V/A - Punk Dead - Nah Mate.... 1983

... The Smell Is Jus Summink In Yer Underpants Innit." (whatever that means...). Yeah, this is the little musical ode by Pax Records with English bands that had their, partly, short active life span in the early Eighties, and twelve rough delicious smasher in finest sound quality await you and this compilation is another solid example of great early UK Funk. All tracks are mostly exclusive and not released on Singles or anywhere else, at least not in that time. A short review: "Is Punk dead?” The musical answer is provided by six bands from Sheffield and the surrounding area, each with two songs. All bands play British-style anarcho-hardcore punk. Mau Maus, who had just released their first two 7"s on Pax, open with the demand "Give Us A Future", followed by Xtract and Anti System, who are represented with songs from their demo tape. In their song "The Thatcher" Septic Psychos draw the picture of a monster that eats small children at night and rules the country during the day. Any resemblance to the Prime Minister at the time may have been purely coincidental. Xpozez and Mania complete the line-up of the album, which gives a little insight into the very agile punk scene in central England in the early eighties. The record comes in an elaborate gatefold cover with a typical black-and-white look. All the bands' lyrics are printed inside. Marcus Featherby, the operator of Pax, then used almost the entire area of ​​the back cover for his views on the question "Is Punk Dead?" - Now you know and fucking Thursday is saved and I'm awarding a gold medal to this little bugger.

1.Give Us A Future - MAU MAUS

2.War Heroes - XTRACT

3.Man's World - ANTI SYSTEM

4.Power To The People - MANIA

5.Factory Fodder - XPOZEZ

6.Not Wanted - SEPTIC PSYCHOS

7.Breakout - ANTI SYSTEM

8.Aftermath - XTRACT

9.The Thatcher - SEPTIC PSYCHOS

10.No Respect - XPOZEZ

11.Clampdown - MAU MAUS

12.Stick Together - MANIA

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V/A - Two Ninety Nine! 1984

Dear friends, I just found out that Mensi, leader of Angelic Upstarts, died on December 10th, 2021 at the age of 65 after being infected with Covid-19. Now the second from the band after bassist Tony (died on February 22nd, 2021). I'm really shocked and sad, the punk world has lost a big fighter and sympathetic person, I raise my glass to you! R.I.P. Mensi, the next posts are dedicated to you. 

I think a compilation from Rot Records is a worthy homage, on the one hand I don't know a bad record from this label, on the other hand I think the music fits right now. Two Ninety Nine is full with great bands/songs which show an excellent overview of the house bands and whose singles were mostly available in small editions. I think, this compi had only a print run of 1000 copies as well. Everything is said, let the music speak!

1.Model Soldier - ANIMAL FARM

2.Red Alert - KILLROY

3.Bone Orchard - NAKED PREY

4.We Don't Need You - MANIA

5.Use Your Brain - CLAMPDOWN

6.Zombie Nation - SICK VICARS

7.Desperation Time - RADIO NINE

8.Don't Criticise - PATROL

9.Last But Not Least (Live) - THE ENEMY

10.S.S. Officer - PATROL

11.Murder And Maim - CLAMPDOWN

12.Russia - RESISTANCE 77

13.I'm Glad I'm Sick - THOSE OBNOXIOUS TYPES

14.Where Are They Now? - RADIO NINE

15.Shoulder To Shoulder - MANIA

16.Call Of The Reaper - NAKED PREY

17.Shattered Mirror - SICK VICARS

18.Dead Mans Dreams - PARANOIA

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THE VIBRATORS - V2 1978

Classic punk by the Vibrators from London and active since 1976, they have released well over twenty records to date. You see, these are young veterans of good music. Info: The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, Pat Collier (bass), John Ellis (guitars), and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his label RAK Records. Most produced their first single, "We Vibrate". The band also backed Spedding on his single, "Pogo Dancing". The Vibrators recorded sessions for John Peel at BBC Radio 1 in October 1976, June 1977 & February 1978. They were one of the pioneering punk bands that played at London's Roxy Club. The band signed to Epic Records in early 1977. Their debut album, Pure Mania, was well regarded by some music critics and, seventeen years after its release, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music named Pure Mania one of the 50 best punk albums of all time. During the 1980s, John Ellis recorded with Peter Gabriel, as well as recording and touring frequently with Peter Hammill, then subsequently the Stranglers, eventually joining the latter full-time in the 1990s. Pat Collier went on to work closely with the Soft Boys, producing their seminal album Underwater Moonlight, and Robyn Hitchcock, producing and mixing some of his solo albums (to which Knox also sometimes contributed). Phil Ram went on to form Able Ram and brought out two singles, "Disco In Moscow" and "Hope We Make It", although without any chart success. Despite numerous line-up changes, the Vibrators are still touring to this day as a three-piece, with "Eddie" being the only original member. V2 was their most successful album, reaching #33 in the UK Albums Chart and it earned the band a TV appearance on Top Of The Pops. You can read more about them in the web and you're doing nothing wrong buying a V record.

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V/A - A Country Fit For Heroes 1&2 1994

A very cool re-release is this pretty round disc and both records were originally released in 1982 and 1983 by the legendary short-lived English label No Future Records and we all know the classics. On these both compilations we enjoy some bands which didn't made a record and some published their stuff that is in demand today. On this sucker we listen to twenty-four passionate, angry punk bashers which I would like to have experienced in Top Of The Pops, haha... After releasing twenty-nine singles and nine LPs, No Future folded.

1.The Future Must Be Ours - BLITZKRIEG

2.Die With Dignity - THE VIOLATORS

3.Government Stinks - THE VIOLATORS

4.Fight Back - HOSTILE YOUTH

5.Government Downfall - THE SAMPLES

6.Jerusalem - ONE WAY SYSTEM

7.Blue Patrol - ATTAK

8.Orders - PROTEST

9.C.L.A. - CRUX

10.Action Man - DISTORTION

11.Power Schemes - PSEUDO SADISTS

12.Whose Bomb - CHAOTIC YOUTH

13.Unknown Soldiers - PATROL

14.Nurse Nurse - PATROL

15.Blood Mania - MANIA

16.Did He Or Didn't He - GOVERNMENT LIES

17.Condemned - ON PAROLE

18.Criminal Crew - CRIMINAL DAMAGE

19.Country Boy Rocker - A.B.H.

20.Wanna Riot - A.B.H.

21.Snow Blindness - CADAVEROUS CLAN

22.Storm Trooper Tactics - IMPACT

23.Fight And Die - INTENSIVE CARE

24.Ghost Town - INTENSIVE CARE

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SUNSET BOYS - Wreck My Bed EP 1979

A rare piece from the Wanted-List next. The Sunset Boys, a duo comprising Max Sunset (vocals/guitars) and Owen Tidy (guitars/bass/drums), were formed 1977 in Brighton where both were studying art. In late April 1978 they unsuccessfully took part in the Melody Maker-sponsored 'Rock & Folk Contest' and were described in the paper's report as a "Punk-Country" combo. Early 1979 they recorded their first EP with four tracks which was released via the independant Gimp label in an edtition of 1000 copies, housed in a picture cover which clearly tried to suggest that they were Americans. The sound is primitive, under-produced, raw-to-the-extreme-garage-noises, lo-fi, excessive, brutal and pretty amateurish. They also known as Maxims Trash and Maximum Mania and they performed throughout the early Eighties but did not release any further vinyl. Extraordinary fun record that you can't hear every day.

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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MAXIMS TRASH - Disco Girls 7'' 1979

One more from the Wanted List. This is the only record by this obscure combo (band also known as Maximum Mania or The Sunset Boys) which came out at Gimp Records. Two excellent distorted trash punk numbers. The a-side kicks with a brisk synth sound therefore while the b-side is a wonderfully chaotic cover of blue suede shoes. A bit info from discogs: SPIRAL SCRATCH magazine#13 (August 1991) said that this record allegedly features Captain Sensible on guitar and bass, Dave Berk on drums and Xerxes on vocals. Captain Sensible commented in the same issue that he doesn't know anything about it... - Well, I can't much say about that but what I know this sound is better than Heino and you should listen to. If the divshare link doesn't work try an alternative one in the comment section. 

- Many Thx to François -

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V/A - Bored Teenagers Vol.3 2003

By Request once again 16 tracks of pure and rare unadulterated British Punk Rock pearls from the golden years of ‘77 - ‘82. Volume three is a damn good one and you can read more info about the band/songs on Bored Teenagers. I'm too lazy to write more but I like this compilation serie and I have three records. Highly Recommended and the vinyl versions are fast sold out, no wonder. Should you want more of this stuff then found here yet Volume 2 + 4. I now need a little break because I'm still drunk of yesterday.

1.YT502951D - THE PERFECTORS

2.Mysterons - THE PERFECTORS

3.New Wave News - THE PERFECTORS

4.Frustration - THE INJECTORS

5.Welcome To Our Club - THE INJECTORS

6.All Dressed Up (No War To Go) - XPRESS

7.Whatever Happened To Fashion? - XPRESS

8.Personal Values - STREET PEOPLE

9.Sale Of The Century - QUALITY DRIVEL

10.Subliminal Cuts - QUALITY DRIVEL

11.Crazy Carol Carter - NO WAY

12.Destiny - NO WAY

13.Brain Damage - THE MYSTERIOUS FOOTSTEPS

14.No Pride Slow Suicide - MODEL MANIA

15.Carefree - THE MOST

16.Air Lakeland - CLAY FAV

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SPORTEN ÄR DÖD - s/t LP 2019

Good morning dear folks, today we start for breakfast with fresh girl power and I promise you, your bread will taste particularly good. Sporten Är Död (translated as Sport Is Dead) were an all female Swedish new wave/punk band between 1980 and 1982 formed in Kungälv. The group consisted of Ulla Åkerström (vocals & guitar), Åsa "Paste" Wassberg (bass) and Eva Herngren (drums). The band were named after the words of a Swedish broadcaster, who would proclaim the sport is dead, when there was a cancellation of a sporting event. This record was released via Fördämning Arkiv, 300 copies and side A was recorded at Studio Nigaf on 11th April 1981 and released as the Sporten Är Död cassette, side B was recorded live @ Sprängkullen on 23rd May 1982. An excellent review which I can only underline: "This looks exactly as it sounds: three cool teenage punk girls making tremulous punk rock with songs dedicated to John Peel, Bruce from the JAM, and their favorite chocolate bar! This isn’t wild screaming KBD mania, they have a nervous restrained quality, which is not to say this sounds inept, just that it isn’t the manic punk insanity you might expect from a teenage Swedish band circa 1981. They called their band Sport Is Dead, and formed as a result of being fans of the Buzzcocks and the Undertones, and you can hear the nervous pop sensibility! I’ve seen comparisons to Dolly Mixture and Lilliput, but I would say that is not the case here, they are not as polished as the former and not as wild as the latter. They have their own contained punk concept and identity that doesn’t sound like a collage of other ideas. This is a reissue of their demo tape with a live performance on the B-side. It sounds great and is definitely worth picking up for all fans of that underground girl sound, the sound of youth inspired by the DIY ideal…" (LAYLA GIBBON, MMR) - Seventeen minimalistic smasher with a great booklet, solid release!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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RETAINERS - Lose It EP 2006

Now something for everyone with awesome speedgaragehardcore on P.Trash Records by the Retainers from Minneapolis. And they damn loud, their songs are full energy on high level and faster than the enjoyment of a cigarette. Some review's in the net so I pick up the one which is accurate: "The Retainers play the kind of reverb-drenched, sped up garage that made Scared of Chaka so special. Taking punk aggression and applying it to old model rock, they make it louder, sloppier, and angrier, but reliant on unique guitars and varied bass instead of a steady diet of power chords and basic rhthyms. As much as the screaming vocals and noisy guitars catch attention, the Retainers are held together by their rhythm section, with Eli Hansen's cymbal-heavy pounding keeping the mania in form, add to any collection." (Loren Green, Sep.2009) - For those of you who haven't heard the Retainers, be warned: they blown out fat garage rock to damage your ears in the most possible ways! If you like a hard hitting band you should check them out!

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V/A - 23 - Nichts Ist So Wie Es Scheint 1999

Weekend once again I watched DVD and for a long time this movie: 23 - Nichts Ist So Wie Es Scheint (23 - nothing is what it seems) is about Karl Koch, who died on 23 May 1989, probably self-immolation, a hacker who drifts ever further in his numbers and conspiracy mania, based on true story (saw this February 1999 in Hamburg with my then girlfriend and was immediately impressed). The Cold War is raging the global peace movement in defiance of the world in a frenzy of fear of nuclear threat and the 19-year-old Karl Koch is whether this status quo deeply insecure. Maintenance, he finds precisely in the worship of the fictitious character of Hagbard Celine from Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus! Trilogy. About the depth study of the Illuminati theory says Karl characters identify that point to a worldwide conspiracy of economic and political forces, culminating in the all dominating number 23. At a meeting of the Chaos Computer Club, Karl gets to know the student David. David and Karl are able to hack into the global data network—which is still, at this point, in its early stages—and their belief in social justice propels them into espionage for the KGB. Driven by contacts with a drug dealer, and by increasing KGB pressure to hack successfully into foreign systems, Karl spirals into a cocaine dependency and grows increasingly alienated from David. In a drug-addled state, Karl begins to sit in front of his computer for days at a time. Perpetually sleepless, he also grows increasingly delusional. When David publicly reveals the espionage activity in which the two men have been engaged, Karl is left alone to face the consequences, collapse soon follows. Karl is taken to a hospital to deal with his drug addiction and mysteriously dies afterward. - Extremely catchy, excellent actors and 1A soundtrack and I urgently recommend you to see movie.
A really watchable German thriller.

1.Child In Time - DEEP PURPLE

2.Eighties - KILLING JOKE

3.The Passenger - IGGY POP

4.Rauchhaus Song - TON STEINE SCHERBEN

5.DNS - 39 CLOCKS

6.Money - FLYING LIZARDS

7.Mathar - DAVE PIKE

8.Love Is The Drug - ROXY MUSIC

9.Halt Dich An Deiner Liebe Fest - FREUNDESKREIS

10.Time Flies - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

11.Illuminatus - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

12.Am Winterfeldplatz - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

13.Vom BKA Verfolgt - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

14.Freundschaft - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

15.Abschied - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

16.Die Letzte Fahrt - ENJOTT SCHNEIDER

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MONOMANIA - I'm Weird 7'' 1979

Ultra-rare Danish weirdo punk stuff from 1979 on Better Day Records. From the Danish Wikipedia site: “Monomania (also known as Mono Mania, ca. 1979-80) was a Danish experimental pop-punk/rock band consisting of members Peter Peter (guitar, vocals, also including Sods and Sort Sol), Pussy Punk (vocal, aka Kate Svanholm, also in Sofamania and Lost Kids), Eddie Haircut (drums, aka Milan Balsgaard, including Brats and Elektrochok), Vicious Decay (Ann-Christine Gløet, Elektrochok) and Sniff Høkerberg (bass, also in Brats and Support).” All those mentioned bands you can visit on the awesome Bloodstains Across Denmark Compilation. The title track is a pretty strange monotonic sound confusion which makes you listen to after a long period absolutely crazy, between in continuous intervals a 'I'm weird' and the gear into the mental hospital is safe, the flip is a short electro KBD number which is also crazy and fuckin' brilliant. This is damn good stuff and a rare bastard of a record.

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