Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Crass. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Crass. Sort by date Show all posts

Friday, February 17, 2023

CRASS - Demo 1978 + The Peel Sessions 1979

This unofficial release came out in 2021 and feautures the demo recorded on February 27th 1978 & the Peel Sessions from March 28th 1979 by Crass, an English art collective and Punk band which formed in Epping, Essex 1977. They promoted anarchism as a political ideology, a way of life, and a resistance movement and were the brittlest and most hard-line radical of the first Punk wave, Crass issued a blitz of records that were ruthless in both their unrelenting sociopolitical screeds and their amelodic crash of noise. The line-up changed a bit over the years, but the group's mainstays were Steve (vocals), Eve & Joy (vocals), Penny (drums) and G. Sus, who did tape collages and provided the distinctively bleak black and white artwork on the fold-out posters that usually enclosed their LPs, were also important contributors. The Feeding Of The 5000 was their first album and for me, their best, with eighteen emotional statements and perhaps the most uncompromising early British Punk record (was in my collection and had to be sold at the time because of my ailing financial situation). Before disbanding in 1984, they made four albums and a few singles, mostly on their own label Crass Records, and are fondly remembered as an innovative and extreme band of the early Punk movement.


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THE EPILEPTICS - 1970's EP 1981

Nice little record now and info by Punk77: From Bishop Stortford England, The Epileptics (Colin – vocals, Clive – guitar, Derek – bass & Richard – drums) were originally going to be called The Epileptic Fits, a name suggested by Colin’s mum, but the band decided that The Epileptics sounded better and were formed in summer of 1978. Crass played in Bishop's Stortford in August 1978 and the two bands got talking. A few weeks later The Epileptics had a gig with Crass at The Basement in Covent Garden. Only five people turned up during the soundcheck, then left. The Epileptics played their set to Crass followed by Crass playing their set to The Epileptics. An alliance had been formed that would last for many years! Complaints of 'ill-conceited jocularity' from The British Epilepsy Association resulted in a name change to Epi-x, later also changed to The Licks by someone from Stortbeat when they released the bands debut "1970s" single (much played by John Peel) a second time when they needed more money. More releases and national acclaim followed, all too much for the local punks to handle so a backlash started and in 1979 the last few gigs ended in slanging matches. They play rough and unpolished UK anarcho-punk as it was customary for the 80s. During the middle of 1980 the band changed their name to Flux Of Pink Indians.


Saturday, September 06, 2014

THE NITWITZ - The Scorched Earth Policy 12'' 1981

Amsterdam's youngest punk band were formed in 1978. They released several singles, a mini album and a split LP with Götterflies. Here's a short look at their biography: "In the press they got less attention. And when they got some, they got negative critics. The English press called them imitators of English bands. New Musical Express about their first single: "Too late for the Pistols, or even Sham 69, they take their lead from the likes of the Rejects and the UK Subs. Do I need to go any further?". The lyrics of The Nitwitz were not political at all in the beginning. It was about girls, Wickie the Viking and get beaten up by disco-visitors. In March 1979 they played in Paradiso (The Netherlands) with the anarcho band Crass from England. Crass decided to sabotage the set of The Nitwitz by turning of the soundinstallation. After all, The Nitwitz were sexists. This shows how narrowminded the free-thinkers from Crass really were. In 1981 The Nitwitz discovered new music like bands as Weirdos, Germs and Dils and the LP Group Sex from the Circle Jerks. The Nitwitz broke up in march 1982. Eric quit and started the band Outrageous. The others go on with on the vocals the 17 year old singer René van de Meer, formerly Dustman. With the new singer B.G.K. (Balthazar Gerards Kommando) was formed. 1996, the Nitwitz played together with the original members since may 1982." You can read the full Biography here. For me they are a fantastic punk band with their own sound and this little album here proves that a lot. 9 Songs in 15 minutes, snotty guitars blew me away, excellent tempo and very consistent too. The Nitwitz are cool and I can listen to them at any time.


Sunday, June 02, 2019

COMPOS MENTIS - From Behind The Wall EP 1986

Well, the game yesterday was boring and I fell asleep in part enough of it and before I use the sunshine day a short trip to New Zealand. First record by Compos Mentis from Wellington, active 1983-1987, on Sound Mind Records and they were influenced by overseas bands and wrote politically charged songs that critiqued both mainstream New Zealand and the cliquey factions within the alternative music scene. Described by Simon Cottle of Anti-System zine as “New Zealand's ultimate political thrash band” Compos Mentis lasted for a good half of the 1980s at a time when a more politicised punk scene was emerging in Wellington. "Compos Mentis had no support band, so the gigs started quite late, by which time reasonable crowds had turned up, consisting mainly of “hard-cores” and skins. Compos Mentis' songs may sound fast on tape, but live they were even faster, sparking off some wild dancing, which was slightly rough, but fun all the same. With such excellent lyrics, it's a pity the vocals weren't clear ( better the second night), still, the sheer energy made up for that. The band played amazing long sets, including material off their new EP and even a Crass cover. They were sweating like crazy, but managed to continue by rotating drummers, singers and guitarists. Low points were the filth sniffing around, some jerk yelling at Heather, and someone being knocked over by a grapple, but over-all it was two excellent nights of NZ punk thrash." Simon Cottle, Anti-System #3 - Enjoy!


Tuesday, August 05, 2014

PARANOID VISIONS - Outside In 2005

This record is currently in my player around the clock. Pretty cool stuff, punk rock with a wave touch and in between a couple of quick grenades. 'Outside In' is a compilation of the vinyl years 1986 - 1989 from this combo and I get this a few years ago somewhere in Blogland, now exhumed because the band name is at the moment more relevant than ever to me. Something about them:

Formed in 1981, Paranoid Visions quickly allied themselves to the anarcho punk fraternity of the second wave of punk rock in the early 80's. The band were poles apart from the other Irish bands that graced the 1980’s Dublin gig scene.Surprising everyone, including themselves, with their success in both Ireland and the UK in terms of critical acclaim and record sales, they maintained a stance outside of the music industry norms and closely protected their independent status, licensing all of their material directly from their F.O.A.D label. Records such as Autonomy, Schizophrenia and city of screams all sold very well, but it was the attack on the Irish music industry U2Clone assembly line, in the form of the “I Will Wallow” 10” EP that brought the band to a wider and more mainstream audience. FOAD2U2 graffiti adorned walls all over the country….some of it wasn’t even done by the band! Heavily influenced by the Crass ethic of DIY music, the band formed their own F.O.A.D label and licensed their records to All The Madmen, home of the Mob, Thatcher on Acid, Blyth Power and the Astronauts.

Paranoid Visons played gigs and toured with the likes of Poison Girls, DIRT, Blyth Power, Subhumans and The Instigators. In the early 90's they played with bands like Snuff, the Macc Ladds and Manic Street Preachers before calling it a day in 1992. Despite their disbanding, the 90's saw Paranoid Visions becoming the biggest punk band Ireland had ever produced, featuring on several TV shows, newspapers and being offered numerous record deals from Major labels. In 1996 they reformed to play support on some dates for the Sex Pistols Filthy Lucre tour. In 2001 they reformed again and played with the Damned, The Dickies and at the Wasted Festival in Morecombe. While these reunions were always designed to be short lived, with the 2005 reunion, formed in support of the re-release of their back catalogue, it was decided to continue the momentum.

April 2007 saw the release of the bands first new album since 1990. Entitled “40 Shades Of Gangreen” it captures the band at their most tuneful and caustic. General reaction has been that its the best woirk the band have done having been described thus:
"a blistering collection of anti establishment polemic" (hot press editorial)
"highly melodic aswell as being deeply, deeply raucous" (hot press review)
"a blockbuster"
(evening herald)

Throughout 2007, Paranoid Visions have performed regularly and will be performing one of the headline slots at the largest punk rock festival in the UK, Rebellion 2007. 2008 sees the release of part one of the bands 12" and CD tribute to their musical influences from the early Irish punk and new wave scene in the form of "The Treasure From The Wasteland" EP. A new album "Beware Of The God" is pencilled for the autumn along with another single serving as part two of the tribute series.



Sunday, November 29, 2020

THE INSANE - Politics EP 1981

Let's go back to rough & dirty punkrock from the UK and a band that didn't make an official album, but four fantastic 7inches. Originally formed as a five-piece band from Wigan in 1979, Barry (vocals), "Psycho" (guitars), Dean (bass), "Bambi" (drums) and Tina (2nd guitar), there were two bands called "The Insane" for a while when the original band split. They were very young at the start, with some of the group having only just left school. The band were rank amateurs, with Tina utilising the one-finger down the neck method made infamous by Crass. The band gigged for a year or so before making their vinyl debut with a track called 'Nuclear War', which appeared on the 1981 compilation Ten From The Madhouse. Read further infos on punkygibbon. The band actually saw fourteen different line-ups in their career and also recorded for Riot City Records. Both David and Simon later became members of Flux Of Pink Indians. Ma gugge ob ich nachher noch was nachlege.


Sunday, September 03, 2023

V/A - Halt! 2023

All right! Now, after a long time, one more selfmade Compilation is coming and there are songs on a certain topic that I don't usually do, but this time it was a need for me and it's quite possible that a second one will follow. It's about society & people, and I took thirty-seven killers which I like and think, they're fit. This manipulated society that is trapped in those systems and marches along tightly without following their own emotions and demands, that others hate because of a pimple on their forehead and let themselves be fooled every day and are numbed by the guidelines that are presented to them. Frightening & Incomprehensible this mass social control... I'm so sick of them! Certainly not just here but everywhere and I guess you know what I'm talking about, you see it every day. Anyway, this is my small contribution from the WDM Records headquarters with a lot of help by friends. Enjoy!

1.Bullshit Society - CRUMBSUCKERS
2.Fuck The Media - ANTIDOTE
3.Schmetterling - TEAM SCHEISSE
4.I Don't Wanna Work - QUEERS
5.Cremation In Belsen - THE GROUT
6.Knowledge - NYAM NYAM
7.One And One Is Two - BADBEATS
8.Punk's Not A Fashion - STRAIN
9.Don't Classify Me - TAZERS
10.A Year Without Summer - THE DICEMEN
11.I Don't Love You - DISHRAGS
12.Get Out Of My Life - VIOLATORS
13.Und So Weiter - DIE TOTEN HOSEN
14.Sick Society - HANGOVER
15.System - CRASS
16.Ihr Nennt Es Leben - INZEST
17.Society - THE RUTS
18.Nazi School - CRACKED ACTOR
19.Linke Spießer - SLIME
20.Don't Care - BLITZ
21.Sad Society - CHAOTIC YOUTH
22.I Hate People - ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE
23.Money Talks - PENETRATION
24.Dead Serious - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
25.Sick Society - DEEP SIX
26.Police Brutality - VICIOUS CIRCLE
27.World's Going Insane - THE INSANE
28.Society Rules - VIOLENT APATHY
29.Fuck You - THE STIFFS
30.I Like Drugs - SIMPLETONES
31.Essential Services - HERCO PILOTS
32.I'm So Sick Of It - BILLY SYNTH & THE TURN UPS
33.Just Be Yourself - NEGATIVE ELEMENT
34.Kill Someone You Hate - RED CROSS
35.Don't Believe - KRAUT
36.Insane Society - MENACE
37.Halt! - RAMMSTEIN

 

Saturday, May 16, 2015

ALTERNATIVE - In Nomine Patri EP 1982

Last one for today because I'm in a hurry for Serene Fall/Klotzs tonight in Exzess so I stolen the info from PunkyGibbon (forgive me): "These Scottish anarcho punks first surfaced with the poppiest (and by far best) cut on 1981's execrable Bullshit Detector. “Change It’, lifted from their demo, was a pretty crap song, but it had a tune and the whole LP was so miserable that even this innocuous ditty sounded good. So, having released their first recording via Crass, they spent the rest of their career being compared to them. By the time of the In Nomine Patri EP, they had a second guitarist - Dougie McHale (Actives) - and Wilf had been replaced by Gordon 'Gogs' Smith. With the addition of another vocalist (Linda 'Linger' Rotherham) they then shared a split cassette with Dirt and Reality Control (Live 23.10.82 The Bunker), and underwent more lineup changes. The new band released If They Treat You Like Shit - Act Like Manure, an LP which is considered an anarcho punk classic. They split in 1986 after recording more demos with yet more personnel revisions."

- Special Thx to Fredrik -


Thursday, March 16, 2023

KANGRENA - Terrorismo Sonoro EP 1983

Based in Barcelona are Kangrena and the four have only made in their short lifespan one 7Inch on Anarchi Rekords, and this sucker features five pieces of unique and irreproducible sound. The band was formed in 1981 by Kike (guitars), Johnny (bass) and Manolo (drums) while singer Quoque teamed up with them afterwards: He, uninvited, joined them up on stage for their version of "My Way" on a show in December that same year and was offered the vocalist's post. The name (a misspelling of the Spanish word for "gangrene"), was chosen because they wanted something that could be indentified with what they were doing. Or so they said in that interview for the Spanish fanzine "Melodias Destructoras." As for their influences, they said that musically it was the Sex Pistols sped up and Crass & Exploited lyrically. As for local influences, they expressed their like for Ultimo Resorte, Decibelios, R.I.P., Attak, Frenopaticss and some Siniestro Total stuff and their dislike for anything out of Madrid. They kept playing about once a month until their debut EP 'Terrorismo Sonoro' was released in 1983, some compilation appearances (mostly on tapes) followed and a seventeen track cassette called Estoc De Pus was released in 1984 and a second 'El Cubo De La Basura' a year later. Shortly thereafter the band broke up. Kangrena weren't famous for melodic songs, they are rough, untamed, undisciplined and uncompromising Hardcore that will blow your mind after several listens and more effective than any Aspirin, guaranteed!


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

THE LICKS - 1970's EP 1979

Formed in 1978 in Bishop Stortford the band decided to call themselves The Epileptics following a suggestion from one of their mothers. In August 1978 Crass played in Bishop Stortford and a long lasting friendship was established. Complaints of ‘ill-conceited jocularity’ from The British Epilepsy Association resulted in a name change to Epi-x, then changed to The Licks under pressure from Stortbeat who in 1979 released the band’s debut single, much played by John Peel. The band changed their name back to The Epileptics, more releases followed, then in early 1980 the nucleus of The Epileptics re-emerged as Flux Of Pink Indians. In 1981 the record was again released with the same songs but a bit faster and rougher, listen - Repressed in 2015 on Overground Records in an edition of 500 pieces - Nice one!

- Thx to Fredrik -


Saturday, November 02, 2019

ØRESUS - Galt Et Sted EP 1981 + Mannen I Badekaret 7'' 1982

Øresus ("Tinnitus") started in Skien in 1980 with Frode Olsen on bass, Pål Lillefjære on guitar, Ragnar Khøn on drums and Jan Ove Lorentzen on guitar and vocals. They were soon the leading band in the Telemark area with their mixture of punk, rock and ska combined with crass lyrics about society at large, sung in a Greenland dialect. They released their EP Galt Et Sted ("There Is Something Wrong Someplace") in 1981 and they went on to win the local Championship of Rock the same year, but boycotted the finale in Oslo as a protest against greedy promoters. In 1982 they released the single Mannen I Badekaret ("The Man In The Bathtub") and the year after they released the LP Ansikt Til Ansikt ("Face To Face" & could anybody send this to me? - The band split in 1983 but will reunite for a short gig in March of 2003 to release a CD of their material." by Bård. - All in all six brilliant kbd killers with a tough tempo, a cool saxophone plus a cute ballad. Yeah!! Compilation: Hurra For Norge #2 – Ich habe durch!


Tuesday, July 06, 2021

V/A - Rondelet Records (Punk Singles Collection) 1995

With the emerging punk movement and the numerous new bands, of course, labels had to be founded that brought their music to the people. In England for example, some well-known labels get established and published a few singles, mostly in small editions and nowadays very sought by collectors, and made it possible for some bands to expand their radius and the opportunity to play gigs in other regions, partly over to the mainland. Anagram Records had the idea of creating a series called The Punk Collectors Series in the mid-90s and pressed the singles from these small labels onto CD and brought thus the old classics back to life with these chirping compilations. Today a small selection from Rondelet Records with bands which made more than one single in their lifespan and many of you probably know & partly waiting in the blog.

1.No Government - ANTI-PASTI
2.Two Years Too Late - ANTI-PASTI
3.Another Dead Soldier - ANTI-PASTI
4.Six Guns - ANTI-PASTI
5.Burial - THE FITS
6.Violent Society - SPECIAL DUTIES
7.Colchester Council - SPECIAL DUTIES
8.Bomb Scare - DEAD MAN'S SHADOW
9.Another Hiroshima - DEAD MAN'S SHADOW
10.East To The West - ANTI-PASTI
11.Muscles - THE MEMBRANES
12.Police State - SPECIAL DUTIES
13.Go To Hell - THREATS
14.Fuck The Tories - RIOT SQUAD
15.We Are The Riot Squad - RIOT SQUAD
16.Bullshit Crass - SPECIAL DUTIES
17.Riot In The City - RIOT SQUAD
18.Caution In The Wind - ANTI-PASTI
19.Flower In The Gun - DEAD MAN'S SHADOW
20.High Street Yanks - THE MEMBRANES
21.Politicians & Ministers - THREATS
22.Last Laugh - THE FITS


Friday, December 25, 2015

INSTIGATORS - Nobody Listens Anymore 1985

Today there is not much to tell coz I'm knocked from yesterday. Much gin and beer, plus delicious wild roast with dumplings and red cabbage and then a round of Risiko, Walking Dead Edition and this awesome record turned their rounds, the debut album, released on Bluurg Records, by the fantastic Instigators, great harmonious melodic Punkrock from Huddersfield, England. Short onfo: the band was formed in 1980 by drummer Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw and guitarist Simon Mooney, both students at Thornhill High School, and the line-up was completed by Simon "Semi" Bridgewater (vocals) and Nicky Djorjevic (bass Guitar). They took the name Instigators on the suggestion of Ritchie Calvert of the band Disintegrated. The band's first live performance was in summer 1982. Influences on the band included Crass and Flux of Pink Indians. - You can read a review from Pushead on cool kfth site but I think this is superfluous, their music is with distance one of the best from the British Island.... magic!


Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE SATELLITES - Here Is Todays News... 1984

Heiliges Ließchen, I've just eaten my first self made omelette and I should have been a cook, perfectly seasoned, golden brown fried and nibbled in five minutes and to this the full length by the Satellites. Founded 1977 in Acton/London by Derek (vocals), Robert (guitars), John (bass) and Danny (drums), released via Brickyard Records. In their six-year life, they made four 7Inches plus this album which was produced by Rat Scabies. They were at the centre of a west London Punk scene with The Ruts and shared a stage with Tubeway Army, Crass, The Pack... You can meet them on some compilations and on this slab are fourteen songs, sometimes fast - sometimes longer, nice mixed and made to bring you a relaxed evening of Punk Rock'N'Roll. That's all for today, bleibt artig!


Sunday, March 27, 2022

V/A - P.E.A.C.E. Compilation 2LP 1984

I don't think this excellent release in form of a double record set can be more topical, and as we all have to realize, mankind hasn't gotten any wiser even after almost forty years. There is always some aggressor somewhere who expresses its sick ideology with lies and blind helpers and it is appalling that no diplomacy, no system, and no sensible compromise can prevent a violent confrontationPathetic, disappointing & lifeless all the pursuit of power and heroism. About the record: "This massive international Hardcore/Punk compilation features fifty-five bands/songs and was organized and released by the infamous MDC on the band's own label R Radical Records. The worldwide hardcore scene was at its peak at this point, still underground enough to repel corrupting outside influences like major labels and heavy metal, but already hardened into a rigid aesthetic and political dogma that often encouraged groupthink and musical conformity. P.E.A.C.E. documents the state of "Reagan-era" Hardcore, just before the popularity of extreme music spread through decidedly non-radical camps and into the mainstream. Among the fifty-five bands on board are well-known plus the best tracks by courtesy of obscure groups of the local scenes from Argentina, South Africa to Japan. Most of the bands included retain, either through design or some bizarre quirk of ineptitude, a stamp of individuality on their sound that makes this an entertaining collection.

An extensive booklet insert is packed with political rants, cartoons, and suggestions for further reading, making explicit the double-LP's theme of activism and action against a corrupt authority. Plus, each band is provided with a full page to express their ideas (and plug their wares) with printed lyrics and crudely effective collage art. Reissued on CD in 1997 by New Red Archives with bonus cuts." (Fred Beldin) - A real highlight of an international gathering that shows how it can work.

1.Up Against A Wall - ARTICLES OF FAITH
2.Endless Blockades For The Pussy Footer - G.I.S.M.
3.Ashes To Ashes - NEON CHRIST
4.Schlueters Kabinet - KALASHNIKOV
5.Time Will Tell - CAUSE FOR ALARM
6.No U.S.A. - LOCAL DISTURBANCE
7.Honour's Calling - UNWARRANTED TRUST
8.Finirà Mai? - WRETCHED
9.Drop The A-Bomb On Me - O.D.F.X
10.Here Come The Cops - THE AFFLICTED
11.Inutile Trionfo - DECLINO
12.Hope You Get Drafted - THE DICKS
13.Arms Race - B.G.K.
14.It's You - CRASS
15.Swastika Ratss - UPRIGHT CITIZENS
16.Banana Split Republic - FALSE PROPHETS
17.Nuclear Attack - MOB 47
18.Face Down In The Dirt - OFFENDERS
19.Sbarre - CONTRAZIONE
20.So Much Hate - S.C.U.M.
21.Viejos Pateticos - LOS VIOLADORES
22.Sometimes - DEADLOCK
23.Will It Ever End? - P.P.G.
24.Peace Of What? - TRASH
25.Police Brutality - VICIOUS CIRCLE
26.Gartlands Pit - CONDEMNED TO DEATH
27.Non Mi Dire - NEGAZIONE
28.America The Beautiful - D.O.A.
29.Snap - D.R.I.
30.Jump Back - PORNO PATROL
31.Drop Out - TREASON
32.Abortos - SHIT S.A.
33.Silence - SEPTIC DEATH
34.Life Of Punishment - C.C.M.
35.No Mai - PEGGIO PUNX
36.An Uneasy Peace - THE PROLETARIAT
37.From Protest To Resistance - CONFLICT
38.Battlefield (Nightmare) - ICONOCLAST
39.Pay For Shit - PANDEMONIUM
40.Kinky Sex Makes The World Go 'Rround - DEAD KENNEDYS
41.Skorbut - BOSKOPS
42.Rats - SUBHUMANS
43.Peace Officer - WHITE LIE
44.R.A.T./Pentagone - WARGASM
45.Four More Hours - SLAUGHTERHOUSE 4
46.Finale - THE EXECUTE
47.Reagan Youth - REAGAN YOUTH
48.The Man Goes On - IMPACT
49.100 Million People Dead - BUTTHOLE SURFERS
50.Ataque - KANGRENA
51.Will Amerika - PORCELAIN FOREHEAD
52.No Mercy No War - BARELY HUMAN
53.Contro La Pace Contro La Guerra - R.A.F. PUNK
54.Moment By Moment/Exiled Shadows - ZENZILE
55.Missile Destroyed Civilization - MDC


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

THE SYSTEM - Thought Control 1997

Since I do a boat trip on the weekend and now I'm sick. Since yesterday plague me sore throat and it's damn unpleasant. Hope it goes quickly away. Last Friday I ripped this brilliant record by the System and today I come to post this and the advantage here is that a short bandbio is print on the backcover so here it is: The System formed in the summer of 1980 having messed around in various other bands since 1978. In 1981 they met a band called Flux Of Pink Indians, who helped them make their first single - the Warfare EP. This was very successful and contained their anthem - the Dogs Of War. By mid 1981 they were touring with Flux Of Pink Indians and the legendary Crass. They followed up with their second single - The System Is Murder. By this time they were being recognized all over the UK, Europe and the USA. Soon the album would follow and this record, however, never saw the light of day until 1997, through the help of Profane Existance and Skuld Records. Sorry it is a bit late but politics never change. And its as relevant today as it would have been then. Thirteen very good pieces, two of them live, chic presentation and recommended.


Sunday, July 13, 2014

HAGAR THE WOMB - Word Of The Womb 12'' 1984

I continue with my last two posts from WDR and this 12inch is damn good. Hagar The Womb were an English punk rock band, active in the early 1980s and part of the Anarcho-punk movement. Released on Mortarhate Records, the band was formed in London in 1980, in the toilets of the Wapping Anarchy Centre, established by the efforts of seminal anarchist bands Crass and Poison Girls. The original line-up was all-female, reflecting the band's purpose of giving women a voice in the anarcho-punk scene: Ruth Elias (vocals), Karen Amden (vox), Nicola Corcoran (vox), Janet Nassim (guitar), and Steph Cohen (bass). They toured a lot in the UK, release some tapes and two 12inches. In 2011 Mississippi Records brought a compilation with all their recordings out. - Great female melodic punk goodies.


Sunday, April 26, 2020

POWERAGE & COMPOS MENTIS - Backlash! EP 1987

Influenced by overseas bands such as Crass, Discharge and Chaos UK, Compos Mentis wrote politically charged songs that critiqued both mainstream New Zealand and the cliquey factions within the alternative music scene. Described by Simon Cottle of Anti-System zine as “New Zealand's ultimate political thrash band” Compos Mentis lasted for a good half of the 1980s at a time when a more politicised punk scene was emerging in Wellington. Compos Mentis began life in 1982 as the short lived Destructive Adolescents, a teenage punk band from the Hutt Valley suburb of Silverstream, formed by Craig and David A.. After the D.A's vocalist quit Peter Stitt and Heather joined the band playing their first gig at Craig's work Christmas do. By all accounts this went down with the largely older audience like a bucket of cold sick and they were forced to stop after a few songs. Shortly after this the band changed it's name to World War III for a brief period before opting for Compos Mentis which translates from Latin as “of sound mind”. Following this Peter left the band due to personality differences and Ben and Sean were recruited into the band briefly. At this time two other members, Simon and Grant, of Hutt Valley band Gotham City joined. The input from these two new members led to a tighter musical direction for the band and during 1986-1987 Compos Mentis released three 7” singles (one here), a tape compilation of early work dating back to 1984 and appeared on a number of compilations. Compos Mentis were a central band in the emergence of an openly politicized anarcho-punk scene that emerged in the 1980s. Songs such as Run for Shelter railed against Nazi-punks while Patricia Bartlett is an inspired rant against Lower Hutt's then self-appointed leader of the 'moral majority'. The band were also active in producing their own zine, Communicade.

Power Age formed in Durban, South Africa in June 1981. The first line-up was Spike (vocals), Brett & Brian (guitars), Dave (bass), Mark Pills (drums) & their first gig was on 3rd October 1981 supporting the Gay Marines. It was their first encounter with the police as well, as Spike got taken in, because some policemen didn't like his pink mohawk. In June '82 Spike arranged a benefit show and 6 punk bands played. The show was a great success. Straight after this show Brian and Dave left. Midge joined on bass and it proved better with one guitar, so it was kept to a four piece. In November '82 Mark left to go live in England. Rubin Rose (previously from South Africa’s first punk band Wild Youth and later Warspike) replaced him immediately and the band really started moving. In April '83 they put out their first 7" release ‘World War III/ Vengeance Of Youth’. At the same time Midge left the band due to musical differences. The band was stagnant for two months until Paddy joined on bass. He was a good friend of the band but had never played before, so it was like starting again. In '84 the two songs off the first 7" were released on the UK compilation ‘Beating The Meat’. At this time in Durban (and the whole of South Africa) the scene was virtually dead - Power Age were the only punk band. In June '84 they played the ‘Punk '84’ show with new bands Wild Justice and State Control. It was a fantastic success and the owner of the venue let them run it for punk shows. Things went well and a good number of bands sprung up and the scene started moving. In June '85 they put out a C-60 tape ‘Who Are You?’ - one side studio, the other live and also succeeded in getting a track ‘System’ onto a French compilation EP entitled ‘Single Ticket To Paradise’. November '85 saw the release of the now legendary 4-track EP ‘Stop Apartheid’ in France by Neg-FX Records. In May '86 the band put out another C-60 tape release ‘Ripe For Terror’. At the same time they did a benefit show for a friend in jail. The venue owner somehow heard that it was a benefit for the ANC, and called the police. The police came, smashed up the gig and it was over. Luckily no one was arrested. Then the saddest moment came... Rubin quit the band in June '86. He had warned he might have to leave due to mounting pressure from his bosses. Peter then joined on drums, but couldn't play, so the band were stagnant again for 3 months. In February '87 they put out the two song 7" tribute to Rubin ‘World Today/Waiting for the War’ (recorded in '84) on their new label Power Noize Records. At the same time Peter left to play with Screaming Foetus and their good friend Choppy replaced him. In April '87 Power Age released a 5-track EP entitled ‘The Last Dove’. June '87 saw the release of the EP ‘Backlash’, a split EP with New Zealand-band Compos Mentis released on Out Of Order Records as well as one track ‘Eat Wheat Not Meat’ on a USA compilation LP entitled ‘The ALF Is Watching And You Can't Escape’. Having played only 77 shows in their 7 year existence Powerage played their last show on the 29th of July 1988. This show was recorded and made available as the ‘Live In Durban’ LP. (source: upthepunks & discogs)

1.This Is South Africa - POWERAGE
2.Disgrace - POWERAGE
3.Lies - POWERAGE
4.Chase Corpse - COMPOS MENTIS
5.Rock Stars - COMPOS MENTIS
6.Patricia Bartlett - COMPOS MENTIS


Sunday, August 23, 2020

TH' INBRED - A Family Affair 1986

Puuhhhhh, somehow I'm not coming vertical today and my muse seems to be drunk from yesterday. Well, only one effective means help: cold beer + fast music; the medicine today is: Th' Inbred, a Punk/Hardcore band from Morgantown/West Virginia. Formed in 1984 by @rt (vocals), Robert (guitars), Duff (bass), Biff 3 (drums) and they released one EP and two albums between 1985 and 1988 and toured the US three times. A politically pointed punk act influenced by celebrities of the punk scene of that time (Dead Kennedys, Minutemen, Crass and Black Flag), their thrashy attack morphed into jazz-influenced hardcore by the end. As you can see, this is the artwork of the German pressing on Bonzen Records which includes the "Reproduction" EP as bonus, unfortunately not parat here. Anyway, the twelve songs are very powerful and impressive and the original idea was to form punk band that incorporated a banjo into the band. Subject matter of the songs included many looking critically at the punk scenes they were (or had been) a part of or linked to. There was an influence from situationism and anarchism. They disbanded in 1988 and singer Robert died sadly on February 8, 2020Nothing more today, important the football Champions-League final in about four hours.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -


Tuesday, March 07, 2017

DISRUPTERS - Alive In The Electric Chair 12'' 1985

Hell Yeah, what I wrote for The Normals stands as well for the Disrupters, an anarchist punk band from Norwich, formed in late 1980 and the band got off to an early start with a demo of Napalm being released by Crass Records on the Bullshit Detector compilation. This mini-album on Radical Change Records already counts to their last records and shine with six melodic, not typical for the hard UK punk stuff of the early days in my opinion, mid-tempo numbers. Excellent beats and very good lyrics and a great artwork. Alive In An Electric Chair is more than a 10.000 volt flash and be warned, addiction potential. The band split in 1988, disallusioned with the growing divides within the scene.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -