BIG COUNTRY - Wonderland 7'' 1984

The second 7Inch of my Pop classics belongs to a four piece which formed 1981 in Dunfermline, Fife: Big Country. Wonderland is already their seventh single and with this, I will say, they achieved their breakthrough. Members at these recordings were Stuart (vocals/guitar), Bruce (guitar), Tony (bass), Mark (drums). The height of the band's popularity was in the early to mid 1980s, although it has retained a cult following for many years since. The band's music incorporated Scottish folk and martial music styles, and the band engineered their guitar-driven sound to evoke the sound of bagpipes, fiddles, and other traditional folk instruments. I liked the song right away but Punk got hold of my heart so I didn't pursue the band any further. There's a lot to read on the web, including Stuart's tragic death in December 2001, so I'll refrain from further words. They're still touring and maybe one day a new record will follow. Interesting band in any case.

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O.M.D. - Talking Loud & Clear 7'' 1984

All right, yesterday I checked my Pop 7Inch box and decided to post five of these this week. Whether you like is another question. It starts with music from England: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (O.M.D.) are a four piece formed in Wirral/Merseyside, in 1978. They consists of co-founders Andy McCluskey (vocals/bass & guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards/vocals), along with Martin Cooper (various instruments) and Stuart Kershaw (drums); McCluskey has been the only constant member. Regarded as pioneers of electronic music, O.M.D. combined an experimental, minimalist ethos with pop sensibilities, becoming central figures in the late-1970s/early-1980s emergence of synth-pop. A review:

"This lovely single from June 1984 had whimsy written all over it. The crystalline melody spills out like tinkling bells and the keyboards splash about in effervescent bubbles of riffs, while the synths provide a warm undertow to the sound. But, as evanescent as it all is, the solid rhythm beating underneath pushes a shimmering song straight onto the dancefloor. Although "Talking Loud And Clear" is quite sophisticated in arrangement, musicianship, and production, O.M.D. still manage to create the most childlike of milieus, capturing both the naïveté of youth and a gentle joie de vivre within its atmosphere. This aura dovetails perfectly with the lyrics, which take delight in resurrecting an idyllic moment in time, "lying in the grass with the sun on our backs," and the reaching of a perfect understanding between two companions. Deftly penned, the lyrics could alternately describe the close friendships of childhood or a more adult moment of love. Spun off the group's Junk Culture album, the splendor of "Talking Loud And Clear" wafted straight up the British charts to number 11." (Dave Thompson)

They're still active and certainly a little change from everyday Punk life.

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V/A - Captain Oi! Presents Hits 2002

This nice compilation from Captain Oi! Records came for free to an order I made twenty years ago and as you can see, here are only renowned bands present, who set high standards in the early English Punk/Oi! movement and released some numerous classics, which shouldn't be missing in any well-assorted record collection. Seven small treats were specially served to let us know that new stuff is available and that there is no lethargy on the island. A nice idea I think. Especially since you don't always know when new records from your favorite bands are coming out, at least that's how I feel.

1.Natural Born Loser - ARGY BARGY

2.Fragile - U.K. SUBS

3.Little Black Sheep - THE ADICTS

4.Safe Haven - ANGELIC UPSTARTS

5.Apathie In The U.K. - SPECIAL DUTIES

6.Rattle My Cage - GUITAR GANGSTERS

7.Hell To Pay - THE BUSINESS

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DISSEKERAD / EARTH CRUST DISPLACEMENT - Split EP 2020

Hardcore to the power of two, four smasher, two per band. Released via Rawmantic Disasters in an edition of 300 copies. First, Dissekerad (members of Totalitär & Makabert Fynd), a quartet from Stockholm and consists of Poffen (vocals), Mattis (guitars), Andreé (bass), Pyri (drums) and they deliver no frills. High end classic swedish Hardcore with hypnotic riffs, lovely straight forward in your face as you need it. Earth Crust Displacement from Berlin return with two songs from the 2016 session from the well known D-Takt Noize album. Raw, brutal, noisy and lovely distorted as a Fuck in the desert while it's snowing.

A solid review: "Two tracks of whirlwind Swedish Dissekerad. The pedigree here is formidable (I’ll just mention Avskum and Totalitär, because that should be more than enough), and the goods are worthy. A classic mid-paced cruiser starts off their side, and then they open it up with “Mardömmen Startar,” a pure fist-banging rager that leaves me reaching for 2015’s Mörkret Tilltar LP for more action. Germany’s Earth Crust Displacement takes a little of the nuance out of the mix, opting instead for a relentless high-speed D-beat crust assault. Noisier guitars, and they don’t even take the time to warm up your ears with an intro—they just fucking unload. I like the combination of the two bands—different but equally effective approaches to a tried-and-true genre. The split EP is a much-maligned format (and perhaps rightly so), but this one is worth its weight in wax. I expected nothing less from either band, and they both delivered." (Robert Collins, MMR #445, June 2020)

I'm going crazy, it's raining after so many sunny days. That's really remarkable, the meadows are strawy and anything but green. I guess it's similar across much of Europe & I'm really glad, I won't be here in a hundred years (sad the whole thing, or?), a red marker on the calendar! - Who cares.... enjoy the four single malts!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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STARSHOOTER - Ma Vie C'est Du Cinéma 7'' 1979

Little two-sided 7Inch on Pathé by Starshooter from Lyon, active at the end of the 70's and during the beginning of the 80's and made four albums and many 7Inches. Both tracks are from the Mode album with a short version of the title track (after disco). I don't have anything else to tell, I'm a bit tired and I'm retiring for today.

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YOUTH BRIGADE - Come Again 12'' 1992

Good news first, my turntable is working again and I'm excited. Was thinking of buying a new one but there is a repair shop in my town that solved my problem within two days. And for a blogger or ripper there is nothing more terrifying than a broken turntable, believe me. A positive intro which leads me seamlessly to the next post and it's the splendid comeback mini album by Youth Brigade on BYO Records after the split up in 1987. And these six Nuggets have it all, melodic fast and catchy songs, and if sounding great isn't enough, these brothers are pioneers and legends of the independent record label society and one of the finest Hardcore combos to emerge from Los Angeles during the Punk era. Still active as far as I know, even though the last album (the split record with Swingin' Utters) came out over twenty years ago. Now enjoy this little triumph at breakfast!

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V/A- ABC Hardcore 82 EP 1994

Einer geht noch and we go extreme and enjoy a delicious Hardcore board of Brazilian subculture. This record came out via ABC Records and has original demos compiled which were come from practice garage sessions between 1981 and 1982. The few recordings that remains from a golden era that will never returns. You will see how great they were, but unluckly they didn't have the opportunity to be released before. There's no remasterization or digital overdubs or any studio farces. ABC Records brings you the original energy from those hard sessions. Authentic and unpolished! Comes with an extra insert with infos in english to every combo. Superb!

1.Câncer - HINO MORTAL

2.Desiquilíbrio - HINO MORTAL

3.Militar - ULSTER

4.Cafetão - SUBMUNDO

5.Não Violencia - CORTE MARCIAL

6.Liberdade - CORTE MARCIAL

- Great Thx again to Fredrik -

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SHITH - Tonight She's By My Side 7'' 1980

Three piece from Spierdijk called Shith and they were formed in the late seventies and consisted of Peter (vocals/guitars), Jos (bass/keyboard), Rob (drums). They did a lot of gigs in youth-centres in the WestFriesland region. This is their first 7Inch on Loof Records with two fantastic and driving tracks which you can grab here. It has catchy pop elements reinforced by the keyboards that the band are great at, especially the title track creating brilliant vibrations. That shouldn't detract the flip, it's okay too. In 1985 the band broke up. There are few compilations with Shith, but these are worthwhile. And there is a new sign of life in 2017, a new EP Permafrost (Loof Records, 200 copies) with five songs came out, which officially released at a concert (Rock De Bok) in Wogmeer on 19. August 2017. And live, Shith aren't finished yet either. Excellent music that stands the test of time.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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BRIGADE FOZZY - Krieg Dem Kriege EP 1986

Today we come to another short-lived band that has been around for about three years and this is their second and final 7Inch which came out in 600 hand numbered copies on their own label Punk Anderson Records. Surprisingly, there is a small homepage of them and I will quote a little bit background for you: Brigade Fozzy started in January 1983, formed by members of former bands Plastic Porno Band and Calling Dr. Pink, in West Munsterland. A first tape was recorded under catastrophic technical conditions, some songs were written, rehearsed and recorded within ten minutes. Nevertheless, one of their "classics" emerged from this first session: "3953". More rehearsals and recordings followed (in the drummer's bedroom), instruments and amps were borrowed from friends, and by early 1984 the final line-up was taking shape: Börned (vocals), Mani (guitars), Hermann (bass), Heini (drums). In February 1984 the band had their first gig at the O.J.C. Babylon (Hengelo/NL). One song from this first gig ("T4") ended up on the live sampler Babylon: Bleibt Fahren a year later. More gigs followed and in October 1984 the first EP (500 copies) with four songs came out called Lebenslang. Recording & mixing took place in one day, the songs were recorded live and without dubs and MRR wrote: "There's a decidedly '77 feel to this. Enjoyable, old-fashioned Punk with verve." 

It went on from chaotic to amateurish: Since there was no rehearsal room, the band rehearsed in the Alstätte parish home, where guitarist Mani did his community service and the village disco amplifier provided sound reinforcement. In February 1986 the second EP with five songs was finally recorded: again recorded and mixed in one day, but this time there were guitar dubs and background vocals, so an almost professional production. Because Mani moved to Berlin a little later, Brigade Fozzy disbanded in March 1986. The band gave their farewell gig at Attack/Enschede/NL on Good Friday, to celebrate their untimely demise in a fitting and festive manner. In 2020 an excellent compilation Jetzt Erst Recht was created by Power It Up Records with all studio recordings from the years 1984-1989 which documents a worthy conclusion of this delicious combo.

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GIUDA - Racey Roller 2010

A few weeks ago I introduced you to an Italian band called Taxi and these gentlemen have changed into Giuda and continue where Taxi left off and my request was heard and today you can enjoy the first Giuda album. Giuda is a five-piece band from Rome that play an air-punching mix of anthemic ‘70s rock hooks delivered with the brutal force of early UK Punk, all interpreted in a contemporary and original way with relevance for today’s discerning listener. Racey Roller is a firework of ten mid-tempo goodies that I like to listen on vacation in the car. Full of positive vibes, great Rock'N'Punk stuff and I don't know why I read Glamrock everywhere? This is a real infectious and energizing slab, no ifs & buts. But maybe I don't know enough about this genre, anyway. This is a solid great debut from an interesting combo from Rome.

- Great Thx to Bristolboy -

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