NEW HEARTS - Another Teenage Anthem 7'' 1977

New Hearts evolved out of college band Splitz Kidz, who met at Loughton College, comprising Ian Page (vocals), Dave Cairns (guitar), John Harty (bass) and drummer Rob Milne. At the start of 1977, Milne was replaced by Matt McIntyre (he later drummed with The Clash on the Anarchy In The UK tour). Re-naming themselves New Hearts, they were signed by CBS Records at the height of punk rock just two months after their debut gig, and with an average age of just 17, directly from CBS managing director Maurice Oberstein, who had taken a personal interest in the band. New Hearts recorded two singles for CBS, "(Just Another) Teenage Anthem" and "Plain Jane", inspired by acts like Dr. Feelgood and Eddie & The Hot Rods. They also supported The Jam during their lengthy UK Modern World tour, and accompanied them at the 1978 Reading Festival, where they were joined on stage by Hawkwind guitarist Huw Lloyd Langton. Disillusioned, Page and Cairns then folded New Hearts, and set about creating a new band inspired by the dress code and musical stylings of the 1960s Mod movement, changing their name to Secret Affair and leading the whole Mod Revival movement. In October 2009, a new CD containing 23 songs (20 for CBS and three pre-CBS demos) was issued by Cherry Red Records. Nineteen of the recordings are previously unissued.

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ESQUELETOS - Radio 222 EP 1983

Before I get myself back to digitizing, and I'm looking forward to the slabs, first a short snack from Spain. A quick trip back to the early Eighties, the time when José (vocals/guitars) and Enrique (bass) formed the group RPM and recorded a demo that captured the interest of Hispavox, who recruited them for their alternative label Flush! Records. After changing their name to Esqueletos, they released their only 7Inch Radio 222 with three solid goodies that range from, I would say early NDW sound with an air of fast dirty Punkrock (last track), the approach to the mod revival of The Jam. However, Hispavox hardly promoted the record and the members opted for dissolution. Enrique becoming part of Las Ruedas, while José did the same in La Frontera, achieving great success during the 80s & 90s. That's it!

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THE STANDBYS - E.P. 1980

A nice 7Inch for the weekend and this is the Standbys one & only record on World Records. Founded 1978 in San Diego by four students and the band consisted of Tom (vocals/bass), Dave & Jeff (guitars), Ted (drums). The roots of the band go back to jam sessions between guitarist Dave and his brother-in-law, including a few party gigs playing Ramones covers, soon accompanied by singer/bassist Tom. According to Dave in a local Snare 'zine interview, "The name of the band came from it being flashed on the TV. It was either that or technical difficulties, but I couldn't spell it." Word of mouth increased after they opened for the Clash at Golden Hall in October 1979. "The Clash were really nice," says Dave. "I've never been so scared in my life was I was at that show. But Mick Jones thought we were really neat." (San Diego Reader) - The Standbys recorded an album alongside this single called Buy Now Or Die Dumb but I'm not sure if its came out, and split up in 1985. One song was later featured on their only compilation appearance, Back To Front Vol.4.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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LES HATEPINKS - Hate!-Oupupo Songs EP 2007

Here we have the awesome weirdos Les Hatepinks from France and they're playing pretty fresh '77 snotty punk rock. Hell what a great fuckin' record!!! Each song is thirteen seconds long and is make to play loud. I quote from the lyric sheet: "Terms of creation: record 16 songs in one night. No songs should be composed before the recording session. No post-recording is possible (no fucking Protool assembly!). No song should be "just funny noise (no spoken word, no instrumental shitty jam...). 5 grams of speed should be used during the recording session. Cocaine ain't speed. Nobody should cry his mother during the recording session. Lyrics should have no more that 2 different sentences. Onomatopeia like "Yeah!", "Fuque!" or "Une deux trois quatre!" do not count as a sentence. Except for a voice, no dubbing is possible... Every song should be a denunciation against this shitty society and the vacuity of modern life. If the result is deep shit, no shame is autorized. Send this crap to the record label in any case. Take drugs and kill yourself." So if you agree with that don't wait any longer and make the stage yours and get this fuckin' awesome record now! 2009 they play a final show at the Machine à Coudre in Marseille.

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GENETIC CONTROL - First Impressions EP 1984

Genetic Control were formed New Year's Night 1984 in Montreal, the result of a drunken jam featuring Mike (vocals), Rob and Rob (guitars), Dougo (bass) and Mike (drums). After a three month break, they changed the line-up a litte and Polio Elvis (vocals), Duke & Teen Hunk Rob (guitars), Dick (bass), Lewis (drums) recorded then their great and only vinyl EP First Impressions (500 copies) which also was released by themselves (they recorded songs for an album, but there were no master tapes made, as the band opted instead for just a cassette recording, as they could not afford to pay for the multi-track tape, a decision the band and many fans have regretted over the years, so unfortunately only this 7Inch were made. The band was supposed to go on tour with the album in 1985 but shortly after, failing to release their LP, they disbanded. The EP shot up high among collectors and that eventually led to Bootlegs and an official re-release on Return To Analog in 2021 with bonus cuts (limited edition of 500 numbered copies as well). Also interesting is a CD compilation, Brave New World, on Sonik's Chicken Shrimp from 2005 which also comes with interesting pieces. You see, Genetic Control made not much records, but remain with an excellent impression, and aren't definitely soap bubbles and you can book them for a few Compilations invites as well.

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V/A - Blackbox Compilation 1992

BlackBox was a short-lived German label in Waltrop which released a few 7Inches an the beginning of the 90s. Don't know how many copies are pressed, I think 1000 maybe. After the quick sold out of the records comes finally this piece of silver with all label bands out. Focus here is clearly melodic punkrock. Pleasant stuff.

1.Jungle Jam (Live) - BIG CHIEF
2.Evergreen Memorial Drive - NOVA MOB
3.Sky Flying By - SAMIAM
4.Fearless - SPOON
5.Wo Steht Die Uhr? - EA80
6.Gotta Go - HERETICS
7.Auf Wiedersehn - BOXHAMSTERS
8.Eagle - LEATHERFACE
9.With Me - BONE CLUB
10.What Is Comfort... - THUD!
11.Psycho - THE NOZEMS
12.Way 2 B - MAXIMUM BOB
13.Secret Agent S.K.I.N. - SPEED NIGGS
14.Big Shot (Live) - BIG DRILL CAR
15.Stole Yer Love (Live) - DOUGHBOYS
16.Dreaming - LEATHERFACE
17.Straight On - HERETICS
18.Time Of Day - BONE CLUB
19.If I Die... - THUD!

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