Showing posts with label U.S.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S.. Show all posts

Monday, February 05, 2024

D.I. - Horse Bites Dog Cries 1985

Second album by this California combo D.I. which was released via Reject and has been regarded by some music critics as the bands best album. and I guess it's probably close to that. I only know this one and the songs have energy and can absolutely be considered as an entertaining pleasure. A bit info from wikiDue to a typo on the album itself, many fans believe that it was released in 1985, but this appears to be false because its release was delayed until 1986 to avoid confusion with the band's then-current album Ancient Artifacts. Horse Bites Dog Cries was the final album featuring the Agnew brothers (Rikk & Alfie) and drummer John Knight (until his return on 1994's State Of Shock). Fact is, they packed twelve superbly strong pieces on this record that bring joy and ensure a heated half hour.


Friday, December 29, 2023

GROOVIE GHOULIES - Fun In The Dark 1999

One more great stuff from Lookout! Records with the Groovie Ghoulies from Sacramento and on their fifth album were involved Roach (vocals/guitars), B-Face (bass), Kepi (drums) and the three stand for excellent usual Ramones-style sing-a-long songs and is suitable for every party. This little fucker has thirteen of that. You will warm up to the album very quickly because the songs enter your genes unhindered like heroin into your vein and inject the good mood straight into your head, this is mainly due to the melodic power of the songs, the magical singing and ultimately the positive rhythms. This record brings you calm down, checks our visions and ensures a relaxing time. Forget all the new MTV Pseudo Pop-Punker, this is simply the best and original. And my neighbor just tells me: this beauty is reissued 2023 by Stardumb, etc... Records in a pressing of 1000 copies on transparent blue vinyl with black smoke, so watch fucking out!


Friday, December 15, 2023

HALF LIFE - Under The Knife EP 1986

Four piece from Pittsburgh who were active in the Eighties and Half Life consisted of Jeff (vocals), Vince (guitar), Mike (bass), Damon (drums) and this is their debut 7Inch on Mind Cure Records with four perfect smasher. A review: "One of the better sounding domestic HC releases in a while. Good power and production on all four tracks, and although it’s mainly generic metal-influenced hardcore, there’s a gripping urgency that carries it off. Lyrics are pretty bleak, although “Consider The Alternative” offers some hopeful thought." (Tim Yohannan, MRR #45 • February 1987) In addition to their first demo from 1985, they have each released two 7Inches and albums, featured on some good Compilations as well, and in 2002 the last testament was brought via Stab Wound in form of a CD with the nostalgic name All Our Yesterdays which definitely sounds interesting. Fazit: cool record in every way and I hope, I can spend more time with the blog this fucking weekend.


Friday, November 24, 2023

ROACH MOTEL - Roach & Roll EP 1982

Let's enjoy our breakfast with the following little surprise bag that was born forty years ago: founded 1980 in Gainesville (Northern Florida), Roach Motel consisted of Bob (vocals), George & Jeff (guitars), Eric (bass), Chad (drums), and this is their debut EP on Destroy Records, 600 copies were made and happy the one who has an original of it, with six fantastic short cuts. Two years later a second single followed and sometime later the band broke up. Featured on a few Compilations. Great stuff!


Saturday, November 18, 2023

ISOCRACY - Bedtime For Isocracy EP 1988

Well, if I just lay in bed and watched fucking TV that wouldn't be the worst option for this shitty gray month, but today I'm home and did some rips. And today a fresh one from a band that was more of a short project and as it is with all sort of them, they are usually mercilessly awesome and their few records are very sought after these days. Today we find Isocracy from California and this four piece consisted of Jason (vocals), Lenny (guitars), Martin (bass), Al (drums) and this record saves your day. Released via Lookout Records and this little dittie has eleven songs ready for your deaf ears, but half of which are none, they're rather funny gimmicks and the last song, which according to the cover lasts almost eight minutes, is a small message that is constantly repeated in the outlet groove and is clearly understandable. They have an excellent sense of humor. The record came out in different versions and no matter which one you have, you have a fucking awesome piece of US Punk history. And with this beauty is a request fulfilled and at the end you get a wonderful review: With the music being a mixture of speeded-up quality Flipper and early Minor Threat, this record kicks it with Hardcore anthems that cover such topics as love, Gilman St. Project, anarchy, and all-out wackiness. The band’s smart-ass sense of humor is in abundance throughout the lyrics, packaging, and general concept. Equally abundant is the band’s “we can do whatever we want” attitude, which is a pleasant relief in these days of professionalism. This be great! (Martin Sprouse, MRR #57 • February 1988) And now it's time for breakfast and chilling, see you tomorrow.


Saturday, October 28, 2023

BROKEN TOYS - Smash Some Pumpkins 7'' 1987

This nice one isn't no longer in my collection but the Broken Toys from Methuen are active since the mid-eighties and have released numerous records to date. I think, this is their debut 7Inch and line-up on these both tracks were David & Karl (vocals/guitar), Dave (bass), Scott (drums), released via Trashtone Records. A review brings the corresponding words: "Melodic, infectious, obnoxious, mid-tempo pop/punk with that glorious buzz saw fights way through Okeefeneokee Swamp sound!" (Wrath Of Grapes #8) Phew, I'm a little down from all the medication and need some sleep. Enjoy the smashing!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -


Friday, October 27, 2023

V/A - Panx Vinyl Zine 11 EP 1992

French label Panx Productions created their small Panx Vinyl Zine series at the end of the Eighties and eleven parts were released. Pressed exclusively as 7Inch, initially hand-numbered and always provided with a small booklet, bands were given the opportunity to show what they could do. Mostly unknown combos, who were only a small part in their lifetime at vinyl on these series. So a very good innovation and anyone who owns all eleven records can certainly put them all together on a CD and have a really rare and surprisingly good Compilation with excellent material, in my opinion. I only have this one but it kicks well and is affordable for just a few euros, like all the others. Now start to an interesting little journey through the world and meet likeable people who can do it too. Cheers! 🍻

1.Tired - COUCH POTATOES
2.Jehovah's Witness - BLANKS 77
3.Crisis Everywhere - WOUNDED KNEE
4.Real Man - EIGHT BALL
5.Sentimiento Indefinible - LAMENTO
6.Nevermore - PUBLIC LOST


Tuesday, October 03, 2023

WARZONE - Don't Forget The Struggle Don't Forget The Streets 1987

An impressive debut that I haven't heard for a long time and has almost been forgotten is the following slab, and I'm quoting infos from Wiki: "Warzone (formerly known as Rat Poison) was a HardcorePunk combo formed on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1983. The band helped develop the New York Hardcore sound, the Hardcore Skinhead style and the youth crew subgenre. During the band's fourteen years and many line-up changes, their primarily Hardcore sound was flavored by influences ranging from Oi! (they toured several times with The Business and played a cover of their song "The Real Enemy") to traditional Punkrock to Heavy Metal (on their self-titled LP). Their fan base was diverse, with their concerts usually attended by Skinheads, straight edge teens, metalheads, and Punks of all ages. Vice has written that "one could argue that [Warzone] spearheaded the second and larger wave of Hardcore bands that erupted in the NY scene in 1986–1987".

Frontman Raymond "Raybeez" Barbieri was the band's only consistent member through the vast majority of its years. He joined the band as drummer in 1983 (the same year he played drums on the debut Agnostic Front 7Inch United Blood), later taking over vocal duties after Warzone had already been in existence for two years (noting later, "in a band that [had] been running for so long, there has to be something there"). Raybeez remained the singer of Warzone until his death on September 11, 1997, due to pneumonia. He vehemently preached unity in the scene and against racism. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was receiving treatment in a VHA facility when the illness damaged his liver and took his life at the age of 35. A tribute sign reading "R.I.P. Ray" hung outside CBGB for some time following his death, and for more than a year afterward, every release on Victory Records was dedicated to his memory, as were two independent compilations. These albums, as well as benefit concerts, raised funds for several non-profit groups Ray had worked for which helped at-risk youth."


Sunday, October 01, 2023

RAMONES - @ Sporthalle/Böblingen, Germany 20.11.1989

October starts with an excellent live Bootleg from the no less excellent RamonesA while ago the record was mentioned in the comments as one of the best live recordings by the four and so I went looking for it. And I found it and can absolutely confirm these words. Top quality for a recording from the end of the eighties and the track list on the cover is not complete, there are a total of twenty-five songs that I filtered out and the rip took almost three hours (cutting, converting, adjusting the sound, etc.) but live slabs are always a challenge that I'm happy to accept. And the result is a perfect rip with the quality I want. I'm really grateful that you continue to provide me with first-class information or recommendations which lead me to discovering new stuff. Please keep it up and don't get tired of it, I thank you with this post, which I know many will enjoy, because a Ramones record, in this case, is always a good reason to get back to yourself... and Life.

Have fun with this Blast, and welcome autumn!

I Wanna Live/Bonzo Goes To Bitburg/Raining/Sheena Is A Punkrocker/Rockaway Beach/Pet Sementary/Seeking High/She Is The One/Mamma's Boy/Animal Boy/Wart Hog/Surfin' Bird/Cretin Hop/I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You/Today Your Love Tomorrow The World/Pinhead/Chinese Rock/Somebody Put Something In My Drink/Let's Dance/Do You Wanna Dance?/Havana Affair/We're A Happy Family/I Just Want To Have Something To Do/Indian Giver/California Sun


Saturday, September 30, 2023

THE GEARS - Rockin' At Ground Zero 1980

Yesterday I was listening to some old 7Inches and got stuck on the first one by The Gears, Let's Go To The Beach from 1979 and thought, oh yeah, do I still have more of them and if so, in the blog right now, and I found one. The Gears were a four piece from Los Angeles and consisted of Axxel (vocals), Kidd (guitars), Brian (bass), Dave (drums) and this is their debut album on Playgems Records. 

Info: "Kidd Spike was a guitarist with one of L.A.'s first punk rock outfits, the Controllers, but by 1980 he was eager to do something a little more eclectic, and he joined forces with vocalist Axxel G. Reese to form the Gears. They enthusiastically embraced the fast and loud part of punk, but they also threw in dashes of surf music, garage rock, blues, and cool sounds of the '50s, and their first album, Rockin' at Ground Zero, is a killer blend of punk speed and fury tempered with greaser cool. Reese is a solid vocalist with plenty of swagger in his voice but no wasted affectations, while Spike's thick, gutsy guitar work and the crash-boom-bang rhythm work of bassist Brian Redz and drummer Dave Drive keep these songs in forward momentum at all times. The Gears could sing about cars, girls, and good times with tongue just slightly in cheek on tunes like "Let's Go to the Beach" and "Darlin' Baby," but "High School Girls" and "I Smoke Dope" show they weren't afraid of more dangerous pleasures. "Don't Be Afraid to Pogo" is a great (and only slightly ridiculous) Punk anthem, and they chronicle one of the most infamous real-life moments in the war between L.A. Punks and cops in "Elks Lodge Blues." "Teenage Brain" is angst at its most enjoyable, and "The Last Chord" and the title cut both manage to make the end of the world sound cool. Rockin' at Ground Zero is good, raucous fun from an unjustly overlooked band; the rise of Hardcore made bands like this seem obsolete at the dawn of the '80s, but history and this album prove these guys truly had the goods." (Mark Deming)

This record is pure energy and Californian Punkrock at its best and one of the interesting D.I.Y. releases of the Eighties and numerous re-releases confirm this and for me a real highlight. Briliant American sound, fifteen times highest quality. Don't miss that!


Wednesday, August 23, 2023

N.O.T.A. - s/t LP 1985

Hot Shit! You thought their past records were great, well here’s nineteen tracks that are rockin’, thrashin’, imaginative, and catchy. The slower songs have a catchy early ’77 Pop-Punk sound, and the thrash just rips. A good mix that shows that NOTA are expanding their boundaries and coming of age as a style to US Hardcore. (Ruth Schwartz, MRR #28 • September 1985) We're talking about N.O.T.A. (None Of The Above) from Tulsa/Oklahoma, a fantastic four piece that has changed its line-up over the years. On this brilliant slab the band consisted of Jeff (vocals/guitar), Russell (guitars), Bruce (bass), Bob (drums) and this is their first album on Rabid Cat Records with nineteen smasher, recorded 1979-1985, and all mercilessly fantastic. During their on-again-off-again existence they released three 7Inches and three full albums. They disbanded in 1987, but reformed in 1993 and finally broke up in 2000. Top record and I have to stop now because I must recovering from a crappy bike crash.


Thursday, August 03, 2023

CEREBRAL BALLZY - Jaded & Faded 2014

Formed 2008 in Brooklyn by Honor Titus (vocals), Jason & Mason (guitars), Melvin (bass), Crazy Abe (drums), Cerebral Ballzy released their debut 2011 and shot immediately through the roof. Their love for energetic Eighties Punk is unmistakable and the third and final album Jaded & Faded (released via Cult Records) features thirteen tracks in just under twenty-six minutes and demonstrates this in an impressive way. Distorted fuzz sound meets fast solid tempo, that's exactly what a decent Punk record needs, no one sleeps or dawdles here, the five wash the dust out of your brain and kick ass hard and the level is constantly tense, plus sounding melodic and aggressive characterizes the band. I'm telling you, if you've had a shitty day at work and need the boost back, put this music in your player and you feel yourself alive again, guaranteed. Info at the end: following their release of Jaded & Faded, Cerebral Ballzy parted ways with guitar player Mason. They performed with Mason on Last Call with Carson Daly on 6 May 2014. It is alleged that Mason left the band shortly after while they were on tour with OFF! in 2014 and the band eventually broke up in 2015. What remains? A few singles and three very good albums from an extraordinary combo. Superb!!!


Wednesday, July 26, 2023

LIFE SENTENCE - s/t 12'' 1986

Another fine Hardcore classic from the States is the debut of the following four piece and we are talking about: "Life Sentence was a hardcore punk band formed in the suburbs of Chicago by guitarist Eric Brockman, formerly of the Anti-Bodies. After jamming with different people, the band formed what many considered it's original line-up, consisting of Brockman, vocalist Ray Morris, bassist Joe Losurdo, and drummer Tom O'Connor. In 1986, the band released their first record on Walkthrufyre, a self-titled 12" which was produced by members of Zoetrope. Morris was fired before the recording was complete, allegedly kicked out of the band's van in the middle of nowhere in Arkansas while the band was on tour, so the recording was completed with Brockman and Losurdo handling the singing. The record received positive reviews and the band's popularity was spurred on by endorsements from famous friends in bands like Dirty Rotten Imbeciles and Corrosion Of Conformity. Unfortunately, all was not well in the band and the group split into two camps, one featuring Brockman and the other featuring Losurdo and O'Connor, with both groups picking up new members and playing around Chicago as Life Sentence. The matter eventually went to court and Brockman emerged with the rights to the name. He continued with the band, issuing a second LP (No Experience Necessary) in 1989 and an EP (More Punks For Profit) in 1991. Although 1991 saw the last recorded material released, Brockman continued to use the name for a number of years, backed by an ever-changing rhythm section, until substance abuse got the best of him and he disappeared from the music scene, leading to years of speculation as to Eric's fate. In 2008, Brockman reemerged, announcing that he was putting together a new version of Life Sentence. The band played a few shows around Chicago in 2009 before vanishing again. Brockman passed away in March 2016. In 2023 followed another five track EP with Demos via Alona's Dream Records." (source: discogs) Ten songs in fifteen minutes, any questions?


Saturday, July 22, 2023

TARGET OF DEMAND - Man's Ruin 1983

One of the best kept secrets of Eighties California Hardcore, Target Of Demand hailed from Long Beach and consisted of Jim (vocals), Brian & Mike (guitars), AJ (bass), George (drums), and they released only this ten blast via the small Happy Hermit label and a couple Compilation tracks before disbanding. Due to their very short existence as a band, and the fact that they were much more influenced by Teen Idles or SS Decontrol and the sounds coming out of Boston and the Midwest, rather than what was going on in California at the time, this incredibly ripping is 100% pure American Hardcore. They also appear 1985 on the fantastic When Men Were Men... And Sheep Were Scared Compilation on Bemisbrain Records. They are a straight-edge band but their lyrics stay far away from the usual cliché topics of such bands, most of them are attacks on the rich, the government, positive thinking, etc... A suitable review: "This new Long Beach Hardcore group seems to have been influenced quite a bit by D.R.I. The comparison shouldn’t be exaggerated, however, because Target Of Demand adds characteristic SoCal hooks to their intense thrash attack, and the results are startlingly good. Of the songs, “The Poor Rich” takes a potshot at wealthy Malibu residents endangered by mudslides, and “Judgement” and “Plastic Bullets” are particularly savage and to the point thematically. Quintessential American ’80s thrash." (Jeff Bale, MRR #12 • March 1984) Essential Record!


Thursday, July 06, 2023

GERMS - What We Do Is Secret 12'' 1981

Just a year after Crash’s suicide came this little legacy by the Germs, one of the best American Hardcore/Punk bands, via Slash Records and this delicate mini-album features all three songs from the Lexicon Devil EP, a Chuck Berry cover, an studio outtake plus two impressive live tracks which were recorded on December 3, 1980 at LA’s Starwood (four days before Darby's passing)Well there's not much to say, a fantastic record that depicts the band as they were: loud, messy and extremely overheated. After just a few minutes of pogo you're gasping for air and sight and you need something to drink right away or the show is over for you, and who wants to drop out after fifteen minutes? And if you need a decent encore, I recommend their only exclamation mark from 1979, but enter at own risk!


Monday, June 12, 2023

FEAR - Fuel To The Fire 7'' 2019

It almost borders on ignorance, but now, after so many years, the first Fear entry and this two-track goodie was recorded in Brooklyn on June 19, 1992 and pressed on vinyl for the first time by Atom Age Industries/Fear Records in 2019 as a limited multi-color edition. Info: Fear is an important four piece + formed late 1977 by Lee (the band's only constant member) and bassist Derf in Los Angeles and helped define the sound and style of L.A. Hardcore. The band is known for their controversial lyrics, which are, at times, sexist and/or homophobic, though this is usually meant more to be shocking than it is to be taken seriously. Following the release of their first single, Now Your Dead/I Love Livin In The City from 1978, drummer Spit and guitarist Philo joined the band and this constituted the "classic" Fear line-up. Six albums were released until 2012, numerous 7Inches (last 2023) and Compi contributions and that they remain active is just as cool. Fuel To The Fire was recorded by Lee (vocals/guitars), Philo (guitars), Will (bass), Spit Stix (drums) and this 7Inch really kick your ass! 


Saturday, June 10, 2023

CH3 - I've Got A Gun/After The Lights Go Out 1991

Once again Anagram Records, today with a Compliation CD from their The Punk Collectors Series and on stage are Channel 3 from Cerritos/CA, formed 1980 by Mike (vocals/guitar), Kimm (guitar), Larry (bass) and Mike (drums). Info: the bands first release was the CH3 7Inch via Posh Boy Records and the slab received good critical notices, but the band’s limited exposure kept it a modest success. This began a campaign to play every show possible, in any location that would have the band. Interest began growing, the band got better, and by the time Fear Of Life was released Summer 1982, the band was ready for its first extensive US tour. At the time, touring the punk club circuit was a shaky proposition at best. There were lots of cancellations, lots of fights and the band’s constant travel probably contributed to its healthy turnover rate, and the 1983 tour in support of After The Lights Go Out saw Posh Boy Veteran Jay Lansford joining the band. Jay, a former member of the Simpletones and Stepmothers brought a new professionalism to them.  Channel 3 was at the peak of its popularity, playing to large crowds, and enjoying chart success in Europe with the I Got A Gun UK release. By the mid eighties, the band was spending more time in the rehearsal studio, experimenting with a five man lineup and stretching out creatively. Airborne , the first release on Enigma records, was a stylistic departure for CH3. Many fans refer to this as the definitive dawn of the “You Guys Suck!” phase in the band’s history. That record’s emphasis on song over speed alienated some fans, but allowed the band to begin playing more high profile shows. Empowered by a new sense of artistic freedom, Channel 3 then delivered Last Time I Drank in 1985, a record that many HardcorePunk fans found not only a shocking display of musicianship, but also a blatant display of disrespect of all things bald, broke, and smelling of clove cigarettes. Never fond of the strict conformity of Punk Rock’s non-conformist manifesto, the band continued to explore musically. The final release of the Eighties was the aptly named Rejected, a curious mix of studio projects that sounds like a weary Amen! after a long and desperate prayer...

The band kept a low profile through the Nineties. Besides the annual Doll Hut benefit show and the rare late night television appearance, the band had all but vanished. But CH3 was not done, they had simply retreated to the basement lab, plotting for the inevitable return with a maniacal laugh! Early 2000’s, CH3 found itself back on the road, and with a new record on Dr Strange Records, the band was back on track and curiously playing to bigger crowds than ever. The last sign of life on vinyl was the Put 'Em Up album (2017) and there will certainly something new, because the band are far from finished!


Thursday, June 01, 2023

PARTY FORCE - s/t EP 2015

It's really amazing how life kicks ass at irregular intervals. This weekend, Saturday evening to be precise, is the DFB-Cup final, a highlight for me and my girlfriend, and we were really looking forward to this evening together, but it's canceled now, I'm bedridden with a fever and a sore throat, thirty degrees outside, she's in the hospital for some fucking glandular organ. Of course, health comes first blah blah blah etc..... but moments like this are rare and if you don't get them, it upsets me. Well, fuck it! First post in June is the debut 7Inch with five rippers by Party Force from Oakland, line-up Ref (vocals/bass), Brian (guitars), Hal (drums). I bought their record at a concert where they support, I think the UK Subs but I'm not sure, ist auch scheißegal, coole Single with fast loud stuff. Enjoy!


Saturday, May 27, 2023

V/A - Bloodstains Across The World #7 2022

Well it's time for one more Bloodstains Compilation and this one is cheap like the other "from all over the world" (from #3) and kept in a simple CD-R format, but I'm pleased that there are always maniacs who share their things, in contrast to other arrogant Assholes who defame such small people even though they don't know them at all and believe that they contribute a part of underground culture with their so-called professional Compilations (hahaha...), they just have to get their ass kicked and I give them a big Fuck You! I prefer to take these because the originals aren't tangible and I am grateful for this and everyone who thinks the same way will be enthusiastic with this cheap but cool one.

1.Tomorrow - QUIZZ KIDS
2.Kill Me Now - LA PESTE
3.T.V. Eyes - THE TOOLS
4.I Died Four Times - THE MANSONS
5.True Love - MARCHING GIRLS
6.Living In The 80's - TRUE PETER
7.I Don't Like Girls - MINOR CLASSICS
8.Teenager In Love (Live) - RADIATORS FROM SPACE
9.Berlin - IDEAL
10.Trop Tard - ROTTERS
11.No Rule - THIRD WORLD CHAOS
12.Get The Glory - LAUGHIN' NOSE
13.An Ather Day - THE VOPO'S
14.Ogro De Ciudad - ALMEN T.N.T.
15.London - TAPPI TÍKRRASS
16.She's So Fine - STRAIGHTSHOOTER
17.Baarissa - SOS
18.What's Going On Inside Ronald Reagan's Brain? - DEFORMED!
19.Anarchy & Peace - ABGAS
20.Du Er Eit Svin - NOREGS PUNKLAG


Saturday, May 20, 2023

RAMONES - Swallow My Pride EP 1977

Nun, with the Ramones you never can't go wrong and I don't want to write much more about the four from New York, we all know their story. Famous band, one-two-three-four forward Punkrock with a lot of leather on it. This is, I think, the fourth 7Inch and both songs on the A-side were taken from the second album Leave Home while the flip is a goodie which was recorded live at The Roxy in Los Angeles. This music is still absolutely high class and I'm always in a good mood when I listen to and often play them when I'm in trouble or pissed off. In the meantime their original records have increased in value and I advise anyone who doesn't know the band, they really exist, to buy their records because there's hardly a bad one out there.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -