U2 - 11 O'Clock Tick Tock 7'' 1980

It's not a mystery about talkin' U2, the Dubliners began in their hometown 1976 and their music rooting in the political turmoil that was all around them. The four have been in the music business for over forty years but if you look back at their early years, you notice that their early singles were absolute nuggets and are hardly comparable to today's modern commercial stuff which is not bad but I like the older days, 11 O'Clock Tick Tock is one example of their early phase and both tracks are none album cuts and shows the bands New Wave face. The b-side is also great and not published anywhere else. Released via Island Records and I would like to show you with this little 7Inch another, a non-commercial side of the band; the beginning days which were just as difficult and exhausting, as with a young punk combo, that had to search as well, to bring their music to the people at all. - Nowadays the slab still very popular and not cheap... so let's enjoy the old irish stuff and I'm now devoted to the SGE's soccer match vs. Mainz.  

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BERLIN - Over 21 7'' 1980

One of the early Dublin Punk/New Wave bands. Early line-ups included John Borrowman & Chris Green who left in mid-1978 to form The Atrix . Ex School Kids drummer Charlie Hallinan joined around the same time, while original drummer Pat Moylett (brother of Boomtown Rat Johnny 'Fingers' Moylett) became the bands manager. Berlin were accused of cashing in on the Rats connection by some and even of copying their act outright, especially lead singer Brian Devon, but these accusations was unfair.Berlin supported both The Clash and The Jam at the Top Hat in Dub Laoghaire, two legendary gigs in Dublin which thousands now claim to have attended. They were treated badly by roadies when supporting Graham Parker at the Olympic Ballroom, which resulted in some equipment damage. They turned down an offer from RSO Records and had two tracks ("Tube Talk" and "Waiting For The Future" slated for inclusion on the aborted/delayed Irish new wave comp which eventually became Just For Kicks in late 1979. During November-December 1978, Berlin and the New Versions set out on the "Streets Ahead Tour '78" across Ireland, the first new wave tour of the country. They appeared on Our Times on RTE TV at the end of the year.

Berlin played the Dandelion Market twice in 1979 and once in 1980: on 5 May 1979, 25 August 1979 and 2 February 1980. Most of 1979 was spent building momentum. They recorded demos which were aired by RTE Radio 2. They were courted by Charisma Records Dave Hitchcock as early as May and finally signed a deal with Charisma in September. The contract was for two singles and one album. The first single was announced for October but didn't come out until the following January 1980. Meanwhile their vinyl debut was on the "Just For Kicks" various artists LP released at the end of 1979, which included their track "Stop Stop", a strong effort. They played a farewell show at McGonagles on October 14, signalling their move to the UK. The band released their debut single January 1980, well after it's originally announced release date of October 1979. "Over 21" is a great pop punk track, though the band came in for some stick for being well over 21 themselves, especially Brian Devon and Maurice Czerniak. Both sides were written by bassist Maurice Czerniak. The Portugese issue appears to have predated the Irish & UK release by a few weeks. They performed the A-side (and, as far as I recall, another track) on Our Times on RTE Television, though I may be remembering the 1978 appearance. I vaguely recall Brian Devon holding up a sign saying "Hello Mum" or "Look Ma, I'm on TV". Does anyone have video of this? In February 1980 they embarked on a UK tour and appeared during the Sense of Ireland/Sounds of Ireland gigs in \ London in March 1980, playing Acklam Hall with U2 and the Virgin Prunes in support on the 19th (with at least one warm up gig in Nottingham a few days previous). When this failed to break the band, they split up, in April 1980.

Berlin reformed later in the year and released a second single in November 1980. "Boyfriend" appeared on Philips Records. It is a much weaker effort than their debut and sold poorly, which may explain why it is so hard to find now. It seems to have had very little distribution, unsurprising as the band split again soon after it's release. There are undoubtedly unreleased recordings (eg "Tube Talk"). Not to be confused with the Australian pop band on IRS Records who took your breath away. (Source: irishrock)

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KIZZA PING - Demo Hösten 1980

Well, it almost seems as if the blog death is picking up speed again, first the crash on AJ's hard drive and now Doc Drunk, who is having an extra long drink... Eieiei. Well, I hope both find their way back and enjoy their break. Now let's talk about Kizza Ping, an interesting combo from Linköping and I'll let them say a few words about herself:

 

"So was the headline in an article in Östgöta Correspondenten January 1982. Even though we were pestered by some mates it did in fact have some truth. Most of us were breed by the punk but all started to become tired. The incredibly exciting punk scene of 1977-1980 had slowly ebbed away. The bands that took over after The Clash and Ebba Grön were The Exploited and Anti-Cimex and were not as fun. Instead bands like Simple Minds, U2 and Reeperbahn came and it was about here Kizza Ping started.

The first chords appeared 1980. Anders, Johan, Lars and me had performed in punk bands as RAS, ÅOBF, Spy and Zpamhead. During the summer I had made some appearances with the joke band Rabarbarna. Helene and Annette sang "Young & pimply", the only song we had. When it was time to establish a real band during the autumn, the girls were natural members. Helene and Annette, our own Annifrid & Agnetha, were of course a big asset. They used their voices in several different ways, sometimes they devoted their time to the undervalued singing exercise in canon. Johan's and Anders' tunes differed us to other bands in the town as well as Johan's especial bass playing. The fact, that we were on stage six times also contributed, punk was simply too far away.

To arrange stage sessions was no problem at the time in Linkoeping. Just call the youth recreation centers (yes, it existed at that time) and decide a date. The music association Rock d’Amour did of course also exist and people always came. In some way we managed to take the band one step further. We got performance stage sessions in neighbour-towns, wrote contract with local Dåvhjort Records and the single ”Männen”/”Lär I Tid” (Men/Learn In Time) (of course recorded at Bosse Sound) did get a good review in the customs of that time Music Bible "Schlager". We were interviewed by Radio Östergötland, were several weeks on the local chart and did small out on tours to Gävle, Västerås & Göteborg.

Maybe we could come even further. In March 1982, just a few months after the single, we made our last play. Today, almost twenty years later, I have no idea why we did end. I must call some of the others and ask if they remember. To listen to these old songs today feels strange. Sure it sounds dated but at the same time I like what I hear. Despite we were just between eighteen and twenty we managed to do something that didn't sound like all others. And the punk most of us did return to." Peter Kagerland/April 2001 (Source: b-sound)

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THE INFORMATION - Husen På Rad 7'' 1982

The Information was a Swedish four piece from Skövde and were active between 1976-1984. The band had a church background but that didn't stop them from falling for punkrock. Especially singer & guitarist Conny Kjell became a big fan and started the Information with his little brother Göran, also guitarist, in early 1976. Friends Dennis Höglund (bass) and Arne Renström (drums) had played in punk bands before and made the band complete. The band name was a pastiche on American Television, and the band got quickly gigs in their home region. In 1980, their vinyl debut was made on the Rockplock compilation with only Christian (!) bands via Talking Music label. There they tried to do something more nasty, but only with their 7Inch Husen På Rad from 1982, they founded their solid powerpop/new wave sound. After the second single Tankar Och Tvivel the band was attended by EMI and Stranded. The band chose Stranded and in 1984 their only full-length album Ljuset Bryter Igenom came out and was very influenced by U2 and Big Country. Despite good reviews and contracts with booking companies, however, the breakthrough failed. Göran moved to Gothenburg for study, and the others began to lose interest in continuing the band. Not long after, Dennis died after a period of illness and thus ended the last chapter. (Info from Ny Våg) - Two decent numbers can be found on this rare slab, a four minute piece on the A-side, a short one on the flip.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Just For Kicks 1979

Rare Irish compilation of Dublin alternative/punk bands which came out on Kick Records. It should be the beginning of the label but it remains only this publication. Too bad, but nowadays a very sought record and with the active support and help of Nolti it's done. Excellent song selection with lots of variety and some classics. Check out Irishrock for more details. I am bit late, have to go now in the frosty morning, brrrrrr... enjoy!!

1.Stories For Boys - U2

2.Stop Stop - BERLIN

3.Reptile - D.C. NIEN

4.Lady Loves To Rock'N'Roll - ROCKY DE VALERA & THE GRAVEDIGGERS

5.Service With A Smile - THE RESISTORS

6.Mademoiselle Goodnight - SACRE BLEU

7.Treasure On The Wasteland - THE ATRIX

8.Tango Of Nerves - NEW VERSIONS

9.Something's Better Than Nothing - THE TEEN COMMANDMENTS

10.Silent Partners - ZEBRA

11.Midnight Charmer - JAROC

12.Love Attack - SQUARE METAL

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PYLON - Cool 7'' 1979

Now a bit early stuff by Pylon, an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The band's danceable sound, a blend of new wave, post-punk, jangle pop, alternative rock and funk rock, influenced the Athens music scene and the 1980s American pop underground. This is their debut single on DB Records and the a-side is a pretty nice poppy mid-tempo tune, love this sound because it's soooo impulsive and simple, cool guitars and the female voice rounds off the song to the whole, a real cracker. The flip weakens a bit, rather such a post-punk thing, not really my cup of tea and in the long run a bit annoying. Anyway, a record which is different and not uninteresting. The band released three albums and many 7Inches. Vanessa (vox), Randall (guitars), Michael (bass) and Curtis (drums) and after turning down an offer to open for a major U2 tour, they decided to break up the band in late 1983.

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