PROTEX - Strange Obsessions 1980/2010

An unreleased album recorded for Polydor around 1980, finally released in 2010 by Sing Sing Records. Protex was a band from Belfast and formed 1977 after a Clash gig by Paul Maxwell (bass/vocals), Owen McFadden (drums), David McMaster (guitar/vocals) and Aidan Murtagh (guitar/vocals) and they released four nice 7Inches and are on numerous compilation (click me). The band was greatly influenced by The Clash and took their original name, Protex Blue, from an album track on The Clash's eponymous debut album. The band did not realise the Clash song was about condoms. They toured much. opened for the Boomtown Rats on their UK tour and on further tours in America and Canada in 1980. Protex's final release for Polydor was the single A Place In Your Heart, after which they were dropped by the label. The band did farewell shows at the Pound Club in Belfast before splitting in 1981. In 2010 New York label Sing Sing Records unearthed unreleased Polydor recordings for an album that never happened and released them on vinyl as Strange Obsessions. This prompted renewed interest in the band. Original members Aidan Murtagh and David McMaster reformed the band with new members Norman Boyd on bass and Gordie Walker on drums and they're still alive.

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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JOACHIM WITT - Edelweiß 1982

A intense day is coming to an end and I don't want to talk about death and despair. This is my thing and it's nothing for you. Meet Joachim Witt, a German musician and he became a major star of the German pop scene during the eighties with huge hits such as "Der Goldene Reiter". He was one of the biggest names of the "Neue Deutsche Welle" (New German Wave). Edelweiß is his second album and offers ten tracks, composed, written and produced by himself. Like the debut album Joachim Witt shines with a musical & lyrical synthesis of comedy and committed criticism. Stood by 'Silberblick' the state description of our society to the fore, brings the artist here in succinct sense his expressed feelings - the inner world has replaced the external world - Neutral music that represents our spirit of the time of his particular corner of the eye. Dark, poetic, sarcastic, a musical highlight of German pop music.

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AKUTT-80 - s/t EP 1980

First the Babbelstub is temporarily defunct and until I have a new one please use the comment section for requests or other questions. Now a rare nugget from my old Wanted-List is this record, as rare as the Niveau Null EP. Only eighty copies were pressed, self released and that's all info I have about this obscure Norwegian punk band. I think, all four songs are presumed recorded directly at their rehearsals to tape, at least they sound like this and I like that very well. Gruff, crude, dirty and pretty bumpy noises are fabricated by this four piece combo and this is why I'm love Punkrock! I look in the mirror and feelin' right and so this is the sound in my veins, you know... Amazing the pretty ballad 'Alta' which has a reggae/jazz touch (I think it's extraordinary) and with 'Prostituert' a superb melodic KBD firecracker finally. They featured on these two unknown compilations Bloodstains Across Norway and Hurra For Norge Vol.3 (both coming soon). Now That's all for now folks, maybe I'll come back tomorrow. Now continue with football, hope the SGE shoots the 1:1.

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SKALOPE - Derrigor 1989

Over to Spain in the Basque Country and meet a band from Bilbao. Skalope were formed in 1987 by Sabin (vocals), Jon (guitar), Mo (guitar), Oskar (guitar), Juani (bass) and Javi (drums). Their debut on Discos Suicidas is a mythical album in which you can find fifteen tracks to punk and ska rhythm. About half an hour to sing, dance and fight, based on funny songs and they include two cover versions ("Police & Thieves" & "Blitzkrieg Bop"). A record full of good songs with no expiration date. That's all for today, tonight the football game against Mönchengladbach and I will slowly get into the mood.

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THIS SPORTING LIFE - Show Me To The Bellrope 1982

April: more sun, trees become green, skirts are shorter, life awakens. Let's see that these thirty days will be attractive here in this theater. Auckland in the early 80s, out of the ashes of Alms For Children This Sporting Life were formed by Gary (vocals), Paul (guitars), Ben (bass) and Daron (drums) and after a line-up change the band released their debut album on Flying Nun Records and it's to me surprisingly fresh and cheerful and if this had not been requested I probably would not enjoy this great band. Sure I'm not the post-punk type but there are a few babies that inspire me. Quite powerful low-fi Geschrammel who let me wriggle and wild dancing in my room like a madman (hello neighbors!), puhhhh... heart attack is near.... In 1983 a second record was released in form of a 12'' called 'In Limbo' and I would pleased for an email. In the same year the group dissolve.

- Great Thx to Gen -

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RUBBER CITY REBELS - s/t LP 1980

Last post March and sailing across the Atlantic and stop in Akron, Ohio and meet the Rubber City Rebels, formed 1977 by Rod (vocals), Buzz (guitar), Donny (bass), Stix (drums) and Pete (keyboards). Let me give you a bit info from wiki: "In their early years, the Rebels were fans (and friends) of fellow Greater Cleveland-area bands the Dead Boys and Devo. Their breakout show was opening for the Dead Boys at legendary New York City rock club CBGB in 1977. This led to a split album with the Bizarros, titled From Akron, which was released that year on Clone Records. The Rebels moved to Los Angeles in 1978, minus Pelton (who was replaced on drums by Mike Hammer) and Sake (keyboards were deemed unnecessary for the band's change to a heavier sound), and gained considerable fame on the Sunset Strip. The band was signed to Sire Records; however, a clash between band and record label ensued and the recording contract was terminated before the Rebels could record their debut album. Following some personnel changes (Damage and Hammer left to form the Hammer Damage Band, replaced by Johnny Bethesda and Brandon Matheson, respectively), the Rebels signed a deal with Capitol Records and the eponymous debut album was released in 1980. Although praised by critics, sales of the album never vaulted the band past its underground status. In 1981 a 7Inch follows and the band faded from the scene and ceased touring in 1988, although they never officially disbanded. Despite not touring or recording any new material through the 1990s, the Rebels' reputation and support among fans remained strong and in 2001 the Rebels were back and still alive." So let's enjoy ten superb Ohio crackers and have a great weekend.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - A Fresh Selection 1981

A not uninteresting record is this gem from the house Fresh Records, a small label founded by Alex Howe's Wretched Records stall in London's Soho Market in 1978. Bands such as the Art Attacks, Second Layer, UK Decay and Manufactured Romance came to the stall looking for an outlet for their records. The label existed until 1982, at which point it became part of the Jungle Records family. This is Fresh 14 and shows a very cool overview of good bands which were not quite unimportant in the English underground scene and their singles are nowadays rare and still audible. Fourteen goodies, including some classics and a decent mix of new wave and punk.... undiluted, proper, tidy, preppy and of course... fresh!

1.Sorrow - DUMB BLONDES

2.Someone's Crying - CUDDLY TOYS

3.Octopus - THE IGLOOS

4.Savoir Faire - FAMILY FODDER

5.Madman - CUDDLY TOYS

6.All Day And All Of The Night - BERNIE TORME

7.Back In The Night - WILKO JOHNSON

8.Unwind - UK DECAY

9.Time Of My Life - MANUFACTURED ROMANCE

10.Hawaii Five-O - THE DARK

11.Ghetto - THE WALL

12.Earbending - J.C.'s MAINMEN

13.The Young Ones - MENACE

14.Punk Rock Stars - THE ART ATTACKS

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V/A - Hardcore Vol.1 1988

This nice litte compilation was released via Starving Missile and one more Volume 1 of which there is no second, as so often. Mostly German bands present plus two from immediate neighborhood. Twelve, partly only here, solid punkies with the two, for me ingenious EA80 songs, especially Drums Over London which kicks in the original version is awesome. But even the other bands contribute to a not boring listening pleasure, no fillers on board and a top record, 1000 copies exist.

1.Machine Gun - ARTLESS

2.The Common Man - ARTLESS

3.Drums Over London - EA80

4.Straße Nach Nirgendwo - AIDSCATS

5.Kein Anlass Zur Romantik - AIDSCATS

6.Search & Destroy - K.G.B.

7.Woman - CROWD OF ISOLATED

8.Run 'Til Death - CROWD OF ISOLATED

9.Ostsee - EA80

10.Schokolade & Schläge - BOSKOPS

11.Videot - BOSKOPS

12.Rudolf Hess - DREAM POLICE

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V/A - SUB 1983

Fantastic Brazilian Hardcore/Punk compilation from Estúdios Vermelhos with four bands, each six songs. Unfortunately I don't have the original record (red vinyl and numbered) but who cares and this album is always worth a post; musically, you know what's going on. Ratos De Porão and Cólera are common, both released numerous albums and exist partially today, Psykóze were briefly active from 1983 to 1985 and scattered some samplersongs in the air and Fogo Cruzado from São Paulo released their first album in 1997. I need a coffee, then a shower and welcome Wednesday.

1.Parasita - RATOS DE PORÃRO

2.Vida Ruim - RATOS DE PORÃRO

3.Poluição Atômica - RATOS DE PORÃRO

4.X.O.T. - CÓLERA

5.Bloqueio Mental - CÓLERA

6.Quanto Vale A Libertade? - CÓLERA

7.Terceira Guerra Mundial - PSYKÓZE

8.Buracos Suburbanos - PSYKÓZE

9.Fim Do Mundo - PSYKÓZE

10.Desemprego - FOGO CRUZADO

11.União Entre Punks Do Brasil - FOGO CRUZADO

12.Delinquentes - FOGO CRUZADO

13.Não Podemos Falar - RATOS DE PORÃRO

14.Realidades De Guerra - RATOS DE PORÃRO

15.Porquê? - RATOS DE PORÃRO

16.Histeria - CÓLERA

17.Zero Zero - CÓLERA

18.Sub-Ratos - CÓLERA

19.Vítimas Da Guerra - PSYKÓZE

20.Alienação Do Homem - PSYKÓZE

21.Desilusão - PSYKÓZE

22.Inimizade - FOGO CRUZADO

23.Punk Inglês - FOGO CRUZADO

24.Terceira Guerra - FOGO CRUZADO

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