HÜSKER DÜ - Land Speed Record 1981

Now a classic record by a classic combo, Hüsker Dü were Bob Mould (vocals/guitar), Greg Norton (bass/vocals) and Grant Hart (drums/vocals) and formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota 1979. Info from wiki: Land Speed Record is the debut full-length and was released in January 1982. It was recorded live on August 15, 1981, @ the 7th Street Entry, a venue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The album is a fast and furious hardcore workout that bears almost no resemblance to the melodic post-punk that the band became known for in the mid '80s. The title has a double meaning, referring to both the band's ability to play as fast as they could (there are seventeen songs crammed into 26½ minutes) and their penchant for amphetamine pills. Hüsker Dü's August 1981 concert was recorded straight to 4-track soundboard tape on a three hundred dollar budget. Once the band had taped it they realized they lacked the financial means to release the album. Friend of the band and member of Minutemen, Mike Watt, offered to put out the album on his label, New Alliance. The original LP release on New Alliance contained an insert with lyrics and upcoming tour dates. The album was reissued in 1987 on SST Records on compact disc and LP. Like Hüsker Dü's other releases, Land Speed Record has not been remastered to alter the LP's sound for the compact disc release. The band's ongoing royalty disputes with SST have been given as the cause for not having a unique CD edition issued. Ken Shipley of The Numero Group has noted that the original tape was stolen from the band's van. The SST CD contains only two tracks, one for each side of the original album.

The album sounds like straightforward hardcore at first glance; with volume and power being emphasized over melody, it's the Hüsker Dü record that least sounds like Hüsker Dü. Bob Mould once referred to it as "the bad part of the acid...It sounds like when you go to a gig and get your ears blown off". The album was recorded just as they went on a tour of various places in the country, those close to the band say upon their return the band was louder, faster and noisier than before. The magazine Discords said about it: "It's hard to believe but the only Minneapolis hardcore band have gotten even faster during their stay away." Yet there are some elements emerging under the wash of noise that foreshadow the band's future direction. "Don't Try To Call" is one of their most melodic early songs, while Hart's "Data Control" slows the tempo to conjure a creepy musical mood to match the paranoia of the lyrics.

here

FRONT PAGE - Qualified 1981

Front Page is a Norwegian five piece from Halden, founded 1978 by Morton (vocals), Steinar & Storm (guitars), Ulf (bass) and Chris (drums) and they brought their first Kick Them! single from 1979 on New Noise a classic which is nowadays a very sought record. They also released two albums before they dissolved in 1983 and this is their first one on Mellow Madness with thirteen not so hard mid-tempo goodies. Numerous presence on compilations, Back To Front and other relevant slabs. I hope you are happy with Santa Claus and you got what you wanted, more presents tomorrow.

here

THE SKEPTIX - ...So The Youth 1983

A great politically charged band, not as heavily political as Crass, but great well thought out meaninful lyrics are there. The Skeptix originally formed 1980 in Stoke On Trent by Snotty (vocals), Fish (guitars), Usher (bass) and Chig (drums) and they signed to Zenon Records and release their debut 7'' Routine Machine in 1981. Between 1981 & 1983 the band released five singles & an album via the German label Rock-O-Rama Records which was not a good decision, the album went down in nothing and received little response. A split with OHL, The Kids Are United EP, followed and they said goodbye to H.E. and in 1985 the Skeptix split up. In December 2001 the band, with the original band line-up, reformed & started to rehearse for the Holidays in the Sun Festivals in the UK & USA. Their first album in twenty years, Hate & Fear, was recorded & released in 2003. In the same year the Skeptix toured the USA to promote the album. The recording of their gig at New Yorks CBGBs became their next album for release. A DVD of the CBGBs gig, including additional footage from the tour, was also released. So now enjoy fast, brash UK eighties hardcore punk.

here

A+P - s/t LP 1981

Last post before X-Mas and it's a another German classic: A+P come from Starnberg near Munich and was founded 1979 by three brothers, where bassist and guitarist are twin brothers. Characteristic are above all the snappy-critical lyrics and the unmistakable voice of the singer. What was planned as a surprise gag on the 40th birthday of the singer developed into a real reunion as part of the Punk-in-Munich project. Philip, the singer, was able to convince his two younger, then fourteen-year-old brothers and his friend Felix that they should make punk music. First, all four band members wanted to play guitar and so had to be gagged for the cast. Florian won, so Felix, who was actually the best guitarist, was on the drums. The first record was recorded with Felix, then came Jürgen Tonkel to the band, who was playing at the same time in inner German relations. Jürgen left A+P in 1984, Felix came back and the band played until 1985 in the original line-up.

The band was controversial in the then Munich scene, which was partly because they had as 'Starnberger' the reputation of Rich Kids. On the other hand, the first record was released on a major label (Jupiter Records/Ralph Siegel). So there were few appearances in Munich itself from A + P, but they played a lot in Starnberg and the surrounding area, but especially in Switzerland, where the Links Rechts EP appeared on Soilant in 1982. Jürgen worked with the band Inner German Relations (IDB) on the TV series BLAM and came in this way to acting, which he operates successfully today.

Due to the excitement of the song 'Dachau' appeared the 2nd edition of the album without this song. But anyone who dealt with the entire text of the song 'Dachau' recognized the very clear anti-fascist statement. 'Dachau' became a cult song. Even in the former GDR A+P achieved a considerable degree of awareness, tapes with the songs were copied countless times and further processed.

In 2004 A+P with Jürgen Tonkel on drums after twenty years went live again and publicly in Munich on the stage. The old A+P songs and especially the very personal but also very political lyrics have lost none of their original meaning and explosiveness. What should be a unique gig was repeated due to the incredible response in 2006 and 2007.

here

NOT FOR SALE - NFS 1986

Two years after the A Few Dollars More EP the three piece from Houston released their only album on Rabid Cat Records and we enjoy thirteen creamies decorated with strawberries, cherries, lemons and tasty stollen from Mutti. The saxophone is a bit too dominant for my taste and disturbs partially, I had expected more, well, you can't have everything. Anyway, thirty minutes are quite enough and 'Solitaire' is a pretty number. Let's see what the weekend has to offer, come in well!

- Special Thx to Via -

here

D.O.A. - Bloodied But Unbowed 1983

Classic record now and Bloodied But Unbowed is the truth of it. D.O.A. has slogged forward from the west coast of north America, criss-crossing the continent on a shoestring, infecting friends and strangers with an alien virus, a dangerous aggressive way of viewing the world. Talk minus action equals zero. Use your brain, think for yourself, speak out, take action or let the silence bury you alive. This blazing hot quartet, led by Canada's godfather of punk Joe Shithead Keithley on vocals and guitar, along with the incredible Chuck Biscuits on drums, the rock n' roll madman Randy Rampage on bass and the outrageous Dave Gregg on guitar blazed a wide swath through western counter culture. The Damage To Date: 1978-83, Alternative Tentacles, only hits!

here

KLAXON - 1984

The Klaxons are an Italian punk band with post-punk influences, active since 1979. Historical formation and milestone of the Roman music scene, they are still today one of the reference bands of Italian punk, formed 1979 in Rome by the meeting of Andrea Morelli (bass/vocals), Lorenzo Tovoli (guitar/vocals) and Fabrizio Ferraro (drums). The first live performance takes place at the Roman Club Uonna. They also play in all the events organized at the time by Radio Red Wave and Radio Proletaria. In 1983 they released their first EP with five pieces, one of which, "Religion", came in first place in the Punk Charts Italia ranking in the Rockerilla newspaper. This little compilation was released via Sydney Town and tracks 1-5 were originally released on the "The Kids Today" EP, track 6 is from the "Quelli Che Urlano Ancora.." comp., tracks 7-9 are previously unreleased. Solid stuff!

here

110 - s/t LP 1982

Now a real rarity by this early 80ies PunkRock combo from Hildesheim, Lower Saxony with their only album on Rillenschlange. 110 were Otto (vocals & guitars), Ulli (guitars) Ralle and Henning (bass), Markus (synth/piano/guitars), René (vocals & drums) and 110 is the emergency number in Germany (this only by the way). I can't remember how I came to this slab and unfortunately the band didn't reach the level of popularity at that time like other well-known German legends. Probably too intellectual and not so aggressive but lyrically they make very clear which side they stand on and criticize such topics as "be cool", "police actions", "press" or the sense of getting up early every fucking day, packed in catchy first-class melodic driving rhythm mid-tempo sound, really a fantastic record, even if you don't understand a word. On compilations only represented on the Wer Kriegt Das Noch Hin? cassette. It doesn't have always to be anarchy and beer, right!

here

MASSMEDIA - Sista Ackordet 1980

The first band from Sundsvall that recorded an EP. The members had been in England and bought themselves an eight channel mixer and used that to record their EP's. On the first recording the battery of the fuzzbox went empty and because no stores where open the guitar sounds a little non-distorted. They released their EP's on the Massproduktion label, a label they created themselves. Being the most ambitious local punk band at the time they developed fast and even before the release of the first EP they recorded the classical single Das Jazz/Jag Vill Inget, live in their rehearsalroom with Jan Zachrisson from Diestinct, who knew slightly more about recordings. It is still one of the most furious singles from that period with the VU-meters glued to the red area. In February 1979 they released their first album on their own label Massproduktion. It had a print run of 800 numbered copies and is now regarded as a collector's item. In 1980 the Nilsson brothers went to Linköping to study, and that was the end of the band. The Nilsson brothers later started Huvudtvätt. So this album is an awesome KBD smasher and one of the top releases of this genre.

- Huge Thx to Fredrik -

here

V/A - Im Zeichen Des (Pleite-) Geiers 1997

A small overview into the heart of our beautiful cultural country with loads of interesting bands and East Side Records have spared no expense and effort to release this compilation with excellent artwork and infos. Two volumes exist and the second one is a click away on Woltis Provinzkacke Blog. Limited to 555 copies plus EP. Essential! Have a great weekend!

1.Vampirflug - TANZENDE KADAVER

2.Sommertag - INKOMPLEX

3.Hass Kommt Krass - HESSEN BASTARD

4.Traum Der Freiheit - NO MATTER

5.MTV-Punks - SICK

6.Die Zeit - KERMAT ATTACK

7.Pissbeutels - OSTBLOCK

8.Arbeitslos - SCHIMMELBROT

9.Fick Dich - INKOMPLEX

10.Ist Gut - KLAUS APFEL

11.Kinder Die Musik Erklingt - BUFFI IN NARDT

12.Du Hast Mich Geküßt - BUFFI IN NARDT

13.Mutterliebe - SICK

14.Kinder Der Straße - BOTTLES

15.Andreas Simon Fick Dich - TANZENDE KADAVER

16.Schicksal - INKOMPLEX

17.Der Mann, Der Immer Ans Telefon Geht - KLAUS APFEL

18.Der Mondscheintanz - UNGUNST

19.Zwanzig Und Weg - DOC BIOSA

20.Backstreet Knallo - OSTBLOCK

21.Vamp! - TANZENDE KADAVER

22.Intro/Rotzlöffel - ROTZLÖFFEL

23.In Den Straßen - BOTTLES

24.Das Biest - BUFFI IN NARDT

25.Karinade - BUFFI IN NARDT

26.Politiker - ROTZLÖFFEL

27.Ich Trinke - BOTTLES

here