THE DICKIES - Stukas Over Disneyland 1983

An enjoyable and recommended listen is the third mini album by the Dickies which was released after a four-year silence by PVC Records with eight wonderful nuggets. I quote a perfect review: the Dickies first vinyl in almost four years ranks up there near their previous funnypunk triumphs. Most of the eight songs here veer toward amphetamine pop, with irresistible layered choruses to boot, but the highlights include the poppish “Rosemary,” “She’s a Hunchback,” and an incredibly fast cover of LED ZEP’s “Communication Breakdown.” Buoyant and entertaining as hell! (Steve Spinali, MRR #12 • March 1984) - I undoubtedly go along with that and start this warm day off, which will follow with a second post shortly. Re-upps are also finished if anyone asks.

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SUBURBAN STUDS - Slam 1978

Formed in 1976 and hailing from Birmingham, the Suburban Studs consisted of Eddy Zipps (vocals/guitar), Keith Owen (guitar), Paul Morton (bass), Steve Pool (drums) and with their already punky sounding name were one of the first bands to be signed to an independent, the equally punky sounding Pogo Records, and marketed through the major label WEA Records. In their time they released two 7Inches and even an album within a year, a feat not reached by many a Punk band of the time. Originally featuring the sax antics of Steve Heart the instrument was felt to be inappropriate to their sound and he left to start the Neon Hearts.

The Suburban Studs were active live throughout 1976 but were a different looking proposition then with a more glam look. Supports at the time included The Runaways. They played their first London gig at the 100 Club on the 31st August '76 supporting the Sex Pistols and The Clash. A quote from a Sounds review by John Ingham appears The Clash book "Last Gang In Town" where he describes their set as 'a laughable mixture of tacky jumpsuits, tacky make-up, tacky props and tacky music'. The Studs also headlined over the Clash on the 27th of October '76 at Barbarellas in Birmingham, this time complete with haircuts and a more Punk image, though still playing the same dated glam set as they did at the 100 Club. Gigs at the usual suspects like the Marquee, Vortex, Roxy Club and Barbarellas and tours even supporting the likes of AC/DC and The Runaways did nothing to break the band. Not even a John Peel session broadcast in December 1977 or appearing in a Punkrock special on ATV helped.

WEA supported with marketing and also helped land them on the double Live At The Hope And Anchor album with a live version of 'I Hate School' along with The Stranglers, 999, X-Ray Spex & The Saints among others. Their WEA Press release which accompanied their album Slam l is suitably hyperbolic and manages to sadly spell the bands name wrong in the first sentence! WEA Press Release Born in the slums of the Midlands and educated with street level certificates, the Surburban Studs are deeply involved with their music. "We're fed up with rock superstars", said lead vocalist Eddie Zipps. Their music has got fuck all to do with living on the street today. We live in a slum... You've got to play music, that's life, that creates a situation. Their debut album 'Slam' reflects the seamier side of life and focuses on Suburban Studs instinct. Unfortunately the music didn't live up to the hype. Mediocre album reviews in the music weeklies didn't help either. PR was reduced to occasional gossip including the singer being subject to random Punk violence which was prevalent at the time and the shenanigans of their fans when two girls at their Thames Poly gig flashed their breasts on stage, daubed graffiti & set off fire extinguishers. With no sales the band who were astute enough to jump on the Punk bandwagon couldn't progress further and just fell off the Punk map.

Having said that however, the single Questions/No Faith (1977 Pogo Records) is a peach as good as any. Classic driving overdriven punk at a frenetic and heart attack inducing pace. Steve Harrington (sax) who was later in the Neon Hearts played on the first version of Questions/No Faith (July 1977) which was withdrawn, both tracks were re-recorded when Harrington left to start the New Hearts and e-released in November 1977, this time with "No Faith" as the A-side. Slam their album feels like Punk by numbers. All the ingredients are there but there's something missing and that's a spark. For once I think the reviews of the time got it right. Like the art work on Slam below? They couldn't get straight jackets from anywhere and in the end had to have them tailor made. Their only other single was I Hate School/Young Power (1978 Pogo Records) pulled from their album and this time reusing the album over in monochrome. They are also on the Live at the Hope & Anchor Compilation (March 1978) again singing I Hate School in the company of The Stranglers, 999 and X Ray Spex. Ironic as one of them went on to become a teacher.

While bands like Eater and Menace never got a John Peel radio show, the Suburban Studs did which aired on 22.11.77 and which featured "Suburban Stud, I Hate School, Necro, No Faith" and that was it! (source: punk77)

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V/A - United Skins 1982

Today a nice Compilation that was released on the Boots & Braces record label in the early Eighties and the album title has a fundamental meaning. At that time there were significant fights or conflicts in the skinhead scene that were rather stupid and unnecessary. Of course also because of the right-wing scums who called themselves skinheads and had no idea where the culture came from (unfortunately it remains unchanged to this day). I think I don't have to use my mental cells any further, you know the stories, but you don't know where I got the record from. I bought them at a flea market in Berlin many many years ago and I was quite surprised to see them offered for so little bucks, apparently the record god meant well for me. Today you'll have a hard time getting the original because it's banned through the usual channels, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. All seven bands were by no means right-wing at the time and their songs are good and belong to Oi like alcohol to beer. Of course, everyone knows today that Skrewdriver took a broken path and that's the only reason why the slab has become a rarity. Crazy, right! But that is humanity: stupid and extremely stupid. Well, I'm open now an alcoholic drink, enjoy the day off and see what else can happen here today. Enjoy the music!

1.Bloody Bouncers - CONTROL ZONE

2.Anti-Social - SKREWDRIVER

3.Life In A Plastic Bag - T-D-A

4.Swearing Session - ACCUSED

5.Take Him Away - SEDATED

6.Wicked Women - WARRIOR

7.Boots & Braces - SKREWDRIVER

8.Lament Of The Terraces - MICK FURBANK

9.T-D-A - T-D-A

10.I Hate You - ACCUSED

11.Rebel - SEDATED

12.Johnny Johnny - CONTROL ZONE

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HALF LIFE - Under The Knife EP 1986

Four piece from Pittsburgh who were active in the Eighties and Half Life consisted of Jeff (vocals), Vince (guitar), Mike (bass), Damon (drums) and this is their debut 7Inch on Mind Cure Records with four perfect smasher. A review: "One of the better sounding domestic HC releases in a while. Good power and production on all four tracks, and although it’s mainly generic metal-influenced hardcore, there’s a gripping urgency that carries it off. Lyrics are pretty bleak, although “Consider The Alternative” offers some hopeful thought." (Tim Yohannan, MRR #45 • February 1987) In addition to their first demo from 1985, they have each released two 7Inches and albums, featured on some good Compilations as well, and in 2002 the last testament was brought via Stab Wound in form of a CD with the nostalgic name All Our Yesterdays which definitely sounds interesting. Fazit: cool record in every way and I hope, I can spend more time with the blog this fucking weekend.

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BASTA! - Abortus Vrij, De Vrouw Beslist! 7'' 1977

Rib inflammation and a sore throat, I'm thrilled, all this shit that's extremely annoying and pisses me off. Well, there's time to post if I can crawl out of bed, and it's time again for a little 7 fucking Inch, the only piece by this Belgian combo called Basta! on Agitat and this little dittie was one of the first Belgian Punk releases of any sort. The band consisted of Eric (vocals), Marc (guitars), Luc (bass), Johan (drums) and Peter (sax) and the song refers to the 'national demonstration against the abortion ban' of March 4, 1977 in Ghent, which the Young Socialists (JS) called for with the same slogan. The song posthumously gained international recognition in 2017 when it was included in a list of influential anti-fascist Punk songs by the American music site Pitchfork. The music website mainly praised the saxophone line which is said to be reminiscent of Lora Logic's dissonant contributions to X-Ray Spex and Essential Logic. The flip is a reggae tune which is in my opinion a little bit too long. A short background: "The Radio 1 program Wonderland called a stunned Eric, singer of Basta, last night. "It's unbelievable what is happening now, because there are few people who remember that song from fourty years ago," he says: "Although the fight over abortion is a fight that has not yet been fought in many countries, which makes the song still relevant." The way the song was created appeals to the imagination. "We created abortion free, the woman decides" in response to a similar demonstration under the same name. That demonstration was to take place in Ghent. As occasionalPpunks, we created a soundtrack for it," says Eric. "That all happened in one day: we made a song from scratch in a community center. The lyrics were written there on the spot, the music is pure improvisation. That evening we were already in the studio for the recording. My voice was completely destroyed by then (laughs). Until that day we had never played music together."

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COLD I - Cliff Flowers 2018

Now I want to introduce you to an interesting Greek band called Cold I and this four piece plays a catchy Eighties Post-Punk & Dark Wave sound. Founded 2015 in Athens by Fotis (vocals), Vostron (guitar), Mitsos (bass) and Christos (drums). Άνθη Γκρεμού (Cliff Flowers) is already their second album which was released via Bat-Cave Productions and has six melodic and atmospheric highlights to offer. I can really say, that their music transforms all your stress and anger into positive energy, at least that's how I feel, and it's just nice to listen to. Although their noises are very melancholic and dark, but it's the perfect sound to calm down, collect yourself, reset and gain new momentum. Just stop and think, take a look at the world and yourself and ask, if all of this is okay. That's what I do with such stress-free music. Well, all of us have shit on our legs and need an outlet to shake that off, Cold I is an excellent help for that. Try them, it's perfect when you need a holiday from yourself and check out their other records, the last one came out this year and I hope they stay with us for a while. Cheers & have a nice Sunday!

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V/A - Compulsive Agitation EP 2023

The tenth and latest release from dutch D.I.Y. Subunderground Compulsive Agitation’s, Compulsive Agitation, is an excellent EP Compilation featuring six songs from five bands, hailing from the Netherlands as well as the UK. Edition of 400 copies on black vinyl. Well, the label should be familiar to you as it is the home base of the talented school of fuzzpunk, or in short: Ford's Fuzz Inferno whose contribution has not yet been published. This also applies to the other songs (except for Waste). Nun, this little 7Inch is a real grenade with short loud impacts that absolutely smash me into the past when Hardcore became my driving force and I was flashed by the aggressive fast sound. And once infected, it stays in your heart and you know what's good for you. With Hans & Co. you know what you're getting and all ten records aren't late bloomers or lame copies of old heroes, NO! Honest straight pissed off Hardcore with appealing words rolling over you and rousing every lame ass to participate, and to that always an informative artwork. This litle goodies comes with an insert featuring alternative front cover designs and infos about the bands.

"Overall, 'Compulsive Agitation' is a fantastic EP release that showcases the strength and diversity of the old school Do It Yourself Punk scene. Each band brings its unique sound and style, creating a compilation full of energy and attitude." (THOUGHTS WORDS ACTION - 8th June, 2023)

Since the edition is very limited, it will be difficult to get hold of a copy, I have one and if you find one, grab it! Pushes anytime, especially with back pain.

Five Killer Punk Bands! - Six Killer Punk Hits! Enjoy!

1.Protect & Serve - KRUST WORTHY

2.Everything Is Grey - WASTE

3.Reptile Brain - SCOUNDRELS

4.Sab The Hunters - KRUST WORTHY

5.A Messed Up Situation - FORD'S FUZZ INFERNO

6.Urban Disease - RHI & THE RELICS

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N.O.T.A. - s/t LP 1985

Hot Shit! You thought their past records were great, well here’s nineteen tracks that are rockin’, thrashin’, imaginative, and catchy. The slower songs have a catchy early ’77 Pop-Punk sound, and the thrash just rips. A good mix that shows that NOTA are expanding their boundaries and coming of age as a style to US Hardcore. (Ruth Schwartz, MRR #28 • September 1985) We're talking about N.O.T.A. (None Of The Above) from Tulsa/Oklahoma, a fantastic four piece that has changed its line-up over the years. On this brilliant slab the band consisted of Jeff (vocals/guitar), Russell (guitars), Bruce (bass), Bob (drums) and this is their first album on Rabid Cat Records with nineteen smasher, recorded 1979-1985, and all mercilessly fantastic. During their on-again-off-again existence they released three 7Inches and three full albums. They disbanded in 1987, but reformed in 1993 and finally broke up in 2000. Top record and I have to stop now because I must recovering from a crappy bike crash.

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REBEL CHRISTENING - Tribal Eye 12'' 1985

About the next combo are unfortunately less infos to find and we're talkin' about Rebel Christening from the U.K., and it's a shame because their only 12Inch on Clay Records isn't a bad one at all. Members, as far as I could find out, were Conrad (vccals), Mick (guitars), Steve (bass), Dave (drums) and their style is rooted in the so-called Goth-Rock drawer and the three songs impressively underline this with melodic and typically sluggish rhythms. Especially the opener takes a while before the actual song starts. I like long intros when it really kicks off afterwards. The voice is appropriate, almost plaintive and pessimistic but never embarrassing. I guess at a Black Friday evening, the boys will be in the DJ's repertoire, as long as they know them. Further releases, tapes, 7Inches, records, Compilations, etc... are not known to me. Anyway, this record is really cool and the four use their instruments perfect, impulsive and thunderous. 👍

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CEREBRAL BALLZY - Jaded & Faded 2014

Formed 2008 in Brooklyn by Honor Titus (vocals), Jason & Mason (guitars), Melvin (bass), Crazy Abe (drums), Cerebral Ballzy released their debut 2011 and shot immediately through the roof. Their love for energetic Eighties Punk is unmistakable and the third and final album Jaded & Faded (released via Cult Records) features thirteen tracks in just under twenty-six minutes and demonstrates this in an impressive way. Distorted fuzz sound meets fast solid tempo, that's exactly what a decent Punk record needs, no one sleeps or dawdles here, the five wash the dust out of your brain and kick ass hard and the level is constantly tense, plus sounding melodic and aggressive characterizes the band. I'm telling you, if you've had a shitty day at work and need the boost back, put this music in your player and you feel yourself alive again, guaranteed. Info at the end: following their release of Jaded & Faded, Cerebral Ballzy parted ways with guitar player Mason. They performed with Mason on Last Call with Carson Daly on 6 May 2014. It is alleged that Mason left the band shortly after while they were on tour with OFF! in 2014 and the band eventually broke up in 2015. What remains? A few singles and three very good albums from an extraordinary combo. Superb!!!

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KINA - Se Ho Vinto Se Ho Perso 1989

Third album by Kina from Aosta on Blu Bus and we listen to fifteen pretty towards melodic songs which haven't much in common with the Italian Hardcore league, check out their first album Irreale Realtà in comparison, but it's still Kina, they don't be afraid of a musical change and have combined very varied songs here, fast as well as slower pieces are included, plus short intermediate passages that I almost always find superfluous, but the three implemented this creatively for my taste. Let me quote a review from the re-release: "Refreshingly, I don’t know a damn thing about this Italian Hardcore band that started in the mid-’80s. This was their third LP, and it’s an interesting example of the time period. Kina’s sound sources its inspiration from Washington DC’s world-famous Post-Hardcore scene. The band can still rock pretty hard, but they tend towards melodic guitar lines that complement the earnest vocals and is not afraid of acoustic guitar and other “un-punk” elements. A track like “Cosa Farete” is closer to morose college rock than, say, Indigesti, but you can imagine them playing a show together at some thatched-roof squat on an abandoned farm outside of Turin. Interestingly, Kina’s mix of these influences prefigures a band that would become massive on an underground level less than a decade later: AVAIL. There’s a similar anthemic quality that is pretty damn hard to pull off convincingly, but Kina manages." (Erick Bradshaw, MRR #461 • October 2021) An interesting piece of music in every respect, which requires just under thirty-five minutes of your time.

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V/A - Es Gibt Ein Leben Vor Dem Tod 1991

A record I ripped many years ago is this Benefit Compilation for "Rom e.V.", "Ausbildungswerkstatt in Managua" & "Angehörigenkonto" and the slab came with a sixteen-page booklet, which I didn't scan and to be honest, I'm not enthusiastic about the music. I was only interested in one song and that's why I buy the thing, the rest is alternative stuff which doesn't knock me off my chair, a reason to sell the record quickly and I haven't listened to it for a long time either. Some even offer them for horrendous prices, but convince yourself whether the record is worth these amounts. Certainly an important release and good to finance such benefit things with compis and it's nice that there are mostly new and unknown bands among them, that  combines the useful with the useful. Well, I'm sure there is something for almost everyone, except Hardcore fans will probably stay away from it, it's your turn.

1.It's All Told - LOONIES

2.Hey Rote Zora - HEITER BIS WOLKIG

3.Mystery - LUCY KILLED THE DRAGON

4.Tu Was - YOK QUETSCHENPAUA

5.Crazy Creatures Of A Sick Society - HÄWI MÄDELS

6.Tränen Lügen Nicht - ARNI ARSCH

7.Draw The Curtain - DOG FACED HERMANS

8.Together - HEAVY GUMMI

9.DASLEBEN - EA80

10.Phoenix - HOUSE OF SUFFERING

11.Out To Nowhere - AMOK DREAD ATTACK

12.Zustand - ERICH FRIED

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V/A - Blitz Hits 2LP 1989

An interesting Compilation with bands connected to the Blitz culture centre in Oslo. Sides A & B are Punk/Hardcore dominated, side C is mostly experimental and side D features female artists. I would say thoroughly listenable and a decent audio document of the Norwegian underground culture which had a lot of good protagonists and was/is very diverse. The cover design is also worth seeing, and a 12-page special edition of the "Smørsyra" newspaper is included but I didn't scan it. This album present almost ninety minutes of varied songs that offers space for new and well-tried, and reveal music that doesn't fit into a drawer. Enough now, because the big day is today, there's still time for a vinyl rip and then off to the buddy.

1.Velstandsnorge/Atle - Ø.B.K.

2.Willy Er Et Svin - VILLSVIN

3.Today's World - DISORDER

4.Bad Guy Reaction - FIRE FÆLE FYRER

5.Violence And Pain - DAGGERS

6.La Mirage - LESBIAN COWBOYS

7.Fuzz Brain - T-ZERS

8.Fredløs - DATA MORGANA

9.Hakekors - SEPPO GOES TO HOLOCAUST

10.Warmachine - WITHIN RANGE

11.Ett Rom, En Seng - STENGTE DØRER

12.Murphy's Law - HJERTERÅTT

13.Today's Situation - BLACK & DECKER

14.You And Me - BEHIND BARS

15.Odd To The World - LIFE BUT HOW TO LIVE IT

16.Alle De Andre Dagene - SO MUCH HATE

17.Severin Slurpen - JUNKFOOD SOCIETY

18.Bent Laws - T.H.C.

19.Monty's Double - TREMULATORS

20.N.Y. Will Never Do It - NEMLIG HEMLIG

21.Fanden På Veggen - BØYEN BENG

22.My Life Is My Game - SEPTIQUE

23.Svarte Fugler - YM-STAMMEN

24.Messed Up - ASOD DVI

25.Love The Ones You're With - GAIA

26.Sweet Nothing - FAT MOLLY

27.Sweet Horror - KARIN WRIGHT

28.Heartbreak Hotel - ANE

29.Crazy Man's Toy - PRETTY & THE TENDERS

30.Veien Fra Dæ - LIBIDO LINK

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RAMONES - Swallow My Pride EP 1977

Nun, with the Ramones you never can't go wrong and I don't want to write much more about the four from New York, we all know their story. Famous band, one-two-three-four forward Punkrock with a lot of leather on it. This is, I think, the fourth 7Inch and both songs on the A-side were taken from the second album Leave Home while the flip is a goodie which was recorded live at The Roxy in Los Angeles. This music is still absolutely high class and I'm always in a good mood when I listen to and often play them when I'm in trouble or pissed off. In the meantime their original records have increased in value and I advise anyone who doesn't know the band, they really exist, to buy their records because there's hardly a bad one out there.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Spit On Your Grave! Vol.2 2004

Ahhh, it's so nice that there are still holidays, even if they are religious in origin. I always welcome them and I think there should be more of them. Today is one of those and we'll come to one more post and it's the second & final Compilation from Buried Alive Recordings with more rare KBD goodies of early American stuff and like Volume 1 this selection is also impressive. Just wait a minute, I still have to buy some alcohol.... well, unfortunately there isn't a lot of information here either, cheap packaging and there isn't a 1977 song on it, but that doesn't bother you because the CD is well stocked and you can buy a copy cheaply or look for the original 7Inches which is almost impossible. Now it's time to dust off my place, prepare a delicious meal later, create covers for a self-made compilation and maybe a third post will follow, ma gugge.

1.Fifi Goes Pop - TINA PEEL

2.Take Me To Your Leader - THE PUDZ

3.Good Bad - THE BONERS

4.I Saw It - DEEP WOUND

5.Convulsions - GG ALLIN & THE SCUMFUCS

6.Kill For Cash - KRAUT

7.Use To Be Cool - THE VAMPS

8.Overseas - SHOCK

9.It Was Pink - PINK HOLES

10.Pajama Party - UNIT 3 WITH VENUS

11.Gidget Goes To Hell - SUBURBAN LAWNS

12.They Walk Among You - NEW MATH

13.666 Heads - RF7

14.Born To Screw - BUMP CARS

15.Amerikan Story - CULT HEROES

16.High Heels Big Deal - THE SPIKES

17.I Refuse To Sing - REALLY RED

18.S&M - PUBLIC DISTURBANCE

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WASTE - The Next Century Is Almost Over EP 2023

Holy Shit!! a legend is back after more than forty years with a fucking blast! In case you can't remember, WASTE released their one and only great History Repeats EP in the early 80's and now they're in the mood for loud & peppy music again. Their new 7Inch delivers four compositions in a recognizable Waste manner. Dynamic, energetic and with a pissed off feeling the boys bang out their songs so that no part of your body doesn't want to vibrate, and believe me, every shitty thought will wash away from you and you'll hear this slab over and over again. Responsible for these jaw dropping tracks is the incredibly tight rhythm section of bassist Still Klaus, drummer Fred Flintstone, the brutal voice of Bompa RR and the totally damaging fuzz guitar and songwriting skills of Hans F. Ford, who of course is also known from his outstanding current fuzz-duo Ford's Fuzz Inferno. The band hasn't lost any of its aggressiveness and joy of playing, the sound is fat and powerful (although I prefer the early Eighties sound but these recordings grab me by collar) and you can Pogo with every note, Hardcore/Punk at its best and you should definitely get a copy, but you have to be quick because only 375 copies were pressed. With Waste, the long weekend can start and whoever sits still while listen, is definitely dead. KILLER!

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BLUTTAT - Liberté 1982

Fabulous debut by Bluttat with ten fast rough HardcorePunk attacks with pissed-off lyrics in German & English, as well as a few slower, more melodic tracks. Released via Ausschuß and the original record (which runs at 45RPM) is nowadays hard to find and that's the reason why Assel Records & Maniac Attack Records re-issued this slab in 2005 with two bonus tracks. Bluttat was founded in 1981 from the remains of Pissrinne in Mülheim/Ruhr and, until around 1986, consisted of Anja (vocals), J.R. (guitars/vocals), Uwe (bass), Ralph (drums). During this time they have recorded three albums and appeared on numerous Compilations to date. Their music is loud, raw and authentic and they did everything in pure D.I.Y. manner. A suitable review: "Some plodding German Punk and then...wham!, some super-frenetic thrash. Two singers share vocal duties, and the woman really wails. There’s some great stuff here, and I highly recommend over half of this record." (Tim Yohannan, MRR #7 • July/August 1983) Liberté is fifteen minutes intense, powerful, roaring and a "small" highlight of German Hardcore!

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STALAG - Date Limite De Vente 7'' 1981

Stalag was a short-lived four piece from Bordeaux, today their lone 7Inch on Studio Isis Records with two superb smasher. Info: It all started in the spring of 1978 when Kick, singer of Strychnine, friend of Thierry introduced him to two of his friends, one bassist, the other drummer: Richard and Jean. Following Chinoi's rapid passage to this post, deemed too old and technical, Vincent "Tungstène" Simonacci, a student from Dordogne, was recruited after having worked hard to impress his examiners. The audition of a first demo was almost fatal to the combo, but the real blow is dealt a little later when Richard, pillar of the band, leaves Stalag to join Strychnine. The savior will be Raymond Belliard, alias "Beber" & "Magic Ray", a roadie from Standards with an unforgettable look that our three friends flashed on. According to legend, Beber, who had a superb bass which he had never played in his life, surveyed the repertoire in a few days. The quartet was born and started with the anthem "You're not good for nothing!" their brief existence. The image of the bad wankers that they give off at the first appearance is contrasted by the committed statements, the sound and the self-sacrificing atmosphere of their concerts. Stalag works hard and Thierry shows in his lyrics with his magic pen with privileged themes such as fashionable Parisianism, society and the left behind, daddy's boys and the forbidden.

Their charisma puts them more in line with the Clash than the Pistols, and Stalag's many fans (who formed very quickly) chant these words as they gaze at the stage and pogo around, nurturing the group's darkest side. Stalag becomes identifiable to the institutions, who call it "public disorder". Some concerts are canceled as a precaution. It is both the excesses and the ultra-realism of the revolutionary message that make Stalag a historic group. Traces of their precocious power can be heard on this 7Inch and on some wild compilations. But Stalag is best enjoyed live. They will include more than a hundred appointments in total, which is not negligible for a group of the time! They owe this activity in large part to the work of Boogie Production, a company run by Richard and Fabrice, which gave birth to the famous Bordeaux rock tours. In 2003 Cameleon Records re-released their single in an edition of 300 copies and was sold out in a short time and 2007 followed a compilation Dernier Cri via Mémoire Neuve with all songs of their active days plus rare live goodies. Stalag rules, even today! 

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THE WRETCHED ONES - Live EP 1999

This cool picture vinyl by Knock Out Records feautures four cool live recordings (including the classic 'Goin' Down The Bar') and were taped 23.05.1998 in Hamburg @ the Grosse Freiheit 36 when the Wretched Ones supported Angelic Upstarts and Pit (vocals), G.T. (guitars), Bob (bass), Mike (drums) do a very good job. The Wretched Ones are a quartet from Midland Park, New Jersey and active since the late Eighties and with the demo ('89) they have released four albums, the last in 2007, and lots of 7Inches. To my knowledge the band broke up in 2009. What a good live band they were, shows this record impressively. "Fueled by singer Pit's gravelly, venom-spitting vocals, thick guitar, these guys are masters at this sort of stuff. It's basic, no-frills Punk, built on good riffs and sarcastic and smart lyrics" and the recording quality round off this little show 100%.👍

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KNOTS - Heartbreaker EP 1980

First one today and it's a superb re-release by Knots only 7Inch with three tracks on RaveUp Records (500 copies). Info: "Back in the 1970s, Max’s Kansas City introduced many fine bands. Some of the best never got famous. Fuse, aka Knots, was one of the finest. Let’s start at the beginning: Joey Pinter (guitars) was looking to put a band together in the mid Seventies when he met ‘the loudest drummer I’ve ever heard in my life’: Niki Fuse! They recruited vocalist, Tommy Bell and began rehearsing with a parade of now forgotten bass players and began gigging at various dives in and around Manhattan. Soon, they scored gigs at CBGB and Max’s and began to attract a following that included Eric Dufaure, a former Island Records executive who asked them to record for his new label, Ideal Records. Unfortunately, band infighting had reduced Knots to Joey and Tommy, so they entered Neal Steingart’s Fly Studios in Brooklyn with replacement drummer, Jerry Ryan, and Pinter doing double duty on guitar & bass guitar! There, they recorded a few songs: the two that made it to the single, plus “Rock‘N’Roll,” “New York,” “Blinded By The Darkness", and “Glad To Be Alive“. When the finished record hit the streets in 1980, Knots became a hot commodity. I put the single on the Max’s jukebox, and Bleeker Bob’s sold out multiple copies. On Manhattan’s downtown club circuit, Knots shared bills with now-legendary outfits like the Heartbreakers, The Cramps and VON LMO, as well as headlining their own shows at Max’s. With Nick Fuse back in the drum seat and Big Tony Corio on bass, the Knots were on their way to fame and fortune! Knots also toured the nation with Johnny Thunders, but then in ‘81, Max’s Kansas City closed, CBGB went New Wave and Johnny took off for Europe. Knots broke up. Joey and Tony joined The Waldos, Fuse went on to play in a number of local groups, and Tommy disappeared. However, the Knots recordings have had a life of their own. They were covered by underground bands all over the world, used in a film soundtrack, and included on Punk Compis and so the legend has been kept alive. Through the years, only three of their recordings survived: “Action”, “Heartbreaker” & “Glad To Be Alive”, the latter released here for the first time!" (Peter Crowley)

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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