THE UNDERTONES - Downtown Radio 1978 EP 2018

Nice bootleg by Downtown Records and this 7Inch contains four fabulous 'lost' recordings by the Undertones which they recorded 1978. The Lost Peel Session is in parentheses and discogs says: "Not recorded on the BBC but funded by John Peel." Well, fans of the combo among you know the real story and I don't give a shit because all songs on here are bangers and might not even be released yet. Info: the Undertones were formed in Derry/Northern Ireland by Feargal (vocals), John & Damian (guitars), Michael (bass), Billy (drums) in 1975 and have enriched mankind to date with seven albums and numerous 7Inches, and are still a-live. You can follow their detailed biography on the www and I say goodbye to the weekend.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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THE MOONDOGS - Who's Gonna Tell Mary? 7'' 1980

No idea who sent me the following record but one thing is sure, very good idea: The Moondogs were a Northern Irish rock band and formed 1978 in Derry and consisting of Gerry (vocals/guitars), Jackie (bass), Austin (drums). Three months later they had their first gig, together with the Undertones,also from Derry. It was followed by other appearances in Derry, before they accompanied some gigs of the Undertones in England. In November '79 they released their first single She's 19 on the Good Vibrations. The following year they toured with the Pretenders, supported Police and the Tom Robinson Band, among others, and were back on the road with the Undertones. In October '80 their second single Who's Gonna Tell Mary? was released on Real Records. They recorded two more singles before producing their first album That's What Friends Are For in New York in May 1981. Half a year later the band broke up. Welcome guests on rare compilations and that's no wonder with their appealing mid-tempo sound which this 7Inch clearly proves.

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V/A - Good Vibrations 1995

Once again Northern Ireland, this 25 CD showcasing the very best of late 70s label Good Vibrations which features contributions from the likes of The Undertones, Victims, Protex and Rudi longside previously unreleased cuts by Shock Treatment & The Androids. Precious!!!

1.Big Time - RUDI

2.Strange Thing By Night - VICTIMS

3.Love Is For Sops - THE OUTCASTS

4.Smarter Than You - THE UNDERTONES

5.Dance Away Lover - X DREAMYSTS

6.Don't Ring Me Up - PROTEX

7.Listening In - PROTEX

8.Parents - THE IDIOTS

9.Dancin' In The Street - SPIDER

10.The Cops Are Comin' - THE OUTCASTS

11.Overcome By Fumes - RUDI

12.Cross The Line - RUEFREX

13.Love Affair - THE TEARJERKERS

14.You Don't Do Ya - THE MOON DOGS

15.I Spy - RUDI

16.Airline Disaster - THE SHAPES

17.Self / Conscious Over You - THE OUTCASTS

18.Love You For Never - THE OUTCASTS

19.On My Mind - THE BANK ROBBERS

20.Decisions - THE BEARS

21.Original Terminal - THE JETS

22.Belfast Telegraph - SHOCK TREATMENT

23.I Don't Want You - THE LIDS

24.Bondage In Belfast - THE ANDROIDS

25.Laugh At Me - TERRI & THE TERRORS

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VICTIM - All Our Dreams Are Gone 2011

Eye-catching compilation by RaveUp Records and you know what to expect from them. This record is part of their glorious "EUROPEAN PUNK SERIES" and Volume 6 is the following highlight: Formed in Belfast in Mid 1977, Victim soon became familiar faces on the emerging Belfast scene. Following their appearance on the legendary UTV punk documentary 'It Makes You Want Top Spit' and a rapidly increasing live following, Terri Hooley signed the band to his Good Vibrations label in 1978 and released Strange Thing By Night / Mixed Up World 7". In early 1978, prompted by a lack of venues, Victim made a trip to a local city centre pub because they heard it had a stage! They secured a gig and the legendary Harp Bar was born as a punk venue. In July 1979 they were offered a modest record deal by TJM Records and decided to depart to England, settling in Manchester.

Early gigs saw them playing with The Fall and Revillos as well as playing the legendary Factory club to accompany the screening of Shellshock Rock, a film on Irish punk featuring among others Victim. A second release "Why Are Fire Engines Red/I Need You" on TJM secured good reviews and radio support from John Peel despite its horrendous cover. In November 1979 Victim supported the Damned on an extensive tour. Rat Scabies produced the band's third single The Teen Age EP released in 1980 on Illuminated Records.

The band continued for several years with line up changes including Mike Joyce (later of the Smiths) and Toni Isaac (the girl leaning against a lamppost on Jilted John's single of the same name!) before deciding to call it a day. This anthology contains a great selection of all their punk material. If you are a fan of Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers, don't miss it!!!!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - OX-Compilation #53 2003

The OX is probably the best-selling punk fanzine in Germany and I think they were the first who put music with their Heftschä, first as a 7Inch and then as a CD. This gives bands the opportunity to get to know a bit, or to promote new releases, of course for a little cash. The compilations are usually very well mixed, great covers and there is also much to discover. Here's # 53 with thirty-one fat punk rock blasts (and the only X-Mas song).

1.Little Drummer Boy - EA80

2.Sang Sans Sens - OPÉRATION S

3.Total Teen Degenerate - REAL LOSERS

4.She's Hysterical - GIRLS

5.Thrill Me - UNDERTONES

6.Spit Me Out - THE SPITS

7.Get! Out! - THE TROUBLEMAKERS

8.Cold Cold Cookie - THE CHEEPS

9.A Blues You Oughta Get Used To - SUBSONICS

10.About Dirt - LO-LITE

11.Wrapped In Red - BLACK MONDAY

12.Devil Town - GROOVIE GHOULIES

13.Economia - BULLOCKS

14.Love American - GIVE UP THE GHOST

15.Artificial Sun Kills Ideologists - A CASE OF GRENADA

16.Shining Star - SOULMATE

17.I Killed Her But That's Not The Point - THE UNFINISHED SYMPATHY

18.Count It Down - K LINE

19.Points - BLOCKO

20.University - SOLANOID

21.Love Of Mud - YUCCA

22.R.O.C.C.O. - HEARTBREAK ENGINES

23.Blue Eyed Devil - DUMBELL

24.Hot Rod - GRINDOLLS

25.Der Mann Mit Dem Hut - CHEFDENKER

26.Herbst Im Herz - ORAL FLIPPERS

27.Cuba Libre - VIRAGE DANGEREUX

28.Runaway - DAMNATION KIDS

29.The Obituary Of Happiness - ADJUDGEMENT

30.More Than Less - MADSTATEWORLD

31.Pepe'ling - BARBARA ANN

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FUNERAL SERVICE - Pills 7'' 1986

Funeral Service was a five piece from Reims that initially did mostly covers and consisted of T. Wippler (vocals), D. Doche & A. Proust (guitars), M. Kaltenbach (bass), L. Hesnault (drums). Pills is their only vinyl and was released via Black Cat Fun and is a decent garagepunk number with catchy melodies and swinging rhythm. I think, they would also feel at home with a place on the relevant compilations (you know which ones I mean) just a pity that no one discovered them. The flip is a nice cover version of the Undertones classic Teenage Kicks. All in all a decent record, fresh tunes and I can listen to it anytime. - And in three hours I'll see what the SGE is doing in the second round of the DFB Cup.

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FRITES MODERN - 6Met 10'' 2018

Great release by Frites Modern from Amsterdam who were active between 1982 to 1985. Guitarist and singer Arjan Boonacker formed the band after his departure from Tröckener Kecks. Contrary to the prevailing oi and later hardcore trend of the time, the band made melodic punk and early pop punk. The band was originally called Duphar, named after the chemical factory that had dumped thousands of poison barrels in the Volgermeerpolder. On the way to a performance in Belgium, the band saw a burnt chip shop standing by the side of the road, the nameplate of which still proudly announced that it was a "Friterie Moderne". And that gave them the idea for the definitive band name. 6 Met10 was released on cassette in 1983, it became a great success and ended up being the best-selling Dutch indie cassette ever. The tape contains, amongst other tracks, the ultimate punk version of Sesamstraat and Bionic Adventure, which ended up on compilation albums (all re-upped) several times over the years. "Your speakers are running wild: arrow-fast riffs, a screeching solo and vocals to kiss. Frites Modern works according to the old craftsmanship of the songsmith, with exciting verses and beautiful choruses. An ode to The Undertones." --OOR Magazine #10, 21.May 1983 - Now self-released in my favorite format as 10'' and now listen to six dutch nuggets.

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THE SMASH - Patricia 7'' 1984

Two sided-Killer 7inch now. The members of Smash played from 1980 to 83 in the band Road Rats, than changed their bandname to Smash and released this great and forgotten Powerpop-Punkrock Single. Recorded in 1984 by A.C. Vogel at the famous Sunrise studio, the two songs carry the typical 70's Swisspunk sound, like Sperma or Chaos and a good "splash" of the Undertones. Unfortunately their only record but what a Smasher!!

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TRÖCKENER KECKS - Schliessbaum 1981

Another nice record is the bebut album by Tröckener Kecks. Founded in May 1980 by De Leeuw and Kenter, know each other from the boarding school and they take the initiative to set up a band. Unlike other Amsterdam punk bands in those days they were apolitical. Belong to the second wave of Dutch punk bands (The Ex, The Work Mates, and The Nitwitz) the band release their first EP in the 'do it yourself' principle. Rik Ringers comes out in 1981 and shortly after their first LP, all on TK Records. Musically inspired by the Buzzcocks and the Undertones with great lyrics. The melodic vocals by Edward Tilburg is especially notable for the lyrics: macabre, absurd stories that demonstrate a flawless sense of language. After missing the connection with the punk movement, they are not surfing along on the wave of Dutch bands in the early eighties. With the German-sounding band name has been deliberately pursued other not to be associated with the English upturn already quietly announced in 1980. More records followed but they changed their sound away from the good old dirty punk rock. Anyway, this record is rare as hell, according to my information only 500 copies were pressed.

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THE OUTCASTS - Self Conscious Over You 1979

First record finished and I'm a little tired, now I think I'll have a hot tea next and then chill out a bit. But first, another great release: Belfast's Outcasts are most frequently invoked as one of the bands that flourished around the slipstream of Good Vibrations labelmates the Undertones. In fact, single for single (two clicks away), song for song, the Outcasts far outrank their better-known peers and "Self Conscious Over You" is the band's peerless debut album which was released, of course on Good Vibrations Records and has all the hallmarks of the classic Outcasts sound. Eleven nuggets, characterized by the heavy rhythms, prove this. (Words with a little help of Dave Thompson) - The band formed in early 1977, with an initial line up of Blair Hamilton (vocals), Greg Cowan (bass), Colin "Getty" Getgood (lead guitar), and Greg's brothers Colin Cowan (drums), and Martin Cowan (rhythm guitar). According to Greg Cowan, their name derived from the fact that they were banned from five clubs in one week. Hamilton left the band within a month of its formation, with Greg Cowan taking over vocals. More sound by the four on wdthtc is not hidden.

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SPORTEN ÄR DÖD - s/t LP 2019

Good morning dear folks, today we start for breakfast with fresh girl power and I promise you, your bread will taste particularly good. Sporten Är Död (translated as Sport Is Dead) were an all female Swedish new wave/punk band between 1980 and 1982 formed in Kungälv. The group consisted of Ulla Åkerström (vocals & guitar), Åsa "Paste" Wassberg (bass) and Eva Herngren (drums). The band were named after the words of a Swedish broadcaster, who would proclaim the sport is dead, when there was a cancellation of a sporting event. This record was released via Fördämning Arkiv, 300 copies and side A was recorded at Studio Nigaf on 11th April 1981 and released as the Sporten Är Död cassette, side B was recorded live @ Sprängkullen on 23rd May 1982. An excellent review which I can only underline: "This looks exactly as it sounds: three cool teenage punk girls making tremulous punk rock with songs dedicated to John Peel, Bruce from the JAM, and their favorite chocolate bar! This isn’t wild screaming KBD mania, they have a nervous restrained quality, which is not to say this sounds inept, just that it isn’t the manic punk insanity you might expect from a teenage Swedish band circa 1981. They called their band Sport Is Dead, and formed as a result of being fans of the Buzzcocks and the Undertones, and you can hear the nervous pop sensibility! I’ve seen comparisons to Dolly Mixture and Lilliput, but I would say that is not the case here, they are not as polished as the former and not as wild as the latter. They have their own contained punk concept and identity that doesn’t sound like a collage of other ideas. This is a reissue of their demo tape with a live performance on the B-side. It sounds great and is definitely worth picking up for all fans of that underground girl sound, the sound of youth inspired by the DIY ideal…" (LAYLA GIBBON, MMR) - Seventeen minimalistic smasher with a great booklet, solid release!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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ETON CROP - Timmy Barker Is A Coward 7'' 1980

A band that's completely new to me is Eton Crop, and since they don't tend to indulge in the dirty sound, that's probably fine too. A bit of info from the web: Inspired by British bands such as the Fall and the Undertones the band were formed 1979 in Nieuwkoop by Erwin (vocals/guitar), Ron (guitars), Corné (bass), Peter (organ) and Ed (drums) and they started to release a split cassette (with Pistache BV) full of punk pop with an experimental slant. They released a total of twelve singles and four albums over the next fifteen years. Frequent visitors to the UK, they toured with many of the "pre-C86" groups like The Membranes and The Three Johns, the latter with whom they shared a not too dissimilar musical approach. While many groups from that era downed tools towards the end of the decade, Eton Crop battled on into the mid-nineties, their last full length album, Get Real!, appearing in 1992, eventually bowing out in 1994 with the four track EP Everybody. The band later changed their name to the E.C. Groove Society and started producing techno music until 2003. Recently the band reformed under Eton Crop and performed in Stockton, County Durham at the Peel Regenerated Festival in 2014. Well, two small pieces on this, why not?

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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TRÖCKENER KECKS - Rik Ringers EP 1981

Dutch-language punk rock group that becomes one of the most important Dutch rock acts. They were formed in May 1980 and this is the group's first single which is released one year later. The Kecks are inspired by the Buzzcocks and most of all the Undertones. The 2nd single Niet Alle Meisjes Zijn Verliefd Op Kors ('Not All Girls Are In Love With Kors') was released in 1982. In 1983 the band reaches the finale of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands Talent Show. Astonishing or? Anyway, early brillant dutch punk which fucks your brain. Schliessbaum is the first full length and is full with goodies.

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TV21 - Playing With Fire 7'' 1980

Originally formed 1979 in Edinburgh by Norman (vox + guitar), Neil (bass), Colin (drums) and Ally (guitar), the band took their name from Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson's fanzine, TV21 released a string of singles and one album, 'A Thin Red Line' via Deram Records. During that time they toured extensively, both in their own right and as support to bands such as The Skids, The Moondogs and The Undertones. But by May 1982 the band had grown frustrated at their inability to break through to the next level and decided to quit while they were ahead, immediately after coming offstage supporting The Rolling Stones at Edinburgh Playhouse. And that was the end of that, until October 2005, when out of the blue, they agreed to perform as part of the John Peel Day gigs organised around the country to mark the anniversary of the DJ’s death. 'Playing With Fire' (released on Powerbeat) is their first record and it's a very nice PowerPop goodie with two melodic mid-tempo tunes, optimal for traveling. The sound goes immediately in my veins and makes me extreme positive. Honestly, this 7inch is a real highlight and I'm sure I'm going to catch the album.

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INNOCENT VICARS - Funky Town 7'' 1980

Specially the b-side is the burner here, brilliant song with pointed lyrics.

I never thought that would mean so much now.

The music from this band is really one of my favourites and it's no wonder that I choose the flip 'Voices' for my selfmade compilation Forward Into The Past because it's one of these tunes I can hear again and again, all day long you know. So Richard Norris was part of the Vicars and he wrote some info about when and why:

"The Innocent Vicars formed in 1980, with an average age of 14. The St. Albans band met at school, bonding over a love of Bo Diddley, the Undertones and Buzzcocks. The line up chopped and changed for a while before settling on Richard Norris (vocals + rhythm guitar), Aaron Russell (lead guitar) brother of the Toys Mick Russell), and Nigel Benson (bass) who went into a Christian recording studio in Wheathampstead to cut 'She's Here'/'Antimatter'. A host of local talent guested on the record, including Nick Egan from the Tea Set on backing vocals, Cally from the Tea Set on drums, Mark Adams from the Bodies on Roland 101 synth (making the acid house noise on 'Antimatter' nearly a decade early) and Waldo's Phil Smee on production duties.

The single sold out of it's initial 500 pressing, thanks to support from John Peel and Radio 1's Round Table show, where it was spun straight after the Clash. The band played many school discos, local clubs, various church halls and youth clubs in St. Albans, Hatfield, Luton and Harpenden, as well as a number of spots at St Albans City Hall (supporting Kagagoogoo and Paul Young's band Q Tips). They also played at the Fleur De Lys pub, despite all being underage, at a girl's Boarding school and in St Albans Abbey (twice).

After a quick line up change (Mike 'Mac' McDonald replaced Nigel Benson on bass, Steve Watts took over on drums), the band recorded a second single, a cover of Lipps Inc's 'Funky Town' backed with 'Voices'. They also appeared on two compilation albums, with the tracks 'Starship 22' and 'She Was My Girl'.

Since their release thirty years ago, the original singles have been bootlegged a number of times in America and Japan and regularly sell for over £100 on ebay. BBC Radio's Steve Lamacq named 'She's Here' one of his all time favorite records, playing it on BBC 6 Music as recently as February 2011. Richard Norris, 'Mac' McDonald and Steve Watts have all had long careers in music. Aaron Russell and Nigel Benson are currently missing in action (any updates gratefully received)."

I hope you have come to taste and on compilations: Teenage Treats Vol. 1, Killed By Death #69, The Class Of '81 and Rupert Preaching At A Picnic, all classics I think.

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THE DISHRAGS - Love/Hate 1997

A quick re-post now: When the Dishrags formed 1977 in Victoria, British Columbia, they were like the Runaways without Kim Fowley's behind the scenes machinations: three teenage girls, singer & guitarist Jade Blade, bassist Dale Powers and drummer Scout, devoted to the Ramones and the Clash and creating their own short, sharp shocks. Moving to the more punk-friendly Vancouver scene (where bands like D.O.A. and the Pointed Sticks were already defining the sound of western Canada's new wave) in 1978, the Dishrags made their debut on the now-legendary Vancouver Complication anthology. If they had never made another recording, the Dishrags would remain beloved in punk-fanboy circles for the track "I Don't Love You." 103 seconds long and built on an insistent, scratchy guitar riff and a positively crazed drum part played primarily on the ride cymbal, "I Don't Love You" is as clangorous and primitive as U.K. second-wavers like the Slits or the Desperate Bicycles, but it also features an instant-classic pure pop chorus that would do the Buzzcocks or the Undertones proud.

The Dishrags followed that up with a slightly more polished three-track EP, "Past Is Past," and following a lineup change (Powers being replaced by second guitarist Sue MacGillivray and bassist Kim Henriksen) the band traveled to London to record the EP Death In The Family. Produced by Chris Spedding and featuring a more traditional punk-pop sound akin to the Adverts' first album, Death in the Family was insistently tuneful and clever. The wistful title track seemed to have actual hit single potential, while "Love/Hate" explored a darker post-punk sound along the lines of Siouxsie & The Banshees. Though RCA's U.K. imprint released the EP, it disappeared almost immediately, and the Dishrags broke up. Over a decade and a half later, the Canadian reissue label Other People's Music gathered the complete recordings by the Dishrags -- the two tracks recorded for the Vancouver Complication sessions, including the previously unreleased "Bullshit," the single, the EP, and ten demos and live tracks including covers of Lou Reed's "Vicious," the Ramones' "I Don't Wanna Walk Around with You," and the Clash's "Janie Jones," alongside previously unheard Dishrags originals. This is a textbook example of how to do a punk-era reissue properly. Review by Stewart Mason (source: AllMusic)

- Great Thx to Dante D -

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