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

Thursday, March 08, 2018

TRIEBTÄTER - Hass & Krieg 1984

Cool German Punk from Stuttgart by Triebtäter, founded 1980 and Corpus (vocals), Johnny (guitars), Peter (bass) and Willy (drums) have set with their fifteen striking bangers an exclamation point and brought via Rat Records on our turntables. Solid masterpiece that fits seamlessly with classics from AGR or Weird System. In 1992 Incognito Records released a six track EP with demos from 1982 as part of the 333 x Up & Down series and present on numerous tape compilations. Shortly after Hass & Krieg the band unfortunately broke up.


Monday, December 07, 2020

VERLORENE UNSCHULD - s/t EP 1981

Puhhhh, a little tired from the hard weekend and all re-upp requests must wait until next week. Now Verlorene Unschuld, formed 1981 in Berlin by Raymond (vocals), Andreas & Straftat (guitars), Jörg (bass), Michael (drums) and they won the Senatsrockwettbewerb in the same year (a competition of Berlin bands), resulting in a government financed but self-distributed 7" production (1200 copies) and a sponsored gig in the capital. They signed to Pool/Teldec and produced one more single and a rare 12Inch. This nice piece of wax on Berlin Rock News is their debut vinyl and is not really a punk record & a bit atypical for Berlin bands at that time, we all know the AGR and Weird System bands but V.U. are a little different and have their own charm and delight us with three catchy mid-tempo goodies.


Tuesday, October 23, 2018

AGEN 53 - Ich Wünsch Dir Für Die Zukunft Etwas Mehr Glück, Junge Welt EP 1987

After two tapes (listen) Agen 53 from Verden had their first vinyl debut on the essential Keine Experiemte II compilation 1984 via weird system on which they impressed me with two outstanding pieces besides other famous German bands. Formed by Todde (vocals), Amok (guitars), Goldi (bass) and Michi (drums) they made 1987 this little sunshine on their own label 53 Records with four tracks and 500 copies were pressed, followed by the 12'' Fortschritt a year later without 53. Musically rather not so hard which is due to the bright guitar and the very melodic style of the band (although the EP has a bit more steam). Textually, they describe political as well as personal topics intellectually with detailed words, I like words that make me think and anarchy & beer can wrote everyone. In my opinion totally underrated band that deserves more attention and I can only urge you to get their few slabs. Check also my Smash BRD selfmade compilation with more rare German punk goodies.


Monday, November 21, 2016

DROWNING ROSES - Things Are Not The Same 1988

Very good debut record by this German combo from Minden, founded in 1985 by Zahni (bass), Prüse (guitars) and Marco (drums) from the predecessor bands Human Decay, Phalliuc Symbols and Neurotic Arseholes In 1986 the first demo cassette with eight songs was released and sold about 500 times. Drowning Roses played a lot of concerts including with Government Issue, Instigators and Spermbirds. In the spring of 1987 the band released their own produced Aus Forschung Und Technik EP in an edition of 1000 copies. In 1988, the Hamburg label Weird System drew attention to the band and released the first album "Things Are Not The Same". On 10.09.1988 began for Drowning Roses a one-month European tour with the unknown US punk band NOFX. In the course of the tour preparation the drummer Marco left the band and the first half of the performances was replaced with a drummer from Hamburg. This proved to be not tour-compatible, so the second half of the tour drummer Jeff from Hanau took place. Jeff also played drums on the split single with NOFX. A new drummer finds the band in early 1989 with Bart from Bielefeld. This line-up had their first gig on 10th March 1989 in Frankfurt, together with Nonoyesno. The second record "Youth Of Metropolis" comes in summer via Roseburg Records. In the summer of 1990 the band took a six-week tour by an invitation of Fat Mike together with NOFX. After this successful tour the band split up. On this album are twelve melodic punk numbers with very good lyrics.


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

RAZZIA - Menschen Zu Wasser 1989

Next, another German Punk classic from a band which I appreciate very much and has been with me from the start of my punk life: Razzia from Hamburg. My first encounter with the band was in 1988, together with Bad Religion, a sweaty affair, YEAH! - Founded 1979 by brothers Andreas (guitar) and Peter Siegler (drums) and Rajas Thiele (vocals). Completed with Sören Callsen (bass) and Frank Endlich (guitar). They were not a purely politically motivated punk band like Slime and in their lyrics they were all kinds of grievances often quite dark and cynical formulated and very aggressively implemented by Rajas in the early years. In 1981, the band were with two pieces on the compilation Underground Hits on Aggressive Rock Produktionen. It was followed by an engagement with the Hamburg label Weird System, which also brought out the first album Tag Ohne Schatten. A brilliant D-Punk record. Atypical for punk bands in the mid 80s Razzia used keyboards in their songs and the result is quite superb. Th second album Ausflug Mit Franziska is the perfect example of their musical development & diversity. I bought this record at a concert in the HH/Fabrik in Altona in 1998. On the 3rd album the band is more experimental, electronic beats, spoken vocals ('Stahlherz') and also the synthesizer again targeted use. Together with the morbid typical lyrics and the unique voice of singer Rajas was made a dark, multi-layered album with threatening parts and a dense atmosphere but always offensive. With this album the musical development was promoted again, thus Razzia stood out from the more traditional German punk of the 80's. Released on the bands own label Triton is this one of my favourite Razzia albums. The band is still active and you shouldn't miss them on stage.


Saturday, December 18, 2021

NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES - Angst 1985

Another highlight of German Punk are the Neurotic Arseholes [Zombie (vocals), Kurt (guitars), Zahnie (bass), Der Kurze (drums)] from Minden who already shone with their debut on Aggressive Rockproduktionen in 1983 and the change to Weird System was the right step. If the debut was quickly & unprofessional recorded in a few days, the four of them reaped more time and understanding from the Hamburgers for the second album so that the production sounds smoother and cleaner and it turned into a masterpiece. I can still sing along to all of the lyrics today. For me, in any case the best album by the Arseholes. The band, whose three albums have now become popular classics of German punk, never saw themselves as a professional or commercial band. Kurt composed and wrote most of the lyrics. The first album consisted of all sorts of song material that had accumulated since the band was founded. The second album is, in the broadest sense, an album which was made up with a few pieces that were created spontaneously in the studio. The concerts of the 1980s took place mainly in youth centers and autonomous centers for minimal fees. Even during the last tour in 1998, the musicians had no ambitions to pursue a further career with the project. Zahni in an interview from 1998: "The concerts have all been great so far, but we don't have to overstrain it either and I don't want to let it get to the point where people start saying it would be better if we didn't have another one did." Thirteen catchy & timeless nuggets features Angst, an album that my earpieces can delight at any time and is a long-running on my phone. Duty Stuff!


Saturday, November 01, 2014

V/A - Soundtracks Zum Untergang 2 1982

One of the best compilations ever from Germany are the first two AGR goodies. All bands are great, all songs are damn classics. With these both I grew up. The music is just sensational and the lyrics quite offensive, creating real doom mood. I don't know how often this sound shows me that I'm on the right track (haha) and I mean together with the 'Keine Experimente' compilations from Weird system are these four records the most important and best plates which were ever published here in fuckin' germoney. I think the resonance overseas was accordingly positive. Today this record is re-released but the band name from the Böhse Onkelz was deleted... pitiful if you ask me, but that's another story. 19 glamorous tracks from the good old days and incidentally a request of a good friend is fulfilled. GET IT!!!

1.Tot Geboren - CANAL TERROR
2.Ich Bin Ein T-Shirt - MARIONETZ
3.Arschkriecher Einheitsfront - NOTDURFT
4.Anders - SLUTS
5.Amis - NOTDURFT
6.Spießer-Nachbarn - NORMAHL
7.Frisch Aus England - BLITZKRIEG
8.Hippies - BÖHSE ONKELZ
9.Australien - CANAL TERROR
10.Action - MARIONETZ
11.Depressionen - NORMAHL
12.Geld - SLUTS
13.Sie Marschieren Wieder - CANAL TERROR
14.Technischer Fortschritt - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES
15.Kalte Steine - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES
16.Religion - BÖHSE ONKELZ
17.Süße Heimat - NOTDURFT
18.Tot Geboren - BLITZKRIEG
19.Razzia - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES

Sunday, October 09, 2016

VORKRIEGSJUGEND - s/t LP 1985

Now a request and the last for today: Vorkriegsjugend were a very influential cult hardcore punk band from Berlinand the band exists for four years (1982–85). However, they are considered to be one of the most notable and influential German bands of the period. While active they released a double 7" and an album. Their discography is currently available on CD via the Hamburg based label Weird System. The band, with only the drummer as a band member of the original line-up, reformed in 1998 and released an EP called 'Widerstand Dem Teutonenland'. They split up for good in 1999. This record is nowadays a rarity and can be sold for more than fifty dollars. The 7" is even more rare. There was an official re-release i form of a 12'' by New Face Records from Brasil in 1988. The original 7inch has no second pressing and can be buy for more than one hundred and fifty dollars which makes it one of the most expensive German punk records in history. So enjoy this classic stuff, all artwork included.


Thursday, July 15, 2021

TEMPO - Beat Beat Beat 10'' 1979

Founded 1978 in Berlin and Tempo were Dave (vocals), Peter & Marius (guitars), Mick (bass), B.O.D.O. (drums), Bobby (sax) and this is their debut which was released on their own label Tempo Records in an edition of 1000 copies. Two catchy songs on the a-side and two poppy (too much for my taste) on the flip. This was followed by three more singles plus an album and around 1982 it was over. Musically they move between scruffy melodic punkrock and unfortunately sometimes lame pop or new wave pieces. If you want to know how the gentlemen sound live, I recommend a visit to tapeattack, where a decent recording from May 1980 at the Berlin Rock Zirkus waits. They are also represented on numerous compilations and for all interested, I recommend the essential, strictly limited (555 copies: 250 on clear, 305 on black vinyl) release via weird system "Sie Verlassen Den Amerikanischen Sektor 1978-1982: Die Kleine Geschichte Einer Kleinen Band Zwischen Punk Und Pop" which came as double LP with all recordings plus rare demos and live material, nowadays not at a bargain price.


Wednesday, February 27, 2019

PUBLIC ENEMY 23 - Burned By The Night 1985

This rare mini 12'' by Public Enemy 23 from Hamburg was released on Gabba Gabba Hey Records and the band consisted of Franky and Esther (vocals), Gale (guitars), Jenne (bass) and Fingers (drums) and I first came in touch with the band through a song on the blessed Slam-Brigade Haifischbar compilation via Weird System (1991). They rocked the clubs of the Reeperbahn in the 80s with their refreshing Punk'n'Roll in which they celebrated numerous Gassenhauer plus own goodies and which coat they gave them can you recognize by these six songs. I would say: Lost Little Nugget!

- Great Thx to Nolti -


Monday, November 09, 2015

V/A - Nazis Raus! 1991

More relevant than ever, see the current circumstances every Monday in Dresden, or remember this date 1938 in Nazi-Germany or the racist riots in Hoyerswerda in 1991. I can't understand how they can deal with such a stupid ideology that brought nothing except death and destruction. I guess it's easy to throw life away and lose dignity & respect when you only feel hatred. Life is not always easy but that excused nothing. The one-way thinking is modern and easy but to have an own opinion is really not hard. Maybe this compilation helps, released via Weird System, show nineteen bands that there is another way and encourage to think about yourself.... more relevant than ever!

1.Nazis Raus! - BETONCOMBO
2.Hallo, Ich Heiss' Adolf - ABWÄRTS
3.Eckensteher - NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES
4.Herrenreiter - MITTAGSPAUSE
5.Nichts Gelernt - STUNDE X
6.Schweigen - EA80
7.Fahnensog - RAZZIA
8.Nie Wieder Faschismus - DIE MIMMI'S
9.Deutsche Raus Aus Deutschland - THE BUTTOCKS
10.Party In Der Gaskammer - MIDDLE CLASS FANTASIES
11.Vaterland - MALE
12.Fünf Vor Zwölf - DIE TOTEN HOSEN
13.Seekarten - SLIME
14.Glanz & Gloria (Armes Deutschland) - BLUT+EISEN
15.80.000.000 Hooligans - DIE GOLDENEN ZITRONEN
16.No Nazis - RUMBLE MILITIA
17.Gavur - EMILS
18.Dachau Disco - CRETINS
19.Faschos In Sibirien - PISSED SPITZELS

Sunday, May 31, 2020

V/A - Keine Experimente! 1983

In the early 80s there existed two essential labels in Germany, Aggressive Rockproduktionen (AGR) from Berlin and Weird System from Hamburg and numerous classics were published on both, while the Waterkants devoting more to the bands than AGR in terms of artwork, limited colored vinyl, lyric sheet, royalties, etc.... but both were significantly involved to give German punk socially acceptable in this country and over and above that. It wasn't as big as AGR, but their early releases count today as important cult factor. WS also became more interested in American bands from the mid-1980s and tried to give new musical impulses, great slabs were licensed and relevant contacts with overseas were created as well. Keine Experimente! was the third release and German bands were asked to send their demos with a bit of basisinfo & lyrics and the result is this fantastic compilation with largely exclusive songs, many became famous afterwards and are still among the best bands in Germany, no wonder that Vol.2 had to follow a year later. Enough Bla Bla, enjoy the old Gassenhauer and a relaxing Pentecost.

1.Ami-Fraß - RAZZIA
2.Du Denkst - BOSKOPS
3.4er-Tram - ZSD
4.Hate Your Neighbour/Feel Alright - THE BUTTOCKS
5.Gift To Europe - UPRIGHT CITIZENS
6.Alles Umsonst - BLUT+EISEN
7.Kindl-Träume - DEUTSCHE TRINKERJUGEND
8.Kriegszustand - RAZZIA
9.Leichenberg - DAILY TERROR
10.Stand Up - UPRIGHT CITIZENS
11.Die Germanen - DEUTSCHE TRINKERJUGEND
12.Deutsche Raus Aus Deutschland - THE BUTTOCKS
13.Terroristen - SS ULTRABRUTAL
14.Jacutin - BOSKOPS
15.Sex - ZSD
16.Ein Kessel Buntes - DAILY TERROR
17.You Could Be Me - SS ULTRABRUTAL
18.W.S.W.U.F. - BLUT+EISEN

here

Thursday, July 17, 2014

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



Sunday, June 05, 2022

INOCENTES - Miséria E Fome 1988

Recently we hosted Olho Seco and speaking of important & influential bands from Brazil, the Inocentes are definitely one of them, an essential hardcore combo that made it as famous as... useless Infos: Inocentes is one of the oldest active Punk combos in Brazil. The group was formed 1981 in São Paulo by Ariel (vocals), Callegari (guitars), Clemente (bass) & Marcelino (drums), former members of pioneer locals Restos de Nada and Condutores de Cadáver. During their first incarnation in the first half of the 1980s, they played basic energetic and politically charged Hardcore/Punk, exemplified by the Grito Suburbano compilation tracks. The band's powerful performances and firm stance soon raised it to the level of one of the movement's spokespersons. Clemente (bass) wrote in his 1982 manifesto: “We are here to revolutionize Brazilian popular music, to paint Asa Branca in black, delay the Trem das Onze, step on Geraldo Vandré’s flowers and make Amélia a woman.” Whatever, they were one of the most requested bands of the movement at that time, present in several TV articles, magazines and in the documentary “Garotos Do Subúrbio” by Fernando Meirelles. In 1983 they released the Miséria E Fome EP on their own and in Germany two tracks on the Life Is A Joke compilation (my first encounter with the band) via Weird System. At the end of the same year the band ended their activities.

In early 1984, Inocentes returned to the stage with a new sound and formation, appeared in the Rock Paulista scene in 1986, were hired by Warner and signed in the same year as the first Brazilian Punk band to a multinational label. They released the mini-LP Pânico Em SP and embark on their first national tour, gaining exposure across the country and eventually reaching mainstream media and the general public. Still with Warner, they released two more albums, 1987's Adeus Carne and 1989's Inocentes. This file is the re-release by Devil Discos and all tracks were recorded 1983, the first four tracks were released on the debut EP and the rest not. Reasons are from liner notes on insert: "This record should have been released in mid-1983, but due to problems with censorship, we were obliged to turn this LP into a 'compact'." And since I don't know exactly why and my Portuguese is rusty, I can't say more about it. It's not important either. Fact is: this record is excellent stuff with a great pissed sound how I love it and not uninteresting for Wenke Myhre fans.

- Great Thx to Julio -


Sunday, December 04, 2016

INSTIGATORS - Shockgun 1988

Hell Yeah, another saugute record I love to hear is the third album of the Instigators and I have the German one which was released via Weird System (unfortunately without insert) and they say with a better cover, absolutely true and has a bonus song opposite the original on Positive RecordsTwelve melodic guitar-heavy punkrock pearls as they can only be played by this band. A pleasure this music and that's why I'm a damn fuckin' punkrocker! How can you sit still and accept all the radio shit? The mendacious business of artificially diced arbots, which is all about money, the fake music industry who tell you what to hear, all these hypocritical bastards... the society needs people like us because we show them how stupid they are and we are many (no idea why I leave now this small puke but it just pisses me on). Well, anyway... I recommend you to get their first album Nobody Listens Anymore and find other compilation tracks by using the search function at the top left.


Saturday, October 01, 2016

V/A - Brain Attack EP 1988

Oktober, autumn has arrived, cold & rainy and I rip a lots of cool records since three hours. Another Higlight in the German punk rock history is this inconspicuous release with four exclusive songs on Postive Destruction Records. The EP opened by the Nikoteens who were founded 1979 in Ingolstadt and their contribution is a fuckin' killer, high-speed hardcore punk at it's finest and there exist a pretty cool video of this song, maybe you know it. Los Comas come from the north of the republic and play beautiful melodic punk rock and their song is a pearl that leaves you wanting more. The Drowning Roses most likely already be known, they have a split 7'' with NOFX and a brilliant album on Weird System released. 'Tommy's Life' is exclusively recorded for this mini-sampler and was also a small work of art. Notwehr from Bochum round it with their hardcore attack the eavesdropping pleasure off, and I promise you all friends of the sublime taste the download here is strongly recommend. Limited to 1000 copies, fitted with a nice lyric sheet, no weak points. So must be a record!

1.Leader Of The Rotten Corpse - NIKOTEENS
2.Another Kind Of Death - LOS COMAS
3.Tommy's Life - DROWNING ROSES
4.The Same Again - NOTWEHR

here


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Friday, December 03, 2021

PARANOIA - 1984 [2020]

Now a DDR legend from Dresden with old original recordings and for the first time on vinyl! Paranoia was founded in Dresden in 1982 and consisted of Fleck (vocals), Olaf (guitars), Jörg (bass), Oliver (drums) and quickly became the focus of the small underground scene in Dresden and played concerts throughout the GDR. The group maintained contact with the west punkscene through fanzines and letters. In December 1984 they recorded the Here We Are for Everyone Who Needs A Cult Band tape and a friend from Bremen spread the demo in her city. One copy also came to Weird System, but they refused to sell the sixty minute tape due to the quality of the sound. Further demos and live recordings were made, which were distributed in the GDR scene via tape trading. 

In 1948 George Orwell completed his novel "1984". An impressive work, which is fascinating and frighteningly outlines the emergence of a totalitarian state structure. The sole ruler rules omnipresent "Big Brother" through total surveillance, manipulation, disinformation, monopoly on force & true to its proclamations: War means peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength. Orwell's novel had a long history in what was then the GDR oppressive reflection found in reality.  Conditions as described by Orwell half a century ago long before the era of the so-called "other bands" were the breeding ground for bands like Namenlos, Schleim-Keim or Paranoia. These groups radically expose theirs of anger, dissatisfaction and a hopeless message was transformed into rough and unpolished punk music with the same texts. Things were called by their name in an unadorned and uncompromising way. Soon followed by fines for appearing without permission to play and an operational process by the Stasi, which took place in 1985 the imprisonment of two band members led to the "smashing of the illegal band Paranoia". Some members then founded the band Kaltfront, whose repertoire still includes some Paranoia songs.

"From the original tapes were seventeen best pieces selected and re-mastered and released in 2007, of course in an authentic and usable sound (not for high-tech cyberpunx). The album title "1984" consciously connects the band biography with Orwell's novel, and unfortunately that makes more sense today than ever."

- Great Thx to Fredrik -


Monday, May 25, 2020

CHAOS Z - Ohne Gnade 1982

RRR.13 is by far the best record of the Brühler label Rock-O-Rama and if the three, Thomas (vocals/guitars), Andreas (bass), Michael (drums), would have known at the time that Egoldt is a damn profit-oriented bastard and is not a niche for underground bands in the DIY sense, they would certainly choose another label, but the times were different and labels were rare. Chaos Z were founded in summer 1980 by the three above as the Zeroes. In October of the same year they renamed their band Chaos Z. At the same time, they started to write their lyrics in German. Their first vinyl appearance is the awesome Abmarsch EP on Mülleimer Records 1981. They rarely play gigs and there was no indication of the line-up on the records. Only with releases on samplers did it become known that the brothers Thomas & Andreas Löhr were the main members of the band. They existed from 1980 to 1983 and then merged into the band Fliehende Stürme with the same line-up. In 1995 Andreas recorded in single-handedly (Michael had left the band and Thomas died after the recordings for third Stürme CD Fallen) another Chaos Z album. 45 Jahre Ohne Bewährung took up the hardcore of the early 80s. In 2002, Weird System released the double LP Dunkle Strassen (1981-1995 complete), a compilation of all Chaos Z pieces that had been released so far, which contained all the lyrics (apart from that to Rocker Billy) and a summary of the band's history by Andreas. However, as with the sampler Schlachtrufe BRD, the intro for war is missing (however, it was cut out incorrectly on Dunkle Strassen), which was originally included on this album. Chaos Z's music is initially pure hardcore punk that may have been influenced by bands like Discharge. According to their own statements, they also felt inspired by New Wave groups and so more and more elements from the Dark Wave were used which then ushered in the changeWith this album the three have produced a real universal classic and in my opinion, the best German HardcorePunk record ever and the original (appeared with a lyricsheet, which was rather unusual for the shitty label) is every damn price worth. Unequaled, still topical and great after almost forty years!!


Sunday, June 25, 2017

V/A - Death Pays All Debts [Tape] 1988

One last post today and first it's not my rip but I've improved the quality a bit and delete the quite passages between the songs, now it's a 1A thing. But the reason for me to present it here again is easy: I love New Zealand stuff and this tape is full with great Bands/Songs. For example Boner, their music is so great and they never made a record, a real shame in my opinion, Armatrak is just as fantastic and they made a few 7Inches and have a song on the extra album of Life Is A Joke #2 by Weird System. Compos Mentis and Casualty made also some 7Inches and the rest only on tape. I recommend a visit to Stig's Mad Blast Of Chaos blog and grab the two Rising From Ashes tapes. Oha, it goes dark outside, cloudburst? Have a pleasant Sunday with this tape from Battery Hen Cassettes and I hope anyone sends finally the NZ stuff from the Wanted List.

1.Closet - BONER
2.Liz's Mistake - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED
3.No Wars - WORLD WAR 3
4.Pox Ridden - CASUALTY
5.Of Sound Mind - COMPOS MENTIS
6.Radio - BONER
7.Concret Incased Life - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED
8.Money Farm - ARMATRAK
9.I'll Never Change - CASUALTY
10.N.Z. Is A Joke - WORLD WAR 3
11.No One Cares - WORLD WAR 3
12.No Escape - ARMATRAK
13.Blind Ambition - CASUALTY
14.Dirty Old Len - BONER
15.Join The Civies - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED
16.Song For -10 - COMPOS MENTIS
17.Fascist Fashion - ARMATRAK
18.Babies - BONER
19.Forest Fire - STENCH OF THE WOUNDED


Friday, June 25, 2021

UPRIGHT CITIZENS - Kiss Me Now 1986

💥 Extraordinary, fantastic music which always turns me on is the sound of the Upright Citizens from Bottrop (in the north-west of the Ruhr area), founded 1979, but it wasn't until 1982 that they started to attract attention - and they differed from many other German bands of those years through their (almost entirely) English lyrics and their clear orientation towards American hardcore. This was evident with their debut Make The Future Mine & Yours, which was released in 1983 and also made the band known internationally (Jello Biafra had noticed the band early on). Two songs securing them a spot on the legendary Keine Experimente! compilation on Weird System (1983), in 1984 they were featured on the We Don't Want Your Fucking Law slab on Mortarhate and on the hugely influential Peace/War double album on R-Radical Records, the label of Dave Dictor of MDCSo it happened, very unusual for a German band, that their second album Open Eyes, Open Ears, Brains To Think & A Mouth To Speak has been published in the USA via B.Y.O., the label operated by the Stern Brothers (Youth Brigade). With the Kiss Me Now (1986) and Farewell EP (1988) followed two more records of the "classic" side of the band, which had a few other releases until the mid-nineties and also played live - but the air was out, and in 2003 the band played their last concert, and a reunion, so the clear announcement, is ruled out. Well, this mini-album sounds a bit different from the previous records and is sometimes a bit too metallic for my taste, but I still like it and after hearing it several times, it penetrates well; they have long since earned this bonus from me. A fit short review: "Despite the uninspiring cover art and the Led Zeppelin-like intro to the title song, this new release has all the bands trademarks: tight, imaginative instrumental arrangements, plaintive lead vocals, memorable hooks, and generally on-target lyrics." (Jeff Bale, MMR #44, January 1987) Always a pleasure the four, and I love Fridays 💥