THE MEDIA - Bright New Future 2020

Return of The Media: From Polaroids to Instagram, from vinyl singles to SoundCloud, from printing presses to the internet - a lot has changed with our media in the past fourty years. But, late 1970s Portsmouth band The Media are hoping that some things don't change; that a great tune is a great tune and that a band with an enviable live reputation still have the chops. Love Child Records certainly think The Media still have it!

In 2019 we set about tracking the band down and launched a double A-side 7" single Jump Down/How Could You Lie in April that year. Now, after some fantastic mastering work by North London Bombing, Love Child can finally release a whole album!! The Media were a Portsmouth band formed in 1978, influenced by the UK punk explosion of 1977 and consisted of Martin Jacks (vocals), Brian Lee (drums), Pete Rossie (guitar) and Michael 'Chello' Whichello (bass). In a short space of time back in the days of the punk rock explosion (and everything moved very quickly in the late 1970s) The Media played loads of shows, honed their 60s beat meets 70s street/seminal suburban songs, got a bit good, built a large following, released two singles and by 1980 were featured in an early Phil Redmond (the producer of Grange Hill, Brookside, Hollyoaks, etc.) youth TV series Going Out. What could possibly go wrong? Their debut No Darling I Love The Media EP appeared in 1978 on their own Tearaway Records (Cherry Red Records distributed it). It featured live favourites T.V. Kids, Don't Sit Back, Getting High and Rose and Crown. It was a bit good and sold out. A second single, Southcoast City Rockers came out the following year on the Portsmouth collective Brain Booster Records, again it sold out. A video was shot for Southcoast City Rockers, heady stuff at a time when very few bands recorded videos. The single showed the band moving on musically, taking in elements of the UK's emerging Ska scene (led by The Specials' Two Tone label) and the Mod revival inspired by The Jam (they secured support slots with The Vapors and Secret Affair). On the back of the money they were paid for the Going Out TV series (The Media's scene featured a packed gig, with a young Peter-Hugo Daly careering around causing mayhem) the band went in the studio with the aim of recording songs for an album, nine songs were completed.

But, trouble at one of their support slots (lets be honest, there was loads of bother at shows in the late 1970s/early 1980s) led to the cancellation of a series of gigs, including a prominent London show, and the band split in 1981. Fast forward thirty-seven years and the master tapes from that album session were found by a band member in their loft. 

On the advice of Acid Attack's Dave Clarke the tape is sent to Paul Orwell at Love Child Records, who in turn played it to Adam Cooper of parent company Heavy Soul Records, both of these uber music fans gave it a massive thumbs up. Love Child Records set about restoring the nine track tapes and transferring them to files. Talk immediately turned to releasing a single and album... and then a possible reunion show. The first 7" vinyl single from this session, Jump Down/How Could You Lie, was released in April 2019, fourty years after release of first Media EP! Bright New Future is available in 100 copies yellow vinyl, 150 copies black vinyl, so better be quick!

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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ACID ATTACK - Suburbias Dream 7'' 1983

Love Child Records are very pleased to be releasing for the first time on vinyl, recorded in Thatchers Britain in 1983. So put the studs in your leather & make sure to grab one of the very limited 250 press records with DIY sleeve. Formed in 1980 in Southsea, Hants Acid Attack have proved to be legends of the Punk Scene of the early '80s and the subject of much interest. Two stand out tracks are presented here, totally re-mastered, on the bands first 7" vinyl courtesy of Love Child Records; "Suburbias Dream"/"Warsaw". Acid Attack were originally in existence for four years in which time they released the thirteen track cassette album “Sulphuric” and contributed the track “Suburbia's Dream” to the  Sane Records 1984 compilation On The Street. In terms of era, they fit into what is now known as the UK82 punk scene but they think the sound is not so easy to categorise. They were neither Oi or hardcore punk.  Acid Attack aimed beyond such restricting labels. Gigging mainly locally, aside from one headline slot in South Wales, the name Acid Attack spread far and wide thanks to word of mouth, sales of Sulphuric (aided greatly by the practice of smearing postage stamps with soap in order to reuse them) and interviews in many of the punk fanzines of the time. Sulphuric also received a short but favourable review in the music paper Sounds, who noted that “Acid Attack are a spirited punk band with sufficient ideas and energy to lift them above the morass of thrash-and-screech merchants”. Acid Attack formed in late 1980, went through numerous line up changes and had split up by the end of 1984. They are still out and about now - plying the same in yer face '82 punk with the same enthusiasm as over thirty-five years ago.

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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THE LIMPS - Try And See 7'' 1980

Another killer re-release and like the French makers of Chameleon Records, the British have an adequate pendant called Love Child Records to revive rare missing goodies from the united kingdom: "Previously unreleased until now! We’re very excited to be releasing this lost punk new wave classic Try & See. Originally recorded in the summer of 1980. Limited press & “The Limps were a Punk band from Annan that were signed to the Matchbox Classics independent record label based in Carlisle. The band was comprised of Chuck, Andy,Tam and Dee Dee. They formed Matchbox Classics with the band ‘No Support’ when each member of both bands put £50 in each to fund the creation of a split EP entitled ‘Opposite Sides’ in 1979, the same year they also released another split with ‘No Support’ called ‘Another Matchbox Classic”.The band also recorded a clutch of other great tracks which we will be releasing in the coming months, two of which are included here were recorded the following year in the summer of 1980 Love Child Records are more than happy to put out these long-lost pieces of '80 New Wave/Punk tracks out in full colour sleeve with flipback sides. Enjoy..." Also represented on relevant compilations and essential for every early punk sound lovers.

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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THE ORDINARYS - I Wanna Be An Ordinary 7'' 1978

This amazing two sider of '78 mod is one more rarity from Love Child Records! Limited 250 press with original flip back sleeves... it surely is 1978 all over again. The Ordinarys should have been massive - an appearance on hit TV show "New Faces" and a fan in the legend that is Mickie Most should have got the band the recognition their talent deserved. But some reasons unknown they never released anything.... until now! Taken from the only known copies of the finished recordings the tapes have been masterfully restored by Dan Husayn and sound as crisp as intended back in '78 Love Child Records are more than happy to put out this long-lost piece of '78 New Wave/early Mod Revival lushness. First 150 copies come with free promo poster. Guest on Bored Teenagers Vol.4, and you'll know how awesome this series is... Enjoy!

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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THE DECEASED - Boredom 7'' 1983

Number nine of Love Child Classics and here with the Deceased from Wigan, Lancs. active 1979-1984. They made a few tapes in the early 80s and appear on some compilations as well before their only record Death Trip came via the important French label New Wave Records in 1985. Two smasher and a few words about this slab: "Love Child Records is very excited about this latest release - two slabs of raucous, angry, frustrated, tense examples of Punk music in '83. "Boredom" sums up what it was like living for many of the U.K.s youth at the time in this country "lost in apathy, lost your way. The only way out is another day" whilst the flip is another example of the fear that gripped many people with the threat of nuclear weapons "i don't wanna fucking die". 250 copies only in '77 style DIY sleeves". That's all and it's time to listen with full volume!

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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RADIO BLANK - The Mary Whitehouse EP 1977

One more rare & great EP today and these four songs are all that survived in some drawers, tapes or archives and the baby's called: "Radio Blank, a four-piece punk outfit featuring Dave Balfe (bass) and Alan Gill (guitars), both future members of The Teardrop Explodes, together with Keith Hartley (vocals) and Steve Brick (drums), got together in November 1976 as the first wave of punk exploded across England. They paid their dues, hauling their wild, tight, high-speed, angry punk energy all over Merseyside playing most often at Eric’s Club in Liverpool. Not always easy gigs as the charged atmosphere often made it a good excuse for a punch-up, The band battled on helped by their wildly enthusiastic supporters to become one of Merseyside's premier punk outfits. Their tenure may have been short – winding things up in October ’77 – but it was definitely memorable. Thought lost until recent times – the band having released no music in their single year together - forty year old live tapes were discovered and the raucous noise of 1977 released. "Like many of our generation, punk grabbed us by the scruff of the neck,” said Dave Balfe. “…cropped our hair, tightened our jeans, and dragged us out screaming and yelling across the stages of the local towns. There were fights, there were tears, there was laughter, there was a roaring racket of badly tuned guitars and cheap drums. But by the time it let us go we were changed forever!" Love Child Records proudly presents The Mary Whitehouse EP (250 copies) features four original raw, savage, fast paced Rock'N'Roll snarling with attitude." Pack In 👌!

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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UNTOUCHABLES - In Their Eyes 7'' 1982

And further with lost rarities: the third release on Love Child Records comes from The Untouchables with two fantastic slices of UK Punk with slight moddy tendencies. From Leigh Park in Hampshire, the band were about from 1980 - 1982 and consisted of Adam (vocals & guitar), Darren (guitars), Alan (bass), Dave (drums) and playing mainly in their own area and recording these two killers at Toucan Studios, Hayling Island in 1982. Previously unreleased until now, limited to 250 copies in DIY sleeve. More brilliant lost nuggets for your sensitive ears.

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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V/A - Clay Records Punk Singles Collection 1996

Well, Christmas is just around the corner and you might know this is not my time and I'm just only enjoying the days off before going back to servitude on Tuesday. But first we relax and the freedom kicks off with Receiver Records, who released this little compilation by the Clay Records label and this Punk Singles Collection "captures some of the prime material released on one of the most important labels in Britain's transition from Punk to Hardcore. The collection is naturally dominated by Discharge, who have eight of the twenty-two songs here; there are also multiple selections from G.B.H, the Abrasive Wheels, and the Lurkers, plus one track apiece by the Killjoys and future goth mainstays the Sex Gang Children. While it might be better for some fans to simply pick up compilations by the individual artists for a more detailed look, this will serve those who simply want a more concise overview." (Steve Huey) - Now you know what to expect: rough, trashy, and urgent sound, that pleases even the innocent Christ Child. 💀

1.Reality Of Wars - DISCHARGE

2.Fight Back - DISCHARGE

3.Decontrol - DISCHARGE

4.Never Again - DISCHARGE

5.No Survivors - G.B.H.

6.Sick Boy - G.B.H.

7.This Dirty Town - THE LURKERS

8.State Violence State Control - DISCHARGE

9.Give Me Fire - G.B.H.

10.Drag You Out - THE LURKERS

11.This Is Not Love - THE KILLJOYS

12.Frankenstein Again - THE LURKERS

13.Catch 23 - G.B.H.

14.Jailhouse Rock - ABRASIVE WHEELS

15.Mauritia Mayer - SEX GANG CHILDREN

16.Banner Of Hope - ABRASIVE WHEELS

17.The Price Of Silence - DISCHARGE

18.Let's Dance Now - THE LURKERS

19.The Prisoner - ABRASIVE WHEELS

20.The More I See - DISCHARGE

21.Do What You Do - G.B.H.

22.Ignorance - DISCHARGE

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NO THANKS - Are You Ready To Die? EP 1983

Now it's getting loud, fast and short with the debut EP by this New York City combo on Dead Space Records and No Thanks were Donna (vocals), Jimmy (guitars), Jamie (bass), Seth (drums), active from 1982-1985. The first incarnation of the band consisted of Rob (songwriter & guitarist), Jimi (bassist & background vox) ,Seth (drummer & visionary), Donna Damage (singer, feminist artist & band manager). This line up only lasted a few months and Demo 1982 became the love child of this project. During the summer of 1982, No Thanks changed dimensions and replaced Rob with bands bassist Jimi and added Jaime on bass. With this new line up they began to write music as a whole unit and thats when the band flourished. After releasing their EP they playing tons of shows mainly in Manhattan. They opened for well-known bands of the time. On the EP you can't hear four typical NYC Hardcore smasher.

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NERVEBREAKERS - Hijack The Radio 7'' 1979

And once again back in Texas with the next band and their second single and a lot of info I found on discogs:

Nervebreakers are a late 70s/early 80s Texas punk band considered by many to be the first of their kind in the southwest. Like many others of this genre, they started out as a high school garage band doing 60s/early 70s cover songs. What made them unique was their range of material; from the music of the English Invasion to Yummy Yummy bubble gum as well as songs from punk pioneers MC-5 to true blue country artists like George Jones. The array of influence from all those cover songs melded into a two guitar, bass and drum sonic assault with a wild child vocalist up front.

The members of the band began writing some of their own songs. 1978 their first EP 'Politics' was released on Wild Child with four tracks, one year later this awesome single. 1981 their last 7inch “Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls” b/w a cover of the obscure Rolling Stones song “I’d Much Rather Be With The Boys”. The band also contributed two songs “So Sorry” (as the Barry Kooda Combo) and “I Love Your Neurosis” to the local punk rock compilation “Are We Too Late For The Trend” put out by ESR (Electric Slum Records).

In 1980 Nervebreakers took on their biggest endeavor yet, recording the full length album “We Want Everything”. Sadly due to band finances this effort was not to be released. Side projects and individual interest whittled away at the band until an eventual demise. Each and every off shoot of the band has been and continues to be incredible, so for now let’s just stick with Nervebreakers. (Frank Campagna, Dallas 2009)

Two fresh punk'N'roll goodies which was made to play loud.

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V/A - Pusmort View 1991

That the Japanese love extreme rough fast hardcore prove the numerous bands whose plates are hard to get in Europe, I guess the other way around it is the same. So it is not surprising that a Japanese label, Toy's Factory, got down to work and focused on Pusmort Records, Pushead's label, and put out this great compilation with bands of it. I had numerous records because this sound hit exactly my taste, today I have only one left. Annoys me really, but the times were different and I had to sell a lot because I needed money. Well, in the end it doesn't matter, I'm sure they're in good hands. Enough blah blah, be ready for the unattainable hardcore blasts of the 80's.

1.Monster Zoo - COPASS GRINDERZ

2.Cut It Loose - ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT

3.Glazed - ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT

4.Sad But True - SIEGE

5.Cold War - SIEGE

6.Walls - SIEGE

7.Crucifixion - FINAL CONFLICT

8.Constant Fear - FINAL CONFLICT

9.Central America - FINAL CONFLICT

10.Apocalyse Now - FINAL CONFLICT

11.Bleeding Children - CORRUPTION OF PEACE

12.Grey World - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

13.Working Class Pride - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

14.Dead Serious - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

15.Warfear - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

16.Attitude Adjustment - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

17.Landlord Song - CHRIST ON PARADE

18.America The Myth - CHRIST ON PARADE

19.Drop Out - CHRIST ON PARADE

20.Bite Down Hard - EXIT CONDITION

21.Fear For Tomorrow - EXIT CONDITION

22.Blind Faith - FRATRICIDE

23.Final Solution - FRATRICIDE

24.Little Wolves - GHOUL SQUAD

25.Necro Doll - GHOUL SQUAD

26.Loss Of Self - NEGATIVE GAIN

27.Psychic Hours - NEGATIVE GAIN

28.Change - SEPTIC DEATH

29.Kichigai - SEPTIC DEATH

30.Child - SEPTIC DEATH

31.Glue Step - SEPTIC DEATH

32.Black Mass - PART 1

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V/A - Bloodstains Across Germany 1998

I think it's a great choice to open a delicious beer on a Friday morning and present another Bloodstains killer compilation. Today to guest in the heart of Europe: Germany. The German punkscene has born numerous fantastic bands in their early days, which have released numerous essential records which still haven't lost nowadays none of their explosiveness and sharpness (a few examples in the blog). Politically, ironically, self-critically, cheekily, provocatively and of course anarchistically classics were recorded and in twenty-one classics immortalized on this slab. Und damit nicht genug; a second compi was made a short time later which I will post shortly. A nice intro from the back cover for you: "Achtung! you filthy punkrock scum. It's time for a new edition of the wonderfully sick Bloodstains records. This time we take you to scenic Germany, home of Auschwitz, Jägermeister and pretty peasant woman. Hard to believe, but there was a time when those Krauts were actually pushing something then schnitzel and beer." Funny or... let's go crazy, enjoy the music & have a sunny delicious weekend! 

1.No School - PUNKENSTEIN

2.Killer Rats - NAPALM

3.Samen Im Darm - CRETINS

4.Schwarze Stiefel - ZK

5.Kick Her In The Dirt - BIG BALLS & THE GREAT WHITE IDIOT

6.Schokoladenwürger - PHOSPHOR

7.Donnerwetter - ARTLESS

8.Schnulze - NIVEAU NULL

9.Planspiel - MALE

10.Erwin - SOILENT GRÜN

11.Fuck - LENNONS

12.Reeperbahn - A5

13.Wir Gehen Nach Berlin - HERMANN'S ORGIE

14.Christ Child - RAZORS

15.Kriminalpogo - KFC

16.Toilet Love - REMO VOOR

17.Moderne Romantik - S.Y.P.H.

18.Wir Sind Die Marionetz - MARIONETZ

19.Party In Der Gaskammer - MIDDLE CLASS FANTASIES

20.Kreatur - THE BUTTOCKS

21.Come On - PACK

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V/A - Feel Lucky Punk?!! 1991

Let's sprinkle a bit of warmth into your little desperate hearts on this cold gray Sunday with this unofficial record from Gonzo Hate Binge Records, so let the detectives themselves speaking (so I do not have to blah blah): Greetings, Collector Scum! and welcome to the world of snotty, obnoxious, two-chord punkrock! This album contains twenty-two fine examples of straight ahead, hard sitting, loud-fast-stupid '77-'78 rarities from Australia, the USA and even one from a crew of Swiss alpine yodelers. No faggy speed metal guitar virtousos, no dischordian 'awareness' - just plain ole violent, simple and sexiest hate-mongering Punkrock, recorded while Henry Rollins was rocking to Kansas. A fucking Must Have!

1.Hanging On - ROCKS

2.I Don't Wanna Work - THE QUEERS

3.Horizontal Action - PSYCHO SERGEONS

4.Just Head - NERVOUS EATERS

5.Tell Me Why - NEWS

6.I'm Useless - THE QUEERS

7.New York Ripper - VIOLATORS

8.Hillside Strangler - HOLLYWOOD SQUARES

9.Kill Yourself - THE LEWD

10.Disgusting - THE MAD

11.Damn You - ROCKS

12.They Saved Hitlers Brain - UNNATURAL AXE

13.Kick Her Out - ROCKS

14.At The Mall - THE QUEERS

15.Get Stuffed - NERVOUS EATERS

16.Bummer Bitch - FREESTONE

17.I Hate Music - THE MAD

18.Hot Love - NASAL BOYS

19.This Place Sucks - THE QUEERS

20.I Only Panic When There's Nothing To Do - LEFTOVERS

21.Hillside Strangler - CHILD MOLESTERS

22.Kicked Out Of The Webelos - THE QUEERS

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