SEX PISTOLS - Rock'N'Roll Swindle 7'' 1979

Everbody knows the Sex Pistols and this is the 7'' which came out 1979 and Side A is the title track of the film, Side B comes with "Rock Around The Clock" which is sung by TenPole Tudor and the complete soundtrack was then released as a double album and is the last 'official' brilliant output by the Pistols. A few words from wikipedia about the film: The Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle (1980) is a mockumentary film directed by Julien Temple and produced by Don Boyd and Jeremy Thomas about the British punk rock band Sex Pistols. Guitarist Steve Jones plays a detective who - through a series of set piece acts - uncovers the truth about the band. Drummer Paul Cook & bass guitarist Sid Vicious play smaller roles, and the band's manager, Malcolm McLaren, is featured as "The Embezzler", the man who manipulates the Sex Pistols. Fugitive train robber Ronnie Biggs, performer Edward Tudor-Pole and actress Irene Handl also make appearances. The movie tells a stylised fictional account of the formation, rise and subsequent breakup of the band, from the point of view of their then-manager Malcolm McLaren. In the film, McLaren claims to create the Sex Pistols and manipulate them to the top of the music business, using them as puppets to both further his own agenda (in his own words - "chaos"), and to claim the financial rewards from the various record labels the band were signed to during their brief history - EMI, A&M, Virgin, and Warner Bros. Records. The footage was filmed in early - mid 1978, between singer John Lydon's departure from the band and their subsequent split. The movie was finally released nearly two years later. Lydon (who was listed in the credits as "The Collaborator") and early bass guitarist Glen Matlock only appear in archive footage - Lydon having refused to have anything to do with the production." The Pistols are great and their songs are still one of the best punk tunes ever, Black Leather, one more 7'' I posted a few months ago for example, I love them!! - If you have not already seen the film so go ahead and buy a copy.

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SEX PISTOLS - Black Leather 7'' 1980

In a few minutes the Bundesliga starts again with the top game in Leipzig and I'm in high tension. Fuckin' work is done and we come to a very very unknown band, who the fuck are the Sex Pistols?? I don't know but there are dozens of books and more more LP's/CD's that are disproportionate to their complete musical works. The music kicks me right from the beginning when I first listen to them. Can not say which song it was but they had not really much, hahaha....I'm thankful, whoever, who brought me to them and so I start my fuckin' punk life. I imagine that I was not the only one...Summary these two tracks are probably the rarest Sex Pistols tracks, only released as part of the Pistols Pack in 1980 which consisted of six singles with the most obvious Pistols tunes, similar to the Flogging A Dead Horse compilation. In fact these aren't the Sex Pistols but Paul Cook & Steve Jones after finishing the Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle-soundtrack and before forming The Professionals. Two great nuggets + a must have! And now: forza SGE!!

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TENPOLE TUDOR - Real Fun 7'' 1980

"We Wanna Have Some Real Fun.......Today" and I have it at this early morning hour. Weekends in and I hope we pick three points tomorrow versus Mainz. Until then I amuse myself with good music and the fucking work at the office later passes also. This 7inch was released on Korova Records and I think it's the first release by Tenpole Tudor. The band were formed 1974 when Tudor-Pole (vocals/saxophone) met guitarist Bob Kingston, bassist Dick Crippen and drummer Gary Long. They played regularly for several years until Tudor-Pole himself (under the moniker of Eddie Tenpole) came to prominence by appearing in the Sex Pistols film The Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle. He was originally billed as a replacement for Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten - performing the songs "Who Killed Bambi?", "The Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle" and a cover version of "Rock Around The Clock" for the film and subsequent soundtrack - however, manager Malcolm McLaren and the remaining Sex Pistols instead decided to abandon the group and go their own ways. Later the band signed to Stiff Records and they were one the strangest and silliest groups on Stiff Records, a label that was known for its oddball clients. Led by Eddie Tudor (born Edward Tudorpole), a former actor who could barely carry a tune, the group played a mixture of punk, roots rock, pop, and British dancehall music, developing a thoroughly entertaining and ridiculous style. They released two albums on Stiff Records which sold well and in 1982, the band broke up. Today, Tudor-Pole concentrates partly on acting, but focuses mainly upon his new one-man-show, performing live shows described as a 'One Man Stadium Show'. He has re-formed Tenpole Tudor from time to time, notably in 2001, with Darrell Bath on guitar, Donagh O'Leary on bass and Ben Standage on drums. 2009 Angel Air Records released a compilation CD with all their classics. Fine record and now let's have some fun today!

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SEX PISTOLS - No Future U.K.? 1989

Great compilation of demo sessions taped by the Sex Pistols in July 1976 - January 1977 and give a fantastic insight into the original line-up's rough sound. The majority of the tracks first appeared on the now infamous Spunk bootleg, released a few weeks prior to the bands only album, Never Mind The Bollocks. The songs are recorded surprisingly well and I like every single one. It's really a shame that the Pistols broke up in 1978, we all know the reasons, but with their refreshing provocative attitude they caused a sensation and stay unchallenged in the Punk olympus and this record is a perfect example. I am grateful that they were there!

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SEX PISTOLS - Silly Thing 7'' 1979

Regulars in my theater and I'm still fascinated by this music, and this for over forty years! There are a few bands that leave such a consistent level and such a lasting impression on me and when you consider that the Pistols only made one official album it speaks for itself, even today everyone knows their music (even the fucked up society) and the four don't need a star on the Walk Of Fame (the name alone makes me puke) which stands for commercial losers and means nothing at all. This beauty offers really two fantastic songs by the Sex Pistols and it was the third 7Inch released in promotion of the film The Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle. Written by drummer Paul and guitarist Steve and recorded after the band's original lead singer left the band. The flip 'Who Killed Bambi?' was written and sung by Tenpole Tudor and is a brilliant one and I love his voice. The band is and will always be a global cultural phenomenon and push the Punk virus into innocent hearts.

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BIZON KIDZ - Get Your Kicks By Throwing Bricks EP 1981

The icon of Punk (Sex Pistols) had just disbanded and in England nobody cared anymore about rebellious young people with a preference for hard three-chord music. But Punk has proved to be a keeper to this day, both in terms of music style and attitude to life in the Netherlands and had just started in 1978 in many cities, including Utrecht (of course the hype which started 1976 in England & the U.S., had not gone unnoticed by the Netherlands before 1978.) On January 7, 1977, the Pistols performed @ Paradiso in Amsterdam and Iggy Pop scored a top forty hit with Lust For Life. The fierce and primitive sounds of such as the Ramones, the Clash, Sex Pistols, etc... had a great influence on Dutch musicians. This sound might be alive and kicking in Utrecht, but there weren't many places to play. Bizon Kidz were one of those bands that were founded in the late Seventies by Bertie & Ilonka (vocals), Oscar & Philip (guitars), Buffel (bass), Frans (drums) & released their only piece of cake on their own (500 copies) in the early eighties. Ten minimalist short songs with two-part singing are offered that can easily harmonize with the pleasant November sun, not bad at all!

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SHAM PISTOLS - Natural Born Killer 2008

In 1979 ex-Pistols Cook & Jones teamed up with Sham's Pursey & Treganna to form a Punk Rock super group. Unfortunately it doesn't work, so only one studio session happened. The result: four catchy tracks, sounding exactly like The Professionals with Pursey on vocals. On the flip side you'll get the 4 encore tracks of Sham's Last Stand (Apollo Theatre, Glasgow). Way back in 1979, the “merger” of the Sex Pistols with Sham 69 caused, for a brief moment, a great deal of excitement. With Johnny now in PiL and Sid dead, both fans and the press waited eagerly for news on Steve and Paul's next move. By May '79 it seemed the answer was known. The boys would be joined by Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey and Dave “Kermit” Treganna. Known for the time being as the Sham Pistols – until a name could be settled on - they went into Manor Studios, Oxford, to lay down some tracks. By August the group was in tatters. It took over 30 years for these songs to emerge. Enjoythem. As for the vinyl pressing itself, the quality of the recordings is very good, if slightly muddy. Side two adds weight to this. Recorded live at Glasgow Apollo, when Steve and Paul appeared for Sham 69's encore in June ‘79, Pursey can be heard bigging himself up, ranting that he told Steve and Paul to get rid of McLaren then he would sing for them, alongside his tales of how he's in the newspapers every day. The whole Sham Pistols episode had a detrimental effect on both camps. After the band fell apart, Pursey went on to reform Sham 69 but with limited success. Steve & Paul went into limbo before emerging a year later as The Professionals.

- Extra Special Thx to Reinhard -

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ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE - We Are...The League 1982

It's time for one more classic and one of my TopTen records. The debut by the Anti-Nowhere League on WXYZ Records, founded 1979 in Kent, thirty miles south-east of central London and after some line-up changes this four; Animal (vocals), Magoo (guitars), Winston (bass) & P.J. (drums) recorded this awesome platter and before I go on, I open a delicious Augustiner Bräu. Hmmmm... tastes delicious! The band name alone inspired me immediately and I love people who express their dislike and dissatisfaction, frustration and above all their emotions, in a clear direct language, and don't be afraid of any stupid critics or mobsters who only interfere and say; 'it doesn't work that way!' or 'you have to change that!' ANL went their way and caused a furore with this album, and that's what I like because, I'm as well. And after nearly forty years, the twelve goodies are still shockingly up-to-date and have retained their bite. That's what I appreciate about the four gents. They broke up in 1989 but come back three years later and they're still active! Many records and Singles were made and I hope, they will stay with us for a long time. Two more decent reviews for you that do it better than me, enjoy!

"The years pass, the wheel of time turns, and the shocking, moral-challenging ne'er-do-wells of one generation eventually seem almost sweet when compared with those of later days. Every so often, though, something will remain almost gloriously offensive and wrong no matter what the future brings; the League's filthy gob of a debut album fulfills that brief, and then some. Musically, there's nothing here to surprise or challenge anybody -- already dated three-chord thrash, smash, and bash at the time of its release, years later it just sounds like the type of stuff folks like Offspring listened to while killing time in rehearsal studios. However, for all of the band's protestations of "being shit," the roar is actually reasonably produced, with a good oomph to it instead of becoming too treble. Every so often the band tries something just a tiny bit different (the slow opening to "Woman," which is almost a late-'50s tearjerker in modern leather gear before everything revs up), but mostly they just do what they do. It's vocalist Animal, though, who transforms the League from being just another band to becoming veritable kings of trash. His rough vocals tackle everybody and everything, not least of all himself and his bandmates; suspect sex, random contempt (the brilliantly titled "[We Will Not] Remember You" and "I Hate...People"), and more just scratch the surface. The group even trashes their own medium, as "Can't Stand Rock'N'Roll" concludes "the man who made it was big and fat." The undisputed highlight, of all things, is a cover of Ralph McTell's folk anthem "Streets Of London". Transforming the sympathetic look at the city's outcasts and dregs into a celebratory anthem of defiance, the League delivers one of the best remakes ever done, almost in spite of itself." (Ned Raggett, AllMusic)

"The most viscous mean-spirited, gratuitously violent punk band to come down the pike in a long time." and stated the album was for "mature adults, this is the best hard-core punk record England has yielded since the Sex Pistols era. Every song features a slamming, inescapable beat to match the freely flung obscenities." (Ken Tucker, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Thirty minutes of outstanding, fresh, ugly and rough punk'n'roll how it could perhaps only be played by the Sex Pistols, but continued in seamless fairways by the amazing Four! "We Are The League..The Anti-Nowhere League..YEAH!"

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SEX PISTOLS - Kill The Hippies In Atlanta 05.01.1978

Pretty cool shot of the Sex Pistols which was recorded in Atlanta/Georgia @ the Great Southeast Music Hall on 5th January, 1978 and released via Big Music. It was their first show in the states and we all know, nine days later they gave their last concert in San Francisco and then the band split, making their ways separately to Los Angeles. McLaren, Cook and Jones prepared to fly to Rio de Janeiro for a working vacation. Vicious, in increasingly bad shape, was taken to Los Angeles by a friend, who then brought him to New York, where he was immediately hospitalised. Rotten flew to New York, where he announced the band's break-up in a newspaper interview on 18 January. I think the states came too early and the people there were not ready for the shockers from Europe but Malcolm saw it differently and so the tragedy took its course. Anyway, I still enjoy their music and without them Punk would not be what it is today.

God Save The Queen/I Wanna Be Me/Seventeen/New York/Bodies/Submission/Holidays In The Sun/E.M.I./No Feelings/Problems/Pretty Vacant/Anarchy In The U.K./No Fun/Liar

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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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THE USERS - Now That It's Over 7'' 1979

One more raritiy from Love Child now and they are always welcome on wdthtc, 250 copies exist from this two sided killer and a few words: "We've got our own individual style. Most punk bands are the same as the Ramones... its pathetic. ..The basic ingredients of rock'n'roll are sex drugs and frustration, If we can getamps and get on stage, that's all.  Its a big V sign from us to you." The Users - Chainsaw 5 March/April 1978. - "The Users were from Cambridge and formed in September 1976. Their sound was a mixture of The Stooges, New York Dolls, Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols. Young and with attitude - plenty of it. Other songs included Russian Roulette, Heart To Heart, Bad Decision, Slow Death (Flaming Groovies) Louie Louie, Moving In A Fast Lane and Red Hot Rag. Cambridge was also home to Lee Wood and his record shop. "..members of The Users, who had been in the shop before, asked me if I could spare the time to come and hear them rehearse. I went along and they were a five piece. I can't remember the details but somehow we decided to make a record together." Lee Wood Punk77 Interview. More details on punk77 and more Kicks In Style are guaranteed.

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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V/A - Wanna Buy A Bridge? 1980

Rough Trade, a British indie label founded by Geoff Travis, was rock's first successful collective and a strong supporter of the arty, left-leaning post-punk music that emerged in the aftermath of the Sex Pistols. This U.S. only compilation introduced Americans to some of the exciting, innovative music released by Rough Trade between 1977 and 1980. The collection's opening number is the closest to Pistols-era punk rock: "Alternative Ulster," a blistering Irish anthem recorded by Stiff Little Fingers. Next in the collection is Delta 5's "Mind Your Own Business," a 1979 recording that proves that abrasive, self-consciously ironic music can also be incredibly catchy; Other highlights include "Soldier Soldier," a protest punk song; the exuberant "Ain't You" by Kleenex, an all-female Swiss band that later changed its name to Liliput; the Pop Group's "We Are All Prostitutes," a chaotic punk-funk-disco political rant with distorted guitar, drums, saxophone, and cello; "Part Time Punks," a beguilingly amateurish name-dropping classic by T.V. Personalities; the Raincoats' remake of "Man Next Door"; a reggae number by Jamaican singer John Holt (whose "The Tide Is High" became a hit for Blondie); and Robert Wyatt's surprisingly haunting rendition of Chic's "At Last I Am Free." I had the LP with the brown cover but use the blue here. I'm too lazy to scan both sides of the original. Overall this may be the best single-album collection assembled of post-punk music.

1.Alternative Ulster - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

2.Mind Your Own Business - DELTA 5

3.Man Next Door - THE SLITS

4.Aerosol Burns - ESSENTIAL LOGIC

5.Part Time Punks - T.V. PERSONALITIES

6.Read About Seymour - SWELL MAPS

7.We Are All Prostitutes - THE POP GROUP

8.Soldier Soldier - SPIZZ ENERGI

9.Ain't You - KLEENEX

10.Nag Nag Nag - CABARET VOLTAIRE

11.In Love - THE RAINCOATS

12.Final Day - YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS

13.Skank Bloc Bologna - SCRITTI POLITTI

14.At Last I Am Free - ROBERT WYATT

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V2 - Speed Freak EP 1978

Damn good debut record by this Manchester combo on Bent Records with three awesome KBD smasher and because I'm a lousy writer I steal a little Info: "V2 were formed in late 1976 by David Wilks and Mark Standley. Both were regulars at Bowie/Roxy clubs in Manchester and became aware of punk rock when Dave Went to see the Sex Pistols in Manchester. This seminal gig at the Lesser Free Trade hall, at which the Pistols were supported by Manchester bands, Slaughter and the dogs, the Buzzcocks, inspired the next generation of bands to come out of Manchester, the Drones, Joy Division, the Fall, and V2. V2 brought their Glam Rock past to the band, and quickly became a popular live act with over the top shows, explosions, smashing up their equipment, and bassist Stan the Man attacking audiences with his cricket bat guitar when they spat at him once to often. Their first single, released on Bent records, (small bent one) was released in late '77, and quickly sold out 3 pressings. It featured three songs, Speedfreak Nothing to do and That's it. It went into the alternative top ten on each release." Read the full V2 bio. R.I.P. David! Compilations featuring the band: England Belongs To Me and the brand new Greater Manchester Punk - matchless!

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MALCOLM McLAREN - You Need Hands 7'' 1979

The Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle is the soundtrack (will follow soon) of the best, in my opinion, Pistols film, it includes also performances by other artists, and the movie tells a stylised fictional account of the formation, rise and subsequent break-up of the band, from the point of view of McLaren. The double record set features a significant number of tracks that omit Lydon entirely; most of them written and recorded after the band broke up. There were a lot of 7inches released and one is this record which only in France appears. Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, also performed as a solo artist, initially popularising hip hop and world music and later diversifying into funk/disco, the dance fashion for "vogueing" and merging opera with contemporary electronic musical forms. Side a is a quiet ballad I would say while the B-side is the symphonic version of 'God Save The Queen'. I'm sure the most of you have the whole album it's really their second official record and belongs in every decent record collection. Malcolm died on 8.April 2010 in a hospital in Switzerland, R.I.P.

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THE WALL - The Punk Collection 1998

CD's are not really my source but this one is a damn MUST! This fantastic compilation was released by Captain Oi! and contains all recordings of The Wall, originally formed in Sunderland early 1978, and their six year career may have seen them go through enough members to form their own football team but it also saw them release some outstanding records along the way. The first line-up of note featured Ian Lowery (vox & guitars), Andy 'Andzy' Griffits (bass & vox), John Hammond (guitars) & Bruce Archibald (drums) and it was this incarnation of the band that recorded the superb 'New Way' EP for Small Wonder Records. It's success (it sold over 10.000 copies and was heavily played by John Peel on his (then) important Radio 1 show) led to Lowery & Andzy relocating to London where they recruited guitarist Nick Ward and Drummer Rab Fae Beith (ex-The Pack/Patrick Fitzgerald Group) and they issued the 'Exchange' single for Small Wonder which reached No.26 in the very first published independent chart and was produced by the Sex Pistols Steve Jones (the first band to be produced by a member of the Pistols).

However, not long after this the band suffered the time honoured 'musical differences' which led to the depature of Lowery (he later released a solo album called "King Blank" on Beggars Banquet) who was replaced by one time Ruefrex member Ivan 'Kellz' Kelly and he made his debut with the Wall on a UK tour supporting the Angelic Upstarts and on their first single for Fresh Records, August 1980's 'Ghetto' EP which, produced by Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey, enjoyed a three month indie chart run peaking at the No.19 position. This line-up also recorded the debut LP "Personal Troubles & Public Issues" (which came out in December 1980 in two different sleeves and reached No.15 in the indie chart) which also saw the arrival of guitarist Andy 'Heed' Forbes, formally a member of The Strapps.

Shortly after the album's release, however, Ward & Kelly departed leaving Rab, Heed and Andzy to continue as a three piece with Andzy assuming vocal duties. This line-up was snapped up by Polydor and their debut for the major was the three track 'Remembrance' EP which they promoted by doing a UK tour with Stiff Little Fingers. They also issued one final single for Fresh, 'Hobby For A Day' before a second Polydor 45 'Epitaph' followed in November '81 and it also saw the first appearance of new bassist Claire Bidwell (ex-The Passions) which allowed Andzy to concentrate on the vocals. Their time with Polydor ended with early 1982's album "Dirges & Anthems" (which came with a free 7") and which saw guitar duties split between Heed (who left half way through recording) and Baz.

Rob & Andzy continued under The Wall name throughout 1982, their last release being the ten track 12'' EP "Day Tripper" for No Future (also issued as a four track 7'') which reached No.21 in the UK indie chart. The 'band' folded not long after with Rob later turning up in the UK SUBS and playing on the "Huntington Beach" and "In Action" albums. He also set up RFB Records and released albums by the likes of Condemned 84, UK SUBS and Broken Bones.(Mark Brennan)

In August 2007, the band reformed for a headline appearance at the Blackpool Rebellion with seven of the original members, Andy Griffiths (vocals), Nick Ward (guitars), Al Gregg (guitars & bass), Andrew Forbes (guitars), John Hammond (guitars), Claire Bidwell (bass) and Mark Dyvig (drums) with a warm-up gig the previous night @ The Thatched House in Stockport. This was followed by the release of a new live album in August 2009 on Captive Records (Opus Productions/Captive Records). The debut album "Personal Troubles & Public Issues" is getting a re-issue on CD for the first time, by Westworld Recordings on 13/05/2016.

This little sucker shines with twenty extraordinary nuggets and I love the Wall and you will do it too... 'In Nature'!

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ACME ATTRACTIONS - Anyway 7'' 1980

This rare piece is a smiley and again 'many words for your further education which all from the booklet of the CD compilatin 'Terelene Boys from 2013 on Only Fit For The Bin Records: Acme Attractions released one great single in 1980 called "Anyway" and listen to the lyrics of this song, it is all about the late great 'Keith Moon'. The band did follow up this debut release and backed another local artist Bonnie Parker a year later. After watching the Damned in a local pub in Luton back in 1976, members of this band were mesmerized with their performance and one stand-out moment was when the Damned were being heckled by members of another local band THE Q-TIPS about their ability of playing, Dave Vanian jumped off the stage and poured a pint of beer over their heads. Then a month later they witness the Sex Pistols @ the Queensway Hall in Dunstable. THAT WAS IT! The seed was sowed and Jim and Dave knew they had to be part of this new vibrant scene and Acme Attractions were born (even though at this point it was only a dream).

Now in the bands own words: "Born from an after pub party, while miming in a front room to whatever song was on The threat of "Now let’s see if you can go out and form your own band" Was the only challenge we needed! Within six months of that night the guitarist had self-taught himself and the bass player the basic skills required to form the band (three chords). (I got my first real six strings, played it till my fingers bled). It was happening! (Me and some guys from school we got a band and we tried real hard). After months of rehearsing, it was time to show the local pub that we didn’t want to listen to 'Smoke On The Water' or 'Johnny B. Goode' anymore. It was our time. Having been influenced by the attitude of the Pistols, Clash, with undercurrents of the Who, Mott the Hoople and some self-penned songs thrown in as well Acme Attractions played their first gig. The local interest had drawn big crowds which lead to the band being banned from their first three gigs. This was not caused by violence, but due to over crowding resulting in damage caused to chairs, tables & beer glasses. The band were forced to seek bigger venues and halls this resulted in Acme Attractions being the only local band being able to fill "The Royal Hotel", the biggest of all the venues, not once but twice.

Not all gigs were as successful as that though as the landlord of The Kingsway Tavern Would tell you.  After refusing to leave the stage one night until their set was finished, The landlord locked the band in the dressing room with his Alsatian dog. Threatening not to pay them as they had played over the permitted time. His error had been locking the door, as he had no escape himself When we threatened to break his legs. The bands popularity and reputation was growing and growing and after progressing through a Battle of the Bands competition at the expense of the singer losing a front tooth, the band was making their name. Local newspapers were wanting to know the story behind the band and local promoters were asking them to headline the local festivals such as The Luton Carnival and the Marsh Farm Festival. The money gained through gigging went towards hiring a studio and the costs of producing 1.000 copies of their first single "Anyway"/"Never Again". EMI had tried to claim a percentage of the copy rights through a distribution deal that did not suit the band, so the band decided to distribute it themselves. This is why most copies of the single have tipex on the label over the line that mentions EMI. After continuous gigging and some radio air time, The band had reached a point that required more commitment To take them to the next level.

They had travelled as far as they could have on the local scene. A meeting had been called to discuss the next stage of progression and It was decided it was time for Acme Attractions to come to an end. It was not the end of the band however as the remaining members continued under various names such as 'English Dream' and 'Pressure'. With the new name of 'Pressure', it wasn't long before being signed to Anagram Records a division of Cherry Red Records. Releasing a further two 12Inches and touring the country before finally calling it a day back in 1983.

You can find the band on two splendid compilations, Raw And Rare British Punk Volume 4 (coming soon) & Bored Teenagers #11, as well. Great Stuff!

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THE NOTHINGS - Alot To Learn 12'' 1983

Welcome to another rare slab from California with catchy powerful music by the Nothings from Los Angeles which were active in the early Eighties and this is their lone release and reissued 1999 with two bonus tracks (jojo). The band consisted of Rob (vocals), Phil (guitars & vocals), Lenny (bass), Bob (drums) and this five track 12Inch was released via Augustus Records. A short review: "If you thought the Sex Pistols sound was dead in 1983, you’ve got “a lot to learn,” because this Southern California group is the mirror image of the Pistols stylistically. They’ve got the same crunching rhythm attack and wall-of-sound guitar on the Rotten one’s vocals are missing. Highly recommended for nostalgia buffs." (Jeff Bale, MRR #10 • December 1983) - He describes their music perfect and the four are the American version of the Londoners, in every way. Oh Yeah, a fucking great five cruncher! They didn't get invited on compilations in their active lifespan, presumably because the songs always exceeded the three-minute mark but I think, they deserve full attention.

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PARANOID VISIONS - Outside In 2005

This record is currently in my player around the clock. Pretty cool stuff, punk rock with a wave touch and in between a couple of quick grenades. 'Outside In' is a compilation of the vinyl years 1986 - 1989 from this combo and I get this a few years ago somewhere in Blogland, now exhumed because the band name is at the moment more relevant than ever to me. Something about them:

Formed in 1981, Paranoid Visions quickly allied themselves to the anarcho punk fraternity of the second wave of punk rock in the early 80's. The band were poles apart from the other Irish bands that graced the 1980’s Dublin gig scene.Surprising everyone, including themselves, with their success in both Ireland and the UK in terms of critical acclaim and record sales, they maintained a stance outside of the music industry norms and closely protected their independent status, licensing all of their material directly from their F.O.A.D label. Records such as Autonomy, Schizophrenia and city of screams all sold very well, but it was the attack on the Irish music industry U2Clone assembly line, in the form of the “I Will Wallow” 10” EP that brought the band to a wider and more mainstream audience. FOAD2U2 graffiti adorned walls all over the country….some of it wasn’t even done by the band! Heavily influenced by the Crass ethic of DIY music, the band formed their own F.O.A.D label and licensed their records to All The Madmen, home of the Mob, Thatcher on Acid, Blyth Power and the Astronauts.

Paranoid Visons played gigs and toured with the likes of Poison Girls, DIRT, Blyth Power, Subhumans and The Instigators. In the early 90's they played with bands like Snuff, the Macc Ladds and Manic Street Preachers before calling it a day in 1992. Despite their disbanding, the 90's saw Paranoid Visions becoming the biggest punk band Ireland had ever produced, featuring on several TV shows, newspapers and being offered numerous record deals from Major labels. In 1996 they reformed to play support on some dates for the Sex Pistols Filthy Lucre tour. In 2001 they reformed again and played with the Damned, The Dickies and at the Wasted Festival in Morecombe. While these reunions were always designed to be short lived, with the 2005 reunion, formed in support of the re-release of their back catalogue, it was decided to continue the momentum.

April 2007 saw the release of the bands first new album since 1990. Entitled “40 Shades Of Gangreen” it captures the band at their most tuneful and caustic. General reaction has been that its the best woirk the band have done having been described thus:
"a blistering collection of anti establishment polemic" (hot press editorial)
"highly melodic aswell as being deeply, deeply raucous" (hot press review)
"a blockbuster" (evening herald)

Throughout 2007, Paranoid Visions have performed regularly and will be performing one of the headline slots at the largest punk rock festival in the UK, Rebellion 2007. 2008 sees the release of part one of the bands 12" and CD tribute to their musical influences from the early Irish punk and new wave scene in the form of "The Treasure From The Wasteland" EP. A new album "Beware Of The God" is pencilled for the autumn along with another single serving as part two of the tribute series.

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TURBONEGRO - I Got Erection 7'' 1995

I wanna start the weekend with a single from a band, I guess, that everyone of you knows and "I Got Erection" is their seventh 7Inch (three different versions exist) from the fantastic Ass Cobra album, and a real cracker. 💣💥💣 Short info at this point: Turbonegro came together as a band in Oslo and started around Christmas 1988. Always surrounded by scandal and controversy, they have broken up, retired and changed members several times. They combines glam, punk and hard rock into a self-described "Deathpunk" musical style. Turbonegro's lyrics often attack political correctness. Their genre of punk has been self-described as deathpunk. The band has stated that their music superseded existing genres, so they dubbed it "Deathpunk" as a way to avoid being pigeonholed into musical groupings they felt they were above. Lyrics referencing the genre choice include "gimme deathpunk baby, and I like it" from the song "Get It On". Sharing characteristics with certain musical predecessors, (Sex Pistols wearing swastikas, etc.), Turbonegro has been praised by some as playing the most up-to-date form of punk with an anarchic blend of humour, shock and sexuality. 💥💣💥 The B-side of this single, Jeg Will Bli Som Jesus, is a Norwegian New Wave classic (originally by Kjøtt), sung by Eugene Chadbourne in 'phonetic' Norwegian. The band is still alive and on tour worldwide.

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SUBURBAN STUDS - Slam 1978

Formed in 1976 and hailing from Birmingham, the Suburban Studs consisted of Eddy Zipps (vocals/guitar), Keith Owen (guitar), Paul Morton (bass), Steve Pool (drums) and with their already punky sounding name were one of the first bands to be signed to an independent, the equally punky sounding Pogo Records, and marketed through the major label WEA Records. In their time they released two 7Inches and even an album within a year, a feat not reached by many a Punk band of the time. Originally featuring the sax antics of Steve Heart the instrument was felt to be inappropriate to their sound and he left to start the Neon Hearts.

The Suburban Studs were active live throughout 1976 but were a different looking proposition then with a more glam look. Supports at the time included The Runaways. They played their first London gig at the 100 Club on the 31st August '76 supporting the Sex Pistols and The Clash. A quote from a Sounds review by John Ingham appears The Clash book "Last Gang In Town" where he describes their set as 'a laughable mixture of tacky jumpsuits, tacky make-up, tacky props and tacky music'. The Studs also headlined over the Clash on the 27th of October '76 at Barbarellas in Birmingham, this time complete with haircuts and a more Punk image, though still playing the same dated glam set as they did at the 100 Club. Gigs at the usual suspects like the Marquee, Vortex, Roxy Club and Barbarellas and tours even supporting the likes of AC/DC and The Runaways did nothing to break the band. Not even a John Peel session broadcast in December 1977 or appearing in a Punkrock special on ATV helped.

WEA supported with marketing and also helped land them on the double Live At The Hope And Anchor album with a live version of 'I Hate School' along with The Stranglers, 999, X-Ray Spex & The Saints among others. Their WEA Press release which accompanied their album Slam l is suitably hyperbolic and manages to sadly spell the bands name wrong in the first sentence! WEA Press Release Born in the slums of the Midlands and educated with street level certificates, the Surburban Studs are deeply involved with their music. "We're fed up with rock superstars", said lead vocalist Eddie Zipps. Their music has got fuck all to do with living on the street today. We live in a slum... You've got to play music, that's life, that creates a situation. Their debut album 'Slam' reflects the seamier side of life and focuses on Suburban Studs instinct. Unfortunately the music didn't live up to the hype. Mediocre album reviews in the music weeklies didn't help either. PR was reduced to occasional gossip including the singer being subject to random Punk violence which was prevalent at the time and the shenanigans of their fans when two girls at their Thames Poly gig flashed their breasts on stage, daubed graffiti & set off fire extinguishers. With no sales the band who were astute enough to jump on the Punk bandwagon couldn't progress further and just fell off the Punk map.

Having said that however, the single Questions/No Faith (1977 Pogo Records) is a peach as good as any. Classic driving overdriven punk at a frenetic and heart attack inducing pace. Steve Harrington (sax) who was later in the Neon Hearts played on the first version of Questions/No Faith (July 1977) which was withdrawn, both tracks were re-recorded when Harrington left to start the New Hearts and e-released in November 1977, this time with "No Faith" as the A-side. Slam their album feels like Punk by numbers. All the ingredients are there but there's something missing and that's a spark. For once I think the reviews of the time got it right. Like the art work on Slam below? They couldn't get straight jackets from anywhere and in the end had to have them tailor made. Their only other single was I Hate School/Young Power (1978 Pogo Records) pulled from their album and this time reusing the album over in monochrome. They are also on the Live at the Hope & Anchor Compilation (March 1978) again singing I Hate School in the company of The Stranglers, 999 and X Ray Spex. Ironic as one of them went on to become a teacher.

While bands like Eater and Menace never got a John Peel radio show, the Suburban Studs did which aired on 22.11.77 and which featured "Suburban Stud, I Hate School, Necro, No Faith" and that was it! (source: punk77)

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