NEUROTIC ARSEHOLES - Angst 1985

Another highlight of German Punk are the Neurotic Arseholes [Zombie (vocals), Kurt (guitars), Zahnie (bass), Der Kurze (drums)] from Minden who already shone with their debut on Aggressive Rockproduktionen in 1983 and the change to Weird System was the right step. If the debut was quickly & unprofessional recorded in a few days, the four of them reaped more time and understanding from the Hamburgers for the second album so that the production sounds smoother and cleaner and it turned into a masterpiece. I can still sing along to all of the lyrics today. For me, in any case the best album by the Arseholes. The band, whose three albums have now become popular classics of German punk, never saw themselves as a professional or commercial band. Kurt composed and wrote most of the lyrics. The first album consisted of all sorts of song material that had accumulated since the band was founded. The second album is, in the broadest sense, an album which was made up with a few pieces that were created spontaneously in the studio. The concerts of the 1980s took place mainly in youth centers and autonomous centers for minimal fees. Even during the last tour in 1998, the musicians had no ambitions to pursue a further career with the project. Zahni in an interview from 1998: "The concerts have all been great so far, but we don't have to overstrain it either and I don't want to let it get to the point where people start saying it would be better if we didn't have another one did." Thirteen catchy & timeless nuggets features Angst, an album that my earpieces can delight at any time and is a long-running on my phone. Duty Stuff!

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V/A - Two Ninety Nine! 1984

Dear friends, I just found out that Mensi, leader of Angelic Upstarts, died on December 10th, 2021 at the age of 65 after being infected with Covid-19. Now the second from the band after bassist Tony (died on February 22nd, 2021). I'm really shocked and sad, the punk world has lost a big fighter and sympathetic person, I raise my glass to you! R.I.P. Mensi, the next posts are dedicated to you. 

I think a compilation from Rot Records is a worthy homage, on the one hand I don't know a bad record from this label, on the other hand I think the music fits right now. Two Ninety Nine is full with great bands/songs which show an excellent overview of the house bands and whose singles were mostly available in small editions. I think, this compi had only a print run of 1000 copies as well. Everything is said, let the music speak!

1.Model Soldier - ANIMAL FARM

2.Red Alert - KILLROY

3.Bone Orchard - NAKED PREY

4.We Don't Need You - MANIA

5.Use Your Brain - CLAMPDOWN

6.Zombie Nation - SICK VICARS

7.Desperation Time - RADIO NINE

8.Don't Criticise - PATROL

9.Last But Not Least (Live) - THE ENEMY

10.S.S. Officer - PATROL

11.Murder And Maim - CLAMPDOWN

12.Russia - RESISTANCE 77

13.I'm Glad I'm Sick - THOSE OBNOXIOUS TYPES

14.Where Are They Now? - RADIO NINE

15.Shoulder To Shoulder - MANIA

16.Call Of The Reaper - NAKED PREY

17.Shattered Mirror - SICK VICARS

18.Dead Mans Dreams - PARANOIA

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PLACEBO - B-Sides, Live & Rare 2011

I can say that I'm a friend of Placebo's music and their last album was released six years ago. Founded 1994 in London by Brian (vocals/guitars), Stefan (bass) & Robert (drums), became their first album from 1996 not much attract attention in Germany. That changed two years later with the second one whose single release caught my interest. Came at exactly the right time and at the end of the Nineties; I was particularly sensitive and sick of living, so I was easily receptive to their emotional sound. Since then, I followed the three and bought the records and saw them live as well. Placebo makes music that combines a bit of everything: pop, rock, punk, new wave, alternative and especially their catchy ballads have done it to me. They have released a lot of non-album songs on many obscure records, so I got the idea to look for them and create a compilation with those nuggets, and the end product has been lying around on my hard drive for a few years and today, I listened to the stuff... good for you. A total of twenty-two gems are gathered here that are a privilege to own. I also recommend the live in Paris 2003 post, which could also be interesting for you and tomorrow is weekend again, hurra!

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EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN - Strategien Gegen Architekturen 1983

I can still remember very well, how I came to this musical effusion. This sucker was given from a very close youth friend and he knew that I like music far from mainstream, he asked me if I know Einstürzende Neubauten. I said yes and then he gave me this work of art. He said, it's just pure LÄRM and absolutely not his cup of tea, haha... I understood him because EN are very special. So immediately I went home and listened to Strategien gegen Architekturen, the first compilation album which features rare single-only tracks and live material from 1980 to 1983, and I was delighted.. here an excellent review for you which I like to quote:

"Einstürzende's compilation album summed up all that was brilliant and thrilling about the young band, who perhaps more than anyone else encapsulated exactly what "industrial" consisted of -- honest-to-goodness mechanistic pummeling and musique concrete remade for a newer generation. Selections from Schwarz and Kollaps feature, along with rare 7Inch tracks & various live performances as well, giving a striking picture of the group's varying approaches. Bargeld's rasped, whispered vocals and sudden screams crawl with threat and dread in a consciously dramatic but never overtly hammy fashion, while the rough rhythms and harsh clattering which serves as a bed for his delivery touches on everything from free jazz to minimal Krautrock rhythms. That the volume often gets amped to its absolute highest is only to be expected, but silence and space between sound matters just as much, especially on a slew of songs toward the end. Guitars and bass appear more often than might be expected, but the way they're played is something else entirely, muddied deep in the mix or roaring as undifferentiated noise stabbing in here and there. It's also interesting to hear the earlier version of the band in contrast with the later, when a slightly more formal rock presentation took the fore. Given that on the recordings here the group consisted mostly of percussionists beating on metal and whatever else was to hand, it's little wonder things sound even more aggressive. Maybe for some this will only sound like the backing music on a Sprockets sketch, but the impact on any number of sound terrorists then and since from this album can't be measured." (Review by Ned Raggett)

I couldn't praise this album better, remarkable retrospect!

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KÖTTGROTTORNA - Blodsdans 1986

Debut album by this four piece on Sista Bussen and they were founded 1983 by Janne (vocals/guitar), Jojje (guitars), Mongo (bass), Happy (drums). Köttgrottorna is powerful rock with a good dose of punk and are mostly appreciated by fans of the Swedish punk scene. The songs have consistently charm and long playing time and a lot of solos, but always pushed the pedal forward and very melodious. Sometimes I would like to know what the guys are singing about and how that goes with the sound, unfortunately there's no lyric sheet within, but don't mind. Twelve catchy mid-tempo goodies, a pleasant voice and nothing more is needed to ring in the Feierabend. Solid Stuff!

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MAJOR ACCIDENT - Clockwork Heroes 1994

I don't know what's going on, I'm always tired and somehow listless, probably because of the dreary season or something. I need a little bit of schunkel music now and I'll leave that to the leaders of the "Clockwork Punk" movement (a musical community whose look & lyrical themes were inspired by the stylish nihilism of the film A Clockwork Orange) of the early 80's: Major Accident from Darlington which originally formed 1977 by Paul (vocals), Dave (guitars), Con (bass), Stu (drums). It wasn't until the early '80s that they made its first demo recordings. Then they earned a record deal with the pioneering indie label Step Forward Records which releasing their debut album, Massacred Melodies, in 1982. After three albums unimpressive financial problems led to the band breaking up at the end of 1985. Major Accident came back 1996, once again using the full name rather than just "Accident". The result was the forth album The Ultimate High, released on We Bite Records. The band's final release came via DSS Records in 2001 and was a split sucker with Welsh combo Foreign Legion entitled Cry Of The Legion. They currently play just two or three concerts each year, so the rumors say. This file features all of their A and B sides along with classic album cuts. Duty Stuff!

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ASIA - Alpha 1983

Alpha is the second album by Asia and musically it ties in with the first record, but it's different. In comparison with the enormously successful debut album, Alpha focuses more on mainstream pop rock sounds and is less characterized by progressive rock elements. In my opinion, they have implemented the label's commercial wishes too much and have lost their individuality. The songs are structured in a simple way, one and two verses, a chorus and finally a lame fade-out at the end. The simple framework of a song that is spoiled for success. Overall not a bad album and yet worth listening to, but a perfect example of how stupid, greedy record bosses of a band take their radiance and only thinking for profit. A few official facts: The album has received lukewarm reception from music critics. J. D. Considine in his review for Rolling Stone described Alpha as "a sort of sonic confection, a concoction of tasty melodies, sweet harmonies and goopy lyrics intended more for greedy consumption than for artistic appreciation". Chas de Whalley of Kerrang! was less than restrained and openly said that "this album is complete and utter rubbish from beginning to end and a waste of the good vinyl it's pressed on". Tom Demalon has given the album a retrospective rating of three stars out of five on AllMusic. "Don't Cry", "My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want)" and "Open Your Eyes" have been selected as three "Track Picks". He has compared the album with Asia and has summarized that "nothing on Alpha packs the sheer sonic force of the band's debut." Well, I even still have the third album (Astra) in my closet and even with new guitarists they didn't come close to their old strength, comes at some point in this theater, but after that my interest was finally extinguished, suitable for a cold, gray & rainy Sunday, ENJOY!

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VERBRANNTE ERDE - Chrrr!!! 1998

Out of the ruins of the D-Punk combo Deutschlands Erben formed Ingo (vocals), Mischa (guitars), Eddi (bass), Jens (drums) in 1995 Verbrannte Erde and the four move in the dark, melancholic punkrock area which became typical of the band. Their style can best be compared with that of L.S.K., Serene Fall and EA80, with whom the band has played numerous gigs. In 1996 the first tape, Traurig Aber Wahr, was released, followed by their first EP a year later and up to date, they released four Longplayers, two EPs plus a live split album. As already mentioned, the four prefer largely dark minor sounds with personal & thoughtful words that I like very much and partly reflect my inner being, but why I only have this one album is quickly explained. The singing bothers me a little and doesn't captivate me as much as with the other bands. And for me, the voice has to fit just as well as the music, I'm demanding in all things. For the first album, very good and enjoyable!

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HATES - Panacea 1982

The Hates was a three piece from Houston, Texas and were formed 1978 by Christian (guitar/vocals), Paul (bass/vocals), Laurance (drums) and this is their furious debut album on Faceless Records, re-issued 2019 via RaveUp Records with four extra tracks in their series American Lost Punkrock Nuggets of which I would like to quote you the following info:

This is the secret story of this crazy record. “Originally, the album was recorded at Wells Sound in one day & mixed on the next. Band leader Christian decided to record “Houston”, originally done by Dean Martin, in direct response to Wendy O. Williams’ amazing cover of Bobby Darin’s “Dream Lover”. It turned out to be one of the better decisions he’s made over the decades; people still ask to hear it at shows. And besides, what could possibly be a better tribute to the city that is the home of the Hates? Christian penned “Also Watched” specifically for this album, thinking along the Big Brother lines of spy satellites watching us as if we were the enemy. He was really proud of Lawrence’s drumming for that song.“Nuclear Age”, “Science’s Fiction”, “Punk 1301”, “This Year’s Model”, & “What Am I Living For?” rounded out the recording. As an experiment for this album, Paul suggested that they slow down the tempo on “This Year’s Model” even though they never played it that way live. And here’s an interesting note: this record was pressed in the same plant in Florida that helped to put out the Bee Gees & Eric Clapton albums the year before. Because Paul left to fulfill his psychiatry internship in Austin & Lawrence went on to get a higher education as well, Panacea was released without that lineup to represent it. While the record was being pressed by one company, the sleeves were printed by another company, & a third company printed the lyric sheets. When everything arrived, what could have been a boring job putting all those discs into sleeves turned into a little fun. Christian’s mother’s boyfriend, Lazaro, ended up helping out; he even took the finished album to a company down the street to get them shrink-wrapped. In fact, they actually put him in front of the machine & had him do it. How PunkRock is that? Literally putting together your own album!” (Christian)

Panacea is a solid slab that doesn't bring anything new but isn't shit either, I like it.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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V/A - The Master Tape 1982

I guess this rare awesome compilation from Nimrod/Affirmation Records ensures many downloads because every band/song is simply delicious. And it is astonishing that a re-issue (2000 copies and also hard to find) took place just one year later, the demand was obviously so great and if you lend your ears to the musical feast, it's no wonder. As far as I know, all songs are exclusive and delight us with finest melodic Punk/Hardcore explosions how I love it and the performance is consistently high. Comes with a fold-out lyric poster, with a segment dedicated to each band represented, which was not included at my copy. Volume 2 of the Master Tape came to light in 1983 and I would appreciate an excellent rip with scans and I very much hope that someone will have mercy, because these records are also difficult to access or only available for expensive bucks.

1.Mercenary - TOXIC REASONS

2.Drunk And Disorderly - TOXIC REASONS

3.Frustrated - SLAMMIES

4.P.U.S. - SLAMMIES

5.Manager Breakdown - SLAMMIES

6.New Patriot - BATTERED YOUTH

7.We'll Love You When Your Dead - BATTERED YOUTH

8.Bible School - DELINQUENTS

9.System Pressure - DELINQUENTS

10.High Places - ZERO BOYS

11.Human Body - ZERO BOYS

12.Mom's Wallet - ZERO BOYS

13.Buried Alive - ARTICLES OF FAITH

14.False Security - ARTICLES OF FAITH

15.Think For Yourself - REPELLENTS

16.Livin' Like An Animal - REPELLENTS

17.Vegis - LEARNED HELPLESSNESS

18.C.E.T.A. Suckers - THE F.U.'S

19.Death Wish - THE F.U.'S

20.Unnatural Silence - THE PATTERN

21.Michelob - THE PATTERN

22.On The Street - DIE KREUZEN

23.All White - DIE KREUZEN

24.Get 'Em - DIE KREUZEN

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