Alco – Threads Of Life [LP] (1972, Alco)

 

Among the most expensive private-pressed Rock albums, emerging from early-70's British lands, 'Threads of Life' was an album recorded by four high school seniors at the Itchen College, these were Tim Ceasar on keyboard/lead vocals, Paul Fidlin and Ben Brooke on bass/guitars and Julian Ceasar on drums/synthesizers. Although recorded at the University Of Surrey, the first side was executed with the help of the Itchen College orchestra and contains cinematic Psychedelic Rock, based on arrangments for Rock band and orchestra, swirling around chamber orchestrations with full strings and dated psych-realmes rhythms with organ and guitar in evidence. The flipside contains a number of very short songs with psychedelic and poppy influences, very far from the slightly progressive vibes of the opening side. The best the band has to offer during these pieces are the well-arranged polyphonic harmonies and some cuts are based exclusively on a-capella vocal workouts.The material is melodic with organ, synth and piano accompanying the typical bass/guitar/drums output and includes some rural vibes as well. 

Musicians’ statement, from back cover: "'Threads of Life’ evolved as a result of the group Alco being involved in a concert containing both rock and classical music. The idea of juxtaposing these different idioms was novel, but not as exiting as the decision to amalgamate the two in a new work to consist of three songs. Existing original material by the group was used as a base onto which additional material was superimposed for the orchestra, which here contains saxophone, six timpani, amplified harpsichord, and synthesister. Both the group and the orchestra are heard separately as well as together and climactic sections are contrasted with passages for solo display. Although the scoring of a work for rock group and orchestra is by no means a new idea, previous attempts have often resulted in the two forces remaining separate. We hope you will enjoy our combined attempt at such a synthesis." [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

 

Label: Alco – ALC 530 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1972 

Style: Progressive Folk, Folk Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock 

 

Tracklist:

A1 Alco – When I Was A Child 

A2 Alco – Rain Upon My Mind 

A3 Alco – In My Dreams 

B1 Alco – Waiting To Be Born 

B2 Alco – Look At The Clouds 

B3 Alco – Linda 

B4 Alco – Hello Love 

B5 Itchen College Barber Shoppers – The Cordbuster March 

B6 Itchen College Barber Shoppers – Carry Me Back To Old Virginny 

B7 Itchen College Barber Shoppers – De Animals 

B8 Itchen College Barber Shoppers – Humble 

B9 Itchen College Barber Shoppers – Bill Grogar'S Goat 

B10 Itchen College Barber Shoppers – Ashmolian Band 

 

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→ ↑ → – Club Video [LP] (1985, Present Records)

 

→ ↑ → was an experimental multimedia group formed in Melbourne in 1977 by Philip Brophy. Projects included music, visual art, films, literature, and music/theatre performances. The core group included Anthony Montemurro, Ralph Traviato, Jane Stevenson (a.k.a. Jayne), Maria Kozic, Leigh Parkhill, with occasional members such as David Chesworth, and many others. → ↑ → is pronounced with three denti-alveolar clicks of the tongue, hence it is often transliterated as "Tsk Tsk Tsk" or "Tch Tch Tch". [SOURCD: DISCOGS]

 

 

Label: Present Records – PRE-005 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: Australia 

Released: 1985 

Style: Abstract, Experimental, Electro 

 

Tracklist:

A1 Part I ("Well ... Here I Am") 

A2 Part II ("I Don't Know Nuthin'; I Don't Hear Nuthin'; I Don't See Nuthin''|) 

A3 Part III ("Didn't Expect To See You Ridin' Shot Gun On This Run, Marshall") 

B1 Part IV ("Take It Easy, Pretty Boy; Whaddya Have Such A Sweat About?") 

B2 Part V ("Well A Boy's Best Friend Is His Mother") 

B3 Part VI ("Gimme The Works") 

 

Notes:

"Soundtrack From The → ↑ → Video" 

 

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Various – Ultraviolet [LP] (1989, Sketch Records)

'Ultraviolet' is a compilation relased in 1989 by the California-based label Sketch Records comprising Alternative Rock, New Wave and Goth Rock bands. Only 500 copies pressed up.

 

Abecedarians were a Los Angeles based trio active in the mid to late 80's formed by Chris Manecke (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Kevin Dolan (drums) and John Blake (bass) and specialized in reverb heavy, synth driven post-punk songs.

 

Drowning Pool was an avant-rock ensemble that released extraordinary collections of eccentric songs: the double album 'Satori' (Nate Starkman and Son, 1987), the EP 'Nierika' (Viva Records, 1988) and the album 'Aphonia' (Nate Starkman and Son, 1989). Their music straddled the line between new wave, psychedelia, world-music, ambient and industrial. They changed name to Mumbles in 1990 and released the album 'Two Clouds' on Viva Records out of Italy. In 1996 original vocalist Andrew Crane released the album 'Sustenance' under the name Acorn and fellow Drowning Pool members Adam Elesh, Brett Smith and Jon Thomas appeared on various tracks as guest musicians. In 2011 Adam and Brett Smith formed a new project called KinderCrowdControl and released the album 'Selah' on Bruce Licher's Independent Project Records label. 

 

3D Picnic was an alternative pop-rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was led by guitarist/vocalist Dallas Don Burnet, who decided to end the band in 1992.  

 

Electric Cool-Aide were a band from Orange County California. They played live from 1985-1995. Members have included Anton Newcombe, Darren McNamee, Nick Sjobeck, Jamie Reidling, Tony Scalzo, Nate Shaw, Geoff Harrington, Mark McGrath and many others. 

 

Death Ride '69 was a Los Angeles deathrock band formed by Dave Haas, Don Diego, Ethan Port, Linda LeSabre, Mark Blasquez and Wrex Mock.

 

Homeland was an underground, alternative rock band of Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, based in Los Angeles and active in the 1980's, with other members such Brad Wilson, Greg Derfer and Mike Kubisty.

 

Man From Missouri formed in California by members Jon Jarrett (vocals, guitar), Kelly Mason (bass, vocals), Art Byington (guitar) and Steve Hadley (drums). 

 

 

Label: Sketch Records – SRLP01 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation 

Country: US 

Released: 1989 

Style: Alternative Rock, New Wave, Goth Rock, Post-Punk, Deathrock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Abecedarians – Laugh At Yourself 'Live' 3:38 

A2 Drowning Pool – Edith, Hold Out Your Hand 6:11 

A3 3D Picnic – In Their Eyes 5:16 

A4 X-1 Whiteman – During Moss 8:00 

A5 Electric-Cool-Aide – Blue Roses 3:22 

B1 Death Ride '69 – Green Gel Blue 5:32 

B2 Homeland – Eleven Is Waiting 5:04 

B3 Man From Missouri – Tundra 7:58 

B4 Prison Of Socrates – Sesso Fantasma 6:54 

 

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Ween – Erica Peterson's Flaming Crib Death [Cass] (1986, Yucassettes)

Ween were the ultimate cosmic goof of the alternative rock era, a prodigiously talented and deliriously odd duo whose work traveled far beyond the constraints of parody and novelty into the heart of surrealist ecstasy. Despite a mastery of seemingly every mutation of the musical spectrum, the group refused to play it straight; in essence, Ween were bratty deconstructionists, kicking dirt on the pop world around them with demented glee. Along with the occasional frat-boy lapses into misogyny, racism, and homophobia, the band's razor-sharp satire cut to the inherently silly heart of rock & roll with hilariously acute savagery; fueled by psilocybin mushrooms and an all-consuming craving for hot meals, Ween created their own self-contained universe, a parallel dimension where the only sacred cow was their own demon god, the Boognish. 

The duo formed in suburban New Hope, Pennsylvania in 1984, when 14 year olds Mickey Melchiondo and Aaron Freeman adopted their respective fraternal aliases, Dean and Gene Ween, and cut the first of literally thousands of home recordings such the ones from 1983-1986 of 'Erica Peterson's Flaming Crib Death'. Feels a lot longer than 18 minutes, with a rad cover of "Disco Inferno". "Ingrown Mayo" and "Stress Tabs" are kinda funny. Interesting listen for Ween fans, and probably not anyone else. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

 

Label: Yucassettes – YC-7 

Format: Cassette, Single Sided, Album 

Country: US 

Released: 1986 

Style: Alternative Rock, Noise Rock, Punk Rock, Lo-Fi, Slacker Rock, Experimental Rock, Comedy Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Go! 1:19 

A2 Oik! 0:41 

A3 Nippy Wiffle 1:15 

A4 Fat Albert 0:50 

A5 I Drink A Lot 0:48 

A6 Boognish 1:06 

A7 The Refridgerator That Wouldn't Close 0:44 

A8 Duke Of Denim 0:34 

A9 Ingrown Mayo 0:34 

A10 Boobs 0:59 

A11 Jelly (Part 1) 1:20 

A12 Yolk 0:58 

A13 Anna 1:07 

A14 Disco Inferno 4:22 

A15 Stresstabs 0:28 

A16 Shnagenhausen 0:20 

A17 We Seen Ween Bean 0:34 

 

Notes:

Recorded from 1983-1986, extremely limited to 20 or more. 

 

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Varicose Veins – Incredible E.P. [7''] (1978, Warped Records)

Warped Records was a DIY label from 1978. There seem to have been at least four Punk-orientated Warped labels around in the late '70s, unless, as is possible, one company used more than one numbering system. The only release of this particular Warped was the Varicose Veins', 'Incredible' EP (WARP-1 / WARP-2). The Veins, and of course their label, came from Arlesey in Bedfordshire. Varicose Veins was formed in early 1977 by five school mates living in and around a small town called Arlesey in Bedfordshire. The band members were Phil Parfitt, (aka Henry Crank), vocals (later on sax); Alison Pate (aka Alison), lead guitar/backing vocals; Peter Ellison (aka PEL), amped up stylophone (later keyboards)/backing vocals; Wayne Bebb (aka Wayne Shaft) bass guitar; and Roger Simpson (aka Stan Stump) drums. [SOURCE: http://uk45s70.orgfree.com/70s/70W/70WARPED-Varicose.htm] 

 

Label: Warped Records – Warp 1 / Warp 2 

Format: Vinyl, 7", EP 

Country: UK 

Released: 1978 

Style: Punk, Punk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Geographical Problem 

A2 Just Because 

B Hiroshima 

 

Notes:

200 copies. 

No picture sleeve was ever issued. 

 

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The Ullulat△rs – Flaming Khaos [LP] (1989, Demi Monde)

The Ullulators are an expansive and alternative space rock / dub / world music fusion band with roots in the UK festival scene, with history going back to the late 80's. In the early days of Ozric Tentacles they had two guitarist, Ed Wynne and Gavin Griffiths. But 'this town ain't big enough for the both of us'. Gavin formed The Ullulators, sharing some bandmembers with Ozrics. Their music was considered awesome, and the tapes released at the time 90 minute gems, 'Beyond The Gates Of Ull', 'Share A Clam' and 'Monads of Mangonia'. There was also a vinyl album, 'Flaming Khaos', and a track on the 'Feed Your Head' Planet Dog compilation. Contrary to other accounts, The Ullulators played for many years after their surpposed demise, playing a small festival each summer, Having achieved cult status over the years, the band continues to release new material and spread it's diverse and expansive musical wings in the digital age. [SOURCE: LAST.FM]

 

 

Label: Demi Monde – DMLP1021 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1989 

Style: Reggae, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock, New Wave, AOR

 

Tracklist:

A1 Don't Thump The Hampster 

A2 Mustaffa Vole 

A3 Mr. Buddha Geks 

A4 Special Brew 

B1 Sunrise 

B2 S.M.I.2.L.E 

B3 Feel It 

B4 Do Ya Wanna? 

 

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Trigger And The Thrill Kings – Trigger And The Thrill Kings [12''] (1986, GMG)

 

Trigger and the Thrill Kings was a short-lived band formed in 1983 in United States. Members were Trigger Truth [Truus de Groot] (vocals, bass), Jim Duckworth (guitar), Jim Sclavunos (drums), Danny B. Harvey (guitar) and Chas Leyland (bass).

 

Truus de Groot was a member of groups such Blue Beast, Doe Maar, Nasmak and Plus Instruments. Jim Sclavunos has played in bands such 8 Eyed Spy, Beirut Slump, Fuse, Grinderman, Hypo, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, No Group, Plus Instruments, Sonic Youth, Tav Falco's Panther Burns, Teenage Jesus And The Jerks, The Cramps, The Gunga Din and The Vanity Set.

 

Daniel Bryan Harvey is an American guitarist, producer and composer born in Killeen, Texas. He has played and recorded with artists Levi Dexter, Tim Polecat, Johnny Ramone, Nancy Sinatra, Lemmy Kilmister, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim. Jim Duckworth was in groups such South Filthy, Tav Falco's Panther Burns, The Gun Club and Yes Men.

 

Trigger And The Thrill Kings just issued a couple of EPs: one split with Plus Instruments in 1984 released by the Germany label What's So Funny About..., and 'Trigger And The Thrill Kings' in 1986, released in France by the GMG label and in the US by Naked Spur Records.

 

 

Label: GMG – 75012 

Format: Vinyl, 12", EP 

Country: France 

Released: 1986 

Style: New Wave, Rockabilly 

 

Tracklist:

A1 Cry 

A2 I'm The Only One 

A3 St. James Infirmary 

B1 Tension Swing 

B2 Jealousy 

B3 Moanin' Low 

 

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Sign Language – Belief And Other Propaganda.... [12''] (1986, Fire Records)

Sign Language was a band from Blackpool formed by Paul Connolly (guitar), Simon Borkin (bass), Damian Lonsdale (drums) and Laurence Brewer (vocals, later on Ceramic Hobs). Initially influenced by the spirit of the first wave of British punk bands such as the Sex Pistols, Clash and Buzzcocks, Sign Language developed their sound by merging elements of punk and rock. They produced a music which was distinctive from the hard-core punk emerging from the second wave of punk bands in the early 80’s, and more in tune with the post punk / new wave sound emanating from bands such as Killing Joke, Joy Division and early U2. After honing down their set of songs Sign Language gained a strong reputation as an energetic live act. [SOURCE: BBC] 

 

Label: Fire Records – FIRE 6 

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, EP 

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: New Wave, Indie Rock, Post-Punk, Goth Rock

 

Tracklist:

A Belief 

B1 Look-Out 

B2 From Dream To Dream 

B3 Release 

 

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Radwaste – Cooking And Nothingness [12''] (1986, Happy Squid Records)

 

L.A.'s Radwaste features two members of Urinals and 100 Flowers (John Talley-Jones and Kevin Barrett), as well as an unusual four-drummer lineup. They play percussive post-punk with a funk undercurrent that definitely brings to mind groups like Gang of Four, Minutemen, fIREHOSE and even the very early Red Hot Chili Peppers. This EP is busy, energetic and right on the dividing line between post-punk and early alternative rock. It sounds great too since Ethan James engineered it ('Double Nickels on the Dime', 'If'n', etc.), which allows the percussion to really come alive. Bassist Talley-Jones trades main singing duties with guitarist Michael Kory and the band comes up with a lot of intriguing musical ideas. The songs themselves aren't the most memorable compositions ever but all are certainly exciting as they play, enough so to keep coming back for lots of additional listens. 'Cooking and Nothingness' is worth discovering and is another fine musical document on the venerable Happy Squid label. fIREHOSE fans will especially dig this. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

 

Label: Happy Squid Records – HS014 

Format: Vinyl, 12", EP, 45 RPM 

Country: US 

Released: 1986 

Style: Experimental, Post-Punk, Funk Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Off Course 

A2 Impulse 

A3 Capital 

B1 Kiss Of Death 

B2 The Ballad Of Jenny 

 

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Performing Ferrets – The Ferretable Thing [Cass] (1979, Dead Hippy)

Hailing from Maidstone (Kent), Performing Ferret Band got together in 1978 and with their amateur take on music, they wrote a small but great chapter of the emergence born out of punk, when the proliferation of small labels and self-releases invaded the record shops and created a scene which developed one of the golden and most creative periods of music, despite the participants' technical limitations. Later based in Manchester and inspired by comedians such as Monty Python and musicians like Captain Beefheart, The Velvet Underground, or The Fall, the Ferrets developed a personal style very close to Television Personalities, Swell Maps, or The Desperate Bicycles, all bands of questionable virtuosity. That didn't stop the Ferrets from releasing two cassettes, a 7", and an LP during their short life until 1982. [SOURCE: FORCED EXPOSURE] 

 

Label: Dead Hippy – DHC2 

Format: Cassette 

Country: UK 

Released: 1979 

Style: Post-Punk

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Brow Beaten 

A2 Develop That River 

A3 Shi-Showw 

A4 Morgan 

B1 Rouse Rouse 

B2 Dut Dut Dut 

B3 Didn't Like Us So We Didn't Like Them 

 

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