GERMS - (GI) 1979

Another classic that needs to be heard is the debut by the Germs, punk from Los Angeles and originally active from 1976 to 1980. The band's main early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and drummer Don Bolles. They released only one album (GI) on Slash Records, produced by Joan Jett, and were featured the following year in Penelope Spheeris' documentary film The Decline Of Western Civilization, which chronicled the Los Angeles punk movement. Germs disbanded following Crash's suicide on December 7, 1980. Info from wiki which says everything:

Crash (born Jan Paul Beahm) and Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg) decided to start a band after being kicked out of University High School for antisocial behavior, allegedly for using "mind control" on fellow students. Their original name was "Sophistifuck and the Revlon Spam Queens", but they had to shorten the name as they could not afford that many letters on a T-shirt. The (initially hypothetical) first lineup consisted of Beahm (then known as Bobby Pyn, and later as Darby Crash) on vocals, Ruthenberg (under the name Pat Smear) on guitar, an early member named "Dinky" (Diana Grant) on bass, and Michelle Baer playing drums. This lineup never played in front of a live audience.In April 1976, the band added Lorna Doom (born Teresa Ryan) on bass, with transitional member Dottie Danger (later famous as Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's) on drums. Carlisle never actually played with the band, as she was sidelined by a bout of mononucleosis for an extended period. She was replaced by her friend Donna Rhia (Becky Barton), who played three gigs and performed on their first single. Carlisle remained a friend and helper of the band (she can be heard introducing the band on the Germicide: Live @ the Whiskey recording, produced by Kim Fowley), only leaving because her new band, the Go-Go's, were becoming popular and, as she put it, "I was really disturbed by the heroin that was going on". Nickey Beat, of various noteworthy Los Angeles bands including the Weirdos, also sat in on drums for a time.

The band's first live performance was at the Orpheum Theater. Smear recalled: "We made noise. Darby stuck the mic in a jar of peanut butter. It was a dare, we had no songs or anything! Lorna wore her pants inside out, and Darby covered himself in red licorice...we made noise for five minutes until they threw us off". The Germs initially drew musical influences from Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Ramones, the Runaways, Sex Pistols, and New York Dolls. Early on, Smear was the only musically experienced member; Doom survived early performances by sliding a finger up and down the fretboard of her bass while Rhia generally kept a minimal beat on the bass drum, periodically bashing a cymbal. Early performances were usually marked by raucous crowds made up of the band's friends. As a result, their gigs became notorious for being rowdy and usually verged on a riot.

The end of the band came when Crash, who had become increasingly impatient with drummer Bolles' antics, fired him and replaced him with his friend Rob Henley. Shortly after the Germs split, Crash and Smear formed the short-lived Darby Crash Band. Circle Jerks drummer Lucky Lehrer joined the band on the eve of their first (sold-out) live performance, when during soundcheck, Darby kicked out the drummer they'd rehearsed with. The band, described by Smear as "like the Germs, but with worse players", played only a few gigs to lukewarm reaction before splitting up. Shortly after that, Crash contacted Smear about a Germs "reunion" show, claiming it was necessary to "put punk into perspective" for the punks on the scene. However, Smear has said Crash told him privately he wanted to earn money for heroin with which to commit suicide. Since Crash had described this scenario many times in the past, Smear did not take him seriously. On December 3, 1980, an over-sold Starwood hosted a final live show of the reunited Germs, including Bolles. At one point, Crash told the amazed kids in the audience, "We did this show so you new people could see what it was like when we were around. You're not going to see it again".

Crash committed suicide on December 7, 1980, at age 22. Unreported at the time, Crash had overdosed on heroin in a suicide pact with close friend Casey "Cola" Hopkins, who ended up surviving. She later insisted that he did not intend for her to live, nor did he change his mind at the last minute and intend for himself to live. According to Spin, apocryphal lore has Crash attempting to write "Here lies Darby Crash" on the wall as he lay dying, but not finishing. In reality, he wrote a short note to David "Bosco" Danford that stated, "My life, my leather, my love goes to Bosco". Outside the world of the Germs' fans, news of Crash's death was largely overshadowed by the murder of John Lennon the next day. A local news station mistakenly reported that Crash had died from taking too many sleeping pills.

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V/A - Me Want Breakfast! 1987

A fine unofficial release is the Dangerhouse Collection of their label bands with rare songs of the first 7Inches. Quickinfo: "In 1977, Dangerhouse was one of the first independent labels to jump into the fray and document the burgeoning West Coast punk rock scene, and all these years later their taste and judgment seems damn near faultless -- they released records on many of California's finest first-wave punk bands, including X, the Avengers, the Weirdos, and the Dils, and future members of Wall of Voodoo and the Gun Club were lurking among the members of Dangerhouse's other acts. Thankfully, the folks behind the label were also mindful of production quality, and were able to make great sounding records despite limited means -- their stuff simply sounded better than what most indie labels were offering in the early stages of the game. This compilation is a raucous and wildly entertaining look at what was one of America's most vital punk rock scenes, and few collections can match this for sheer power and lunatic joy." (Mark Deming, All Music Guide) Interesting song selection, numerous classics and very well done.

1.We Don't Need The English - THE BAGS

2.T.A.Q.N. - EYES

3.Kill The Hippies - DEADBEATS

4.Prolixin Stomp - RHINO 39

5.Mr.Big - THE DILS

6.Nothing Means Nothing Anymore - ALLEYCATS

7.We're Desperate - X

8.Solitary Confinement - THE WEIRDOS

9.Los Angeles - X

10.Disneyland - EYES

11.Survive - THE BAGS

12.Class War - THE DILS

13.Xerox/No Compromise - RHINO 39

14.Neutron Bomb - THE WEIRDOS

15.Adult Books - X

16.Let's Get Rid Of New York - RANDOMS

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THE NITWITZ - The Scorched Earth Policy 12'' 1981

Amsterdam's youngest punk band were formed in 1978. They released several singles, a mini album and a split LP with Götterflies. Here's a short look at their biography: "In the press they got less attention. And when they got some, they got negative critics. The English press called them imitators of English bands. New Musical Express about their first single: "Too late for the Pistols, or even Sham 69, they take their lead from the likes of the Rejects and the UK Subs. Do I need to go any further?". The lyrics of The Nitwitz were not political at all in the beginning. It was about girls, Wickie the Viking and get beaten up by disco-visitors. In March 1979 they played in Paradiso (The Netherlands) with the anarcho band Crass from England. Crass decided to sabotage the set of The Nitwitz by turning of the soundinstallation. After all, The Nitwitz were sexists. This shows how narrowminded the free-thinkers from Crass really were. In 1981 The Nitwitz discovered new music like bands as Weirdos, Germs and Dils and the LP Group Sex from the Circle Jerks. The Nitwitz broke up in march 1982. Eric quit and started the band Outrageous. The others go on with on the vocals the 17 year old singer René van de Meer, formerly Dustman. With the new singer B.G.K. (Balthazar Gerards Kommando) was formed. 1996, the Nitwitz played together with the original members since may 1982." You can read the full Biography here. For me they are a fantastic punk band with their own sound and this little album here proves that a lot. 9 Songs in 15 minutes, snotty guitars blew me away, excellent tempo and very consistent too. The Nitwitz are cool and I can listen to them at any time.

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WEIRDOS - We Got The Neutron Bomb 7'' 1978

A classic record now and I know you know this. The second 7Inch by the Weirdos on Dangerhouse with two killers. A bit stolen info: the Weirdos were formed 1976 in Los Angeles and broke up in 1981 and recorded new material in the 1990s. The band was formed by singer John Denney and his brother Dix on guitar; they were the only constant members, though guitarist/bassist Cliff Roman, bassist Dave Trout and drummer Nickey "Beat" Alexander were relatively long-term Weirdos. They were originally an art rock band formed in 1976, and were featured in a news article featuring punk rock groups in Time magazine and so the "punk" label stuck. They're still active and that's good.

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VKTMS - Compilation 1997

Terrific compilation by Broken Rekids and this is a solid tribute for VKTMS from San Francisco and this little dittie features their three 7Inches and one LP along with three bonus live tracks, plus the track off of the SF Underground EP. Allow me excellent info from discogs: "VKTMS got together in 1978 when Mohammed Obead introduced Louis (drums) to Jay (guitar). After a while they added George (bass) and began searching for a singer. Nyna (R.I.P.) answered a bulletin board ad. Her intense energy and already developed lyric skills impressed them immediately.The band began gigging and shortly after put out what has become to be called the Midget EP, a highly collectible four song record. Shortly afterward bass player Steve joined. He is on the SF Underground EP. Right after that John joined on guitar and occasional keyboard. Few bands played the Mabuhay Gardens more times, and most other Northern California venues too. Playing a lot of gigs with relevant renowned American Punk bands in winter of 1981-1982 after releasing a single on 415 Records VKTMS began recording an album which sat in the can until 1994 when the band reunited. Re-releasing the album and previous recordings on CD on Broken Rekids (1997) helped give validation around the world.

VKTMS continued until Nyna passed away from cancer in 2000 after a very brave five year battle. In 2010 they started up again with Terry and Sophie on vocals. First came a Benefit for the San Francisco Homeless Youth Alliance which acted as springboard for the band's current state. In September 2012 they were booked to play the SF Punk Reunion with fifteen bands from the original era. This opened up a floodgate of show offers. In 2013 alone VKTMS did awesome shows with the Dead Kennedys, T.S.O.L., and the Weirdos. 2014 brought shows with the Sonics, The Members and more. 2015 brought a return show at a SF punk reunion concert, called this time SF Punk Renaissance, this time with even more bands, with Cheetah Chrome headlining. In 2016, they made it into the legendary Fillmore Auditorium, playing once again with the Dead Kennedys. Just before Covid hit VKTMS played an incredible show with the Avengers. Then right afterward with another close band MDC."

Now enjoy this explosive anthology by a great Punk combo!

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THE ZEROS - Don't Push Me Around 1977

  

The Zeros are a four piece from Chula Vista/California, founded 1976 and this little fucker combines seventeen rare and unreleased classics from 1977, seasoned by Javier (vocals/guitars), Robert (guitars), Hector (bass), Baba (drums). They released three 7Inches in the late seventies, early eighties and the band was considered as pioneers of punkrock on the West Coast and they infamous for playing an entire set consisting of eight replays of "Beat Your Heart Out" in San Francisco. They played their first major gig in Los Angeles at the Orpheum. Opening the show was the first performance by the Germs, followed by the Zeros and then the Weirdos. In 1980, after they recorded their third single, the band fizzled out. In 1995, the four resurfaced with a new album, Knockin' Me Dead. More recently, the Zeros reunited to tour in Spain in early 2007. All four members reunited again for a short West Coast tour that began in San Diego in June 2009. In October 2010, The Zeros embarked on a short tour of the East Coast and been active ever since, I think. This nugget was released via BOMP! Records in 1991 and shines with huge melodic biscuits, five of them live.

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THE SPIZZLES - Spikey Dream Flowers 1981

Original formed as Spizzenergi by vocalist/guitarist Spizz in Solihull, West Midlands. Later changed its name every year, subsequent names including Athletico Spizz 80, Spizzoil or the Spizzles, this happened 1981 and the band then consisted of Spizz (vocals), Lu (guitars/piano), Jim (bass), C.P. Snare (drums). The group released this record (on A&M Records) which cemented the group's sonic image as science-fiction weirdos. After two more singles and a dispute over payment for a video, A&M declined the option and 1981 ended in disarray.

Mike Stand, Smash Hits/March 19 - April 1, 1981: The Spizzles - a pop group? 'Fraid not. Spizz used to be crude and garage band-like but then overnight he became too darn sophisticated (both albums). This has got some grating bad habits - Jim Solar's disco bass and Spizz's monotonous yelling - but the lyrics are wittily tight and the whole band finds a new place in time and space with the black, bleak 'Risk' & 'Scared'. Value diminished by including four tracks already out as singles, including a disappointing remake of 'Soldier Soldier', but the Spizzles continue to teeter on the brink of their own potential. (6 out of 10).

Graham Flashner, The New Music Record & Tape Guide, 1987: 'Spikey Dream Flowers' offers robots, deadly war games and incessant runaway guitar (by recent arrival Lu Edmonds) with no place to go.

Well, all in all an interesting record with ten poppy songs, two of them for the trashcan and 'Soldier, Soldier' is a damn classic.

- 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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V/A - Killed By Death #9 1995

"All American Punk, No Foreign Junk" on Volume #9 and here we found more obscurities and even more rare punkrock from the good old days and what shall I write more about this awesome compilation? One great song hunts another and all tracks are Killers!! 2000 pressed on black vinyl with orange and red labels. Due to a "printing problem," about 200 copies have tan labels with red ink. The repress (of 1000) has a blue and black cover (as opposed to the white and black cover of the first pressing). All Killed By Death or Bloodstains compilations and bands have pushed open the door for a new wave of weirdos, because these types of releases will flourish the CD age. KBD would never go boring and I will never stop listening to it.

1.Break My Face - TAPEWORM

2.Blues For An Insurance Salesman - TAPEWORM

3.Police State - CRAP DETECTORS

4.Big Doings - CORPSICLES

5.I Wanna Kill My Mom - THE PANICS

6.Uniformz - NOTHING

7.You're Not Gonna Get It - EPICYCLE

8.Kill The Bee Gees - ACCIDENT

9.Suicidal Tendencies - THE JETSONS

10.Laugh - HAMMER DAMAGE

11.Drunk & Disorderly - SHIRKERS

12.School Jerks - VAINS

13.Amerika First - GIZMOS

14.Better Off Dead - LA PESTE

15.On Whom They Beat - SADO-NATION

16.You're Full Of Shit - X-X

17.In Vagueness Deal - BREAKOUTS

18.Revolting Mess - ICE 9

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