ONE WAY SYSTEM - This Is The Age 7'' 1983

Hmmm, I thought I'd posted something about the following combo, but apparently in my old Blog, well.... I'll catch up on this immediately, because they are among the heroes of early, typical trembling UK Hardcore/Punk sound. One Way System were formed 1979 in the Fleetwood area of Lancashire and shuffled through several different line-ups before settling into a quartet that would make the band's first life possible: Gavin (vocals), Craig (guitar), Gaz (bass), Tez (drums). They made their first mark on the Country Fit For Heroes compilation on No Future Records in 1982 which helped launch the debut EP Stab The Judge on Beat The System!! Records. They didn't release an album until 1983, when they switched to Anagram Records where consequently the debut All Systems Go appeared, based on the single Give Us A Future followed by the second album, The Writing On The Wall. 1984 came the next EP entitled Visions Of Angels, which raised hopes of a US tour as opener for the legendary Circle Jerks. Unfortunately Keith Morris (leader) broke his neck just before the start of the planned tour and the dream was over. One Way System played two shows in the States in lieu of the unrealized tour before deciding to go home and quit. Ten years later, in 1994, punk rock reissue specialists Captain Oi! re-released their two albums, followed by Anagram releasing a best-of in 1995, leading to a reunion. After that, Gavin and Gaz decided to continue and were replaced by Andy (bass) & Lee (vocals) respectively. New material were recorded for a few different labels and they've been rockin' & rollin' to heart attack ever since.

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V/A - Total Anarchy 1982

Pretty cool label compilation by Beat The System/Lightbeat Records with their house bands and in 1982 they have published of those their first 7Inches and pressed some here plus a few rare tracks I think. The result can be compared with other UK slabs of that time and that were some. Fourteen, two from each band, spiky short goodies which will not die out. Let's see what else I pack today at the buffet!

1.What The Hell - EXTERNAL MENACE

2.Riot Torn City - ONE WAY SYSTEM

3.Soldier Boy - UPROAR

4.Your Choice - ANTISOCIAL

5.I Hate - THE FITS

6.Out Of Order - CHAOTIC YOUTH

7.Die A Hero - DEATH SENTENCE

8.Me And You - ONE WAY SYSTEM

9.Don't Take Their S___ ! - CHAOTIC YOUTH

10.Death Sentence - DEATH SENTENCE

11.Lights - THE FITS

12.Boring Senseless Violence - UPROAR

13.Screw U - ANTISOCIAL

14.External Menace - EXTERNAL MENACE

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THE FITS - You Said We'd Never Make It!!! EP 1981

Debut EP of the Fits from Blackpool on Beat The System!! Records with three stamping Oi! Punk smasher and one thing first, I don't know where the third song went and who's got it, please send it to me. Info: The Fits formed in Blackpool in October 1979, with an initial line-up of Mick Crudge (vocals), Andy Baron (bass), Kev Halliday (drums), and "Big" Bill Hughes (guitar). They played their first gig only four days after forming, supporting Section 25 at Bispham Community Centre in Bispham. After four gigs, Big Bill was replaced by Steve Withers.The band's first release was a tape on Beat The System!! in 1980 called "You Named Us Tape" which was really a rehearsal recording with an interview with Bill Gumpy tagged on the end.

The band's first single, "You Said We'd Never Make It!!!" was recorded in June 1980. Local second-hand record shop owner Barry Lights sold it in his shop, and when the initial run of 1.500 had sold out, reissued it on his Beat The System label, the single eventually reaching #2 in the Sounds Punk Chart. Increasing exposure saw the band supporting moreestablished punk bands such as the UK Subs around the UK, and they were signed by the Rondelet label in November 1981. Rondelet issued their second single, "Think For Yourself" on New Year's Day 1982. In March 1982, the band entered the studio to record their album You're Nothing, You're Nowhere. The band were not happy with the album, and Halliday and Baron left the band shortly afterwards, to be replaced by Tez McDonald of One Way System and Ricky McGuire of Chaotic Youth. The new line-up had immediate success with the Last Laugh EP, which entered the UK Indie Chart in December 1982 and peaked at #44.

In 1985 the band broke up but in December 2011, they announced that they were re-forming for a one off gig at the Rebellion Festival in their hometown of Blackpool with a line-up of members through the years including Mick Crudge, Dave Broderick recently and over time a session drummer with various named bands, Ricky McGuire and new member Kerry Waite. Kerry Waite left in 2013 and has been replaced by Swedish guitarist and singer Calle Engelmarc (of The Members, Nigel Bennett Band, 96 Decibels, Feral Ghost and Nicolette Street & The Revs). The band released a 'comeback' record 'Offerings At The Altar' in 2015.

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V/A - Bored Teenagers Vol.7 2014

Once again an infernal bang from the Bored Teenagers series with twenty-eight Great British Punk Originals 1977-1982 and who exactly ignites the explosions follows now:

"This volume kicks off with THE SINGLES who were from the Rochdale area and released one of the rarest UK Punk 45s back in 1978 with the controversial title of ‘Adolf Hitler. The song is about a German soldier who is the trenches and questions his belief and why he is here! The next two tracks are by IN THE GYM with two tracks taken from the incredible rare single from 1981. This band hailed from Kidderminster and this was their one and only 7Inch. Following on with the KATZ from Swindon with two tracks taken of their extremely rare 7Inch from ‘79, plus six unreleased tracks on the CD version. Next band to grace your speakers are from our very own Capital CHAOS UK with two super snotty punksters. This was the bands one and only 7Inch release before re-surfacing as the Mandies. Our next stop is Birmingham with two ultra rare absolute gems from THE HOBBS. Collectors around with world will be familiar with this band as they release Bop Around The Shop on the ‘Big’ label in 1978 but did you know that they had an aborted single that they recorded a year earlier for the ‘DJM’ label? Sadly these tracks never came out as the band were dropped in favour to the Satan Rats’. You are gonna be in for a treat with these two blasts….. Now comes THE WHAT?, hailing from South Humberside who released a killer little 3-Track EP in 1979 that includes the anthem East Coast Kids! Now we are heading all the way down to Cornwall to THE VENDETTAS, who trod all the Cornish music haunts throughout 1977 and called it a day in 1978.... great rough stuff that will stick in yer head and you’ll find you're self singing the lyrics without knowing it! The next two tracks that come blaring at you are from our front cover stars SKIDMARX. Hailing from Carlisle and relocating to South London and then Brighton. The last band to be featured are SYSTEM X from Enfield in North London. In their lifetime they offer no vinyl output but did record five tracks, all can be heard in their full glory on the CD version."

That reads brilliantly, doesn't it ...? Now it's your turn!

1.Adolf Hitler - THE SINGLES

2.Mercy - THE SINGLES

3.Don't Go Slow - IN THE GYM

4.Playing The Fool - IN THE GYM

5.Talking 'Bout You - KATZ

6.I'm So Nasty - KATZ

7.I'm Over Here - KATZ

8.Hold On (I'm Coming) - KATZ

9.White Socks - KATZ

10.I'm So Nasty - KATZ

11.Summer Of Hate - CHAOS UK

12.I Wanna Be Left Alone - CHAOS UK

13.(Just) Don't Come It With Me - THE HOBBS

14.We're The Hobbs - THE HOBBS

15.What Is The Cure? - THE WHAT

16.Anything Goes - THE WHAT

17.East Coast Kids - THE WHAT

18.Such A Pity - THE VENDETTAS

19.Inside Looking Out - THE VENDETTAS

20.I Bin There - THE VENDETTAS

21.Red Lambretta - THE VENDETTAS

22.No Way - SKIDMARX

23.Life's A Farce - SKIDMARX

24.Underground - SYSTEM X

25.Homage - SYSTEM X

26.Got The Evidence - SYSTEM X

27.Anything Goes - SYSTEM X

28.Threats Of War - SYSTEM X

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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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V/A - Nazis Raus! 1991

More relevant than ever, see the current circumstances every Monday in Dresden, or remember this date 1938 in Nazi-Germany or the racist riots in Hoyerswerda in 1991. I can't understand how they can deal with such a stupid ideology that brought nothing except death and destruction. I guess it's easy to throw life away and lose dignity & respect when you only feel hatred. Life is not always easy but that excused nothing. The one-way thinking is modern and easy but to have an own opinion is really not hard. Maybe this compilation helps, released via Weird System, show nineteen bands that there is another way and encourage to think about yourself.... more relevant than ever!

1.Nazis Raus! - BETONCOMBO

2.Hallo, Ich Heiss' Adolf - ABWÄRTS

3.Eckensteher - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES

4.Herrenreiter - MITTAGSPAUSE

5.Nichts Gelernt - STUNDE X

6.Schweigen - EA80

7.Fahnensog - RAZZIA

8.Nie Wieder Faschismus - DIE MIMMI'S

9.Deutsche Raus Aus Deutschland - THE BUTTOCKS

10.Party In Der Gaskammer - MIDDLE CLASS FANTASIES

11.Vaterland - MALE

12.Fünf Vor Zwölf - DIE TOTEN HOSEN

13.Seekarten - SLIME

14.Glanz & Gloria (Armes Deutschland) - BLUT+EISEN

15.80.000.000 Hooligans - DIE GOLDENEN ZITRONEN

16.No Nazis - RUMBLE MILITIA

17.Gavur - EMILS

18.Dachau Disco - CRETINS

19.Faschos In Sibirien - PISSED SPITZELS

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TALK TALK - The Party's Over 1982

Let's come to quieter sounds this morning and attentive followers know that Talk Talk began as the Reaction and released a splendid powerpop 7Inch in 1978 which also found its way onto the great Streets compilation. I came first, as probably many, in touch with the band with their '84 hit 'Such A Shame' and from then my interest was aroused and the album It's My Life belongs to one the best of the 80s pop culture. Talk Talk began as a quartet consisting of Mark Hollis formerly from The Reaction (vocals/main songwriter), Lee Harris (drums), Paul Webb (bass guitar), and Simon Brenner (keyboards) and their influence upon musicians has exceeded the band's visibility among the general public. Along with the band Slint, Talk Talk are credited with inventing "post-rock" in their last two albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock. Guy Garvey of the band Elbow said: "Mark Hollis started from punk and by his own admission he had no musical ability. To go from only having the urge, to writing some of the most timeless, intricate and original music ever is as impressive as the moon landings for me." A tribute album and anthological book, both titled Spirit of Talk Talk, were released in 2012. The book includes all the artwork James Marsh did for the band, and hand-written lyrics (by the band). The album includes covers by various artists, proceeds going to the conservation organization BirdLife International. Hollis and Talk Talk continue to be praised as artists who did not cave in to the pressures of corporate and commercial interests. Says Alan McGee, "I find the whole story of one man against the system in a bid to maintain creative control incredibly heartening." This is their debut album with nine beautiful poppies.

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NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES - ...Bis Zum Bitteren Ende 1983

Now to an important band that always inspires me and whose music is way ahead of other bands even after so many years. The music of the Neurotic Arseholes offers predominantly melodic punk with frequent changes in tempo, routine breaks, harmonious guitar solos and the varied mix of styles prove the high musical quality of the talented four. The predominantly subtle political texts are partly German, partly English. The band was founded 1979 in Minden by bassist "Zahni" and guitarist "Kurt", who were inspired by John Peel's program Rock Today. The two had already released a punk fanzine in their home area. In 1980 singer Dierk (“Zombie”) and drummer “Der Kurze” joined the founders (Der Kurze got his pseudonym because he was fourteen years old when he joined the band, and thus about four years younger than his bandmates) and their first appearance took place 1981 in a youth center in Minden. Also in 1981, the quartet received a record contract with Karl-Ulrich Walterbach's label Aggressive Rockproduktionen, whereupon three pieces were recorded in Berlin in one day and published on the essential album Soundtracks Zum Untergang 2. A year later three tracks followed on the Underground Hits compilation and in 1983 the band's first LP, ...Bis Zum Bitteren Ende, was finally released. However, after the album production the collaboration between the band and Walterbach ended, as his label, now Noise International, began to concentrate on the production of metal bands in the mid 80s.

In 1984 they therefore switched to the Hamburg label Weird System, which initially released two new tracks on the brilliant Keine Experimente! Vol.II record before the second album Angst comes in 1985. Despite enthusiastic reviews, there were differences within the band, which therefore decided to break up and gave their official farewell concert on January 25, 1986 in the AJZ Bielefeld. Only for this occasion the Paradise EP (200 copies) was produced and released via Weird System and only sold that evening.

In 1986 the third and final slab Live... All' Die Jahre came out with recordings from the band's last concerts. Individual tracks were also re-released on other samplers of the label. After the split, the members went different ways, Der Kurze founded the band The Brides with guitarist "Kurt", but they never achieved professionalism, so the project was abandoned and Shorty hired himself out as a drummer in dance music bands. Only bass player Zahni, who recently played with the Drowning Roses, achieved a certain level of reputation with this band and was part of the opening act for NOFX on a USA tour.

In 1989 the four reformed and a smaller tour which was simply titled "Just For Fun Tour" was the result that delighted many fans, including myself. During the tour, the Just Do It For Fun EP was distributed with older unreleased recordings. The busy fanzine maker Karl-Heinz Stille took care of the production of the single, the idea for this record: it's a small gratitude from them to everyone who has stood by themselves and know who they are! - Karl-Ulrich Walterbach released a new edition of the debut LP in 1989 without paying royalties to the band, this led to a lengthy legal battle between the four and Walterbach. Then it became quiet around the Arseholes. In 1998 they surprisingly returned with the Melancholia EP and a smaller tour across Germany.

Important, a bloody must have and buy immediately!!!

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DIE ÄRZTE - 5, 6, 7, 8 - Bullenstaat! 2002

5, 6, 7, 8 - Bullenstaat! is a brilliant album with twenty-five songs by Die Ärzte on Bondage Records (500 copies) and was only sold on tours. The album was also available from the band's former fan club and is always available for download there as well as on the band's official website. "With a wink, die Ärzte on this album also address all those who have always called them "commercial punk" with "stupid pop songs" because they avoided the sometimes quite monotonous themes of punk music of the 80s, in which it was mostly about the German system, the fucking cops or the good old revolution, and preferred to go their own way to create and perfect their own style. Typical Ärzte humor and nonsense texts in perfection and all this to a musical mix of punk, ska, rockabilly and electro. Thematically it is about their favorite things: police officers, beer, resistance, student girls and rockabillys." One of their best records anyway and the CD version has as bonus the songs of the also fantastic 1, 2, 3, 4 - Bullenstaat! EP on which they cover German punk classics in their style. An absolute listening pleasure from the best band in the world!

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WUT - Kapitalismus 1986

Awesome Killer Stuff now by this great band from Langenfeld. WUT were founded in 1983 by Schetty (vocals), Holger (bass), Oli (guitars) & Jörg (drums) and their first release came two years later in form of a split EP "Their Last Testament/Everything Ever Seen - Everything Ever Heard!" with Rotting Carcass on More Fun Records and also in 1985 their only album Kapitalismus via Double A, 1990 another split 12'' with Sons Of Sadism, also Double A Records. I quote the band from the insert:

"We are four individuals who've come together about 2½ years ago to express our attitude to life through music. However, we do not understand music as an end in itself, but as a step out of our own impotence, the powerlessness that we experience every day when we look at the state of this world.

Our system is based on the exploitation of the masses, the developing countries and nature. It relies on brainwashing in schools, psychiatry, factories, barracks, and in the media, where it sells consumer goods as a substitute for interpersonal relationships, living off alienation from one another. It educates people to selfish money-hungry intolerant dependent self-employed labor-bearing and consuming machines. This is the world of gross national product, the 5-year plan, the suicide rate ...

The music creates a free space, a medium through which we can express our thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, it's just fun for us, a fun that gives us more than the full of fun, aggression and walls of coolness marked 'fun' of the well-known 'jokers' at countless concerts, meetings and other places.

Through the band, we also got to know people we might never have met otherwise, people who make us rich with a lot of positive experiences and the confirmation to do something useful. The people we have known for some time, who have experienced our way and whom we love! And all those we do not know, but who may be on the same path as us, we dedicate this album! Love & Strength to those who resist.

There are days when people question all the beautiful ideals that they laboriously built up, because the feeling is quickly spreading that nothing will change anyway, especially when sees that unconditional adaptation to this power money-driven society is rewarded by a secure content (??) existence, as long as man does not come up with the idea to ask the meaning of such an existence. We can not let ourselves be lulled by the ignorance of the masses who are only interested in their beer supply, their new car and the length of their cocks. Keep your own head and live your life!"

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PARANOIA - 1984 [2020]

Now a DDR legend from Dresden with old original recordings and for the first time on vinyl! Paranoia was founded in Dresden in 1982 and consisted of Fleck (vocals), Olaf (guitars), Jörg (bass), Oliver (drums) and quickly became the focus of the small underground scene in Dresden and played concerts throughout the GDR. The group maintained contact with the west punkscene through fanzines and letters. In December 1984 they recorded the Here We Are for Everyone Who Needs A Cult Band tape and a friend from Bremen spread the demo in her city. One copy also came to Weird System, but they refused to sell the sixty minute tape due to the quality of the sound. Further demos and live recordings were made, which were distributed in the GDR scene via tape trading. 

In 1948 George Orwell completed his novel "1984". An impressive work, which is fascinating and frighteningly outlines the emergence of a totalitarian state structure. The sole ruler rules omnipresent "Big Brother" through total surveillance, manipulation, disinformation, monopoly on force & true to its proclamations: War means peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength. Orwell's novel had a long history in what was then the GDR oppressive reflection found in reality.  Conditions as described by Orwell half a century ago long before the era of the so-called "other bands" were the breeding ground for bands like Namenlos, Schleim-Keim or Paranoia. These groups radically expose theirs of anger, dissatisfaction and a hopeless message was transformed into rough and unpolished punk music with the same texts. Things were called by their name in an unadorned and uncompromising way. Soon followed by fines for appearing without permission to play and an operational process by the Stasi, which took place in 1985 the imprisonment of two band members led to the "smashing of the illegal band Paranoia". Some members then founded the band Kaltfront, whose repertoire still includes some Paranoia songs.

"From the original tapes were seventeen best pieces selected and re-mastered and released in 2007, of course in an authentic and usable sound (not for high-tech cyberpunx). The album title "1984" consciously connects the band biography with Orwell's novel, and unfortunately that makes more sense today than ever."

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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