T.S.O.L. - s/t 12'' 1981

 

Damn cool debut record on Posh Boy Records by this great combo from Long Beach/California. T.S.O.L. (True Sounds Of Liberty), formed 1978 and when this 12Inch came out the bands original line-up was Jack (vocals), Ron (guitar), Mike (bass) & Francis (drums). A review: "In the beginning, T.S.O.L.'s tempos were unapologetically fast, and its ultra-political lyrics were characterized by anger and rage. Full of blistering attacks on the U.S. government. T.S.O.L. is obviously left-leaning -- whether the lyrics are more Marxist or more anarchist is open to debate. Some of the lyrics employ Marxist rhetoric; 'Property Is Theft', for example, echoes the communist belief that no one should own private property. But on 'Abolish Government/Silent Majority', the band seems to have more anarchist leanings. Marxism/Socialism and Anarchy are two radically different schools of thought; Marxists, socialists, and communists want a lot of government, whereas anarchists want to do away with government altogether -- and it's unclear which of the two T.S.O.L. prefers. What is clear is that this record hits its mark musically even though its lyrics can be nebulous. Whatever you think of T.S.O.L.'s politics, this EP is an inspired and exhilarating slice of early '80s Punk." (Alex Henderson) - A lot of politics in it; I would simple say: Fantastic Record, definitely listen!

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T.S.O.L. - Dance With Me 1981

Now a remarkable classic and these gentlemen already appeared in this theatre and since I can't add anything with my own words, I use these who have already said it. Short info by Bradley Torreano from allmusic: "In the early years of Los Angeles punk, one of the premiere hardcore bands was T.S.O.L., which stood for True Sounds Of Liberty. Offering poppier music than many of their contemporaries and featuring an image that appealed to punks who wanted to dive deeper into the gothic subgenre already being offered by many British punk bands, T.S.O.L. became hugely popular on the local scene but never translated that success to national exposure because of their ever-shifting lineup and sound. Formed in 1978 by four pasty-faced youths with a passion for the emerging hardcore scene, T.S.O.L. was originally based in Huntington Beach, California. Featuring the lineup of vocalist Jack Grisham, guitarist Ron Emory, bassist Mike Roche, and drummer Todd Barnes, the band burst onto the local club scene with an image that included white face paint and dark, energetic anthems about alienation and troubled youth. A few members had already tried their luck with a band called Vicious Circle, so gigs in the South Bay and Orange County were easy to get despite many of those shows ending with riots that would ban them from the very same clubs. A politically fueled eponymous EP would be the band's first official release, and its emotional sound and vicious attitude were enough to ensure their standing as a major force in the scene...."

Dance With Me is the debut album by T.S.O.L. and was released 1981 though Frontier Records. While the band's eponymously titled debut EP, released earlier that year, had been filled with radical leftist lyrics, this record moved away from politics in favor of horror film- and gothic-inspired subject matter. The album includes the bands most well-known song, the necrophilia-themed "Code Blue". Colossal & Outstanding record in every way, you better be quick!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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T.S.O.L. - Change Today? 1984

Again snow overnight, brrr... Fuck Winter!!! Let's get comfortable with the third album by T.S.O.L. (True Sounds Of Liberty), formed 1978 in Long Beach by Jack (vocals), Ron (guitars), Mike (bass) and Todd (drums), released in 1984 through Enigma Records. Bradley Torreano of Allmusic remarks that Change Today? had "a different flair than the group had in the past. The guitars were gloomier and more focused, while Wood's melodramatic croon sharpened the whole affair into a unique L.A. goth sound." Allmusic's Robert Gabriel gave the album three stars out of five, saying that it "marked quite a stylistic twist for the band. Known up to that time as a hardcore punk outfit, T.S.O.L. suddenly became much more of a traditional rock group with more in common with The Doors than The Damned. All things considered, Change Today? is actually a fine album, most notable for its inspired songwriting and driving guitars. Well, I have nothing to add except a perfect album (with twenty nine minutes far too short), beautiful melodies and the request not postpone important things.

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V/A - Let's Die 1985

Einen habe ich noch für Euch heute und diese compilation wurde vom legendären California based label Mystic Records released and we have sixteen times cool Deathrock at its finest. A really excellent selection of songs come from largely unknown bands, some of which only made it onto this slab. On the one hand, that may be due to the time, in the mid-80s this genre was rather new (don't think about the Misfits) and merged later into what we call gothic rock today, that's how I think. And everybody who has been to a black night disco will agree with me. On the other hand, I suspect little money for further studio sessions, negative label replys or different conflicts within the bands. Egal, was sich hier tummelt ist exzellent und für Mitte der 80ziger sehr anständig. Vorab würde ich Dance With Me von T.S.O.L. empfehlen, you will be in good hands.

1.Inside - FALSE CONFESSION

2.The Noose - SUBTERFUGE

3.Hellhouse - A.W.O.L.

4.Let's Die - PATRICK MATA

5.Slaughter Hotel - THIEVES CROSS

6.Darkest Dream - PARTY DOLL

7.When Bobby Comes Back From The Grave - WHITE PIGS

8.Innocent Me - THE MESS

9.In The Night - ILL REPUTE

10.Kill The Dead - SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5

11.Hives - BURNING IMAGE

12.Bad Brains - THE DRAB

13.Suicide - SILVER CHALICE

14.The Edge - SAMSONS ARMY

15.Day Of The Jackal - THE STAIN

16.Necrology - FLOWER LEPERDS

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V/A - Paranoia You Can Dance To 1986

This compilaton was compiled by the Hamburg label Weird System and features the best of 'vinyl-fanzine' compilations 1 +2 which were released in the US on Flipside/Gasatanka records. All bands/tracks are damn good, no wonder by these names, remarkable the amazing live recording of the classic Misfits cut. But enough of words, perfect combination, nice and informative artwork, what else?

1.Gigantor - THE DICKIES
2.Religious Ripoff - GOVERNMENT ISSUE
3.Noone Is Ever Coming Home - THE FREEZE
4.Fight - SCREAM
5.Eighty-Four - UNDEAD
6.Warlords - F.U.'s
7.Suppose They Gave A War - T.S.O.L.
8.Give Me Fire - GBH
9.Island Paradise - DECRY
10.Metastasis - NAKED RAYGUN
11.Golden Boys - VAGINA DENTATA
12.Magnetic Shoes - PLAIN WRAP
13.Attitude - MISFITS
14.Walkin' The Dog - THE NECROS
15.Descending In E - CATATONICS
16.Shaken' All Over - AGENT ORANGE
17.Shoot The Kid - DETOX

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M.I.A. - After The Fact 1987

One of the first punk bands from Las Vegas were M.I.A. and this is their last album which came out via Flipside Records. Before I leave you with an excellent review from their homepage, briefly the note about their debut split 12'' Last Rides together with Genocide that illustrate their musical roots and is a damn big eruption (Vesuvius is kindergarten). "After the Fact is one of the best US punk records of the late 1980s, mostly because it mixes many post-punk influences and innovates where other punks cling totradition. The two guitars rarely play similar parts, there are dynamics & mood settings, contemplative sound and even a Killing Joke inspired tribal backbeat. The production on After the Fact is far superior to M.I.A.'s past efforts, with real bottom, kick, drive and guts. Check out the cover of "California Dreaming" or the effortless “Edge Of Forever” for proof that punk can be a fresh aural pleasure, even at this late date. M.I.A. ultimately paid the same price that the original TSOL and Effigies did when they went against the grain and tried to take punk to its next step: the group split up in early 1988." – Jack Rabid/Trouser Press - I would like to add; in 2001 Alternative Tentacles brought out a cool double record set called 'Lost Boys' (the first 1000 in orange) with thirty-seven rare old blasts, great stuff!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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VKTMS - Compilation 1997

Terrific compilation by Broken Rekids and this is a solid tribute for VKTMS from San Francisco and this little dittie features their three 7Inches and one LP along with three bonus live tracks, plus the track off of the SF Underground EP. Allow me excellent info from discogs: "VKTMS got together in 1978 when Mohammed Obead introduced Louis (drums) to Jay (guitar). After a while they added George (bass) and began searching for a singer. Nyna (R.I.P.) answered a bulletin board ad. Her intense energy and already developed lyric skills impressed them immediately.The band began gigging and shortly after put out what has become to be called the Midget EP, a highly collectible four song record. Shortly afterward bass player Steve joined. He is on the SF Underground EP. Right after that John joined on guitar and occasional keyboard. Few bands played the Mabuhay Gardens more times, and most other Northern California venues too. Playing a lot of gigs with relevant renowned American Punk bands in winter of 1981-1982 after releasing a single on 415 Records VKTMS began recording an album which sat in the can until 1994 when the band reunited. Re-releasing the album and previous recordings on CD on Broken Rekids (1997) helped give validation around the world.

VKTMS continued until Nyna passed away from cancer in 2000 after a very brave five year battle. In 2010 they started up again with Terry and Sophie on vocals. First came a Benefit for the San Francisco Homeless Youth Alliance which acted as springboard for the band's current state. In September 2012 they were booked to play the SF Punk Reunion with fifteen bands from the original era. This opened up a floodgate of show offers. In 2013 alone VKTMS did awesome shows with the Dead Kennedys, T.S.O.L., and the Weirdos. 2014 brought shows with the Sonics, The Members and more. 2015 brought a return show at a SF punk reunion concert, called this time SF Punk Renaissance, this time with even more bands, with Cheetah Chrome headlining. In 2016, they made it into the legendary Fillmore Auditorium, playing once again with the Dead Kennedys. Just before Covid hit VKTMS played an incredible show with the Avengers. Then right afterward with another close band MDC."

Now enjoy this explosive anthology by a great Punk combo!

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