V/A - Winters Of Discontent: Peel Sessions 1977-1983

A feature of Peel's BBC Radio 1 shows were the famous John Peel Sessions, which usually consisted of four songs recorded by an artist live in the BBC's studios, and which often provided the first major national coverage to bands that later would achieve great fame (These 'sessions' are similar to 'Live Lounge' sessions recorded today for the station). The BBC employed it's own house bands and orchestras and it also engaged outside bands to record exclusive tracks for its programmes in BBC studios. This was the reason why Peel was able to use "session men" in his own programmes. Sessions were usually recorded and mixed in a single day; as such they often had a rough and ready, demo-like feel, somewhere between a live performance and a finished recording. John Peel remained on BBC Radio 1 for 37 years, until his death in 2004. During that time over 4000 sessions were recorded by over 2000 artists. Many classic Peel Sessions have been released on record, particularly by the Strange Fruit label and this one of these.

1.Somethin' Better Change - THE STRANGLERS
2.Love In A Void - SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES
3.Gary Gilmore's Eyes - THE ADVERTS
4.Shoplifting - THE SLITS
5.Fast Cars - BUZZCOCKS
6.Rich Kids - RICH KIDS
7.Of One Skin - THE SKIDS
8.It Doesn't Matter - ADAM & THE ANTS
9.Another Girl Another Planet - THE ONLY ONES
10.Suspect Device - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
11.Mess Of My - THE FALL
12.Stretcher Case - THE DAMNED
13.Anti-Pope - KING
14.Read It In Books - ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
15.Sus - THE RUTS
16.A Brand New Life - YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS
17.Start From Scratch - THE NIGHTINGALES
18.Big Jesus Trash Can - BIRTHDAY PARTY
19.A Matter Of Gender - THE ASSOCIATES
20.The Fan And The Bellows - THE CHAMELEONS
21.Wall Of Fir - THE VERY THINGS
22.Enchanted - WILD SWANS
23.Sun - MICRODISNEY
24.Kick Over The Statues - REDSKINS
25.A New England - BILLY BRAGG

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SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - The Peel Sessions 1977-1978

One more great release is another John Peel session by Siouxsie & The Banshees and on this record are the first two recordings. Info: "At a time when no other record company on the planet would touch them, Siouxsie & The Banshees came very close to signing to the BBC's own label. At least, they would have if DJ John Peel had had his way. Absolutely entranced by the two sessions that the group recorded for his show during 1977-1978, and disgusted by the rest of the industry's fearful avoidance of the band, he tried his hardest to interest the Powers That Be in at least releasing a Banshees single drawn, if necessary, from one of the actual sessions. Of course the BBC passed and, while Polydor would eventually step in to give the band the chance they demanded, it would be another two decades before the sessions themselves finally made it out, across two EPs (compiled, in turn, onto an eight-track mini-album) that returned to Siouxsie & The Banshees' first recordings for the corporation and left fans still demanding the six sessions that followed over the next ten years. Historically, of course, these are all you really need, the sound of the Banshees refining their clatter from the early rent-a-punk stylings that marked out their first shows, to the dense, chiming clang that laid the groundwork for their monumental debut album, The Scream. Spikily enthralling, six of the eight songs featured on the two sessions, from December 1977 (first transmission) and February 1978, would appear on that album; one more, "Hong Kong Garden," would become the group's first hit single, and all are instantly recognizable from their radio incarnations. But there's also a wildness here that Steve Lillywhite's LP production purposefully suppressed, a jagged vein of excitement that reminds you that here is a band kicking against all the odds, watching while a horde of lesser talents landed record deals, but refusing to compromise an iota of their vision in the hopes of joining that queue. It is that, even more than the performances, that makes this such an intense, and intensely valuable document -- if you want to hear the Banshees at their best, after all, you simply put on The Scream. But if you want to hear them at their most defiant, walk this way." (Dave Thompson)

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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CRASS - Demo 1978 + The Peel Sessions 1979

This unofficial release came out in 2021 and feautures the demo recorded on February 27th 1978 & the Peel Sessions from March 28th 1979 by Crass, an English art collective and Punk band which formed in Epping, Essex 1977. They promoted anarchism as a political ideology, a way of life, and a resistance movement and were the brittlest and most hard-line radical of the first Punk wave, Crass issued a blitz of records that were ruthless in both their unrelenting sociopolitical screeds and their amelodic crash of noise. The line-up changed a bit over the years, but the group's mainstays were Steve (vocals), Eve & Joy (vocals), Penny (drums) and G. Sus, who did tape collages and provided the distinctively bleak black and white artwork on the fold-out posters that usually enclosed their LPs, were also important contributors. The Feeding Of The 5000 was their first album and for me, their best, with eighteen emotional statements and perhaps the most uncompromising early British Punk record (was in my collection and had to be sold at the time because of my ailing financial situation). Before disbanding in 1984, they made four albums and a few singles, mostly on their own label Crass Records, and are fondly remembered as an innovative and extreme band of the early Punk movement.

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DEAD CAN DANCE - Mosaic 2013

We remain gloomy and floating and come to a bootleg that is disappointing in every way and Mosaic is announced as early demos, but what you get here are Peel Sessions from Dead Can Dance and demos of poor quality. "First the tracklist is completely wrong, many of the songs listed are not on this release and a better buy would the The Garden Of The Arcane Delights re-issue that has all of the Peel Sessions in immaculate quality. The Inner Life and untitled tracks are in rough shape, and in all honesty the versions out on youtube sound better", so a discogs user quoted and I agree, not even the title song is included on this compilation and the artwork is just as poor and unimaginative (I recommend to listen to the debut first). Responsible for this is the Belgian label Arkain Filloux who are certainly known to one or the other, but what they have done with Mosaic is a real Fiasco. I like bootlegs and they are usually not perfect, but I expect more than such a loveless, jaded record. Anyone thinking of buying should definitely listen beforehand, only hard/lost/souls will spend their money for shit. 2 points out of 10!

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THE CHAMELEONS - John Peel Sessions 1990

Music that I very admire comes from the Chameleons and they were a four piece formed out of the ashes of the short-lived combo Years in Manchester 1981 and one thing in advance: all albums are fantastic. Through the singing of Marks darkly ironic lyrics, their songs often dealt with personal themes of childlike innocence and awe of nostalgia. Perhaps most notably musically about their work was the band's innovative and distinctive use of double guitar melodies, provided by Reg and Dave. These arrangements were often characterized by the use of delay and chorus effects. Dave played a melodic and atmospheric guitar while Reg played a more traditional riff-based guitar and John's drumming blends in perfectly. This typical sound accompanies all records, a mix of rhythmic electric guitar textures that provide an atmospheric and intense backdrop for Mark's haunting vocals. After their third record Strange Times in 1986 and the sudden death of band manager Tony Fletcher in 1987, they abruptly broke up and numerous spin-off bands emerged, none of which achieved much success. - The John Peel Sessions were recorded between 1981-1984 and they released a total of four fantastic albums, each a masterpiece. This is music I can leave my everyday life, troubles, dark moments and other worries far far behind me, and this for decades, I only recommend buy their records wherever you see one. Come relaxed into the weekend and enjoy the wonderful music of this great and much too underestimated combo. Thx!

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COCKNEY REJECTS - The Peel Sessions 08.08.1979 & 13.02.1980 EP's [2014]

Well, since the fucking formatting doesn't allow me to write any text next to the picture, I have to write my words as usual, although I would like it to be different. Fuck This Bitch! This is really a pain in the ass and I can't understand this bullshit system... Egal, now a double feature with two rare John Peel sessions by the Cockney Rejects which came out on Pirate Love Records in a limited edition of 300 numbered copies each. I guess, I don't have to tell you much about the boys, they were one of the first Oi! bands that formed by brothers Jeff & Micky Geggus in the EastEnd of London 1977. The band are fans of West Ham United and the violence depicted in their lyrics was often mirrored at their concerts, and they often fought to defend themselves (often from supporters of opposing football teams) or to split up conflicts between audience members. But those are just side notes, the Cockneys are a venerable combo who are still touring and very active, even forays into the metal genre show how versatile and brave the Londoners are, and to date they have released nine albums, the first two are classics which the so-called Punks will still hear in one hundred years, I think. It's been a nice day of swimming so far, I bought a pack of fifty Rolo's and now I'm watching a little Tour De France with a Benediktiner but weekends without football suck which you can certainly confirm!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Killed By John Peel #1 2020

Friends, there is hope again on the KBD front and after a long time finally a new compilation is out and the creators of Vatican Radio Records have the great idea "to conjure up one of the best punk rock compilations we've heard in a long time, from the amazingly rich vaults of John Peel's BBC 1 radio session recordings. Focusing on the less known side of the huge Peel Sessions catalog, Killed By John Peel comes stuffed to the rafters with mind blowing and little known gems from the opening track with French Synth Punk pioneers Métal Urbain and the incendiary recording of their hit E-202 to the closing with the kick ass Power Pop Punk hit She's Alarming by the Wasps, each and every single track on this monster record presents a band at their prime giving it all @ the legendary BBC Radio1 studios." And to my knowledge, Volume 2 is about to be release and we can look forward to it. Great stuff and absolute essential! 

1.E-202 - MÉTAL URBAIN

2.Gangland Warfare - THE OUTCASTS

3.Antipope - KING

4.Yummy Yummy - RUDI

5.Jealousy - IDIOT DANCERS

6.Further Education - THE CORTINAS

7.Going Round In Circles - ALTERNATIVE TV

8.Open Sound 1978 - SKIDS

9.She's Alive - SCARS

10.Countdown - THE LURKERS

11.Energy Boy - THE FLYS

12.Haircut Bob Dylan - FUNBOY FIVE

13.Bits - PRAGVEC

14.She's Alarming - THE WASPS

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THE ADICTS - The Peel Sessions 1979 EP [2015]

Again a fine John Peel session record, this time by the Adicts from Ipswich, influential and idiosyncratic British Punk outfit known for their wry lyrics, ferocious yet upbeat sonic attack, and distinctive image (still an active and popular live treat 😊); on Pirate Love Records which came in an edition of 300 copies. This goodie was recorded on 20.November 1979 and broadcast on 5.December. I really have to say, this DJ has done a great job and made many bands known and is certainly appreciated in the music scene, but are there any honors, remembrances or anything else? Admittedly, I haven't really done any research, but a lot of superfluous shit is remembered and the real, innovative personalities are forgotten. It's a damn gray World! On this nice one we have four classics and everyone who knows the boys will be delighted and those who don't know them will be this as well. Enjoy!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - Hardcore Holocaust (87-88 The Peel Sessions) 1988

OK, I don't know who sent this fantastic compilation in and actually it doesn't matter.. fact is: we're listen now to a first-class tone document and John Peel was an important component for many underground bands and he gave them a chance in his broadcast and some managed to swim up, I wish there are more people like him nowadays. - All these recordings were made on different days and invited were UK hardcore bands which bring loud fast Hard/Grindcore messages across and this record is a fuckin' explosion. I'm not a big fan of such stuff but there are phases I need that and I remember that I had the first Napalm Death 'Scum' and I never heard such stuff before, certainly a classic nowadays, but I sold the slab quickly... now thirty years later I think shit (maybe any of you have a superb vinyl rip with covers for wdthtc?). This record was released via Strange Fruit and sweeps the dust like a Tsunami out of your pores - the weekend can start off!

1.Heard It All Before - STUPIDS

2.Dog Log - STUPIDS

3.Sheep - ELECTRO HIPPIES

4.Chickens - ELECTRO HIPPIES

5.Mother - ELECTRO HIPPIES

6.False Profit - EXTREME NOISE TERROR

7.Another Nail In The Coffin - EXTREME NOISE TERROR

8.Carry On Screaming - EXTREME NOISE TERROR

9.Conned Through Life - EXTREME NOISE TERROR

10.Attack In The Aftermath - BOLT THROWER

11.Psychological Warfare - BOLT THROWER

12.Skate Bored - INTENSE DEGREE

13.Intense Degree - INTENSE DEGREE

14.Daydreams - INTENSE DEGREE

15.Bursting - INTENSE DEGREE

16.Voice Your Opinion - UNSEEN TERROR

17.Moral Crusade - NAPALM DEATH

18.M.A.D. - NAPALM DEATH

19.Divine Death - NAPALM DEATH

20.Control - NAPALM DEATH

21.Pink Machine Gun - DOCTOR & THE CRIPPENS

22.The Garden Centre Murders - DOCTOR & THE CRIPPENS

23.Skin Tight -DOCTOR & THE CRIPPENS

24.Exploitation - DOOM

25.No Religion - DOOM

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MÉTAL URBAIN - Les Hommes Morts Sont Dangereux 1981

 

Before I dedicate myself to football, a small, considerable sound document from the early 80s: "Dead Men Are Dangerous" is the only studio album by the French electro-punk band Métal Urbain. Formed 1976 in Paris and heavily influenced by the Clash and Sex Pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to Metal Machine Music by Lou Reed. They relied on heavily distorted guitars and replaced the traditional rock rhythm section of bass guitar/drums with a synthesizer and drum machine, a then-unique approach that foreshadowed the experimental possibilities that were explored by later post-hardcore bands such as Big Black. They were also known for their radical image (the color scheme of albums always being a stark black, white and red), and subversive lyrics sung in French. They were met with some enthusiasm in the United Kingdom, particularly by John Peel and the Rough Trade label. (Métal Urbain's 2nd single Paris Maquis was Rough Trade's first release.). In 1977, their first single "Panik" was named "Single Of The Week" by New Musical Express. They had an enthusiastic but small audience in France, receiving little exposure. The punk rock scene was not as popular in France as it was in the United Kingdom, and they did not interest the French media as British bands like Sex Pistols did. As a result, singer Clode Panik left in December 1978, though the band continued to gig and record with Eric Debris on vocals, and also recording with spin-off bands Metal Boys, and Doctor Mix and the Remix, until 1980, when guitar players brothers Schwartz and Lüger left to form the short-lived band Desperados.

Métal Urbain had focused their efforts on singles and only produced one album during their first period of activity. However, several compilation records were released, gathering their singles with additional material such as BBC sessions and live recordings. Their electro approach was very innovative for its time, and the group are a reference point for such groups as the Jesus and Mary Chain, Bérurier Noir and the producer Steve Albini. The band reunited in 2003 to tour in the United States, and had since toured consistently in France and the rest of Europe. Métal Urbain recorded their second studio album, J'irai Chier Dans Ton Vomi, in 2006, produced by Jello Biafra in San Francisco; a follow up mini-album, Crève Salope, was issued in 2008.

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FREIWILLIGE SELBSTKONTROLLE - Stürmer 1982

Interesting electro/synth-pop/minimal/new wave/punk combo and essential part of the German underground scene of the early eighties and since the mid 1990s more in techno and house active, numerous records were released to date; we're talking about Freiwiliige Selbstkontrolle which were formed 1980 in Munich by Wilfred (vocals, guitar, trombone), Thomas (guitar, vocals, concertina), Justin (electric piano, guitar, xylophone & vocals) and Michaela (vocals, bass + melodica). The band name is a reference to the German motion picture rating organisation F.S.K. (German self censorship institution), which uses the same acronym. Their early records (all on ZickZack Records) gave the band the reputation of being West Germany’s most intelligent art school combo and the debut Stürmer received international attention because it was able to place in the independent charts in San Francisco. Due to the "original musical approach of F.S.K - that is, to electronically underline the dialectic of German song tradition - the people of Munich classify themselves as an 'intellectual ensemble' that makes music for the German intelligentsia". In the beginning the musical influence of punk was still clearly recognizable, because the sound sounded rough and the vocals very harsh. Living in a very americanized country meant to them that they soon, in means of love and hate, started to work out structures of Euro-American heritage in their music. Not only did they so bring back the Texan Blue Yodel to its Bavarian source, they also started to add the occasional cover version of American standards and non-standards to their German repertoire. From 1985 the band was championed by British disc jockey John Peel, recording six sessions for his BBC radio show, and were themselves strongly influenced by the independent British music scene of the time.... Enjoy!

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THE VIBRATORS - V2 1978

Classic punk by the Vibrators from London and active since 1976, they have released well over twenty records to date. You see, these are young veterans of good music. Info: The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, Pat Collier (bass), John Ellis (guitars), and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his label RAK Records. Most produced their first single, "We Vibrate". The band also backed Spedding on his single, "Pogo Dancing". The Vibrators recorded sessions for John Peel at BBC Radio 1 in October 1976, June 1977 & February 1978. They were one of the pioneering punk bands that played at London's Roxy Club. The band signed to Epic Records in early 1977. Their debut album, Pure Mania, was well regarded by some music critics and, seventeen years after its release, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music named Pure Mania one of the 50 best punk albums of all time. During the 1980s, John Ellis recorded with Peter Gabriel, as well as recording and touring frequently with Peter Hammill, then subsequently the Stranglers, eventually joining the latter full-time in the 1990s. Pat Collier went on to work closely with the Soft Boys, producing their seminal album Underwater Moonlight, and Robyn Hitchcock, producing and mixing some of his solo albums (to which Knox also sometimes contributed). Phil Ram went on to form Able Ram and brought out two singles, "Disco In Moscow" and "Hope We Make It", although without any chart success. Despite numerous line-up changes, the Vibrators are still touring to this day as a three-piece, with "Eddie" being the only original member. V2 was their most successful album, reaching #33 in the UK Albums Chart and it earned the band a TV appearance on Top Of The Pops. You can read more about them in the web and you're doing nothing wrong buying a V record.

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BUZZARDS - Jellied Eels To Record Deals 1979

Let's stay punk with the next album from the UK. Both sides quite cool and I think some of you known this combo. The band took their name from their home town of Leyton, an area of east London, punning upon the name of the Bedfordshire town, Leyton Buzzards. They were initially a pub rock band, but soon adapted to punk rock/New Wave. Their debut single '19 & Mad' was released in 1977 by Small Wonder Records. They won a high-profile "Battle Of The Bands" competition organized by BBC Radio 1 and The Sun (F.U.), resulting in a major-label deal with Chrysalis Records. The first fruits of this deal, "Saturday Night (Beneath the Plastic Palm Trees)", reached Number 53 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1979, spending five weeks in the chart, and led to an appearance on Top of the Pops. The band shortened their name to The Buzzards for the 1979 single "We Make A Noise" and the album Jellied Eels To Record Deals, before reverting to The Leyton Buzzards for their final single, "Can't Get used to Losing You". They recorded four sessions for BBC Radio One's John Peel between July 1978 and January 1980. The band split up in 1980, with Deane and Jaymes going on to greater chart success with salsa-tinged pop act Modern Romance. The Buzzards were present on tons of compilations and Captain Oi! released in 2003 a CD called 'The Punk Collection'.

- Special Thanx to Fredrik -

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