode Island, the band disbanded.

- Great Thx to Fredrik - 

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