V/A - Rondelet Records (Punk Singles Collection) 1995

With the emerging punk movement and the numerous new bands, of course, labels had to be founded that brought their music to the people. In England for example, some well-known labels get established and published a few singles, mostly in small editions and nowadays very sought by collectors, and made it possible for some bands to expand their radius and the opportunity to play gigs in other regions, partly over to the mainland. Anagram Records had the idea of creating a series called The Punk Collectors Series in the mid-90s and pressed the singles from these small labels onto CD and brought thus the old classics back to life with these chirping compilations. Today a small selection from Rondelet Records with bands which made more than one single in their lifespan and many of you probably know & partly waiting in the blog.

1.No Government - ANTI-PASTI

2.Two Years Too Late - ANTI-PASTI

3.Another Dead Soldier - ANTI-PASTI

4.Six Guns - ANTI-PASTI

5.Burial - THE FITS

6.Violent Society - SPECIAL DUTIES

7.Colchester Council - SPECIAL DUTIES

8.Bomb Scare - DEAD MAN'S SHADOW

9.Another Hiroshima - DEAD MAN'S SHADOW

10.East To The West - ANTI-PASTI

11.Muscles - THE MEMBRANES

12.Police State - SPECIAL DUTIES

13.Go To Hell - THREATS

14.Fuck The Tories - RIOT SQUAD

15.We Are The Riot Squad - RIOT SQUAD

16.Bullshit Crass - SPECIAL DUTIES

17.Riot In The City - RIOT SQUAD

18.Caution In The Wind - ANTI-PASTI

19.Flower In The Gun - DEAD MAN'S SHADOW

20.High Street Yanks - THE MEMBRANES

21.Politicians & Ministers - THREATS

22.Last Laugh - THE FITS

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SPECIAL DUTIES - '77 In '82 1982

Let's start the weekend with a very good album from Colchester/Essex: the solid debut album by the Special Duties and on this record were involved Steve (vocals), Bart (guitars), Steve (bass), Stu (drums). A bit info: Created in October 1977 by friends Steve Green (Aka Arrogant), Steve Norris (Aka Duty) and Nigel Baker. They were punks at school, but the idea of forming their own band came when they saw The Adverts in Colchester. The fact that the three schoolboys couldn't play and didn't own any instruments didn't discourage them. They decided to put Arrogant on vocals, Duty on guitar and Baker on Bass. The band was originally going to be named X-pelled, but they switched to Special Duties when a box of around 200 badges with "Special Duties" printed on them which had been stolen from a school in Colchester came into their possession, the band deciding that they could save money on getting badges made by simply changing their name to match the stolen ones. For their debut live show, the band spread the word through the underground punk grapevine that they would performing a free gig underneath the shopping precinct in Colchester. Hundreds of people turned up to see them play a fifteen-minute version of the only song they knew, "There'll Be No Tomorrow", performed in the Marks & Spencer loading bay. In 1980, Bart Povah joined the band and they recorded their first demo, which got them a record deal with Charnel House Records. The band moved to Rondelet Records soon after and recruited drummer Stuart Bray. Their second EP for the label, "Police State" spent two months in the indie chart, prompting Rondelet to get the band into the studio to record their debut album, '77 in '82. - The band is still alive and with this sixteen songs they conjured up a typical UK punk record which is hard, rough + reflects perfect the mood of the early rebel days. Great Stuff!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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SPECIAL DUTIES - '77 In '97 1997

Twelve years later, the band was back on scene for the 1995's Fuck Reading at the Brixton Academy. After that the group didn't split again and now, they are still gigging and recording. One result is their second album, released via Captain Oi! records and Mark created really new material on his label for the first time: the reformed Special Duties were at the start. And of course they didn't sound more modern in 1997 than they did in their heyday at the beginning of the 80s. A short review: "77 in 97 is produced a little better and compositionally a tad more relaxed than most of the old pods of the group. Still, the guys are still going crazy. A song like "Top 40", for example, shows that their old hardcore punk edge is still there. "No Place For Reason (In My Heart)", however, already goes through as powerfully commercial. Many other songs are more in the '77 style, but not too tame. And it is precisely in this niche that special duties fit best at an advanced age. By the way, as a bonus there are six old demo takes, including the classic "Violent Society". (Jan Jaedike) Well, I tell you, don't be afraid of their debut '77 In '82, which also sounds rough and harsh. Great band, and they continue to fuck our ears with great arguments, that'll kick the cold out of your house, guaranteed!

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V/A - Captain Oi! Presents Hits 2002

This nice compilation from Captain Oi! Records came for free to an order I made twenty years ago and as you can see, here are only renowned bands present, who set high standards in the early English Punk/Oi! movement and released some numerous classics, which shouldn't be missing in any well-assorted record collection. Seven small treats were specially served to let us know that new stuff is available and that there is no lethargy on the island. A nice idea I think. Especially since you don't always know when new records from your favorite bands are coming out, at least that's how I feel.

1.Natural Born Loser - ARGY BARGY

2.Fragile - U.K. SUBS

3.Little Black Sheep - THE ADICTS

4.Safe Haven - ANGELIC UPSTARTS

5.Apathie In The U.K. - SPECIAL DUTIES

6.Rattle My Cage - GUITAR GANGSTERS

7.Hell To Pay - THE BUSINESS

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SOCIAL UNREST - SU-2000 1985

Social Unrest hailed from Hayward, near San Francisco, in 1980.They soon established themselves as one of the leading forces of the Bay Area early HC Thrash scene. The manic, political vocals of Creetin K-os were well supported by screeching guitars & ultra-fast tempos. The band released their 1st 7" (now much sought after) in 1981 on Infra Red Records. "Making Room For Youth" was produced by none other than Dead Kennedys guitar player East Bay Ray.

SU teamed up again with Ray a year later to produce their classic "Rat In A Maze" 12", released summer 82 on their Libertine Label. The seven songs of this EP are mostly fast except for "I love You", a PIL-like tune. "Red, White & Blue", with it's numerous speed changes, remains a highlight. They also appeared on Maximum Rock'n'Roll masterpiece 47 bands compilation, "Not So Quiet On The Western Front". The band played a lot with all the glory bands of the time, when the usual band brawls headed for some changing.

Original Band members Mark Monti & Danny Norwood remained the core of SU, Bass player John Vollick moved out to band management. In came Ray Vegas on bass duties & Jimi Brogan on guitar. Jason Honea, a Darby Crash fanatic, completed the new SU after the departure of Creetin K-os. The new line-up developped the original, screeching SU sound and brought it to new heights on the band's 1st full length "SU-2000" (again on Libertine) in 1985. Honea's melodic tones & thoughtful lyrics added a lot of deepness to all the great songs featured on "SU2000" : "I wanna be heard","Jimmy Rocks", "Rat In A Maze" are all

scorchers, while "Stranger Inside" & "Out My Window" have some really cool guitar bitterness works that will become one of SU's later trademarks.

A year later, the band released what is probably their masterpiece (unlike most bands, they never put out a weak record, though) ,the mighty "Before the Fall" LP (on Libertine in the US, Konurrel in Europe). The songwriting reached new grounds with songs like "American Steel","Golgotha","The New Tribes". The band was still fast & aggressive, but the vocals & guitars added great, original harmonies that couldn't be heard on any other record by any band. The slower numbers like "Night of the Long Knives" worked quite well too. Social Unrest now really had a sound of their own & were firmly established as one of California's most important band.

They heavily toured the US (they did it 4 or 5 times), opening for the Descendents' last show, appeared on the Viva Umkhonto compilation & got rave reviews of "Before The Fall". They embarked on their 1st Euro Tour in September 87, playing a show in Germany that would end on the"Mental Breakdown" live Album (on Lost & Found).

Ray left the band to join Attitude Adjustment, Ron Isa filled in to record the band's last album, "Now & Forever", released Fall 88. Some of the best SU songs are there w/ "Katarina Witt", "I'm The Nation" & "Sins Of Paris". "Handcuffs Too Tight" features the welcome back of Creetin K-os for a thrasher that brings back the band's original sound. The band called it quit shortly after. (Source: gug65free)

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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