Mortimer – Profesión / Travoltini [7''] (1979, Chapa Discos)

By the time Mortimer released the 7" 'Profesión / Travoltini' in 1979, the Barcelona underground was still finding its identity. Just a couple of years earlier, the city's emerging alternative rock scene was built around only a handful of names: La Banda Trapera del Río, Basura, Peligro and Mortimer. It was a difficult period for independent bands, with very few opportunities to record or play regularly. In the end, only La Banda Trapera del Río managed to establish a lasting career, while the rest disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared, leaving behind only a handful of recordings.

 
Mortimer were a power trio made up of Xavier Dalmau on guitar and vocals, Josep Llobera on bass and Iñaki Ferreter on drums. Although they were frequently grouped with the first wave of Spanish punk, their sound leaned much more toward tough, streetwise rock. There were traces of British pub rock and hard rock running through their songs, resulting in a gritty, direct style that perfectly reflected the rough neighborhoods of late-1970s Barcelona. They weren't punk in the strict musical sense, but in the years immediately following Franco's dictatorship, attitude often mattered more than labels. Their confrontational live shows and rebellious image were enough to make them part of the same movement in the eyes of audiences and the music press. 

 
That perception was reinforced by their record company. Mortimer had originally been signed by Belter, which was eager to capitalize on the growing interest in punk and presented the band as part of that new wave of dangerous, antisocial rock groups. When 'Profesión / Travoltini' appeared on Chapa Discos in 1979, it found a more natural home. Founded by producer Vicente "Mariscal" Romero and distributed through Zafiro, Chapa had become Spain's leading label for hard rock and heavy music, releasing records by artists who sat outside the mainstream but had a strong following among rock fans. 

 
The single captures both sides of Mortimer's personality. "Profesión" delivers raw, no-frills rock driven by crunchy guitars and an energetic rhythm section, while "Travoltini" reveals the band's sense of humor and willingness to poke fun at contemporary trends, all without losing their rough-edged character. The performances feel spontaneous and full of swagger, preserving the same street-level intensity that had made the trio stand out on Barcelona stages a couple of years before. 

 
Although Mortimer split up soon after and never recorded a full-length album, 'Profesión / Travoltini' remains an important document from the earliest days of Barcelona's underground rock explosion. It stands as a reminder of a brief but exciting period when the lines between punk, hard rock and pub rock were still blurred, and when attitude, energy and a healthy disregard for convention counted for far more than fitting neatly into a musical category.

 

 

Label: Chapa Discos – H-33023 

Format: Vinyl, 7", Single 

Country: Spain 

Released: 1979 

Style: Punk Rock, Prog Rock, New Wave, Rockabilly 

 

Tracklist: 

A Profesión 3:55 

B Travoltini 3:22 

 

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The Horny Toads – Wired [12''] (1989, Amplexus Records)

By the end of the 1980s, The Horny Toads had established themselves as one of the more spirited names emerging from Australia's garage rock underground. Originally formed in Brisbane before relocating to Sydney, the group brought together the raw energy of pub rock with the urgency and attitude of classic high-octane rock'n'roll. Their live reputation played a major role in building a dedicated following, and 'Wired' captured that same sense of momentum and intensity that had become their trademark on stage. 

Issued by Amplexus Records in 1989, 'Wired' found the band delivering a compact set of tough, guitar-driven songs packed with sharp riffs and driving rhythms. The label itself was part of the network of independent Australian imprints that helped document the country's thriving underground scene, providing a platform for bands operating well outside mainstream commercial expectations. The Horny Toads fitted naturally into that environment, relying on strong songs and relentless performances rather than studio gimmicks. 

The band's line-up featured Glen James and Joel James handling guitars and vocals, supported by a rhythm section that gave the material its muscular backbone. There is a directness to 'Wired' that makes it an easy record to connect with; everything feels immediate, from the punchy arrangements to the unpretentious delivery. Around this period, the group were sharing bills with other respected acts from the Australian garage circuit, further strengthening their standing within the local scene. 

A major asset of the record was the presence of Rob Younger in the producer's chair. Younger had already built an impressive reputation through his involvement with Radio Birdman and The New Christs, and his understanding of powerful, stripped-back rock recordings is evident throughout 'Wired'. Fans of those bands should definitely seek this one out, because Younger knew exactly how to produce a rock record. The result is an album that sounds forceful and focused, allowing The Horny Toads' natural energy to take centre stage without sacrificing clarity or impact. 

 

Label: Amplexus Records – AMP 001 

Format: Vinyl, 12", Mini-Album 

Country: Australia 

Released: 1989 

Style: Alternative Rock, Garage Rock, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:  

A1 O.P. Love 

A2 Shit On A Stick 

A3 Drag 

B1 Fallen Angel 

B2 Coffee 

B3 Switch Bitch 

 

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The Brood – In Spite Of It All [LP] (1988, Skyclad Records, Get Hip recorgings)

When The Brood released 'In Spite Of It All' in 1988, the garage-rock revival scene was already bubbling away in basements, tiny clubs and independent record stores, but the record landed with a kind of ragged intensity that immediately separated it from a lot of its contemporaries. Coming out through Skyclad Records and distributed with help from Get Hip Recordings, the album captured everything that made The Brood such a word-of-mouth favorite: fuzzed-out guitars, Farfisa organ, sharp hooks and a raw attitude that felt more like a threat than a retro exercise. 

Formed in Portland, Maine in 1983, The Brood quickly became one of the most talked-about acts on the American garage underground. Led by guitarist and vocalist Chris Horne, alongside bassist Betsy Mitchell, drummer Crystal Light and organ player Allyson, they were often compared to West Coast revivalists like The Pandoras, but there was something rougher and more aggressive in their sound. Their reputation grew through relentless gigging, compilation appearances and a string of singles before they finally assembled the sixteen tracks that became 'In Spite Of It All'. 

The album is packed with short, punchy songs that rarely waste a second. Tracks like “I Need You There,” “You Lie,” “How Many Times?” and “I’ll Put You Down” hit with that classic combination of teenage frustration, sneering vocals and blown-out guitar tones that made garage rock such a durable language. Everything feels immediate, as though it was recorded with the amps cranked and nobody particularly concerned about polishing the edges. The record was sequenced and prepared during 1988 after months of recording sessions in Massachusetts, arriving at the end of a year that also saw the group touring with fellow garage revival heroes The Cynics. 

Skyclad was one of the key labels keeping underground garage rock alive during the 1980s, releasing records that major labels would never have touched, while Get Hip became one of the most important hubs for the revival scene through both its label activities and mail-order catalog. 'In Spite Of It All' fit perfectly into that network, reaching college radio stations across North America and helping push The Brood beyond New England. Contemporary press coverage praised the record's relentless energy and the way Chris Horne's songwriting distilled garage rock down to its essentials without sounding like a museum piece. 

Reactions from garage-rock fans over the years have only added to the album's reputation. One listener summed it up with the wonderfully understated line: “Not as exciting as 'Hitsville' but still a good album.” Others were a lot less restrained. One review called it a “Crazy, wild, teeth-baring record by a bunch of scary-ass babes that PUTS TO SHAME the wimp-rock that was floating about the ether 'round about '88. These girls are tough and raw and pull no punches. I did the gnawing on my hand thing more than a few times listening to these angry wild girls, because really, there's nothing better in the world than a girl, a guitar, and bangs that nearly hide the eyes. One of those records I was always aware of but can't believe I did without for so long. A snarling, gritty, garage masterpiece.” 

Another fan wrote: “Yo, picked this up by accident for a coupla bucks and its friggin great. The Brood were a all girl 4 piece from Portland ME, that had a slant on the 60's fuzzed out garage thing as good as The Cynics and better than better known mobs like The Miracle Workers or Chesterfield Kings. We all know that rock fans lean more towards the male of the species, but The Brood prove that women can rock as well and even better than their male contemporaries. Give em a go! It's cheap, it's sleazy and mostly great and its pumping out of the speakers at our joint right now - and its fucking loud!!!” 

Those reactions pretty much explain why the album has never completely disappeared. Original pressings became collector pieces, later reissues kept it circulating, and younger garage-rock fans kept discovering it long after the first wave of the revival had faded. More than three decades later, 'In Spite Of It All' still sounds like four people locked in a room with vintage gear, bad attitudes and absolutely no interest in toning things down. 

 

Label: Skyclad Records – NAKED 21, Get Hip Recordings – NAKED 21 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: US 

Released: 1988 

Style: Garage Rock, Garage Punk, Punk Rock 

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Satisfyin 2:21 

A2 Cry 2:25 

A3 Why Don't You Call Me? 2:24 

A4 See If I Care 2:27 

A5 I'm Not The One 1:55 

A6 Everybody's A Liar 2:08 

A7 Don't Look For Me 3:35 

A8 I Need You There 2:45 

B1 You Lie 2:25 

B2 You Turned Your Back On Me 2:15 

B3 How Many Times? 2:55 

B4 You'll See 2:20 

B5 Yer No Good 1:41 

B6 I'll Put You Down 2:20 

B7 Taste Of The Same 2:25 

B8 On Fire 2:45 

 

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Untamed Youth – Untamed Youth [7''] (1979, Hard Core)

 

The Untamed Youth 7-inch single from 1979 is one of those really obscure late-70s DIY punk-era records that mostly lives in collector circles today. It was released under the name 'Untamed Youth', but it’s important to know right away that this has nothing to do with the better-known garage/surf band from Missouri that used the same name in the late ’80s and ’90s. This is an entirely different, earlier act.

 
The record came out in 1979 on a tiny independent label called Hard Core, with what’s believed to be the catalogue number HAR 001. Like a lot of small punk and post-punk pressings from that time, it seems to have been produced in very limited numbers and never had wide distribution, which explains why almost no mainstream music databases mention the band at all. 

 
The single has two tracks. The A-side is a song titled “Untamed Youth,” credited to J. O’Keefe, and the B-side is “Runnin’ Wild,” credited to J. Loveday. Beyond those songwriting credits and the label info, there isn’t much solid documentation about who the band members were or where exactly they were based, which is pretty typical for ultra-small independent releases from that era. 

 
Because the pressing was so limited and the band didn’t go on to wider recognition, most of what we know about this single comes from vinyl collector communities rather than traditional music history sources. It’s basically one of those records that hardcore collectors stumble across and treasure, but casual listeners almost never hear about. 

 

 

Label: Hard Core – HAR 001 

Format: Vinyl, 7" 

Country: UK 

Released: Dec 1979 

Style: Mod, Punk Rock, Mod Revival

 

Tracklist: 

A Untamed Youth 

B Runnin' Wild 

 

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Fecal Matter – Illiteracy Will Prevail [Cass] (1986, Not On Label)

Fecal Matter was a punk rock band from Aberdeen, Washington. The group was formed in 1985 by Kurt Cobain, the future frontman of Nirvana, along with Dale Crover of the Melvins and drummer Greg Hokanson. Melvins members Buzz Osborne (also known as "King Buzzo") and Mike Dillard appeared in a later version of the band during rehearsals the following year. The band was short-lived, disbanding in 1986. 

 

Songs from the group's sole recording session were issued as the 'Illiteracy Will Prevail' demo tape. With the exception of the song "Spank Thru", the tracks from this session remain unreleased officially. A re-recording of "Downer" was also released on the first Nirvana album, 'Bleach'. 'Illiteracy Will Prevail' is the earliest documentation of Cobain's songwriting in circulation, and helped Cobain establish himself as a composer and performer among his peers in the emerging grunge scene in Washington State. 

 

Although the band had become inactive, Cobain continued passing around the Fecal Matter demo tape to friends and peers. His acquaintance Krist Novoselic, with whom Cobain had briefly jammed previously and had wanted to collaborate for some time, heard the tape and particularly liked the song "Spank Thru". The two agreed to form a band, which eventually became Nirvana. They began rehearsals later in 1986 for the new project, and reused the Fecal Matter songs "Downer", "Anorexorcist", and "Spank Thru". Novoselic later mentioned in the liner notes for the 'From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah' live album that "Spank Thru" was "...the first Nirvana song" and it is perhaps the earliest known example of what would become Nirvana's signature combination of punk energy, noise, and pop melodies. 

 

"Spank Thru" has been featured on several official Nirvana releases and was performed live numerous times early in the band's career: January 1988 during the band's first studio recording session and a second version was recorded a few months later. This second version was included on the 'Sub Pop 200' compilation released in December 1988, making it the third ever Nirvana song to be officially released. Later in 1989, "Spank Thru" was also recorded at the band's first BBC Peel Session. "Spank Thru" holds the distinction of being the only Fecal Matter song played live after 1988. It was included on many 'Bleach'-era setlists and rarely on 'Nevermind'-era setlists. 

 

Officially released live versions include: a 1990 live version that was included the UK "Sliver" CD single pressing and later deluxe versions of 'Bleach', a 1991 version included on the 'From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah' live album, and the band's 1992 'Live at Reading' performance. A video recording of a 1988 band rehearsal performance was included on the 2004 'With the Lights Out' boxed set's DVD. The 2005 Nirvana rarities album 'Sliver: The Best of the Box' included the original "Spank Thru" recording; this is the first and only official release of any recording from 'Illiteracy Will Prevail'. 

 

"Downer" was re-recorded by Nirvana in January 1988 during the band's first studio recording session. Although originally omitted, "Downer" was eventually added to Nirvana's 'Bleach' album starting with its 1992 reissue and was part of the 'Incesticide' compilation also released that same year. 

 

The song "Anorexorcist", part of a nine-minute medley on the Fecal Matter demo, was on setlists of several early Nirvana shows. "Anorexorcist" was played during a 1987 performance on KAOS when the band was named Skid Row; this performance was eventually officially released on the 'With the Lights Out' boxed set. 

 

'Illiteracy Will Prevail' remained a highly sought-after and elusive item for collectors as Nirvana rose to fame, and became notorious for forged versions being bootlegged as being the demo. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

 

 

Label: Not On Label (Fecal Matter Self-released) – none 

Format: Cassette 

Country: US 

Released: 1986 

Style: Sludge Metal, Grunge, Punk Rock, Lo-Fi, Pigfuck, Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Noise Rock

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Sound Of Dentage 3:42 

A2 Untitled 1:19 

A3 Bambi Slaughter 3:25 

A4 Laminated Effect 2:11 

A5 Untitled 2:40 

A6 Untitled 4:01 

A7 Untitled 1:57 

A8 Untitled 9:16 

B1 Untitled 4:35 

B2 Spank Thru 3:52 

B3 Untitled 1:31 

B4 Class Of '86 4:20 

B5 Blather's Log 2:29 

B6 Downer 3:04 

B7 Untitled 1:41 

B8 Turn Around 2:07 

B9 Untitled 6:13 

 

Notes:  

Recorded on a TEAC A-2340 four-track recorder at Burien, Washington in December 1985 (according to Michael Azerrad) or Easter 1986 (according to Gillian Gaar). 

 

Tracks A2, A5 - A8, B1, B3, B6, B7 and B9 are not indicated on the cover. Only tracks A1, A3, A4, B2, B4 and B5 are listed. 

 

Track B8 is "Turn Around" by Devo. Nirvana later covered the song on their 1992 album 'Incesticide'.

Track B9 contains the guitar riffs to all the songs on the album. 

 

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Onslaught – First Strike [7''] (1983, Complete Control)

 

Onslaught (not to be confused with the speed / thrash metal band of the same name) were a Punk Rock band from Hertfordshire formed by Simon (vocals), Matt (lead guitar), Adrian (guitar), Sam (bass) and Tom (drums). Their only EP, 'First Strike', contains slow-to-medium-tempo stuff with no special spunk. “State Control” has a great memorable chorus, but the sluggish drumming holds Onslaught back. [SOURCE: MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL]

 

 

Label: Complete Control – contrOL1, Complete Control – TROL1 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM 

Country: UK 

Released: 1983 

Style: Punk, Punk Rock, Anarcho-Punk

 

Tracklist:

A State Control 

B1 No More 

B2 First Strike 

 

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Last Rough Cause / Anhrefn – Soft Lights & Loud Guitars (Part Two) ]LP] (1989, Released Emotions Records)

Originally formed in 1983 in England, Last Rough Cause has undergone a number of line up changes bringing us to the present day. The best way to describe the sound of the band is to say is it's foundation is built on melodic punk rock drawing influences from the early roots of the 76/77 scene right up to the current modern punk sound. 

Anhrefn (Welsh for "Disorder") were an influential punk rock band from Bangor, North Wales and formed in 1982, and initially sang only in Welsh. The band were not supported by Radio Cymru or Welsh-language TV channel S4C, beyond an occasional interview, and bassist Rhys Mwyn became known as an outspoken critic of the Welsh pop industry. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA] 

 

Label: Released Emotions Records – REM 003 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1989 

Style: Rock & Roll, Punk, Oi, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Last Rough Cause – The Great Divide 

A2 Last Rough Cause – Hey Lady 

A3 Last Rough Cause – Feel The Fear 

A4 Last Rough Cause – Locked Up 

A5 Last Rough Cause – War Stories 

A6 Last Rough Cause – Always Had It Easy 

A7 Last Rough Cause – Time To Think 

AA1 Anhrefn – Edrych Ar Y Rude Boys (An Old Classic) 

AA2 Anhrefn – Cornel (The Old Man Alone In The Corner) 

AA3 Anhrefn – Rhywle Yn Moscow (Love In Moscow) 

AA4 Anhrefn – Action Man (Your Country Needs You?) 

AA5 Anhrefn – Be Nesa '89 (Whatever Next?) 

AA6 Anhrefn – Bach Dy Ben (Rock Against The Rich) 

 

Notes:

[Side A] Recorded December 1988 

[Side AA] Recorded March 1989

 

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Ism – I Think I Love You! [7''] (1983, S.I.N. Records)

 

Good comedic punk hardcore by Ism, from Bayside, Queens, N.Y.C. Band was originally a concept by manager and producer Bob Sallese and fronted by the enigmatic and classically trained pianist Jism. Ism's 1983 full-length debut 'A Diet For The Worms', originally available in a limited release by S.I.N. Records, dominated college radio and the CMJ radio charts while the group popularized their new brand of hardcore punk at venues like CBGB, City Gardens and A7 alongside the likes of The Ramones and Black Flag.

 

 

Label: S.I.N. Records – SJ-003 

Format: Vinyl, 7", Single, 45 RPM 

Country: US 

Released: 1983 

Style: Punk, Punk Rock, Hardcore Punk

 

Tracklist:

A I Think I Love You 2:03 

B A7 2:57

 

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The Snifters – I Like Boys [7''] (1978, Lightning Records)

The Snifters were a punk band from Amsterdam (Netherlands), also known as Cirrus Minor (from 1966 to 1970) and Mantra Energy Band (from 1970 to 1976). Members were Sandor Kleinsma (vocals, keyboards), Ruud Jacobs (vocals, keyboards), Nico Arzbach (lead guitar, and also in bands such De Dijk and Stampei), Ton van Wier (guitar), Dick van Wier (bass) and Ab de Jong (drums). They only released the 'I Like Boys' ‎7" on the London-based label Lightning Records in 1978. It's hard not to break into a grin listening to "I Like Boys" with its manic energy, sex-crazed frontman, and drum machine propulsion. 

 

Label: Lightning Records – GIL 534 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Stereo 

Country: UK 

Released: 1978 

Style: Punk, New Wave, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A I Like Boys 

B Baby Punker 

 

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Monster Magnet – Forget About Life, I'm High On Dope [Cass] (1989, Cool Beans)

New Jersey native Dave Wyndorf was already a rock & roll veteran by the time he formed Monster Magnet in 1989, having cut his teeth with little-known punk band Shrapnel (also featuring future punk producer Daniel Rey on guitars) in the late '70s before retiring from music altogether. But after teaching himself guitar, Wyndorf began assembling Monster Magnet with a handful of fellow New Jersey natives, vocalist Tim Cronin, guitarist John McBain, bassist Joe Calandra, and drummer Jon Kleiman. Fusing their metal, punk, space rock, and psychedelic influences, the band developed a sludgy, feedback-heavy hard rock sound that helped them stand out from the era's burgeoning retro-rock movement -also counting The Black Crowes, White Zombie, and many others.

 
This is Monster Magnet's very first release only available on cassette, that they released on their own label, Cool Beans, in 1989. Essentially it is a collection of 4 track demos, with several of the songs being re-recorded for later albums. For these recordings, Monster Magnet was a three piece consisting of Dave Wyndorf, John McBain, and Tim Cronin. Their debut owes a huge debt to Hawkwind, psychedelia and drugs. They even cover Hawkwind here ("Brainstorm"). It is a noisy stew of abrasive trippy rock. Some of the vocals are questionable but, altogether, this is quite a journey for psych lovers of all stripes. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Cool Beans – none 

Format: Cassette, Limited Edition 

Country: US 

Released: 1989 

Style: Space Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock, Jam Band, Punk Rock, Noise Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Lizard Johnny 6:44 

A2 Black Wawa 3:14 

A3 Eight Ball 5:23 

A4 Brainstorm 5:24 

A5 Freak Shop USA 4:30 

B1 Tab 22:05 

 

Notes: 

This is the track listing and cover art for the second release of the tape, which includes "Freak Shop USA".

This was not on the original edition as it was recorded later for release on a Circuit 7" single. 

 

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Gaunt – Whitey The Man [10''] (1992, Thrill Jockey)

Gaunt was a Punk band formed in Columbus, Ohio, in 1991. The band released five albums before splitting in 1998. The original lineup formed from remnants of short-lived "punkadelic" band Black Juju, and consisted of guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Jerry Wick, bassist Eric Barth (who had also been in Two Hour Trip with the Spurgeon brothers, who would soon form Greenhorn), and drummer Jeff Regensburger (later of The Patsys). Jim Weber (also of the then newly formed New Bomb Turks) soon joined on second guitar only to leave just as quickly, and following his departure guitarist/songwriter Jovan Karcic (Waybald) joined. Barth and Regensburger would also later leave (in 1995) and be replaced by a series of successors including Bret Lewis and Brett Falcon (Space Cookie, Servotron) on bass, and Nick Youngblood (Beano, The Rackets) and Sam Brown (Feversmile, V-3, New Bomb Turks, The Sun, You're So Bossy) on drums. 

 
'Whitey The Man' is a punkish, garage and grunge type album and displays Wick's knack for penning sloppy punk pop. The band was the first signing for the label and their album was only the second release for Thrill Jockey. This EP has 7 songs, lasting about 18 minutes and packs a whallop. "Silly Watches" sums it up "punks dont wear silly watches" and then "Back Off" and "Salvation" sound like Mudhoney. "Whitey" is a pretty good rock instrumental, and the album's best two tracks are the final two ones, which go off to hardcore punk territory, "USA" and "Jim Motherfucker". [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Thrill Jockey – THRILL 002 

Format: Vinyl, LP, 10", Album 

Country: US 

Released: 1992 

Style: Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Punk, Rock & Roll, Indie Rock, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

THIS 

A1 Silly Watches 

A2 Back-Off 

A3 Salvation Army 

THAT 

B1 Ignored 

B2 Whitey 

B3 USA 

B4 Jim Motherfucker 

 

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Various – 125 Grammes De 33 1/3 Tours [LP] (1979, Oxygene)

 

Earliest French punk compilation, it's the only release for most of the artists here. In 1978/1979, punk was still quite undefined, so you get a mixed bag of pretty much everything. '125 Grammes De 33 1/3 Tours' was released by Oxygène, a Paris independent label existing 1977 to 1981. Their roster was largely rock and folk bands from the Paris and "Ile De France" region. 

 

The best tracks are the angry rock'n'roll tracks (from Ecoute Maman, Electrochoc -influenced by British punk rock but also by British Pub Rock-, La Came aux Damélias and Le Fracas). Ruth Elleryi -alias of Thierry Müller- is psychedelic post-punk/wave with female vocals; Urgence and Décharge are charmingly bad gutter/garage polka punk; Peinture Fraîche and Strychnine -from Bordeaux- are boring standard boogie rock (the latter did much better later); and A 3 Dans Les WC is weird post-punk with a very obnoxious synth line. Still a pretty fun and varied ride of some totally obscure early French punk. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

Label: Oxygene – OXY 022 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation 

Country: France 

Released: 1979 

Style: New Wave, Punk, Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Post-Punk

 

Tracklist:

A1 Ecoute Maman – Marcher 4:32 

A2 Electrochoc – Chaise Electrique 2:14 

A3 Ruth Ellyeri – Mescalito 3:19 

A4 Urgence – Crache Pas Sur La Table 1:32 

A5 Décharge – La Belle Ceinture De Marylou 4:56 

B1 La Came Aux Damélias – L'Emmerdeur 3:53 

B2 Peinture Fraiche – Urbains Matins 3:57 

B3 Strychnine – Suspect 3:35 

B4 Le Fracas – Nous En Avons Marre 2:00 

B5 A 3 Dans Les Wc – Contagion 4:36 

 

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The Record Players – Double C Side EP [7''] (1978, Aerco, Wreckord Records)

 

The Record Players were a british punk band formed in 1976 in Margate, Kent. Members were Philip Martin [aka Drohne] (vocals, guitar), Mark Addisson (vocals, guitar), Martin Horn (bass), Gordon Larner (drums) and Hugh Manistre (piano, organ). They released three 7": 'Double C Side' in 1978, '60-7 Inches' in 1979, and 'Money Worries' in 1981, all of them on the Wreckord label. After The Record Players Philip Martin founded Drohne as a project of "hurdy-gurdy toting psychedelia". He has been assisted by Alexi Nonis (cretian lira, jews harp), Geoff Huggins (bass clarinett, sax, early woodwind), Jon Loomes (violin, concertina, additional vocals), plus Brendan Power (harmonica), Tim Edey (guitar and accordion), and Lucy Randell (cajon and percussion).

 

Label: Aerco – AERE 1104, Wreckord Records – WRECK 001 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP 

Country: UK 

Released: 1978 

Style: New Wave, Punk, Power Pop, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 M.O.R. 

A2 Don't Go Backwards 

B1 Wrong Song 

B2 Ignore Us 

 

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X•S•Energy – Use You [7''] (1979, Dead Good Records)

 

X.S. Energy was a fine band from Lincoln producing two singles on Dead Good Records. The first one, '18 / Jennys Alright / Horrorscope' (1978) and the second from 1979 'Use You / Imaginary'. This is the pick: midtempo punk riffery with catchy chorus. Pop punkish with sung, as opposed to shouted or sneered, vocals. Worth getting. Members: Freddie Voltage (Guitar/Vocals), Max Headroom (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Nicky Teen (Bass/Vocals), and Mark Up (Drums). [SOURCE: PUNK 77]

 

 

Label: Dead Good Records – DEAD 3, Dead Good Records – DEAD THREE 

Format: Vinyl, 7" 

Country: UK 

Released: 1979 

Style: Punk, New Wave, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A Use You 

B Imaginary 

 

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Urge Overkill – Strange, I... [12"] (1986, Ruthless Records)

 

When Urge Overkill broke through to the mainstream with 'Saturation' in 1993, fans who rushed out to buy up the band's back catalog may have been rather surprised by their first EP, 'Strange, I...' In contrast to the cravat-wearing, rock-god image and slick, polished pop/rock sound of their later years, 'Strange, I...' is loaded with shrieking guitars, pounding drums, and howling vocals. The influence of Steve Albini, who produced the EP, is evident in tracks such as "All Worked Out" and "My New Church." There are hints of the later Urge Overkill to follow, especially Eddie "King" Roeser's vocals on "Systems," which sound similar, albeit roughly, to Roeser's later, more radio-friendly style. Similarly, there are brief snippets where the band's later songwriting prowess appears. But for the most part, this is generic, standard-issue Chicago noise punk, with little original to distinguish it from Big Black or Naked Raygun. An EP strictly for the diehards; casual fans need not apply here. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

 

Label: Ruthless Records – RRU013 

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM 

Country: US 

Released: 1986 

Style: Punk, Indie Rock, Punk Rock, Alternative Rock

 

Tracklist:

Homo Side 

A1 All Worked Out 

A2 Art Of Man 

A3 My New Church 

Hetero Side 

B1 Snakemobile 

B2 Systems 

 

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Moist Device – Moist Device [7''] (1985, Enigma Records)

 

Funk / Post Punk band formed in 1985 in Athens, Greece. After the band Berlin 45 split, its members went on to form Moist Device and Black Balloon. Members of Moist Device participated also in Libido Blume, Χωρίς Περιδέραιο (Horis Peridereo), Venericna Bolest and Γενιά Του Χάους (Genia Tou Haous). On 22 and 23/10/1984 they performed live at Hima Club (Athens) along with Femmes Fatales and Anti Troppau Council. Members: Giannis Kostovasilis (guitar, vocals), Giorgos Pipinis (bass, vocals), Giorgos Drakopoulos (keyboards), Tasos Katsaris (saxophone) and Stefanos Larentzakis (drums).

 

 

Label: Enigma Records – ESP 107 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM 

Country: Greece 

Released: 1985 

Style: New Wave, Art Punk, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A Youth Can Never Die 2:18 

B Six Days (Don't Make A Week) 2:32 

 

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Various – 4 Alternatives [7''] (1979, Heartbeat Records)

 

'4 Alternatives' is a sampler of the late '70s Bristol scene pre-dating 'Avon Calling' featuring punk and new wave bands such The Numbers, The X-Certs, Joe Public and 48 Hours, and released on Heartbeat Records, an independent label started in 1978, focusing mainly on promoting bands from the Bristol area. This release exists with laminated sleeve and also with matt sleeve finish.

 

 

Label: Heartbeat Records – PULSE 4 

Format: Vinyl, 7", EP, 45 RPM

Country: UK 

Released: Jun 1979 

Style: New Wave, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 The Numbers – Alternative Suicide 2:55 

A2 The X-Certs – Blue Movies 3:19 

B1 Joe Public – Hotel Rooms 2:02 

B2 48 Hours – Back To Ireland 3:44

 

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X•S•Energy – Eighteen [7"] (1978, World Records)

X.S. Energy was a fine band from Lincoln producing two singles on Dead Good Records. The first one, '18 / Jennys Alright / Horrorscope' (1978) and the second from 1979 'Use You / Imaginary'. Midtempo punk riffery with catchy chorus. Pop punkish with sung, as opposed to shouted or sneered, vocals. Worth getting. Members: Freddie Voltage (Guitar/Vocals), Max Headroom (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Nicky Teen (Bass/Vocals), and Mark Up (Drums). [SOURCE: PUNK 77]

 

 

Label: World Records – WRECK 1 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered

Country: UK 

Released: Dec 1978 

Style: Punk, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A Eighteen 

B1 Jennys Alright 

B2 Horrorscope! 

 

Notes: 

3 different coloured photocopied sleeves (pink paper, green paper, yellow paper). This was later re-issued on Dead Good Records. 

 

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