D.R.I. - Live @ CBGB'S New York 1984

This brings back a lot of memories. In the early 80s I listen to a lot of Metal stuff because I was a Metaller with all my heart. I leave this style when I came in touch with American Hardcore bands like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, Warfare (UK) etc.... so also with D.R.I. The Hardcore sound was an integral part in this scene and then more and more concerts took place I rather visited of course those gigs as Megadeth or Anthrax. 1986 then D.R.I. live in my city, together with Holy Moses (ARRGGHHH!) and this show changed my lifestyle completely. I will not say that they made me a punk because I've also heard some German punk bands, EA80, Slime, Daily Terror, OHL for example, but they were rarely present live as the ami bands. I would say my interest in metal was deleted this evening, First-class performance with pogo till the shack crashed, unforgotten. Who ever saw a D.R.I. gig can attest to this. A little info:

D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) is a crossover thrash band from the United States that formed in Houston, in 1982. The band currently comprises founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Rob Rampy and bassist Harald Oimoen. D.R.I. never gained a mainstream audience, but the integration of their hardcore punk roots with thrash metal influences was a stylistic catalyst for their contemporaries - most notably Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion Of Conformity and Stormtroopers Of Death - alongside whom they are considered pioneers of what would later be called "crossover thrash." They have released seven original studio albums, the last of which was released in 1995. Since then, the band has continued touring and intermittently going on hiatus. In 2004, D.R.I. released a web-only demo track "Against Me", their first recording in a decade. For years, there has been talk of an eighth D.R.I. album, which has yet to materialize.

The first three albums are all terrific and as '4 Of A Kind' came out the music was too monotonous to me and I lost interest. I love more the rapid, wild aggressive sound and here on this CD are all their hits. Forty songs in Thirty-Nine minutes. A Must Listen!!

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D.R.I. - Dirty Rotten LP 1983

Kurt (vocals), Spike (guitars), Dennis (bass) & Eric (drums), the first line-up of D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) released their first masterpiece with twenty-two blasts on a 7Inch in 1983 on their own label Dirty Rotten Records. In the same year it was re-released as 12Inch by R Radical Records (MDC label) and this slab ranks high in my top ten. I remember exactly how blown away I was after going through this Hardcore firework, and the bar was already set high because MDC's debut is a milestone and I had a hard time imagining it rising, but this band from Houston (later based in San Francisco) went one "better". Pure energy paired with skilful, almost virtuoso interplay at a brisk tempo plus Kurt's fantastic voice. This is real magic and makes every Hardcore heart beating faster, being in love is harmless in comparison. And that's exactly the sound to get your emotions straight to the point and create slogans that are burned into your brain. Anyone who has heard that will have to become someone else, at least that's how it was for me. And this music is great if you want to clear your head, when it's full of shit, tried and true home remedy. You see, there's a reason I picked this record for today, and it's the weekend so appropriate for that too. I want give you a sparkling review which I can't:

"Starting with the awesome 'I Don't Need Society' and ending with the anthemic 'Explorer', D.R.I.'s debut album was an important stepping stone in the evolution of both metal and hardcore. D.R.I. drew a line in the sand between the American hardcore bands who wanted to stick close to the original punk sound and bands who wanted to branch out into heavy metal territory. D.R.I.'s use of thunderous heavy metal drumming and California Hardcore songwriting made Dirty Rotten LP something special, putting them in a category with Corrosion Of Conformity and Suicidal Tendencies as the forefront of a new movement. Their angry lyrics revolved around the usual political and social ills, but their approach was a staggering blend of pre-grindcore blastbeats (that particular drumming style may have even had its first recorded instance here), blunt and simplistic guitar riffs, and an acidic vocal workout from the young Kurt Brecht. His charismatic shout was the tone-deaf glue that kept the band together, especially in the face of abbreviated songs and sloppy playing. With some humorous lyrics, endless enthusiasm, and a penchant for short song times (only one song makes it past the two-minute mark), D.R.I.'s debut was a landmark album that paved the way for exciting new hardcore bands to spring up in its wake." (Bradley Torreano)

If you like loud old school Eighties Hardcore, this is for you! 

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CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - Money Talks 1987

I remember when my best Friend and I listen to their first album Convicted we were completely blown away, such fast music we knew only from Septic Death, D.R.I., Raw Power & MDC but that was Hardcore and at that time we broke with Metal and became Punx and Cryptic Slaughter mixed both genres into one big whole and on the second album they drove the pace back a little, nevertheless famos! Info: The band was formed 1984 by Les Evans (age 17), Scott Peterson (age 14) and Adam Scott (age 15), who met through their mutual participation in the American Youth Soccer League (AYSO). Soon they were joined by Bill Crooks (age 15), a friend of Adam Scott and a fellow soccer player. Adam Scott was let go a few months later due to conflicts regarding his parents and school. Their first demo, Life in Grave, was produced in 1985 and became well circulated in the burgeoning tape-trader underground. Their first full-length LP, Convicted, was released in 1986 on Death/Metal Blade records, whose artist roster also boasted D.R.I., Corrosion Of Conformity, the Mentors and Beyond Possession. Within its first year of release, Convicted sold over 25,000 copies and earned Cryptic Slaughter the reputation as being one of the fastest bands in hardcore. Next came Money Talks in 1987, which is still considered by many to be the band's best effort. Mixing crushing grooves with lightning speed, Money Talks surpassed Convicted's success by selling 35.000 in its first year and by earning Cryptic Slaughter a fanatical following around the world. They took on the right-wing theocracy directly, with songs like "Freedom Of Expression" that skewered the censorial nature of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), founded by Al Gore's wife Tipper. Their "American Heroes" directly confronted the mass media heroic mythology of the astronauts who died in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, when millions toil to survive daily in a world of injustice. Along with D.R.I. they were at the forefront of a musical genre known as much for its relentless energy as its radical anti-authoritarian politics, even if not all the listeners paid attention.

The original line-up recorded their final studio album, Stream Of Consciousness, in 1988. Unhappy with the recording process and the album's production, the band's internal problems were magnified by life on the road. They broke up in the summer on tour before Stream was released later that fall, they played their last show in Detroit on July 14, 1988.

Shortly after returning home, however, guitarist Les Evans and bassist Rob Nicholson recruited new member Eli Nelson and continued on in a new direction. This new incarnation was short-lived, however, and Evans moved to Portland in May 1989 to reform the band with an entirely new line-up, which included Brian Lehfeldt of Wehrmacht fame. The final Cryptic Slaughter album, Speak Your Peace, was a definite departure from the previous material, heavily influenced by a changing music scene.

The band are often credited as one of the progenitors of crossover, the thrash metal and hardcore crossover genre, along with such seminal acts as D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity and Suicidal Tendencies. In 2003, Relapse Records reissued Convicted and Money Talks with added bonus tracks from Cryptic Slaughter's demo and live recordings. Due to legal reasons, the band changed their name to Lowlife and will be touring and playing CS songs.

And now I have to go to the birthday party of a dear friend!

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V/A - Rat Music For Rat People Vol.2 1984

Well, the Bundesliga opener yesterday was a total flop, 0:5 after forty-five minutes, a brilliant performance in all areas, impressive. Bayern showed Frankfurt where the hammer is, and made it clear who wants to become Deutscher Meister. It will be difficult for any Bundesliga club to beat this team. Nevertheless, I'm sure that the SGE will play a good season. To the post: a decent compilation by CD Presents Ltd. is the second part of the mini Rat People serie. Eleven renowned bands of the Eighties with fourteen classics come to your house to tell you to keep an eye out for their records and to get your lame butt moving because those little flabs are telling you: no more convenience! Partly different versions than on their records make this delicacy an absolute listening and Pogo pleasure. And now breakfast.

1.Butthole Surf Theme Song - BUTTHOLE SURFERS

2.History - BIG BOYS

3.The Seed - BIG BOYS

4.Case History - PERSONALITY CRISIS

5.Fake Contest - MINUTEMEN

6..Middle America - J.F.A.

7.Skate Or Bate - TALES OF TERROR

8.They Sent Me To Hell C.O.D. - FANG

9.Pay To Come Along - MDC

10.(R)evolution In Rock - MDC

11.Legacy Of Man - DICKS

12.Madman - D.R.I.

13.Sad To Be - D.R.I.

14.Postcard From Dachau - THE WHITE LIE

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D.R.I. - Crossover 1987

With their third album D.R.I. set new standards and the term crossover has since established itself as a new genre in the punk world. I remember exactly when I first heard this and thought, what the fuck is this? If you know the first two albums and expect one hardcore piece after the other, you'll be surprised at first, but Crossover immediately captivates you and you're just gone. In the same year they came on tour and it was a must, no matter in which condition and it was great. Thirty years and not a bit quiet, still a fantastic album. Don' miss the legendary concert at CBGB'S in New York 1984 and enjoy the sunny cold sunday with a cup of tea.

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PROTES BENGT - In Bengt We Trust EP 1986

Now we come to music extreme and such records exist only a few. Protes Bengt started 1985 and was a blast off hardcore project by Åke (guitars) from Mob 47 and Per (vocals) from Filthy Christians, Ola (bass) & Chrille (drums). The band was mainly formed to break some guys who did a tape with loads of songs. Protes Bengt never rehearsed but made two recordings. The first recording contains 74 "songs" of which thirty-two were released as the In Bengt We Trust EP on Röj Records. Most of the lyrics are really stupid but some have serious contents. The second recording was a twelve track demo called Bengt E Sänkt, the style had change to more one beat hardcore like Heresy, D.R.I. or Lärm. If you haven’t heard this band before and if you’re into Mob 47, Anti-Cimex or Shitlickers you’re probably going to die in a few seconds, they just fucked shit up with this one! Crazy, over the top euro thrash, just a millisecond before others combinded this with Replusion and others. A bit of collector trivia: 1000 copies were made and when the band ordered a second press, the pressing plant mixed up the plates and pressed 1000 more of the Mob 47 EP. They kept them, made new sleeves and sold them. Represses of this came with different sleeves. And yes, the demo that followed after this blows it to pieces. It’s incredible!!! This dittie has thirty-two tracks... so let's smash a window!

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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 confrontation. Pathetic, 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

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RAW POWER - Live From The Gutter 1996

Puhhh, almost sleepy half of Saturday and still not fit and tonight to Mainz for a gig but I don't wanna moan, at my age I need longer regeneration phases. Today's post pulls us to the boot in the middle of the mediterranean sea and we're attending a gig of Raw Power which was recorded @ the "Maffia Illecit Music Club", Reggio Emilia on the first of march 1996. Released via Godhead and I remember when I first listen to their debut record I was totally excited, such an amazing aggressive hard sound I only knew of US Hardcore bands as Septic Death, MDC or D.R.I., and clear that I was immediately interested in the Italian scene and enriched my collection with more vinyl, yeah... I love this music! On this little sucker are twenty-seven blasts in a varied compilation of old classics and newer songs and I find the selection perfect. Check their homepage for more info and enjoy the show.

Intro/Give Me Back My Youth/Power/No Way/Fight/82-92/Start A Fight/Police Police/Politicians/Kill The Poor/Nihilist/Y.T.T./You Are The Victim/Peace?/Fight The Army/Zaff/My Boss/No Way Out/You're Fired/Alone/A Certain Kind Of Killer/Two Faced Bitch/Fuck Authority/Raw Power/Hate/State Oppression/White Minority

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MDC - Millions Of Dead Cops 1982

If we talk about American Hardcore so is the debut of the Texas MDC unavoidable. Originally formed as The Stains in late 70s and they released a 7Inch on Radical Records (listen) which already shows an amazing quality with two offensive smasher. Then the band also changed their name to a different initialism of MDC with every new record released. They play fast hardcore punk music espousing far-left sociopolitical ideals, with singer Dave Dictor expressing his animal rights, gay rights, transgender rights, pro-racial equality and anti-capitalist convictions. I have experienced the band several times live, last I think 2016 in the Au, and the dynamic and intensity of the recordings have always been exceeded and are always a pleasure, as well as this fantastic album, a milestone!, and together with D.R.I.'s first twenty-two song album (digi today) the best Hardcore slab from the states... convince yourself!

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V/A - What Doesn't Hurt Us Makes Us Stronger 1985

Friedrich Nietzsche adage "That which does not kill us makes us stronger!", a wise sentence I believe. So reason enough for the Berlin label Destiny Records to bring out an excellent compilation with this quote. Of course here many Berlin bands are represented together with the Ami fraction which ensure at that time for furore and the divine hardcore punks from Pisa. Partially goodies on it which can only be found here but most of them are on the bands own records or released as 7inches which are also difficult to obtain in these gray days. The first pressing comes with title in golden letters, my copy. The repress was with white. Offensive music for offensive people, not grow weary.

1.No Words - C.C.M.

2.Build It Up - PORNO PATROL

3.Ausbruch - ZERSTÖRTE JUGEND

4.Pluto - THE REST

5.Born To Die - MDC

6.I Need A Crime - C.C.M.

7.Why Must I Die - ZERSTÖRTE JUGEND

8.Over The Edge - FORTSCHREITENDE ANGSTZUSTÄNDE

9.Salute The Survivers - MANIACS

10.Mastering Your Mind - FORTSCHREITENDE ANGSTZUSTÄNDE

11.Yes Ma'am - D.R.I.

12.Kleptomaniac - MDC

13.Sohn Gottes - INFERNO

14.Warrior - MANIACS

15.Bout Me - THE REST

16.I'm Using You - THE REST

17.You Or Me - PORNO PATROL

18.Das Leben - ZERSTÖRTE JUGEND

19.Terminal Of Fun - C.C.M.

20.Zukunftsvision - INFERNO

21.All The Aces - MANIACS

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ZERO POINT - Hooligans With Cheap Guitars 2006

Putting Denmark on the map with Zero Point, they were formed 1979 in Århus, but it all started a long time before that and is one of Denmark’s oldest and longest running Punk-Rock bands. The band was originally formed by Henrik Lund and Steen Thomsen and has been through several line-up changes since then. After releasing two EP's, a ten song tape and some compilation stuff, plus recorded some studio takes there never got a proper release and playin' more than 200 gigs (after that they lost count), among them gigs in England, Germany, Spain and Norway, the band called it a day and split in 1987. In 2002 Steen reformed the band and in the official program for 2002's “Holidays In The Sun” Festival in England they where voted among “THE BEST PUNK/Oi! BANDS IN THE WORLD EVER”!!! In 2003 they did their “comeback” gig at the Antifest in the Czech Republic in front of a 5000 + crowd. Since then they have played the Punk-Aid Festival 2004 in the U.K., the WASTED Festival 2005 in the Netherlands, done gigs with bands like The Toy Dolls, D.R.I. and been headlining their own 25 Years Anniversary gigs in Denmark (supported by very special guests: FOREIGN LEGION from the U.K.). This compilation contains all the 1979-1987 releases and recordings.

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TARGET OF DEMAND - Man's Ruin 1983

One of the best kept secrets of Eighties California Hardcore, Target Of Demand hailed from Long Beach and consisted of Jim (vocals), Brian & Mike (guitars), AJ (bass), George (drums), and they released only this ten blast via the small Happy Hermit label and a couple Compilation tracks before disbanding. Due to their very short existence as a band, and the fact that they were much more influenced by Teen Idles or SS Decontrol and the sounds coming out of Boston and the Midwest, rather than what was going on in California at the time, this incredibly ripping is 100% pure American Hardcore. They also appear 1985 on the fantastic When Men Were Men... And Sheep Were Scared Compilation on Bemisbrain Records. They are a straight-edge band but their lyrics stay far away from the usual cliché topics of such bands, most of them are attacks on the rich, the government, positive thinking, etc... A suitable review: "This new Long Beach Hardcore group seems to have been influenced quite a bit by D.R.I. The comparison shouldn’t be exaggerated, however, because Target Of Demand adds characteristic SoCal hooks to their intense thrash attack, and the results are startlingly good. Of the songs, “The Poor Rich” takes a potshot at wealthy Malibu residents endangered by mudslides, and “Judgement” and “Plastic Bullets” are particularly savage and to the point thematically. Quintessential American ’80s thrash." (Jeff Bale, MRR #12 • March 1984) - Essential Record!

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OFFENDERS - Fight Back EP 1989

The Offenders were a four piece, formed 1978 in Killeen/Texas by Davy RIP (vocals), Anthony RIP (guitars), Mikey RIP (bass) & Pat (drums). After relocating to Austin in 1980, the band became known worldwide as one of the premiere Hardcore bands out of the Lone Star state. Raw and rabid, and just as skillful in realizing their musical rebellion as, for example, their friends and drinking mates D.R.I. and MDC.

Beginning stylistically with classic Punkrock, the Four made an excellent turn to an untamed sound, which was brilliantly transformed into impetuous energy and playful sophistication with intensity and enormous passion. They ruled, without doubt the scene throughout the infamous Reagan era. This litte Sucker was brought via Hamburg based label Bitzcore and features five unprecedented quick-witted arguments, two previously released as their Lost Causes 7Inch in 1981 on Suffering Sounds plus three, probably from a demo, non-album recordings. In their eight year life-span they fabricated only two pretty cool albums, a couple of 7Inches plus loads of compilation invites. In 1986, the band dissolved much too early.

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