Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Ramones. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Ramones. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

HEARTBREAK - Ung Och Gjord Av Glas 1980

Heartbreak from Eskilstuna was formed as Inferno in 1974 and was inspired by Velvet Underground & Lou Reed. Some years later they changed their name to Heartbreak Hotel and inspired by The Ramones they performed short fast rock songs. On a Lou Reed concert they met the Englishman Danny Malone who became their manager and who succeded to give them a contract with the label Sonet. Their first single "Ride In The City" was released in 1978 and got the fourth position on the European Radio Chart (Europatoppen) and the songs was even included on the Swedish rock compilation Swedish Tracks '79. The pressure from the record company on the group to use Swedish lyrics led the group to a dead end and the inspiration faded away. New members and a new recording contract with the new label Wave led to the release of the single 'Stand-In' who soon got "record of the week" in two of Swedens biggest news papers. The album 'I Hetaste Laget' (Some Like It Hot) recorded in just three days was released in 1980 and later the same year also a second album 'Ung Och Gjord Av Glas' (Young & Made Of Glass). After a lot of more touring they released the album Wow in 1983 on the major label EMI. The album and the single "Min Tjej Viker Ut Sig I Fibban" (My Girlfriend Is The Centerfold Of Playboy) was not the success the band had hoped for and Heartbreak did as many other Swedish bands did in 1983 and disbanded. The Hardrockband Hanoi Rocks has done covers of the two Heartbreak songs "Vill Ha Dig" (I Want You) and "Rock'n'Roll Band".

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -


Friday, November 16, 2018

THE SAINTS - (I'm) Stranded 1977

After tasteful pop, followed by a good dose of hardcore/punk I finish postin' for today with the debut record by The Saintsformed in Brisbane 1973 with original members Chris Bailey (vocals, later guitarist), Ed Kuepper (guitars) and Ivor Hay (drums). Info: (I'm) Stranded was released by EMI on 21 February 1977 and their debut 7Inch, "(I'm) Stranded", was issued ahead of the album in September 1976, which Sounds magazine's reviewer, Jonh Ingham, declared was the "Single of this and every week". "Erotic Neurotic" was the second single, which was released in May 1977 and the group relocated to the UK. In June, bass guitarist Alasdair "Algy" Ward replaced Bradshaw and the group issued a single, This Perfect Day in July, which peaked in the Top 40 on the UK Singles Chart. Contemporaneous with Ramones, the group were employing the fast tempos, raucous vocals and "buzz saw" guitar that characterised early punk rock. Kuepper explained that they played faster and faster as they were nervous in front of audiences. According to Australian rock historian, Ian McFarlane, they had developed their "own distinctive sound as defined by Kuepper's frenetic, whirlwind guitar style and Bailey's arrogant snarl".In May 2001, Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary and named "(I'm) Stranded" in its Top 30 Australian songs of all time. In 2007, 'I'm Stranded' was one of the first twenty songs added to the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia registry. Their debut album was listed at #20 in the book, 100 best Australian albums, in October 2010. Have a great weekend and I'll go back to bed.


Sunday, January 17, 2016

CALIGULAS BARN - Askungen EP 1981

And further with awesome old rare stuff from the early days. Drummer Mats Westin was on its 16th anniversary on 28/9 in the year of grace 1979 grapevine aware that he was a member of a punk band called Caligula's Barn! Guitarists Magnus Kollberg and Eric Levander had already switched to the Swedish punk and plank Ebba Forsberg and already honed the concept of Caligula's Barn. An early draft of "Stick To The Soviets" was reworked to be acquired but the first song, with Mats on the drums, "Blood In The beard" as straight irony total of anywhere from dictators to scientists. The group's major milestone was the fourth gig at The words house 12/9-80 when it recently reached Umeå and managed to lift themselves together, gameplay. The whole thing has been preserved in a good audience recording. A typical gig where the Ramones, Clash, Ebba Grön and selection of Swedish bands such as The Baiters and attacks are mixed with many originals. sixteen songs cleared in forty-five minutes. But it did not pay Caligula Barn a milestone on his record. New new wave and the influences should have worked, but was scuttled by a nice "production." The single became a little punk, but fortunately did tape is heated to several ropes. The band was characterized by energy - perhaps more fun than aggression - and a measure of humor, for example: the slogans "total dots with scratching" and "pop with speed stripes". Opinions on the CB was really polarized between "the worst band you've heard" to "impressive vocal harmonies." Immediately in 1982 transformed the band to El-Alamein, with more pronounced new wave sound and a minor emphasized pop rock. 1984 converted it to The Trap, which popinfluenser of vintage/retro character was heard more than in previous projects.

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -

Saturday, September 23, 2017

THE PUNKLES - Drive My Car EP 2002

Two years after their successful debut Hamburg based punkers The Punkles (with Prollhead!/Nixon Now! members) recorded their second album called simply Punk!. To act as an appetizer Fanboy Records released this three song EP with two non-album tracks and with 'Hold My Hand' (originally performed by The Rutles) is, I think, the only non Beatles track which has the band ever recorded. I'm sure a lot of punk bands started or already has a Beatles song rehearsed because they are big songs and easy to play. I remember a combo here from Frankfurt, called The Beagles and they were absolutly funny and crazy guys, especially live (Hello Freaks!) but sadly they never made it on vinyl. So, the Punkles took this in finest Ramones tradition and they are a great party live band! Part tribute, part tongue-in-cheek, the Punkles don't just parody the Lennon & McCartney songbook, they breathe new life into it. Splendid!!!!!!

Monday, January 16, 2023

ACCELERATORS - s/t EP 1984

One more rare 7Inch, which was reissued by Manufactured Recordings in 2015, original released via Mutha Records with six shots by the Accelerators, a Central Jersey based Punkband whose brand of fast and loud "PowerPop" music has made them local club favorites since the 1980s. Largely influenced by the Ramones and the Smithereens, the Accelerators’ music is defined by strong melodies, unique irreverent lyrics and powerful drumming. The band was started by singer/bass player/songwriter Ron in 1981 with talented but troubled lead guitarist John T. Hansen, and backed by Dave Ross on drums. Their brand of fast and loud music made them local club favorites throughout the late 1980s. Represented on some good compilations and unfortunately I can't offer you one yet, eieieiei..... Well, that'll be fine and for a fucking Monday evening post anyway enough.


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

THE ROUSERS - A Treat Of New Beat 1980

A real masterpiece of PowerPop classic is the debut record by this combo. The Rousers from Broek op Langedijk (near under the smoke of Alkmaar) were one of the first Dutch New Wave bands. Inspired by the new momentum in the British pop music the band was founded on 19 September 1977 by the brothers Cock (vox + guitars) and Jan de Jong (drums), along with Rob Marienus (bass) and Theo van der Plas. In the beginning they play their own work and some covers. They played songs by The Beatles, The Damned, The Ramones and The Buzzcocks and this combination would determine the sound that the band develops and that they refer to themselves as New Beat. In January 1979 the Wieb (guitars) and Bonne Zigtema (vox) brothers join the band, Theo left. In the same year the first 7inch 'Magazine Girl' was released on Ariola/Torso and became a legend. Quickly they became celebrated, no wonder with their bright guitars, polyphonic harmonies and rhythmic clapping, the influence of the early beat music is clearly cognisable. Nevertheless, the band has a distinctly contemporary sound. After this record the band released all in all three singles and a second album called 'Touched'. 1981 the band broke up and split into The Thought and The Shavers. If you want more from the Rousers visit Frank's ShotgunSolution blog for the rest. By the way, the grandiose cover reminds me a little of Hergé. A Treat Of New Beat is truly one of the best albums I've heard this year.

- Many Thx to Fredrik -

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

FOXY - Por Vida, Stay Foxy! 2001

So, the second semi-final of the DFB Cup will start shortly and yesterday my favourite team Eintracht managed to make it into the final and let's see who is on 27.05.17 in Berlin with us. But first another highlight which I have already posted on DU and I think it's worth to present this stuff again. This is the debut album by Foxy from Orange County, which includes thirteen songs that were produced by John Maurer (Social Distortion) and recorded 2001 at EMG Studios, North Hollywood/California. Beautiful melodies, inspired by the Ramones and Clash, and all songs are really rockin' and rollin' and they live entirely clear of the rough, but never screamin' voice of hot Lisa, uuhhhhhh..... - You can read a detailed review of the record on OC Weekly, and I leave you for today because I have to pay my bills and soccer rolls in. So suck down this brilliant album and enjoy!


Saturday, January 06, 2018

THE SAINTS - This Perfect Day 12'' 1977

Back from a relaxed birthday party not tired yet I have the urge to bring this cool band from down under to you, this is buzzing in my head for a few days and today is the day: The Saints are a rock band from Brisbane and founded by Chris Bailey (singer-songwriter, later guitarist), Ivor Hay (drummer), and Ed Kuepper (guitarist-songwriter). Alongside mainstay Bailey, the group has had numerous line-ups. In 1975, contemporaneously with the Ramones, the Saints were employing the fast tempos, raucous vocals and "buzz saw" guitar that characterised early punk rock. With their debut single, "(I'm) Stranded", in September 1976, they became the first "Punk" band outside the US to release a record. This is their second 7inch and some 12 Inches were pressed with the note: "Important Notice - Due to an administrative error, this limited 12" pressing of The Saint's "This Perfect Day" c/w "L-I-E-S" single contains a third, additional title not available on the normal 7" pressing. The additional title, "Do The Robot", has consequently been withdrawn from future releases consideration and will now be available only on this 12" pressing". Well, this is not my rip and sometimes I regret that but good music should and must be heard and bloggers are there for that. Apart from that, the band is still active and they will hopefully rock at the age of seventy.


Tuesday, December 01, 2015

PARAF - A Dan Je Tako Lijepo Počeo 1980

Moving to Ex-Yugoslavia and meet Paraf, together with Pekinška Patka one of my favourite band and this is their debut record on RTV Ljubljana with fourteen sophisticated jewels.

Paraf was a punk rock and later post-punk band from Rijeka, Croatia, known as one of the pioneers of punk rock in the former Yugoslavia. Following the expansion of punk rock in Europe, teenagers Valter Kocijancic (guitar, vocals), Zdravko Cabrijan (bass) and Dušan Ladavac "Pjer" (drums) formed Paraf in 1976. They played their first gig at Belvedere in Rijeka on December 31, 1976. The band's early live appearances were at Rijeka high-school parties along with the bands of similar musical orientation, Termiti, Protest and Lom. During the late 1978, the band started performing frequently, even outside Rijeka. They played in Ljubljana, Belgrade, Zagreb. The band also performed at the Novi Sad BOOM festival, as well as an opening act for The Ruts concert in Zagreb. In 1979, they released their debut single "Rijeka", a cover version of the Ramones song "Chinese Rocks", but Kocijancic signed as the song author in order to test the Yugoslav critics of the time. Despite the intention, it was the Dzuboks magazine journalist Petar Lukovic who recognized that the song was a cover version. The band also appeared on the various artists compilation album Novi punk Val 78-80, released by ZKP RTLJ in 1980, with the song "Narodna Pjesma" ("Folk Song").

After several delays, the band debut album A Dan Je Tako Lijepo Poceo... (And The Day Started Out So Nicely...) was released by ZKP RTLJ in the Spring of 1980. Due to provocative lyrics, the album was classified as kitsch product, and thus liable to additional taxation, despite subsequent changes to some of the lyrics as well as the selection of a different album cover. In line with the punk rock ideology, the band addressed several topics which were at the time new to the Yugoslav rock: the songs featured ironic usages of communist slogans, mocked, at the time, one of the most popular bands, Bijelo Dugme, in the song "Pritanga I Vaza", insulting the police in the censored version of "Narodna pjesma", and dealt with social themes typical for a port city. The album was produced by the band's close associate Goran Lisica "Fox", assisted by Igor Vidmar. (source: parafrijeka.blogspot)


Friday, October 27, 2017

P-NISSARNA - Flumpungar 2004

One of the youngest bands with a real cult status were P-Nissarna from Falun. In December '77 the band started with Pistols and Ramones covers and two years later, in March 1979, the band is called now P-Nissarna, says guitarist Tomas Modig, who turned 15 that year. The first gig they had at school where there were 300 Asian people in a theme day. The Bassist was shit scared and stood the whole gig with his back to the audience. He was later fired because he was so lame. In all cases, they kicked the upper surprisingly and they earned a lot of praise afterwards which shocked them. Drummer at that time was called Willy and he lived quite far from Falun, which meant that he was replaced by Carl Zone and he was a rock. He had lirat Rush and stuff like that before so he was very technical. Soon after Fender had contact with Jeppe Ekholm from RiP records, which were very interested to release something with the band. The result was the Jugend EP which was recorded in Gävle Sound Studio and paid by themselves and the songs have a damn good sound. The band made a few EP's and were on some great Swedish punk compilations. Their music is full rough energy & the band released a few veritable bombs of great 70's punk rock. This CD is a comprehensive compilation of all their singles from the years 1979-1982, a few live tracks from 1981 and as bonus new cuts from the year 1999 with singer Fender and guitarist Tomas Modig. Fender died 2001 with only 37 years. All in all one of the best Swedish punk slabs come from P-Nissarna. What more can be said?


Saturday, September 12, 2015

PANX ROMANA - Antartes Poleon 1989

In 1989, Panx Romana released (always through Wipe Out Records), their second record Antartes Poleon [Urban Guerillas]. The platter contains thirteen tracks in all & their sound in this record is more akin to The Ramones & they even cover "Somebody Put Something In My Drink" under the title 'Supression Of The Marginalized'. Such classics as 'The Letter' and 'Vacation In The Army' transmit pretty much everything that the band ever stood for. Also notable is the instrumental 'Tien Amen'. A worthy successor to the first album.


Sunday, November 08, 2015

V/A - Busca En La Basura!! #3 Punk Iberico (1980-83)

Today is again Sunday and I have only this one for regeneration. So I use my time today for this Tape compilation which was released anno 1993 via Bazofia 'Zine and its full with great spanish punk stuff, some bands are known others not. A decent song selection and when you love the Iberian style like me you will not be disappointed. No idea but I'm currently in this country, I wanna move to the sun, I hate this cold season...maybe over Christmas, let's see. Make something beautiful today and enjoy sixty minutes of classics!

1.Chicos De La Calle - TOREROS AFTER OLÉ
2.Vete A Morir Al Salvador - LA BROMA DE SSATÁN
3.Violencia - ULTIMO RESORTE
4.Enterrado Vivo - ESKORBUTO
5.Mario - SINIESTRO TOTAL
6.Kaos - NO!
7.Nacido De La Pota De Un Punk - LARSEN
8.Me Gusta Ser Una Zorra - VULPESS
9.Manos Arriba - OX-POW
10.Genocidio - MG 15
11.Enciendes Tu Motor - ESPASMÓDICOS
12.Soy Un Loco (A) Soy Un Loco Antifascista - Nº 634
13.La Policia - LA UVI
14.Un Día En Texas - PARÁLISIS PERMANENTE
15.Ernesto - LOS NIKIS
16.¿Y Ahora Que? - LA POLLA RECORDS
17.Lili Marleen - INTERTERROR
18.Botas Y Tirantes - DECIBELIOS
19.No Queremos Mas "Rock Ramones Especial" - KANGRENA
20.Las Malvinas Son Pingüinas - CODIGO NEUROTICO
21.La Laguna Debe Morir - ESCORBUTO CRONICO
22.Un Porvenir Oscuro - COCADICTOS
23.Anti-Politica - R.I.P.
24.Maquina De Matar - EXTERMINIO
25.El Pistolon - LOS NIÑATOS
26.Derecho A La Vida - IV REICH
27.El Vampiro - DESECHABLES
28.No Queremos - CHUTE DE ESPERMA

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

CHUZPE - Love Will Tear Us Apart 7'' 1980

Chuzpe was very likely the first real punk band in Austria and was founded in 1977 by the Austrian Underground-/New-Wave-Band singer, guitarist and songwriter Robert "Räudig" Wolf with versatile cast and "Wiener Schmäh" (With Weaner Schmäh is popularly referred to one of the residents of Vienna awarded mentality, which is characterized by humor or the associated state of mind: often somewhat melancholy, sarcastic or morbid, humorous and belittling, sometimes slightly cunning and mischievous, often grantelnd (misanthropic), usually accompanied by a smile and friendly.The term libel is not associated with an insult in conjunction). They sang English and Viennese. Under the influence of the Ramones and Sex Pistols, their music evolved more and more into punk. In 1978 they recorded in the gorilla studio a few songs and which four were selected for a single. This would have been the first punk release in Austria but the production was, unfortunately for cost reasons, set prematurely (Two songs were posthumously released on the noteworthy Austro-punk compilation Es Chaos Is Die Botschaft from 1997). In May 1979, Chuzpe appear with three songs on the Wiener Blutrausch compilation. The band performed in 1979 for a short time as Robert Räudig & The Beat Boys and published in the same year, the first Chuzpe single and their style already went towards into neo-garage and mod-wave. This was the beginning of a development that Chuzpe were known as one of the Austria's most successful new-wave bands. The absolutly brilliant cover of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', which made it to number 8 in the Ö3 charts is awesome and one of the best covers I ever heard. As Chuzpe77 the band released in 2003 a 16 song album with their old stuff in heavily guitar-based versions. After a farewell gig in 2004, the project Chuzpe77 was buried.

- Big Thx goes to Reinhard -

Friday, January 20, 2023

THE IMPS - s/t LP 2022

Interesting plater by Bollmora Rekords and this combo meets me for the first time and they kick really ass. The Imps started 1977 in Stockholm and members were Anders (vocals), Jonas & Kai (guitars), Magnus (bass), Christer (drums) and unfortunately never made it onto vinyl during their active days. So this little compilation features fourteen songs (recorded 1978-1981, I think) from their rehearsal room and probably also live pieces in an extreme uncooked & raw quality. A few liner notes: "And in the late '70s, when the Sex Pistols and Ramones were putting out their records, musical ability wasn't important. However, we were motivated and formed the Imps at a young age (fifteen and still students) and took part-time jobs to fund our equipment. Somehow we got everything together and started rehearsing in a basement of our school with cover versions and after a while we played our first gig to a full house at a school party in Fisksätra. It was a great loud evening and when we were finished after thirty minutes, only ten people were left in the room, but those ten loved us. The Imps got better and better and they gigged all around Stockholm. In 1981 we opened for the Dead Kennedys at a place called Underground in Stockholm. The band made two demo tapes before we called it a day in 1982." (Anders, January 2022)

You see, this is a little story of how it happened at many places in those days, and the will & desire to make music burns like wildfire and is the drive to start something meaningful with its young age. The Imps are passion, crazy & musically simple but incredibly sympatheticListen!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -


Saturday, April 09, 2016

DIE SUURBIERS - Kein Mann Für Eine Nacht 12'' 1985

Berlin based punk, Die Suurbiers have been around for ages, some of their members went to such bands as Die Ärzte and Die Tote Hosen. One of the first bands in Germany to produce what later many describe as "FunPunk". But don't let that tag scare you, because these guys be punks as anyone! The band were founded in 1981 as Frau Suurbier and should appear as a kind of clan (as same as the Ramones). So the three members called Cäpt'n, Hans and Tom Suurbier. The bands name was taken by a sketch from Otto Waalkes and musically they played a cool punk/rockabilly style with funny lyrics. They wanted to be as far away from the Berlin punk scene and bring in a simple and direct style their music to the people. In 1982 their first songs appear on the newly founded Berlin label Schnick-Schnack (later Vielklang), which was founded by members of the band Panzerknacker AG, compilation Ein Vollrausch In Stereo – 20 schäumende Stimmungshits. The publication of the sampler was celebrated with a boat trip on 11.May 1983 under the theme "Stimmung – Im Vollrausch LIVE An Bord" and the trip was great, but for the organizers of the label a costly success, because the guests put the steamer almost in ruins. 1985 the band's only album, a 12'' was released on Weser Label with five poppy punk tunes. In that same year, the band decided to enter the beer market and were owner of a small private brewery. The beer called Suurbier and was given to the people on gigs in 0.33-liter cans. In 1991 the band released their last record with a new line up: Cäpt’N, Bugs, Honkytonk & Overnight Suurbier called 'Zwei Boys Für Jedes Girl!' Then for personal reasons the band disappear. Beautiful record which deserves a chance!!!! Amen!


Tuesday, March 01, 2016

VAAVI - Hei Anne 7'' + Tytöt Hymyilee 7'' + Nimi EP 1980

It is March, hopefully it soon becomes warmer, Fuck Winter! Let's move to the glory days of early punk stuff with this cracker: Vaavi was formed in summer 1978, when ex-Uutiset ja Sää members guitarist Kari Hipponen and drummer Tommi Micklin joined forces with bassist Jari 'Iku' Viitanen from Jawa. The original vocalist Jorma Nurminen only stayed for a couple of months, but he was the one who came up with the name for the band. In spring 1979 they were one of the finalists in the new wave category of the Finnish rock championship competition, held in Seinäjoki. They only played a ten minute set and finished second, Ratsia being the winner. They released their first single 'Mihin Jäi Punk?' in 1979 on Rokit Records and in May they recorded a song for the Hilse compilation. The band's style is a classic 'romantic' melodic '77 punk sound and not inspired by the Ramones, as so many Finnish punk bands of that time. Vaavi found their own style from the beginning and you can hear that. The band released two albums, a couple of 7inches, many line-up changes were made and they played their final gig in 1988. On this record: Ilkka (vocals), Kari (guitar), Iku (bass) and Tommi (drums), all three pieces released on Johanna Records, eight superb tracks.

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

SLITAGE - Farbror Polisen EP 2016

New lost material from Slyngel Rekords, #013 and it's Slitage, Norrtälje's first punk band, formed early January 1977 and the Ramones and Damned ignited the spark and made them want to start making noise in their rehearsal room. The band consisted of Petta (vocals), John (guitar), Ted (bass), Micael (drums). They did some gigs in folk house in Norrtälje and a tour to Småland's Lessebo. In 1979, a demo was recorded in Uppsala with the help of members of the pop band Hansa Band. Among the songs was "Stoppa Travolta", a song that felt just right in a time when disco and pompous symphony rock was a great contrast to punk. "Fort Men Fel" is about pickpockets who always fussed and wanted to whip the shit out of the punks. "Farbror Polisen" is about the nice uncles from the law enforcement officers. In the fall of 1979, the band was disbanded but members continued to play in other bands such as Studio Sex, Cherness, Blues Drivers, Mannish Boys, Generals and President Gas. This three track killer EP contains recordings from this demo, released in green vinyl in an edition of 300 copies. It kicks! So, please, either take the plunge or stop teasing me.


Tuesday, January 31, 2023

THE FIX - Vengeance 7'' 1981

The Fix was a short-lived band of less than two years and had their first vinyl release on legendary Midwestern label Touch And Go. This is their debut (200 copies) with two fantastic short killer tracks and a review can tell you more about it: "Faster and younger than the Ramones, these boys from Lansing, Michigan give us two sides of vinyl and finish it all in two minutes and thirty-nine seconds. This is so fast that you won't even have a chance to sit down, so you better dance with your turntable. This is basic, no frills hard Punk and proves once again that Punk still goes on five years after the initial English explosion." (Sinclair Elrod, Coolest Retard 14, June 1981) - A year later their second and final EP Jan's Room followed before breaking up in early 1982. Really amazing they didn't made an album with their potential, I'm sure it would have been a masterpiece. In 1990, German label Lost & Found Records released a double LP called Cold Days, compiling all six songs from the two singles, the compilation track, four outtakes & twelve live cuts. Excellent Stuff!


Friday, June 10, 2022

THE MEANIES - Come'N'See 1992

I think, the Soccer World Cup would start today, but this year it's different and I have to say I don't like watching the WM in winter... but that's another story. - Also this weekend I start with a cracker and for that we travel 'Down Under' and visit Melbourne and meet the Meanies there. They were formed 1988 by Link (vocals/guitar), D.D. (guitar), VB (bass), Ringo (drums) and this is their great debut album on Au Go Go Records with twelve unleashed catchy melodic numbers. The level is constantly high and powerful and this full dose of energy pushes you immediately into a good mood mode, oh yeah! A bit background: "the four provides energetic performances, with Link injured on stage on several occasions. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, they "were the undisputed kings of the inner-city/all-ages circuit. The band's frantic, Ramones-inspired power pop and hyperactive live shows drew capacity audiences of alacritous fans. The Meanies were also one of the most productive independent recording bands of the day." But shadows hovered over the band, D.D. died in February 2008 after being diagnosed with cancer. Their guitarist from 1993 onwards, Tasman died in August 2008 in a car accident as well. Jaws joined as a new guitarist and they recorded two more albums, the last, their fourth Desperate Measures, came out in 2020. Now I'll leave you alone and have a good start after work with this brilliant music.


Monday, August 22, 2016

EPPU NORMAALI - Maximum Jee&Jee 1979

One of the oldest bands and still active is Eppu Normaali from Ylöjärvi, near Tampere. The members of the original band were Juha Torvinen (guitar), Mikko Saarela (bass), Aku Syrjä (drums), and brothers Martti Syrjä (vocals) and Mikko "Pantse" Syrjä (guitar), [the brothers are the sons of accomplished writers Kirsi Kunnas and Jaakko Syrjä]. In 1979, bassist Mikko Saarela left the band, and Mikko Nevalainen played bass in Eppu Normaali until 1989. The band released a lot of 7inches and albums and with their pop-punk sound they have a lot of fans worldwide, no wonder. A bit influenced by the Ramones, how many finnish punk bands, but soon their found their own style and distance themselves clearly from those in my opinion. They initially released albums in a punk pop style that gained favourable reviews, but the band did not gain mainstream acceptance until 1984 with what had evolved into a more AOR-oriented music style. So this is the second album with twelve superb pop-punk numbers, released via Poko Records.