V/A - A Manchester Collection 1979

Somehow I'm not really waking up today and the long working week has fucked me off, despite the holiday, but I also want to make a first post on this sunny Sunday before I have to take care of the stupid obligations as a tenant. This nice compilation shows bands of the Manchester Musicians Collective and was released via Object Music and is an early audio document of the emerging underground scene in this city. A short intro from the BandOnTheWall site which describes those early days in detail: "When the idea of a Manchester Musicians Collective first emerged, it was expected that the participants would be from the exploratory end of the music spectrum, free improvisers perhaps and committed experimentalists, possibly mixing music with performance art. This expectation was based on the involvement with other collectives of the two original protagonists, music graduates Trevor Wishart and Dick Witts (Trevor in York, Dick in London). But soon after the Collective got going in April 1977 it was obvious that Manchester’s version would be very different: much more Rock’N’Roll." Well, infected by this spirit, in addition to the loud, horrible Punk music that emerged at the end of the seventies, numerous bands were formed and left us unforgettable moments with their tuneful sounds. A refreshing record, that still pushes me in a good mood!

1.You Are The One - GROW-UP

2.Night Rally - GROW-UP

3.I'm In Love - I.Q. ZERO

4.I Must Obey - I.Q. ZERO

5.Why - FAST CARS

6.What Can I Do? - FAST CARS

7.Monotony - MEDIATERS

8.Fireplace - FIREPLACE

9.Dutchman - FIREPLACE

10.First Floor - PICTURE CHORDS

11.Levitating Ladies - PICTURE CHORDS

12.The Cake Shop Device - MANCHESTER MEKON

13.Property Of... - PROPERTY OF...

14.Wooden Gangsters - VIBRANT THIGH

15.Working On The Line - F.T.INDEX

16.Double Face - SLIGHT SECONDS

17.New Me - SLIGHT SECONDS

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ANGRY RED PLANET - Little Pigs, Little Pigs 1987

Weekend's near and we welcome it with Angry Red Planet, a three piece + formed in Detroit in 1982 and the first slab was the self-released a EP called Too Much Knowledge Can Be Dangerous in 1983. Gawker's Paradise was the followup four song EP which was released by Touch And Go Records in 1985. After that followed Little Pigs, Little Pigs on their own Angry Red Records in 1987 and their last album Give 'Em Enough Dope...., again on Angry Red Records in 1989. During the 80's they played regularly in the Detroit area, as well as touring throughout the rest of the country. During its existence might have gotten more attention in Europe than in the U.S.A. Not only was the first album licensed in Germany in 1987 (“Little Pigs, Little Pigs” – but without the elusive silk screened cover the original pressing has) – German label Double A Records also released a so-so live album with recordings of the bands highly enjoyable 1988 Euro Tour. Like so many bands, Angry Red Planet had developed a rather twisted, noisy sound by the end of the 80s, when rock music (seemed) dead and on the floor. Give this two or three listens and you will start singing along, guaranteed. It’s about time somebody does this band minimal justice and re-releases the discography. I'm not sure where I found these wonderful words but they take over my useless ones, I heard them first on the brilliant Going Nowhere Slow and 10 Meter Ohne Kopf compliations and their music is quirky, innovative, original hardcore-punk… Just listen!

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GLUEAMS - Discography 2010

"One of the holy grails of femme Punk underground gets a much-deserved reissue" and this straightforward ’77 masterpiece was brought to us by Static Age in an edition of 500 copies. This little label from Berlin has already revived some real Nuggets and I think, this one's is the first release at all. Egal, the Glueams were a short-lived combo which released back in the day (1979-1980) only three EP's which are all on this sucker plus seven unpolished live tracks from the "Swiss Punk Now" Festival which took place in November 1979. On this record are involved: Dorette (vocals), Huri & Martin E. & Martin P. (guitars), G.T. (bass), Marco (drums). I'll leave you with a suitable review so I don't have to write much:

"Absolutly beautifully packaged collection of the 7Inche of this essential Swiss Punx, plus a remastered but still raw live set. Fierce female vocals over artfully constructed yet raging punk that's somewhere between Jack & The Rippers, Lost Kids and TNT! Dorette's vocals are less schreechy than Poly Syrene and less arch than Kleenex, but have this raucous sexy quality them that brings to mind Lost Kids. The music is basic, sorta brutish in places but anthemic and catchier than scabies. It's hard not do dance to this shit. "365" is a dance party floor filler, "Mental" is a triumphant anthem; perfect for soundtracking another crappy day in the real world. The lead guitar part sounds weirdly intricate and repetitive. "Strassen" has this swagger to it, the vocals less exubertant than on the first Singles, then a paint-by-numbers guitar solo comes in and dislodges your brain cells. The live stuff were recorded at the is cool, but after listening to the Punk perfection of the first two seven inches it's not quite as compeling. Though it does add to the rest of the package.The cover has this crazy picture of Dorette under a weird foil covered burning cross, it gives it a dark paganlook rahter than anything else though. Releasesd in part by the people who did the amazing Hot Love book on SwissPunk that you gotta check out if you haven't already, it's the size of a phone book and probably on of the coolest documents of the early Punk scene I have seen." (Layla Gibbon, MRR May 2011)

Weekend, sunny, tonight SGE-FCB... Yippee!!!

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SAIGON - Reunion 1984

Saigon is a trio mid 80's Goth/Post Punk combo from Leamington Spa and the band consisted of David (vocals/bass), Simon (guitars), Jez (drums). They released a single and this album before they broke up in the mid 80s. Unfortunately they had the bad luck to sign a deal with Egoldt's sub-label First Floor Records where he obviously expected big incomings from, but when he realized that he could make more money with southpaw music he stamped the label, the bands were ignored and the doors were closed. It's a shame because some good bands have released their records there and nobody speaks a word about them these days and sometimes you get their slab at the rummaging table price which is not bad either. Saigon have real talent and celebrate ten fantastic melodic Death/Goth/Post/Punk numbers with depth and atmosphere, a real strong record. A small footnote, track 3, the title track is unfortunately missing, no idea why someone has it ready and sends it to me.

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RELEASE THE BATS - Ever Pleasant Smile... 1986

Say Hello to Saturday with a piece of Deathrock. Posted by Curious Guy eleven years ago on his phoenixhairpins blog and his comment on the record coincides with mine so I quote his words for this: "Release The Bats were a goth band from Bolton, members were D. Stephens, K. Taylor, M. Naylor and Rod Barker. Don't know much more but they released a 7" in 1985 with two tracks: 'Unacceptable Behaviour' & 'Harsh'. Both tracks can be found on the album. I won't say that this album is classic stuff but it's damn rare and worth a listen. For those who don't know, First Floor was a sublabel of the infamous Rock-O-Rama. This label started as a punklabel, releasing German punk and also licensed records off of Propaganda Records from Finland so that people had easier access to those classic Finnish hardcore punk records. But later the label also released records by Skrewdriver and other RAC/WP bands. Rock-O-Rama ceased all activity in the 90's after the police raided their office. I don't think that bands like Release The Bats, Saigon and They Must Be Russians were aware of the connection; or maybe they didn't care?" I was lucky to acquire this slab for little money, and musically not bad at all.

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ABOVE THE RUINS - Songs Of The Wolf 1984

All right my dear followers, now a record that can/will certainly be a subject for discussion, but I like the songs and that's why it's okay to post the music here on wdthtc. Nevertheless, I quote a little facts/background as you are used to from me and tell me your opinion if you have any criticism or anything else to say about the record: "After being asked to leave Death In June in 1984 due to his membership in the British Fuckin' National Front, Tony Wakeford formed Above The Ruins. None of the group's releases name any of its members. Wakeford never said which other persons were involved in the group. The band released one cassette in 1984 which was issued on vinyl 1986 (First Floor Records) and CD in 1996. The album's sound was similar to the dark post-punk of early Death In June. They contributed a track on the No Surrender compilation which was released via Rock-O-Rama alongside with fuckin' nazi bands but I think this happened without the band's consent because Egoldt was a damn money-hungry bastard. The music's post punk sound bears resemblance both to early Death In June and his future project Sol Invictus. The anonymity of the band members, the lyrics (dedicated to subjects like patriotism, anti-Marxism, anti-egalitarianism and anti-multiculturalism) and Wakeford's political affiliations of the time led to on-going controversy and speculation surrounding the project. Wakeford formed Sol Invictus shortly after this project was abandoned. In 2007, he stated that he had had no connection to or interest in such ideas for twenty or more years." This copy is the re-release from Infinite Fog Productions which came out in a limited edition of 500 copies. Take it or leave it, but don't talk about it until you've heard it.

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TOLBIAC'S TOADS & SNIX - Split EP 1984

Decent Skinhead stuff by two classic Oi! bands and this record is a MUST in your sorted record collection. First Tolbiac's Toads, formed in Paris May 1982 and dissolved in 1994. The name Tolbiac's Toads comes from the nickname given by the inhabitants of Tolbiac where are members of the group from because the area was built on swamp where there were many toads and local skinheads wearing a bomber almost all green, like the skin of toads. They released a few 7inches and a mini compilation album. Snix was formed 1982 in Lille and they were considered one of the first and most classic Oi! bands that came out of France. They released four albums and this split EP on their own record label in an edition of 1000 copies. A short review: "Tolbiac's Toads present two cool tracks, one in a more melodic and catchy Britpunk style, the other in a thrash-meets-13th Floor Elevators-meets-Blurt style that's quite unusual. Snix's pair are more predictable, but also well done, in an Oi style. Two up-and-coming French bands." - Tim Yohannan (Maximum Rocknroll #21, January 1985) I only say all four songs be mind-blowing and it was a good idea to put both bands on one record. Oi! Oi! Oi!

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E.A.T.E.R. - Doomsday Troops EP 1983

Ernst And The Edsholm Rebels – E.A.T.E.R. were formed in the summer of 1982 in Grums/Kil, Värmland, Sweden by Mikael “Gröten” Karlsson (guit/vox), Anders Brännström (bass), Peter “Pelle” Forsman (drums) and Hans “Hasse” Dahlgren (vox). and this first line-up of E.A.T.E.R. recorded Chaos Cassette vol.1 which was realesed in the fall of 1982. A number of gigs were played by this first line-up, among them the chaotic and by media well documented gig at Segmons Folkets hus in february of 1983. By the release of the bands debut EP Doomsday Troops (Ernst Records) Hasse was replaced by Mikael “Micke” Larsson as the leadsinger. Micke had earlier played in Psykjouren together with infamous and by now nationwidely known Buddha. Doomsday Troops EP was recorded and produced In KAAS by the band & Micke Blomqvist, and released in the summer of 1983. The record was sold all over the world, and E.A.T.E.R. recived recognition from people like Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys and Pushead, the artist that made Metallicas and the Misfits cartoons. With the new line-up and a sucessfull record-realese the band went on the road and toured Sweden. A review: "Not to be confused with the '77 U.K. punk band Eater, this Swedish group (Ernst And The Edsholm Rebels) floor down on the acceleration and rapidly hit fast, lightning doses of 1000-m.p.h. thrash mayhem. An outrageous display of burning speed and mind-boggling turbulence, combined with chaotic chops of lyrical expression. Don't be fooled by the hilarious intro to the title cut--this EP hauls its load fast and furious in the new Swedish tradition." - Pushead (from Maximum Rock'n'Roll #13, April/May 1984) - The band is still active and I recommend this five piece of classic swedish hardcore tunes and the compilations Really Fast #1 and Killed By Hardcore #2.

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VANDAALIT - Betonikolossit 7'' 1981

Vandaalit (Vandals) is a punk band from Hyvinkää. They have been active as musicians ever since the mid-70's, when they were known as Hard-Boiled and performed Hurriganes-type rock'n'roll in English. It all changed in 1977 when they heard Ramones' 2nd LP "Leave Home" being introduced on the radio. The boys changed into fast punk rockers, opted a new name Schlachthof Fünf (did they read Vonnegut?) and soon switched to singing in Finnish after seeing punk pioneers Eppu Normaali. Vocalist Vesa Häkli, bassist Sepi Rautiainen, guitarist Pekka "Piitsi" Huhtakallio and drummer Ari Lindroos debuted on record as one of the eighteen bands on the legendary punk compilation Hilse (1979). Apparently their song became so popular that they were allowed four songs on the sequel "Hilse 2" (1980). One of these four songs were their first-ever composition "En Ole Nainen". Making his debut on a Vandaalit recording was new guitarist Jari "Klide" Pelkonen, whom the other guys had noticed playing in a punk band called Hermones. Sepi Rautiainen headed off to Canada after the debut album was released and lived there until his death from cancer in the liver in 2004. Aki "Appa Nasaretilainen" Kuronen became the new bassist. Another assignment for Häkli was Billy Boys with Terveet Kädet man Läjä Äijälä. Two singles and a mini-LP during 1983-1986, described as experimental electronic psychobilly. Ari and Klide formed hard glam band Sticky Fingers in 1984, and made the "Fight For Fun" LP in 1984. Vandaalit decided to re-unit after seeing each other on Klide's 30th birthday. This reunion lasted for three years and produced two more albums, 'Apinoiden Platta' (1992), which the boys regard as their best, and 'Psykoakatemia' (1993). Vandaalit took great care in their street boy/labourer image, with leather jackets, and guitar straps so long that the instruments almost sweeped the floor. On their records they were far from any preachers or intellectuals, just fun-loving guys who liked playing music much more than going to school or work.

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PSYCHO SURGEONS - Horizontal Action 7'' 1978

Amazing record by this combo from Sydney's first punk bands, formed by Mark Taylor (guitar), Dave Taylor (drums), Charlie Georgees (bass) and Stan Armstrong (vox). Horizontal Action was released on their own label Wallaby Beat in September 1978, 500 copies were pressed. All the sleeves were laid out on the floor and band members threw cow's blood over a lot. Needless to say, the single is an impossibly rare item these days. Shortly after the release the band split and Mark and David Taylor formed The Lipstick Killers. So this is the re-release which comes in a gatefold sleeve with pics and a four page band-story. Nice Platter!

- Special Thx again to Fredrik -

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V/A - A Wicked Good Time! 1981

One more compilation and this one's from the Boston label Modern Method Records and from "A Wicked Good Time" exist two volumes, this is #1, and we have thirteen bands, mostly unknown to me, which are somewhere between punk and alternative rock at home and they all made a record in the first period of the eighties, and the music is not quite punky but surprisingly good and not bad at all. The record starts really good with solid mid-tempo goodies but flattens out a little in the second half, not boring I would say, but it gets a bit out of hand and loses a little in lame mood music. All in all a good slab that isn't be worth fifty euros, but at least it can serve as listening pleasure until the match against the VfB in forty-five minutes.

1.Psycho Blonde - PASTICHE

2.3rd Floor For Me - THE OUTLETS

3.New Feeling - FUTURE DADS

4.I Wasn't Me - BOYS LIFE

5.Army Of Apathy - LA PESTE

6.Hit List - SWINGERS RESORT

7.Brains & Eggs - YOUNG SNAKES

8.Preppie Girls - VACUUMHEADS

9.Lease On Life - LA PESTE

10.Master - SUADE COWBOYS

11.Black Sand - BOUND & GAGGED

12.Before And After - SOMEONE & THE SOMEBODIES

13.This Reminds Me Of The Future - PASTICHE

14.Pulse Piece - BIRD SONGS OF THE MESOZOIC

15.Planet Spirit - THE LONERS

16.Personal Monsters - BOUND & GAGGED

17.Heroes Of The Dead - BOYS LIFE

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