THE OUTCASTS - Magnum Force 7'' 1981

Bad boys of the Ulster punk scene The Outcasts were formed in Belfast in June 1977 by the Cowan brothers: Greg (bass/vocals), Colin (drums) and Martin (guitar). They were joined by Colin Getgood (better known as Getty) on guitar. They played their debut gig in August of that year at Paddy Lambs pub on Belfasts' Upper Newtownards Road. The gig ended in a mini riot when the local 'Spides' took exception to a number of "strange looking punks" who turned up to watch the band. Their 2nd gig at The Pound Club in Belfast was a lot quieter as they played to a mainly punk audience. This is their fifth 7Inch on GBH Records and sadly this was the last record to feature Colin, who was killed in a car accident, shortly before the single was released. The A-side is a nice slow stomper while the flip's a decent rockin' killer. Three albums are released to date, plus some compilations with rare tracks from the early days.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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DIE TOTEN HOSEN - Unter Falscher Flagge 1984

Under false flag is the second studio album by Die Toten Hosen, released via Totenkopf/Virgin Records, and even if they reap commercial success today and sound cleaner, their early records still are blessed Gassenhauer. Because of the cover, the disputes with EMI continued immediately after publication. In the picture, the band, dressed as pirates, poses on a ship in front of the Düsseldorf Rheinturm. At the bow of the ship a black flag is attached. In the first version she is painted with a graphic by Michael Roman. It shows a dog skeleton sitting in front of a gramophone. EMI interpreted this symbol as a denigration of their landmark His Master's Voice. The band was forbidden by the court to distribute this version of the cover, and the record was sold for the time being with almost completely blackened cover and a sticker "censored" provided. Some, distributed for promotion purposes plates but was a photo Campinos, as he kneels in front of a dog in front of a gramophone. With the later release as CD, a third version of the cover was created. The picture is similar to the first version, but the black flag carries a drawn bony eagle. The Persiflage on the German Federal Eagle is still a common emblem of the band together with the grinning skull. The new edition of the album for the 25th anniversary of the band in 2007 shows on the front again the original cover picture with a dog skeleton on the flag.

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CRO-MAGS - Age Of Quarrel 1985

Also a fantastic live experience, 1988 I think, were the Cro-Mags from New York, founded 1980 and the band's early years were spent living in burnt out buildings, squats and on the streets. Age Of Quarrel was first released as tape and meanwhile there are so many re-releases on vinyl that I lose the overview myself. In principle, no matter because the music is the same everywhere and the thirteen ass kickers move every tired heart. One of the first hardcore records I bought and now gone. At that time, I have lent many slabs and never seen again, at this point a heartfelt FUCK YOU!, and nowadays, it annoys me a lot. The band, which has a strong cult following, has released six studio albums, their first two considered the most influential. With a Hare Krishna background, they were among the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal and were associated with the birth of a tougher attitude within the hardcore scene in the late 1980s, related to the world of martial arts. They still alive and this year a new album is planned, so be curious.

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VOID & THE FAITH - Split LP 1982

Now a nice plate for all friends of short fast hardcore attacks which was released via Dischord Records and here we have twenty-four of them. Background from wiki: Void was formed in Columbia/Maryland 1980 and consisted of an interracial line-up unique to the era, featuring high school students John (vocals), Bubba (guitars), Chris (bass) and Sean (drums). The group was a pioneering force in the thriving D.C. Hardcore scene in Washington D. C. during the early 1980s, successfully combining elements of punk with heavy metal in a style that was accepted by the scene's otherwise exclusive community. Void's punk-metal fusion sound was marked by guitarist Bubba's innovative guitar work and the "unhinged" vocals of John Weiffenbach, which resonated in the band's chaotic but popular live performances. Like many of their contemporaries, Void had a short-lived recording career—limited to the spilt-album, with the Faith on Dischord Records—however, they have enjoyed an enduring cult following among hardcore aficionados. In addition to this split, in 1992 the band released an EP on Eye 95 Records plus some compilations. The Faith were a short-lived band which was fronted by Ian's brother Alec (vocals), Michael (guitars), Chris (bass) and Ivor (drums) and were formed 1981 in Washington D.C. and played their first show at H.B. Woodlawn High School in November '81. Alec described the name as "a positive kind of sound, not negative like so many others." "We felt that (The) Faith was a stronger-than-macho name. We did want something more hopeful and less nihilistic, in spite of our chaotic and sometimes destructive approach to performance." Their demo Subject To Change was released 1983 in form of a 7Inch and that's it. Enough for today, now a bit chilling and ready for the night!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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DE PRESS - Lars Hertervig 12'' 1981

Here is the second release as 12'' from De Press on Siberia Music and it starts a bit melancholy with the title track and on the flip two decent mid-tempo numbers. A great mix of Wave/Punk in any case and who Lars Hertervig is remains a mystery, at least for me. A shallow start into the new week and I hope your weekend was as famos as mine.

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THOSE WHO SURVIVED THE PLAQUE & TRÜMMER SIND STEINE DER HOFFNUNG - Split 7'' 1998

Here's a fine split 7'' with two Austrian bands. Both released a few records and they were announced in the local Hardcore and Punk scene. Those Who Survived The Plague were from Vienna, formed 1992 and disbanded February 1999. Trümmer Sind Steine Der Hoffnung were from Linz, formed as "Allstar" combo of Linz's scene in 1995 and disbanded in 1998. This record was the last release of both on Sacro Egoismo and musically we have here two nice melodic goodies. Nothin' more to say about it. Get the fuck in your home.

- Great Thx to Reinhard -

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CHRON GEN - Live @ The Old Waldorf San Francisco 1985

In 30 minutes is kick-off and I hope for the miracle of London, I'm already excited and therefore now a few words to this nice slab by Chron Gen, published by Hard Court/Picasso, whiche are not mine but fit: Chron Gen (short for Chronic Generation) are a British punk band formed in January 1978 in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. Chron Gen initially comprised former members of The Condemned and Optional Xtras. Band members included Glynn (Baxter) Barber (vocals/guitarist), Jon 'JJ' Johnson (drummer), Adam Warwicker (bass guitar), and Jon Thurlow (rhythm guitar), with Pete Dimmock replacing Warwicker after the band recorded their first demo. The band released their debut EP Puppets Of War in 1981 on their own Gargoyle label; It spent almost ten months in the UK Independent Chart, peaking at # 4. With the success of the EP, Chron Gen were invited to join The Exploited, Discharge, Anti-Pasti, and The Anti-Nowhere League on the now infamous Apocalypse tour in the UK in the summer of 1981. They released a single on the Step Forward label before moving to Secret Records, who issued the band's debut album, Chronic Generation, in March 1982. It reached # 53 on the UK Albums Chart, and was the last release to feature Thurlow, who was replaced by Mark 'Floyd' Alison. The band toured with Anti-Nowhere League on their 'So What' tour and toured the United States in support of the album. After a further single, Dimmock left to join Chelsea (and later Bandits at 4 O'Clock), and was replaced by Roy Horner. The band's final release was the 1984 mini-album Nowhere to Run, which was recorded before Horner joined and featured session musician Nigel Ross-Scott on bass. It didn't match their earlier success and the band split up in October 1984. The band have played occasional reunion shows since. Floyd later joined The Occasional Tables. He died on 31 October 1999 and Pete Dimmock died on 12 August 2011. - Enjoy!

Lies/Jet Boy, Jet Girl/Clouded Eyes/Reality/Fiasco/Hounds Of The Night/Behind Closed Doors/Misadventure (Nowhere To Run)/Wasted Love/Breakdown/Outlaw/Mindless Few/Subway Sadist/L.S.D./Abortion/Living Next Door To Alice

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THE USERS - Kicks In Style 2011

"The Users burned with raw passion and youthful energy. Dirty, pure and very very powerful. Seeing them live was like being hit by a truck. In a good way" (Chris Roberts). That's an announcement or? The Users were from Cambridge and formed in September 1976 and have released two outstanding singles up to their split in 1979 and this litte compilation from Rave Up Records contains their best recordings including some great unreleased studio tracks and is long out of print. Quick info: In 1977, Cambridge record dealer Lee Wood founded Raw Records, and quickly recorded The Users in March of the year, releasing the single Sick Of You/(I'm) In Love With Today on May 5, 1977. Sounds magazine stated that it "burns into your brain without compromise." Despite only releasing two singles and being active for less than three years, the band developed a lasting cult following. John Peel placed their first single Sick Of You in his chosen Festive Fifty chart of 1977, and after his death it was revealed that he'd kept it as part of his favourite singles of all time. I think, I can leave it that way and now feel the whispering energy out from your speakers.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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DESTRUCTORS - Cry Havoc And Unleash The Dogs Of War 12'' 1983

Great 12Inch by The Destructors, a punk rock band from Peterborough/England which were founded by former 6ck 6ck 6ck members Allen (vocals), Phil (guitar) and Dip (bass) and various drummers including Steve and Dave and were active 1977–1979 then 1980 until 1984. This six track record was released via Criminal Damage Records and is absolutely brilliant, reminds me very much of the early UK anarcho punk bands and the musical highlight is the version of I Wanna Be Your Dog, in my opinion the best I know. And also the rest shines out far beyond the usual monotonous early hardcore. - The band was resurrected again in 2006 as Destructors 666, with former members Adams, Dave and Steve ex of The Now joined by new members Steve Crosby and Lee Reynolds. Steve Crosby walked out of the studio one night and was never heard from again. Lee Reynolds left the band due to recording commitments with The 925's. Crosby and Reynolds were replaced by Ian (bass) and Rob (drums). In 2009 the band returned to the original name of the Destructors. Their current album, Politika II, came out in 2015 and more will follow so keep an eye out.

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V/A - Licht & Schatten 1981

It looks like, I can't get rid from live music and another proof is this old German compilation by Schäumer & Voigt Records (2000 copies) and it was recorded in Berlin at the legendary SO36 on 17. June 1981 and I think it was the first festival in this club ever. Musically I have to confess, is not all adorable but a few highlights are among them, System and Rubberbeats, to be exact, otherwise a lot of experimental stuff. Egal, now I'm dedicating myself to the snooker final in Sheffield.

1.Fieber - DER MODERNE LUFTKAMPF

2.U-Bahn - SYSTEM

3.Sprüh Es An - SYSTEM

4.Intermezzo - DIE GELBS

5.Nice - P1-E

6.49 Second Romance - P1-E

7.Holocaust - TANK OF DANZIG

8.Brainwar - TANK OF DANZIG

9.Rediowar - DIE UNBEKANNTEN

10.These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - RUBBERBEATS

11.Rock & Roll Is Bigger Than All Of Us - DJANGO & MARIA

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