The Damned - New Rose

"Is She Really going out with him?" The Most memorable start to any song ever - anyone got anything better?

And then it just get better.

Touted as the first ever punk record in the UK (see KBD records in the comment box - thanks for correcting me) to be put on Vinyl It was said that they rushed it out to be the first, but if this is an example of a rushed out song, then lets have more. I know most people will have this, but I am not so sure that they will have the excellent cover of the Beatles "Help" on the b-side. So here it is, just for you.

You can hear by the scratches that I played this endlessly, and have never tired of it.

More etching trivia on this one. The Damned were always known as a fun band, especially with members such as Rat Scabies and Captain Sensible. I assume these etchings are from the Damned. On side a it has "Is This A Record?" and on side b "Damned Beatles" a reference to their cover of help.

Band: The Damned
Year: 1976
Label: Stiff
Tracks:
1. New Rose
2. Help

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

if you like this and you don't already have the Damned debut album then go and buy it now, you will not be disappointed:

Damned Damned Damned: 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition

The Heavy Metal Kids - She's No Angel

This is not Punk or New Wave, but who cares I have always loved this song. This posting was inspired by fellow blogger 'Nuzz Prowling Wolf' who posted a 'Heavy Metal Kids' live album recently (follow the links to his blog and the posting respectively).

Many of you may remember the 'Heavy Metal Kids' lead singer 'Gary Holton'. He was also an actor and was most famous for playing 'Wayne' the cockney carpenter in 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet'.

I guess 'She's No Angel' could be classed as 'glam rock' but whatever it is, as far as I'm concerned its right up there on my list of favorite songs. So leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Band: The Heavy Metal Kids
Label: RAK
Year: 1976
Tracks
1. She's No Angel
2. Hey Little Rich Girl

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

Eddie and the Hot Rods - Teenage Depression

This was Eddie and the Hot Rods fourth single, and their best in my opinion. As I remember the Hot Rods were seen as more of a pub rock type band who slipped into the punk/new wave era. Not surprising when you see the cover of their album and listen to this song.

I 'm not sure if this single had a picture cover (mine didn't, and you can see my classy attempt at making my own - a bit punk don't you think?) if anyone has got it then please send me a scan and I will replace. The colour scan is from their album of the same name, which I have used to make this posting look a little more colourful.

Band: Eddie and the Hot Rods
Label: Island
Year: 1976
Tracks:
1. Teenage Depression
2. Shake


Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:



If you like this then buy this, both these tracks are on, plus the original album and a couple of their earlier singles:

Teenage Depression

or if you just want the a-side (plus a few other bits then get this one):

Do Anything You Wanna Do

Bizarros - Lady Doubonette

This is "Bizarros" debut single which was four track ep released in 1976 on Gorilla Records. Another excellent donation from the Bruce Rhodes collection. "Bizarros" were from Akron, Ohio and formed in 1976, their music was compared to "The Velvet underground" and you will see why with the nearly spoken vocals, and the excellent guitar riffs. No picture cover for this one.

First up is the brilliant "Lady Doubonette" my favourite track of the four, the guitar riffs just get stuck in your head and you will be humming them for ages afterwards. Second up is "I Bizarro", on the first listen this was my least favourite but I'm changing my mind as I'm listening to it. "Without a Reason" is another little gem, dam there all so good and different it's difficult to choose. Last up "Nova" sounds a bit more punk (but still very Velvet Underground).

I give up I can't choose, so why don't you all listen, choose one track and leave a comment, and we can see which one is most liked.

Band: Bizarros
Label: Gorilla
Year: 1976
Tracks:
1. Lady Doubonette
2. I Bizarro
3. Without A Reason
4. Nova

Ripped from Bruce's glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this I'm sad to say that their back catalogue (follow this link to Bizarros home page) does not appear to be available any longer, but on the same link you will see that they are planning on releasing some new material soon.

Barry Biggs - Work All Day 7"

Most people in the UK (well anyone between the age of 40-55) will remember Barry Biggs for his cover of "Sideshow" (a no prize for anyone who can name who recorded the 1974 original) which reached number 3# in the UK charts in 1976. Personally I thought it was OK but nowhere near as good as his debut UK single also released in 1976 "Work All Day".

"Work all day" is a catchy and I guess more on the popular side of the reggae sound, but who cares I like it. The b-side consists of the good traditional dub version "Play all night" by the Dynamics.

Does anyone else remember this one?

Artist Barry Biggs
Label: Dynamic
Year: 1976
Tracks:
1. Work All Day
2. Play All Night - The Dynamics

Ripped from glorious very scratched vinyl (see comment for link)

If you like this, you won't go far wrong with buying his greatest hits here, its more expensive but more complete and includes, Sideshow, Work all Day (but not the b-side) and also his first big hit in Jamaica, another cover of the Osmonds hit "One Bad Apple":

Sideshow: the Best of Barry Biggs

This one is a bit cheaper but not so complete (the Osmonds cover is not included):

Sideshow