NEONBABIES - s/t LP 1981

Ahhh.... fine stuff now from the Neonbabies: they came together at the beginning of 1979 in Berlin. Among its founding members were the sisters Inga Humpe ("DiLemma") and Annette Humpe ("Anita Spinetti"). The group made its first appearance in the spring of 1979 at the Gasthaus an der Havel and the gigs were the highlight of the concert season 1979/80. Later they were able to make their first recordings at the senate's own Beat Studio with Nikolaus (guitar), Conny (bass), Toni (drums) and Reinhard (saxophone). The first EP (I Don't Want To Loose You) came out early 1980 and includes a first version of the later Ideal killer Blaue Augen, in autumn then the 2nd EP Nervös. The band were now an integral part of the Berlin music scene and were worshiped as cult. 

In early 1980, Annette Humpe founded the band Ideal and was replaced by singer Petra (Miko) but she was only heard on the debut album and this was released on the Berlin independent label Good Noise Records in 1981 and sold ca. 16.000 times, Nikolaus said: ''We were never ideologically defined. Good Noise said: we make the record with you - and then we signed a contract for a plate". The music is a cocktail of early german punk (KFC or S.Y.P.H.) and New Wave & Pop. 

In 1982, Dave Hutchins produced the 2nd album (Harmlos) @ Conny Plank Studio which was released on Ariola Records, followed by a tour through Germany. After the quit of Nikolaus, he was replaced by Toni Kambiz, the group engaged Drafi Deutscher as producer of the 3rd 7Inch 'Ich Bin Ein Mann' but the sale was very much less, far far behind expectations. The last album '1983' was recorded with Gareth Jones in Berlin Hansa Studios and also appears at Ariola. A short time later, the group broke up. Conny left and Inga participated around the project DÖF which was produced by her sister and the single Codo became a great fuckin' hit! With Eiskalte Engel the last Neonbabies 7Inch was done and it was a remix of the title Engel from the 3rd album and was considered as farewell gift for the fans. Enjoy now fourteen crunchy poppy bubbles from album #1.

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IDEAL - Monotonie 7'' 1982

Now one more rarity by my favorite Berlin band. Rarity you will ask? Yes, the B-side is what I mean. Ideal played one instrumental (Geheimnis Der Großstadt) in their career and that can be only found here. And it's worth for this song alone to buy the record, at least it was for me the incentive, now you see clearly. The A-side was a hit worldwide and it's no wonder why people searchin' for their records nowadays, pleasant stress-free music and all four albums are quite brilliant and they were very successful. So at this point I will not write much about them and if you click Bi Nuu you will find more infos/records and let's come closer to this sympathetic band. By the way, if you take a look at eBay for this single, you will realize that you can't get this record by cheap prizes, sometimes the offers are really crazy. The worls is full of assholes!, also Obacht! Time for soccer, tonight versus Bremen, Prost!

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I.A.F. & RÄHÄKKÄ - Split EP 2003

Again further with more extreme music, this time with two absolute brilliant bands and I love this awesome record. AARRGGHHHHHH, I'm fuckin' angry!!!! OK, first side is awesome killer trash hardcore from Barcelona from a band called I.A.F. (Ideal Anti Fascista) and if you have heard this you wonder if the B-side hardly beat this. Driving played hardcore volume with tempos and they're really pissed. I don't understand a fucking word so I think music like this speaks for itself (don't worry there's a lyric sheet inside) and I love this aggression and anger underlaid with a terrible sound, these guys are damn good. The same applies to Rähäkkä, a scandi-thrash-hardcore-crust band, extremely drunk but still political. The band was formed in the mid-90's in Tampere, Finland, featuring members from such legendary bands as Kaaos, Bastards and Kohu-63. The band is now back from a hiatus as long as three and a half years and is more fucked up than ever before, doing shows every once in a while and about to record some new material in the very near future.

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LEATHERFACE - Edward's/Birmingham 31.3.1991

I'm sure a lot of you know the last Leatherface album which is called 'Viva La Arthouse' and it's again a delicious release. Recorded live in Melbourne, nineteen tracks in an awesome sound quality. And I sit here & listening to this album again & again. I love Leatherface and they accompanied me for almost twenty years. Like the 'Live In Oslo' album with this release you can do nothing wrong, you’d better hurry up and get a copy. Leatherface live shows have become the stuff of legend, if you’ve ever been lucky enough to caught them live you’ll have witnessed the pre-gig excitement, the trepidation of the emotional possibilities, the rollercoaster ride of each song and the overall full on powerhouse brutality of melodic punk rock. Here is another bootleg from my hard drive and this post is the proof that you can be creative when you listen at punk rock. Now I dig out this treasure with thirteen songs in a consistently acceptable sound quality. Get this for free and buy their new album - it's a must have and worth every cent! CHEERS!

Colorado Joe-Leningrad Vlad/Razor Blades & Aspirin/How Lonely/The Bastards Can't Dance/Green And Pleasant Land/New York State/Sublime/Speak In Tongues/I Have Many Things/Peasant In Paradise/Ideal World/In The Ghetto/You Are My Sunshine

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IDEAL - Bi Nuu 1982

What I have written about Kraut also applies to this fantastic band. All albums are real Sahnestücker and the first two I haven't not ripped (Oopss!) - The final studio album also shows that Ideal from Berlin are still a fantastic German punk band and that their first record was not the non-plus-ultra. Ideal was for me not a pure NDW band because they understand to put personal & socially critical lyrics in melodic, sometimes aggressive music. I would describe it maybe as 'Schlager', hahahaa... and fuckin' hell everytime I listen to their plates again their music loses none of its relevance and wakes a whole lot of memories. The brilliant live record Zugabe mentioned here again which shows the energy from the band live. Always a good choice & a real pleasure.

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Z - In Berlin 1980

This record is in my opinion very underrated and whenever I see a copy you already get it for three or five euros. I mean cheap is not necessarily bad, got a couple of great plates for low prices and Z's only album, released on Rocktopus records, I've bought at the Au-Fest on summer 2013 for three Euros. Z were founded in late 1979 by David McCormack (vox), Klemens Domning (bass), Michael Kurzawa (guitars), Gerhard Helle (drums) & Johannes Fuchs (keyboards) and in spring 1980 they recorded in the Paragon-Studios their debut 7inch "Legalize Erdbeereis". Albrecht Metzger describes the cultural life of the time in Tip (maybe a scene-zine or whatever) from August 1980 so: "the Berlin scene is alive - more than ever. the late spring of this year blew the creativity and the new lust in making music out from the cellars and practice rooms." A lot of punk & wave bands were formed this time and a few records are still nowadays absolute classics (Beton Combo, Honkas, PVC, Tempo, Ideal, TV War, etc....). On this record are thirteen catchy goodies between wave and punk and that the singer is British makes them, as I find, more authentic. Very good mix of fast numbers, shallow poppies and melodic mid-tempo crackers, my favorites: 'City Groove', 'For The Kids', 'Wasted Heroes' and 'All In The Mind'. Another 7inch follows after the release of the album and their last 12'' comes out 1982 on Reflektor Z called 'Hühnerfarm?' and if anyone have this please send me mp3's. Z is a damn cool band and 'In Berlin' is a great one, "Keine Musik Für Irgendeine Schublade", I agree.

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JAWOLL - Rendezvous 7'' 1983

One of my favourite songs from the 80's is this one by an interesting band that I would not denote as a typical NDW band, rather German Rock. And who is behind it follows in this small description:

Jawoll was founded 1981 at the Kassel Art Academy, where singer Kornelia Scholz and drummer Matthias Kutschke studied. As the guitarist was an Englishman the lyrics of  'Taxi' was initially in English. But after the appearance of the first Ideal album they decided only to sing in German. After a few gigs the band was discovered from Hamburg Rüssl-Räckords-Verlag, who procured them an elaborately staged appearance in the former cult broadcast Bananas. After the broadcast their first 7inch 'Taxi' scrambled into the Top 20 of the charts. A tour throgh Germany followed and the second single 'Rendezvous' made it to number 49 on the charts. After several changes of record company the third single 'Ich Bin Verrückt Nach Dir' appeared in 1984 and reached number 2 in the ZDF Hit Parade. In 1986, the band broke up and the members left the music business, except for the guitarist Robert Foster, who emigrated to Canada, and with singer Jann Arden celebrated international success and to this day he is still active as a musician. Sadly Kornelia Scholz died 1988 from leukemia (Info by Matthias Kutschke, thx!).

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TON STEINE SCHERBEN - Warum Geht Es Mir So Dreckig? 1971

One of the first and most influential German language rock bands of the 1970s and early 1980s are Ton Steine Scherben and without them Punk in Germany would certainly been different. Well known for the highly political and emotional lyrics of vocalist Rio Reiser, they became a musical mouthpiece of new left movements, such as the squatting movement, during that time in Germany and their hometown of West Berlin in particular. Today, after the band's demise in 1985, and the death of Rio Reiser in 1996, Ton Steine Scherben have retained a cult following and popularity in the related scenes. Recently, some of the remaining members have given reunion concerts under the name "Scherben". Warum geht es mir so dreckig? (Why am I so miserable?) is the debut album by the band, released on David Volksmund. It includes - among other pieces - the song Macht kaputt, Was Euch Kaputt Macht (Destroy What Is Destroying You), which expressed the built-up anger and radicalization of the youth of the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1971, after the release of the first single "Macht kaputt....", the band went to Klaus Freudigmann's studio in Berlin to record their first album. The setup for the recordings was not ideal, and the sound quality suffered as a result. This is not surprising, as all the band's output was self-produced. As such, the recording sessions were also not entirely satisfactory. In June, Agit 883 and Rote Hilfe (anarchist and leftist political organisations respectively) organised an "informational event" about the empty buildings on the Mariannenplatz in Kreuzberg. Ton Steine Scherben were invited to play, and the teach-in turned into a party which led to one of the first spontaneous squatting actions in Berlin. The recordings of the concert were used for the album's first side; the b-side consists of highlights of the studio recordings. The album's sound has been described as raw and energetic, but the sound quality is somewhat lacking. A great album full of intensity & passion which leaves a distinct mark. Bung-Ho!!!!

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CADILLAC - Cold Love 7'' 1979

This record is so damn rare and a real burner, two classic songs and Mr.Reinhard himself tells a little about the band: "I'd would describe their sound as "proto-punk" and the band were originally founded in Vienna, long before Punk became a brand for a new generation, in 1974. Members were Robert 'Bobby' Sommer (vox), Hans Vorreither (guitar), Peter Patzl (guitar), Gerhart 'Hardi' Walenta (drums) and Max Kempter (bass). The songs of the single were recorded in a studio in Vienna in 1976 or 77 and shortly after this the band split. Eventually Sommer and Walenta joined Mordbuben AG, but in 1978 Sommer relocated to Berlin with a few fellow-Austrians to join the than newly established SO36, a popular location which had in the early days a lot of well-known punk bands seen. Cadillac never played live and it took three years til Oswald Wiener, owner of Berlin's - then - EXIL in-club, deceided to release the single on his Dildo imprint in an edition of 200 copies. Bobby Sommer joined Tempo (Berlin's first punk band with a record out!!!) on sax and quickly metamorphosed into one of the most successful managers of the NDW with bands Extrabreit and Ideal and others. 'Cold Love' can also be heard on the great Es Chaos Is Die Botschaft Vol.2 compilation!" I'm pleasantly surprised because such great stuff from Austria is rather rare. What should I add??? Pull up the record and find out for yourself.

- Big Thanx to Reinhard -

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TYRANTS - Hard To Get 7'' 1981

Bret Starr (guitar), the son of late 60's American football legend Bart Starr, Ed Guerriero (vocals, harmonica & keyboards), aka Eddie Lee Sausage of "Shut Up Little Man" infamy), Dan "Radar" DeMars (bass) and Jim Lukes (drums) were the Tyrants, an early Punk and New Wave band formed in 1979 in the frigid climes of Green Bay, Wisconsin. This little piece of a rare record is their only output, released on Miller Management and issued in five different picture sleeves. The song "Attitude" was their calling card, despite being the official B-side of this record. Both of these songs were later featured on compilations: "Attitude" was compiled onto "Hyped To Death: U.S. and Canadian Punk 45s" and 'Hard To Get' was compiled onto Teenline N°.103 - American Pop-Rock & Powerpop:"T" '76-85. Both tracks are catchy and ideal for a carefree sunny day on the beach.

- Special Thx to TONY -

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IDEAL - Zugabe 1983

Ideal is one of the bands for me that was falsely labeled as NDW-Band. Ideal were different, musically & lyrically and this live album, which also was the last, they prove the impressively vivid contrast to the Hubert Kah & associates. Absolutely brilliant punk rock, fast & snotty, and the organ brings the groove here that many NDW bands simply do not have. Fuck, what an album ... that has made in my opinion music history.And here's even a new song (Acryl - Kopf Aus Chrom) on it and it was not published anywhere else. And songs like 'Erschießen', 'Berlin' or 'Ich Kann Nicht Schlafen' are simply implusiver live. I am proud to present you this brilliant LP. Ideal were cool and they still are .. And as a bonus there are two newly remixed old songs here. In addition to off-colors one of the most important bands of this 'new wave' era. Ohhh .... I'm back in the 80's... there are bands like sand on the sea but Ideal were unique! In June 1983 appeared this album (a live album) as a "keepsake, farewell & thank you to the fans" tribute. On 26.April 2007, guitarist Frank Jürgen Krüger died at the age of 58 years, the result of a long battle against cancer. Sad and a real big loss.

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V/A - Die Neue Tanzmusik Ist Da Da Da 1982

The first NDW sampler now and as you probably recognize, here are a few punk bands represented which have more less to do with traditional NDW music style. This record was created in collaboration with the German Cancer Society and a certain amount per purchase this plate went to those. A great thing! And I think that we have here a collection that shows how individual the early german music scene was and this demonstrated a knack for putting together different music styles on one album. I love such diversions (a little boring are the tracks from the Doraus & Palais Schaumburg but who give's a shit). Now it's up to you, brain or pleasure!

1.Da Da Da Ich Lieb Dich Nicht Du Liebst Mich Nicht - TRIO

2.Roter Rolls Royce - IDEAL

3.Heut' Nacht - SPLIFF

4.Ich Habe Mir Sooft Gewünscht - INA DETER

5.Stille Tage In Ostberlin - KFC

6.Exakt Neutral - DEO

7.Wir Bauen Eine Neue Stadt - PALAIS SCHAUMBURG

8.Lokomotivführer - DIE DORAUS & DIE MARINAS

9.Polizisten - EXTRABREIT

10.Radio - NICHTS

11.Beim Erstenmal Tut's Immer Weh - ABWÄRTS

12.Taxi - JAWOLL

13.Los! - STRASSENJUNGS

14.Messertraum - KATIA

15.Der Kommissar - THE WIRTSCHAFTSWUNDER

16.Sabine Sabine Sabine - TRIO

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V/A - Sveriges Största Singel 1980

Sveriges Största Singel (Sweden's Biggest Singles) is a compilation that was sold to a single price and was released in 1980 by Mistlur Records and is the first of three. Contains assorted artists, mostly punk. Very varied and ideal for shallow evenings or annoying housework.

1.Tyst För Fan - EBBA GRÖN
2.Vad Ere För Fel På Mej - NERV
3.Howrah - CALCUTTA TRANSFER
4.När Vi Ändå Är Här - KRIGET
5.Svensson - BRÖDERNA GRYMM
6.Hon Älskar Honom - TRAVOLTA KIDS
7.Den Ljuva Ungdomen - SKABB
8.7'38'' - MÖRBYLIGAN
9.Ge Mig Din Heta Längtan - HELA BALETTEN
10.Train Blues - BLUE FIRE
11.Husfaderns Bekymmer - DAGENS UNGDOM
12.Quebec - THOMAS ALMQVIST
13.Bön Till En Arbetare - CANTALUCHA
14.Barkbåts Färden - BILDCIRKUS
15.Lätta Liljeklockor - LENA EKMAN

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WANDA'S - The Ideal 1982

Another gem from my Wanted-List and I'm really glad that I can finally listen to this record I've been looking for a fuckin' long time. Wanda's are a dutch female punk/rock band which were formed in the eighties. Where?? No idea. This band is one of those bands which you can't get any info around and I find this a real shame because this album is an awesome crown jewel.

Released on TAS records with 9 songs and they have all what I expect from a decent punk plate. First, female vocals (not a must but I love it), short songs with rough garage guitars, easy played, a little reggae, a little wavie and remarkable singing in dutch, english and german. What should I write more??? I guess, I'm repeating myself here many times but what should I do with so much great stuff which exist and wants to be discovered? You tell me. Fact is, here’s your chance to get their brilliant debut record and if you're like what you hear please leave a comment. The Wanda's released in 1986 a second album called 'A State Of No Mercy' but this has lost the snotty charm and is pure rock, not for me. One live tune can be found on the rare live compilation Parkhof 11-4-81 on V.G. records. Again, I ask you: if anyone has good scans please get in touch. And now, enjoy this delicacy and open a beer, 100% Punkrock!

- Meinen fetten Dank an Donut -

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