V/A - Punk Rock/New Wave '77 1978

I hope you have a pleasant Easter days and time for good music. Today a obscure release with mostly bands from the UK and on this compilation, which came out in Portugal via Pirate Dream Records in an edition of 400 copies, are only classics that saw the light of day as 7Inch at the end of the 70s. I bought the slab on my Antarctic vacation thirty years ago from a penguin near the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, after long haggling, for a few dollars. You can surely imagine how amazed I was when I found such a rare record, nowadays only available at high prices, in this region and of course didn't hesitate for long. Well, sometimes I'm lucky too and today I present you the little anecdote and I'm sure you will like the stuff as well. Even though we exchanged addresses, I never met the penguin again, but it will stay in my memory forever. So friends, enjoy the good ole sound that still towers over many current records and I know that won't change.

1.I Wanna Be Free - THE RINGS

2.Friday On My Mind - LONDON

3.Siouxie Sue - LONDON

4.Your Generation - GENERATION X

5.In The City - THE JAM

6.Non Stop Dancing - THE JAM

7.Taking My Love - THE JAM

8.Art School - THE JAM

9.Slow Down - THE JAM

10.Batman (There) The Me - THE JAM

11.Outside View - EATER

12.Thinking Of The USA - EATER

13.Broken Windows - WARM GUN

14.They Call Me Energy - HIDEOUS STRENGTH

15.Motörhead - MOTÖRHEAD

16.City Kids - MOTÖRHEAD

17.You're So Dumb - SKREWDRIVER

18.Love Detective - THE RADIATORS FROM SPACE

19.God Save The Queen - SEX PISTOLS

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R.I.P. Lemmy * 24.12.1945 - † 28.12.2015

And again, the world has lost a very big Rock & Roller, you know it certainly all. On 28 December 2015, four days after his 70th birthday, Lemmy died from an "extremely aggressive cancer." I'm sure he would rather collapsed on stage but it went quickly and he have not to torture in some shitty hospital. I was really shocked when I read this morning of his death, I mean, I enjoy listening Motörhead but that's a while ago. I'm sad about it, now drink a couple of beers and say goodbye to a legend, in his lifetime and now more than ever. In this post you will find two 7Inches, the England 7'' plus the Killed By Death 7''. Lemmy was Motörhead, and he was Rock & Roll!!!

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V/A - Chiswick Aquaria 1978

Magnificent pub/punk compilation on this rare Italian issue with bands made at least one 7inch on Chiswick Records, the sublabel and forerunner of Ace Records, started in 1975 by Ted Carroll and Roger Armstrong, with its origins in a second hand 45 records market stall in London. They were later joined by record fanatic Trevor Churchill. Towards the end of the 70s, they were releasing work by a series of "Pub Rock" bands. It is now the punk, power pop and rock label in the Ace Records stable. Nine bands with fourteen songs from their early young & unspent days, some made it into big business, others disappeared into nowhere and some swam unfortunately away to the right scum. Apart from that, this is an excellent compilation, this is the expensive promo release, and still worth buying. 1980 came out a Spanish release called Chiswick Aquaria Collection with more label bands.

1.Psychotic Reaction - RADIATORS FROM SPACE

2.Saints & Sinners - JOHNNY & THE SELF ABUSERS

3.When The Night Comes - LITTLE BOB STORY

4.No Russians In Russia - RADIO STARS

5.Better Off Crazy - SKREWDRIVER

6.No One - JOHNNY MOPED

7.Taking It Easy - THE COUNT BISHOPS

8.Dirty Pictures - RADIO STARS

9.Gorilla Got Me - THE GORILLAS

10.Motörhead - MOTÖRHEAD

11.Television Screen - RADIATORS FROM SPACE

12.Route 66 - THE COUNT BISHOPS

13.You're So Dumb - SKREWDRIVER

14.Dead Vandals - JOHNNY & THE SELF ABUSERS

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WARFARE - Metal Anarchy 1985

Evo (vocals/drums), Gunner (guitars), Falken (bass) or better known as Warfare released their second blast via Neat Records and it's one of my absolute favorite records. I listened to the ten eruptions many times and I can say, this sound pushed myself in the direction of Hardcore & Punk. Here's a splendid review: "To the casual observer, Warfare's second album, Metal Anarchy, would seem like nothing more than a carbon copy of their first. But the welcome presence of heavy metal icon Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister in the producer's chair was just the first of many subtle difference-makers on hand. Besides putting his personal imprint on the material by giving it a distinct crunch and Motörhead-like echo, Lemmy may have also had a hand in helping Warfare fully embrace their metallic tendencies while putting their Punkrock habits behind them once and for all. Its two-faced title may have hinted otherwise, but the lyric choices and consistently ferocious attack inside were dead giveaways to this new focus. 

Borrowing a page from Accept's book of tricks (their classic tune "Fast as a Shrak," to be precise), Warfare kicked off Metal Anarchy with a misleading snippet of the Sound of Music soundtrack before rudely interrupting it with their most vicious thrasher yet, the apropos-named "Electric Mayhem." Ensuing standouts like "Death Vigilance," "Living For The Last Days," "Wrecked Society," and the title track never waver in intensity, yet they remain surprisingly accessible thanks to their clear, uncomplicated arrangements. All of which helped ensure that this record would go down as Warfare's finest album, but would also make it an impossible act to follow." (Eduardo Rivadavia)

Fucking Great Record!!!

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V/A - Heroes & Cowards 1978

Fantastic low price compilation from Stiff Records which still doesn't belong to the old scrap even after more than forty years and with its varied punk & wave numbers, everyone who's living outside of society an entertaining, innovative & catchy excursion provide. I would say an excellent contribution early English subculture with lots of hits in the suitcase and audible at every opportunity. Cool artwork by the way...

1.Snuffin' Like That - ALBERTO Y LOST TRIOS PARANOIAS

2.Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll - IAN DURY

3.Heart Of The City - NICK LOWE

4.Help - THE DAMNED

5.Less Than Zero - ELVIS COSTELLO

6.Gobbing On Life - ALBERTO Y LOST TRIOS PARANOIAS

7.Mystery Dance - ELVIS COSTELLO

8.Leavin' Here - MOTÖRHEAD

9.New Rose - THE DAMNED

10.Whole Wide World - WRECKLESS ERIC

11.One Chord Wonders - THE ADVERTS

12.Born A Woman - NICK LOWE

13.Alison - ELVIS COSTELLO

14.Kill - ALBERTO Y LOST TRIOS PARANOIAS

15.Outrageous Contagious - MICK FARREN & THE DEVIANTS

16.Marie Provost - NICK LOWE

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THE EXCESSIVES - Wild Waves 1989

A pretty cool dynamic debut album by the Excessives from Mechelen on Bums Records and in their short lifespan the four, Johan (vocals), Stef (guitars), Hermann (bass),  El Loco (drums), made three albums and they're at home in splendid garage rock with a high punk factor. Actually one blast chases the other and fifteen songs in just under thirty minutes testify powerful, to the point mines. The whole record is surprisingly homogeneous and a highlight (next to the other fourteen pieces) is certainly the ingenious and worth hearing cover version of the Motörhead classic Ace Of Spades, you shouldn't miss that. Two EP's were still released and they were rarely featured on compis, one of them Double Shot is a cool one.

- Great Thx to Nolti -

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V/A - Killed By Death 1989

With this record the Killed By Death (Motörhead 1984) serie is born and stands today for brilliant punkrock of the glory late 70s-early 80s days. Everyone knows today what is meant. This copy was released 500 times, later re-released without the Beastie Boys tracks. I guess, I'm not the only one who is grateful for this serie, and I think the makers have not thought it would so fuckin' bang in and become lots of followers. Sure, all these records are bootlegs and the bands never seen any royalties, you can think what you want, but I think it was a good idea because many bands don't exist or the members are out of sight. Anyway, ultimately offer the plates a fantastic overview of what was cool that time and the originals are long sold out and therefore a good thing. Well, let's see when there is a new release comin' along.

1.I Hate Music - THE MAD

2.Hillside Strangler - HOLLYWOOD SQUARES

3.Problem Child - SLUGS

4.Cab Driver - VOX POP

5.(The Original) Neutron Bomb - CONTROLLERS

6.Slash Your Face - DOGS

7.Killer Man - GASOLINE

8.Jimi - BEASTIE BOYS

9.Holy Snappers - BEASTIE BOYS

10.Riot Fight - BEASTIE BOYS

11.Ode To... - BEASTIE BOYS

12.Michelle's Farm - BEASTIE BOYS

13.Egg Raid On Mojo - BEASTIE BOYS

14.Matinee - KRAUT

15.(I'm The) Hillside Strangler - CHILD MOLESTERS

16.I Wanna Be Rich - COLD COCK

17.Radiation Masturbation - AUTHORITIES

18.I Hate Cops - AUTHORITIES

19.Decadent Jew - THE NUNS

20.Sick Of You - THE USERS

21.Better Off Dead - WIPERS

22.I Beat You - VICIOUS VISIONS

23.Star In The Streets - F.U.2

- Special Thx to Murks -

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O.T.H. - Réussite 1984

Now damn hot stuff by O.T. H. (On Tender Hooks), a five piece from Montpellier and formed 1977 by Spi (vocals), Dom & Gilbert (guitars), Phil (bass), Beubeu (drums) and stopped January 1992 and this is their great debut on Art Trafic. A bit info: "OTH is the flagship of FrenchRock, which has left an indelible mark in the community. They not really part of the punk movement, it is more of a very greasy rock and burned as it should be. Even the social lyrics retain a good dose of humor, without taking themselves seriously. It was not until 1984 that Réussite was released, a first opus full of ardor and exemplary maturity. It will forever be the bands best manifesto. They will quickly fall into a more commercial rock, but this is another debate. On Réussite, we take it all in the face from start to finish, with a lot of exceptional speed tracks: the awesome "On Est Tous Des Acculés", which sounds almost like US punk, "Le Sex Prime", not very far from Motörhead, are such intense. No doubt, guitarists have learned the lesson of rock greats, there are even a few well-sent rocker solos. No, frankly, if there is one flagship group that represents the best of FrenchRock at that time, it is (well, it was) OTH. But they will not meet the success they would have deserved, despite some attempts in this direction. And even their peers will agree that OTH was the locomotive for many French groups in the alternative punk/rock scene of the 80s." So enjoy twelve rockin' Hymns in thirty minutes and check more records of them, there are enough available.

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V/A - Catch A Wave 2x10'' 1978

Welcome May and I say Hello to you with this early punk/new wave compilation in chic 10'' design and that twice. I'm really amazed, how many slabs were pressed in my favorite format, especially at this time... I have to send out a loud HOLLADRIO!!.... good boy. The two color palettes feature bands with leatherjackets, big balls, long fingernails, sexy pouts, barbed hair, rivet belt, pop hits, nylon legs, sweaty shirts, etc… and beams us back to the time when punk was 'provocative' & 'real'. Most of the first punk rock bands came from New York, punk became a real movement in London and Catch A Wave unites both cultures & countries with their local yesterdays heroes. Not all songs ignite, but fit for a little time travel. Released without a label, Made In England, but distributed primarily in Scandinavian countries (so they can thaw a little). Good Job!

1.Do Anything You Wanna Do - EDDIE & THE HOT RODS

2.Statue Of Liberty - XTC

3.Klean Living Kids - THE STUKAS

4.Television Screen - RADIATORS FROM SPACE

5.For You - GREG KIHN

6.Saints & Sinners - JOHNNY & THE SELF ABUSERS

7.Do The Standing Still - THE TABLE

8.Kidnapper - BLONDIE

9.Little Big Boss - LITTLE BOB STORY

10.Lovin' Cup - EARTH QUAKE

11.Nervous Wreck - RADIO STARS

12.Rockwrok - ULTRAVOX!

13.I Think We're Alone Now - THE RUBINOOS

14.Dancing The Night Away - THE MOTORS

15.White Line Fever - MOTÖRHEAD

16.Your Generation - GENERATION X

17.Government Action - SKREWDRIVER

18.Roadrunner - JONATHAN RICHMAN & THE MODERN LOVERS

19.Oh Bondage Up Yours! - X RAY SPEX

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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WARSAW PAKT - Safe & Warm 7'' 1977

Warsaw Pakt was a short-lived punk group which were active in the years of 1977-78, though some of its members had heritages linking them to the 1960s underground. This was apparent in their sound, which was a sophisticated punk thrash with plenty of energy but also more structure than some contemporaries. Drummer Lucas Fox had been in the first incarnation of Motörhead with Larry Wallis of the legendary Pink Fairies, while Colquhoun's other work includes spells in The Deviants and Pink Fairies reunions. Their claim to fame is to have recorded an awesome album Needle Time that was in the shops 24 hours after the first note was recorded (viz the session ended at 10 p.m. on Saturday 26 November 1977 and the album was ready to be sold by 7am on Sunday 27.November 1977). The band was trying to make a point about technology in doing this, and the album sleeve was a 12" square brown bag with stickers and rubber stamping to display the band name and album title. After Warsaw Pakt, guitarist Andy Colquhoun joined Brian James' Youth, subsequently moved on to the band The Pink Fairies, and then a band with ex-MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer. When Needle Time was deleted by Island Records within a week of release (after reputedly selling 5,000 copies), the band released a tape with few out-takes under the title See You In Court before evaporating. The seminal post-punk band Joy Division (at one time called Warsaw), changed its name to the former in late 1977 for fear of being confused with Warsaw Pakt. (source: wikipedia)

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JELLO BIAFRA with D.O.A. - Last Scream Of The Missing Neighbors 1989

When two superlatives come together, something unique has to come out of it and Last Scream is the first work, apart from The Witch Trials, numerous collaborations of Jello Biafra with quick-witted friends. With the Canadian Punx from D.O.A. he recorded this brilliant album in the late Eighties and, Hell Yeah, an absolute highlight of Punk music. Allow me to quote an excellent review from allmusic:

"The first of Jello's post-Dead Kennedys collaborations was a barnburner; hooking up with Canada's legendary DOA ensured all the punk power that fans could want would be there in a big way. Even though Joey Keithley and company aren't quite as agile as Jello's ex-bandmates, everything here is more brutally Motörhead in feel than the nervous aggro and sometimes restraint of the Kennedys, this album can't be faulted for sheer crunch. Jello himself is in fine voice throughout, tackling his favored targets with the frenetic bile that he's made his own. Some of the songs have become outdated - "Wish I Was In El Salvador" is very much of the '80s - but "Attack Of The Peacekeepers," memorably tarring NATO's forces as "the joke brigade," has had just as much of a point after Kosovo. "Power Is Boring" captures Jello at his most hilarious, pointing out how being a dictator must really stink (the job security issue alone, for one). Not much on the first side varies from song to song musically -- pounding, chunky feedback that smashes head-on, along with good gang-shout choruses from the band more than once -- but if that's the needed fix, this album provides in spades. The wild card here is a spooky, mid-paced romp through the Animals' "We Gotta Get Outta This Place," with Jello's tremulous vocals suiting the lyrics perfectly and Keithley's backup on chorus fitting in, in its own rough way. The concluding, side-long "Full Metal Jacket" takes absolutely no prisoners, elevating Last Scream from good to great. With Keithley in particular turning in some great guitar work over a steady, snaky rhythm, Jello offers up one of the most bilious, pointed slams against Washington D.C.; this album is as "city/feds-as-corrupt-institution" as you could imagine. Kennedys artist Winston Smith offers up some great cover art to top it all off." (Ned Raggett)

Worth listening, fantastic and a timeless classic!

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S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die 1985

A long time since the last Metal post although the debut album of the Stormtroopers Of Death (S.O.D.) is more a Hardcore/Trash/Metal slab and they formed 1985 in New York by Scott Ian (guitars), Charlie Benante (drums), Dan Lilker (bass) and Billy Milano (vocals). "They recorded a 63 song demo called Crab Society North and set to work on an album for Johnny Zazula's Megaforce Records. The album, titled Speak English Or Die, was recorded and mixed over three days and has since been hailed as a landmark album that was among the first to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal. They toured in support of the album in 1985, opening for Motörhead and The Plasmatics, among others. Their music served as the theme of the '80s incarnation of MTV's Headbangers Ball. They planned a follow-up titled USA For S.O.D. which was ultimately scrapped and never recorded." I heard a lot of Metal & Hardcore in the 80s and then came this album in and I was immediately excited, the intensity and dynamic which play the four their twenty-one songs is just awesome. Let yourself be intoxicated by this brilliant record.

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RÖVSVETT - Hunden Beskyddar Människan Men Vem Beskyddar Hunden 1984

Now a decent tape rip with the Demo from the Swedish Hardcore combo Rövsvett. Born on a hot summerday in 1983 in the little town Tranås in Småland. Frank and Jerker decided to ask Rylle and Löken if they wanted to form a brutal hardcoreband. The name felt natural since Motörhead, Ramones and Baccara already was taken. After many sweaty gigs with Rylle on guitar, Löken bass, Frank drums and Jerker on something that was supposed to resemble song, came their first democassette “Hunden Beskyddar...” in 1984. This CO² band is full with eleven ass-kickin' hardcore tracks and they sound much better than on their 7inches which can you get here. Rövsvett show that they were one of the best Swedish hardcore band ever and I like this sound a lot. A review from Septic Death singer Pushead: "Summoning Swedish insurgence that discharges a quick spasm of invasioning disorder and brawling vigor. Jerker's throat vibrates in growling wails as he wrings out a forceful vocal assault. Compelling guitar structures keep the action alive with hammering drum exertions, as these reels spin off alerting mayhem in that Swedish acceleration tradition. Good stuff to watch for. (Maximum Rocknroll #16, August 1984) - So enjoy this awesome Hardcore lollies and have a nice start into the weekend. 

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE - This Is War 7'' 2011

During November 2011, the Anti-Nowhere League along with the UK Subs supported Motörhead on a number of UK dates and after this they came back with this brand new single. Great new song and unique version of 'Good As It Gets' on the backside. Released as limited edition of 500 copies on nice picture vinyl in paper cover with all lyrics and informations. I think, I must not tellin' you more about these UK punk veterans, every album proves their posture and energy heavy sound, so stop useless words and you have to move.

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POISEN IDEA - Official Bootleg EP 1991

Proper release by Vinyl Solution/American Leather Records and this four track EP is damn cool and I think most of you know this combo because they released a couple of awesome records. I take over the bio from discogs: Poison Idea was started in 1980 in Portland, Oregon, by vocalist Jerry A. (Lang). Within a year, the band had a solid line-up with drummer Dean Johnson, guitarist Tom Roberts (aka Pig Champion), and bassist Glen Estes. The band was motivated by the Germs and Black Flag, and took their musical cues from bands such as Discharge and SOA. Pushing the speed limits of contemporary punk rock, they played raw and angry hardcore the likes of which had rarely been heard before (or since). Their 1983 debut EP, Pick Your King, is a classic and arguably the best hardcore record ever released. Its subsequent followup, Record Collectors are Pretentious Assholes (featuring Pig Champion's substantial collection on the cover), saw Chris "Tense" replacing Glen on bass. Both were put out on the Fatal Erection label, run by Pig Champion and Malcom Conover from Eugene, Oregon. 

In 1986, Poison Idea released the aptly titled Kings Of Punk album on Pushead's Pusmort label. By this time, the band's sound had changed from manic, breakneck thrash, to a more driving, Motörhead-influenced attack - losing none of their intensity, anger, or nihilism. In the next few years, Poison Idea's lineup (mainly the rhythm section) changed several times. 1987's War All the Time was somewhat of a misstep - nowhere near as powerful as their previous output - although the two EPs released the next year both had good material. 

By 1989, Poison Idea seemed to pull it together; after trouble with record companies and distributors in the past, they started their own label, American Leather, and began by reissuing their 1982 demo. The band recorded the excellent Discontent 7" and also found their most stable lineup in years: Jerry A., Pig Champion, Myrtle Tickner, and Thee Slayer Hippie (although the second guitarist seemed to switch between "Mondo" and Aldine Strichnine). In 1990 they released the classic Feel The Darkness album, successfully combining (where so, so many others had failed) the best elements of hardcore and hard rock for a dark, powerful sound. In the next three years they put out several more records - two more full-lengths, a string of 7"s, and an LP collection of all covers. When Pig Champion decided to leave the band in 1993, Poison Idea called it quits. However, a few years later in 1996, the band briefly reformed and recorded a 7" for Taang!, who also reissued (again) most of their early catalog. An aborted tour in 1997 saw another breakup, but the band is currently back together again playing local shows, and has recently toured the US and Europe. 

Song facts: Tracks 1 and 2 recorded and mixed 5-6-89, both previously released as the 'Plastic Bomb/We Got The Beat' cassette single in 1989.  Tracks 3 and 4 recorded 6-15-90. Mixed 12-4-90.

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