V/A - Just When You Thought It Was... Quiet! 1982

Before I start today with ripping a very nice New Wave compilation by Quiet Records with bands from two continents, thirteen in total and each with one song. With records like this, it's like a lottery, sometimes amazingly good, and sometimes terribly bad. This stuff belongs to the successful part. A healthy mixture of fast punkie pieces, typical wave sounds and a little experimental noises and that's exactly what I like. I can't tell who sent me the file, but it was definitely a good deed. I have to do my laundry on the side and another New Wave goodie will follow later, I hope it's as refreshing as this one.

1.Goin' Uptown - KNOX

2.State Of Mind - SEX GANG CHILDREN

3.Blood - ÞEYR

4.Troops Of Tomorrow - THE TROOPS

5.Problem Child - HANOI ROCKS

6.Rush Hour - MXYZTPLK

7.Tracks Of My Tears - HALF JAPANESE

8.Decline - HËADHUNTËRS

9.Cocaine - URBAN DOGS

10.The Fish Needs A Bike - BLURT

11.Guðfræði - VONBRIGÐI

12.Big Red Brain - METHOD ACTORS

13.Other Queues - THE PROCESS

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EBBA GRÖN - Kärlek & Uppror 1981

Second album by Ebba Grön on Mistlur and a lot more polished than the debut We're Only In It For The Drugs, but still good. The original members were Joakim Thåström ("Pimme"), Gunnar Ljungstedt ("Gurra") and Lennart Eriksson ("Fjodor"). After their second album in 1981 they were joined by a fourth member, Anders Sjöholm ("Stry Terrarie"). One of the most famous songs they recorded is a cover by the Swedish progg band "Blå Tåget", and is called "Staten & Kapitalet", a song with anarcho-syndicalist political lyrics about how the government, "Staten", and the private corporations, "Kapitalet", cooperate to control and enslave the working classes. During a party in Rågsved, a working-class suburb of Stockholm, in 1977, Thåström, Gurra and Fjodor formed a band called "The Haters". A few days later they changed the name to Ebba Grön after the codeword used by the police in Operation Leo. One of the first songs performed by Ebba Grön was the controversial "Skjut En Snut" (Shoot A Cop), which was never officially recorded. They released their first single "Antirock" on April 21, 1978. The band bought all the 500 copies themselves and sold them in the streets. After a concert at Långholmsparken, which was recorded by the national radio, they were contacted by Mistlur record label, and offered a contract and to re-release the single.

Ebba Grön started a hectic period of touring all over Sweden, during which they also released two more singles. In 1978, the time had come for their album debut "We're Only In It For The Drugs", with songs about the tough, yet boring lives of young people in the working-class suburbs. Ebba Grön also covered White Riot,a song originally performed by The Clash at some of their gigs. The lyrics and the music of Ebba Grön were always credited to the entire band, but after a while it became more obvious that it was Thåström who was the creative engine, and he would also have the most successful career after the breakup.

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NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES - ...Bis Zum Bitteren Ende 1983

Now to an important band that always inspires me and whose music is way ahead of other bands even after so many years. The music of the Neurotic Arseholes offers predominantly melodic punk with frequent changes in tempo, routine breaks, harmonious guitar solos and the varied mix of styles prove the high musical quality of the talented four. The predominantly subtle political texts are partly German, partly English. The band was founded 1979 in Minden by bassist "Zahni" and guitarist "Kurt", who were inspired by John Peel's program Rock Today. The two had already released a punk fanzine in their home area. In 1980 singer Dierk (“Zombie”) and drummer “Der Kurze” joined the founders (Der Kurze got his pseudonym because he was fourteen years old when he joined the band, and thus about four years younger than his bandmates) and their first appearance took place 1981 in a youth center in Minden. Also in 1981, the quartet received a record contract with Karl-Ulrich Walterbach's label Aggressive Rockproduktionen, whereupon three pieces were recorded in Berlin in one day and published on the essential album Soundtracks Zum Untergang 2. A year later three tracks followed on the Underground Hits compilation and in 1983 the band's first LP, ...Bis Zum Bitteren Ende, was finally released. However, after the album production the collaboration between the band and Walterbach ended, as his label, now Noise International, began to concentrate on the production of metal bands in the mid 80s.

In 1984 they therefore switched to the Hamburg label Weird System, which initially released two new tracks on the brilliant Keine Experimente! Vol.II record before the second album Angst comes in 1985. Despite enthusiastic reviews, there were differences within the band, which therefore decided to break up and gave their official farewell concert on January 25, 1986 in the AJZ Bielefeld. Only for this occasion the Paradise EP (200 copies) was produced and released via Weird System and only sold that evening.

In 1986 the third and final slab Live... All' Die Jahre came out with recordings from the band's last concerts. Individual tracks were also re-released on other samplers of the label. After the split, the members went different ways, Der Kurze founded the band The Brides with guitarist "Kurt", but they never achieved professionalism, so the project was abandoned and Shorty hired himself out as a drummer in dance music bands. Only bass player Zahni, who recently played with the Drowning Roses, achieved a certain level of reputation with this band and was part of the opening act for NOFX on a USA tour.

In 1989 the four reformed and a smaller tour which was simply titled "Just For Fun Tour" was the result that delighted many fans, including myself. During the tour, the Just Do It For Fun EP was distributed with older unreleased recordings. The busy fanzine maker Karl-Heinz Stille took care of the production of the single, the idea for this record: it's a small gratitude from them to everyone who has stood by themselves and know who they are! - Karl-Ulrich Walterbach released a new edition of the debut LP in 1989 without paying royalties to the band, this led to a lengthy legal battle between the four and Walterbach. Then it became quiet around the Arseholes. In 1998 they surprisingly returned with the Melancholia EP and a smaller tour across Germany.

Important, a bloody must have and buy immediately!!!

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AFFECTION PLACE - s/t LP 2019

I got to know the following band through the ingenious EP compilation De La Pure Came!! of Cameleon Records and I liked their song so much that I was happy to get hold of their album. Let me give you a little info from the makers: Affection Place is a group from Lyon created in late 1978 by Peter Petersen (guitar/vocals, ex-Negative), Xavier Galliot (guitar) Pierre Leca (bass) and Christian Bonnet (drums). Managed by Bernard Meyet, who later became the manager of Carte De Séjour, the group is an integral part of what is known as Lyon Capitale Du Rock. Between concerts in Lyon (Molière Hall with Marquis De Sade at the end of 1979 and Electric Callas in 1980) and tours in the region, the band opened for MAGAZINE by Howard Devoto in Lyon, Valence & Grenoble. In the aftermath the group played at the Transmusicales of Rennes in December 1980. Excerpt from the book Frenchy But Chic: "Four Lyon dandies, the last magnificent survivors of what was the capital of the new Frenchy wave. Guitar/synth, guitar, bass , drums; abstract paintings behind each musician; wrapped around each microphone a green plant from which a unique green spot emerges, aquarium atmosphere.

Affection Place sings in English and plays modern psychedelic rock, music of sharpness and a rare intelligence. Urban swing and marble riffs, the soundtrack of a Ballard novel that would have become reality. They made the first part of Cramps in Bobino in Paris on June 6, 1981 (with Modern Guy), where their set will last forty minutes without interruption, the concert of Cramps will turn madly; that of Lew Lewis in Annecy and A Certain Ratio @ the Entpe on May 12, 1981. They refused to go to Montreux, the group broke up in mid 1981 after having recorded a demo of three tracks @ the DB Studios in Rennes. Petersen will continue with Petersen Les Emotifs and Xavier Galliot founded Raison Pure. This great record was released in 300 copies with printed insert. An error slipped before printing of the insert "newspaper", it is indeed Lew Lewis and not Huey Lewis for the concert indicated in the article concerning Affection Place. (source: 45vinylvidivici) - I can only say: fantastic music!!!

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AND THE 8TH SIN IS CALLED POP! & AGITARE BENE - Split EP 1989

Now to two bands from the far north of our country, namely from Kiel and this Split EP was released via Katou Records. Side A belongs to the four gentlemen named And The Eighth Sin Is Called Pop! and the band consisted of Dany (vocals), Nico (guitars), Ollie (bass), Pommes (drums) and they released after this EP a split album with the British combo Feed Your Head in 1989 and they play fine melodic hardcore and then they disappeared into the vastness of the universe. Also musically at home in this genre were Agitare Bene, which consisted of Rose (vocals), Frentz (guitars), Amelung (bass), Pommes (drums) and they made a tape in the late Eighties and this one. Their sound is less melancholy but mercilessly good. Don't be fooled by the morbid cover, four refreshing songs that go straight into your veins. 

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FLUX OF PINK INDIANS - Strive To Survive & Neu Smell 1982

Flux Of Pink Indians were an anarcho-punk band from Hertfordshire, who released three albums from 1982-1986 in different styles. The first was hardcore punk, the second a mix of noise, political lyrics and melody and the third a mixture of protest songs, dub, funk and percussion. A bit info from punkygibbon: "Formed out of the remains of the band The Epileptics in early 1980 by Colin Latter (vocals) and Derek Birkett (bass). Latter and Birkett were joined by guitarist Andy and new drummer Sid (Rubella Ballet). In fact, the "new" band was actually just the end of The Epileptics: they just decided that with a new sound and a new set they should change their name. Colin had become interested in North American Indian culture and suggested Tribe Of Pink Indians, before settling on Flux Of Pink Indians in August 1980. Demos were recorded and the band played Stonehenge when the infamous 'biker's riot' occurred (during which Colin got bottled)." One Little Indian released this CD in 2008 and includes their debut EP from 1981 plus the first album. The rest of Sunday is spent with chilling out, because I'm a little platt.

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V/A - Crack! Gozira Records 1978-1979

Today an interesting compilation from Japan and on this record it goes not wild and brutal, as we know it from the Punk bands there. Released via Gozira Records/Telegraph Records in 1983 and also numerous booted, this vinyl shows the new wave/punk side of the islanders and all of them have at least one single out which is difficult to get nowadays in Europe and overseas, small editions I think and therefore you had to be at a gig to get a record. Hence a nice idea from the label to release this famous record in the early 80s. I enjoy this slab very much and hope you will too. That's it for today from the sunny, frosty Hessenland!

1.Shögeki-X - MIRRORS

2.Mirrors - MIRRORS

3.Accomplice - MR.KITE

4.Exit B9 - MR.KITE

5.Novelty - TSUNEMATSU MASATOSHI

6.Crocodile - TSUNEMATSU MASATOSHI

7.Out Of Order - MIRRORS

8.Block Out - MIRRORS

9.Awkward Afternoon - FLESH

10.In The System - FLESH

11.Theme/Human Being - MARIA 023

12.Sex Machine - MARIA 023

13.Face To Face - MARIA 023

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DUC - Vor Dem Sprung 1999

The weekend starts with a band from Gelsenkirchen: Doves Under Chairwalk changed their name to DUC in the early 90s for two reasons: The circumstance that the band sang only German lyrics was one, but the main reason was that they have changed their guitarist. From then on, his influence was gone but the band refused to be the same band. So they did not want to change their name completely but worked on under the shortcut of their previous name: DUC. DUC is emotional punk rock from the heart of the Ruhr area and as classic trio, they play fast and trashy with less emphasis on solos and other flourishes than much more on melody and feeling. After two EP's their debut album was released via Bad Taste Records and comes with eleven slightly melancholic songs but always with speed, never lethargic, and maybe fits well with the dark season (yes yes pathetic, I know). But whoever likes emotional music will like this record. Since 2010 the band consisted of Uli on drums, Guddi zupft bass and Tom sings and plays guitar. The last record came out in 2014, since then it has become quiet about the three.

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THE VULTURES - At Home EP 1981

Now a rare piece and the original EP was released via RCS and they recorded this 4 track killer in 1981 that overtime has became impossible to find. Which is a shame as it is simply a masterpiece of Dutch sounds. Le Vida Es Un Mus got fed up and decided finally in 2015 this official reissue, another one the scarcest Netherlands records that was listed in the top 25 European punk rarities in Record Collector. The Vultures hailed from Epe, in the middle of the Dutch Bible-Belt and they're loud, proud and snotty, the sound is based around a trademark chainsaw guitar tone, plodding bass, passionate vocals and overall a clear UK influence. Without doubt if this band was english they would have been on Riot City, Secret or Rot Records or seen supporting relevant UK bands. Short lived but great, also found on some major compilations.

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FLESH D-VICE - Hamburger II, The Nite She Returned 12'' 1988

3rd EP in form of a 12Inch on Jayrem/Hardedge Records by Wellington’s Flesh D-Vice and they picked up punk rock’s torch in the early 1980s and carried it proudly through the decade. As the capital’s punk-heavy indie scene gathered strength and New Zealand’s punk rock community raised its head in the provinces the raw rocking quartet of Gerald (vocals), Eugene (guitar), Brent (drums), and Richard Watts then Dwayne Yule (bass) remained active central figures, both live and on record. Flesh D-Vice formed in 1982 and quickly gained themselves a large following in the punk and boot-boy scene. The band's hard-edged attitude made no concessions to the arty post-punk sound which had characterised the Wellington scene only a few years earlier. “We are the fastest rock and roll band in the land. Our mission is to keep rock and roll alive. We operate without restraint. We don't appeal to the mainstream but we aren't going to compromise to get popular.” (Truth, December 24, 1984) 

The band quickly became a central band in the Wellington scene and in 1983 they organised the Easter weekend punk festival Golden Showers at the Newtown Community Hall and accompanied this with the release of their first album '12Inches Of Hard Flesh'. Their music and imagery drew heavily on the schlock horror genre within popular culture in a way that openly courted accusations of sexism and the glorification of violence. Songs like “Kill That Girl” and “Friday Nights (Are For Fighting)” became anthems within the new Wellington Oi! scene and sit some distance away from the politicized anarcho-punk that was emerging in the mid-80s from bands like Compos Mentis. The 'Fleshies' heavy boot-boy followin often led to violence at gigs with the band gaining a reputation that had them banned from a number of local venues. Releasing a further three albums along with a number of singles and EPs during the 1980s and into 1991 the always resourceful Dwyer set up his own record label called Hardedge Records to promote “certain bands with a certain approach to their music... basically wild, wild rock.”(Dwyer, Submission zine, 1985).

In 1985 the new label released the compilation “The Harder The Edge...The Rocka The Roll” which featuring Dwyers pick of the best thrash, metal, punk and rock in New Zealand at the time. Gerald Dwyer later became manager and mentor for a number of new up and coming bands, most notably Shihad and Head Like A Hole, until his death in 1996. The band has since reformed sporadically with Vas Deferens lead singer Steve Andrews on vocal duties. (source: upthepunks)

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