The Local Anesthetic - Various Artists

This story for me demonstrates what the music industry should be doing about blogs, and I hope you feel the same as me, and go out and buy this album, the music warrants it, and the labels approach also does. So have a read and see what ASFM thinks, and then listen to it yourself. As usual leave some comments and say what you think of the labels approach, as well as what you think of the music.

The Story
I got an email from a guy called Andy Silva (from New York) who works for a record label as New Media Promotion.

He sent me some sample mp3's (you can get the link to these in the comments) and also a link to listen to the new album they are promoting (the link for you to listen is further down in this posting). A little info on new album in their own words below:

In 1981 Wax Trax Records co-owner Duane Davies formed the in-store label called Local Anesthetic and released the debut single by Denver band Gluons featuring Allen Ginsberg on vocals. Local Anesthetic went on as the only continuous independent label in Colorado, staunchly documenting the underground music scene of the early 80s. Now, Smooch Records’ The Local Anesthetic compiles all of the 7-inch singles, along with a few other gems. Although the singles all fall under the punk umbrella, they're a diverse collection of hardcore, new wave, artsy fartsy, goth, and experimental recordings from 1977-83.

The Music
So I had a listen to this album and boy there are some real gems (all of which I have never heard). I've ordered my copy today and hopefully when you have listened to this album you will do the same.

I started by listening to the free downloads first and was very impressed with a couple of the tracks, so I then turned to listen to the whole album, and these were my favorites (the order is based upon the album and not my personal preference) and the reason that led to me ordering the album:

Frantix - My Dad's A F*cking Alcoholic, a slowish, heavy sound that is brilliant, obviously not one to play around your mum, but this will have you singing along to the chorus.

Your Funeral's, 'I Wanna Be You' is such a stand-out track , whilst it was playing I was working on an ASFM post, and I had to stop, the track is so brilliant, that it made me look up and stop typing, and I have been playing it continuously ever since. not to be let down, and guess what? the b-side 'The Abyss' is equally brilliant. You will love this band I promise.

The next pick for me was the 'Young Weasels' and their single 'Twist and Burn' a slow burner this one (excuse the pun), I can't put my finger on who they sound like (anyone out there know?) but I like it. The b-side 'Happy Feathers' is another one that grows on you.

Next pick is the Gluons, 'Bird Brain', I dare you not to love this song. It is beyond classification, but one of those songs that just makes you smile as you sing along to the catchy chorus "Bridbrain". The b-side is more classic punk and does not disappoint, great guitar riffs, great chorus, play it.

Both the tracks from Jerri Rossi are very different again, it reminds me a little of early Lydia Lunch, she screams out the lyrics against a back bass guitar and noise. I don't know why, but I love it. The more I play it the more it grows on me.

Next up for me, Defex, this is a real little gem and rarity. 'Psycho Surfer' sounds like classic 1977 punk, its got the riffs, the vocals and the speed, I'm singing along now, whilst witting this "Psycho Sur fer fer fer fer fer Psycho Surfer. The b-sides not quite as good as the a-side, but it's still brilliant, which makes you realize how good, Psycho Surfer is. Only 100 copies of this were released and it has fetched up to $400 on ebay.

The Nails, 'Cops Are Punks' starts of with the old fashioned police siren and then goes into another classic 1977 punk sound, it is so catchy, you will not be able to stop jumping around and singing along to this. This track is so cool, you gotta get it. The b-side 'Big star is again good, but it could never surpass 'Cops Are Punks'. The final track 'Another Lesson' is much slower and melodic but still excellent.

So summing it up for me, 14 brilliant tracks out of 33 ain't bad. If you like hardcore punk then there's even more for you. In fact there's something for everyone on this compilation. If you don't believe me then follow then follow this link for the full album stream and listen yourself:
E-CARD W/ FULL ALBUM STREAM: HERE

By the way you can also purchase this great compilation through the same link above.

So either listen to the whole album or download these four tracks and sample:

1. Your Funeral - I Wanna Be You
2. Jerri Rossi - I Left My Heart I Don't Know Where
3. White Trash - wake Up
4. Bum Kon - The Draft

Ripped using some smart recording technology (the four sample mp3's):
See comment for the link - If you can't find the comment, go to http://asfm.blogspot.com/

The full album track listing is below, but if you want to know more about these bands and see some hi resolution pictures then go here:

BIO & HI-RES ARTIST IMAGES: HERE

and if you want some more info about the labels, etc then go here:

LABEL WEBSITES: SMOOCH RECORDS | SMOOCH RECORDS MYSPACE

FULL TRACK LISTING
1. Frantix - My Dad's A F*cking Alcoholic
2. Frantix - Car
3. Frantix - Your Ill
4. Frantix - My Dad's Dead
5. Your Funeral - I Wanna Be You
6. Your Funeral - The Abyss
7. White Trash - Wake Up
8. White Trash - Nazi's In My Neighborhood
9. White Trash - Ballard Of Ronnie Raygun
10. White Trash - I Hate Toes
11. White Trash - Daddy Warbucks
12. Young Weasels - Twist and Burn
13. Young Weasels - Happy Feathers
14. Bum Kon - Bum Kon
15. Bum Kon - Forced Away
16. Bum Kon - Drunken Sex Sucks
17. Bum Kon - The Draft
18. Bum Kon - Slow Death
19. Gluons - Bird Brain
20. Gluons - Sue Your Parents
21. Frantix - Face Reality
22. Frantix - Cat Mouse
23. Frantix - Sharin' Sharon
24. Frantix - New Questions
25. Jerri Rossi - I Left My Heart I Don't Know Where
26. Jerri Rossi - It's A Man's Man's Man's World
27. Rok Tots - Suicide Weekend
28. Rok Tots - Situation Kid
29. Defex - Psycho Surfer
30. Defex - Machine Gun Love
31. Nails - Cops Are Punks
32. Nails - Big Star
33. Nails - Another Lesson

So if you like this then go and buy it here:
E-CARD W/ FULL ALBUM STREAM: HERE

Stiff Little Fingers - Listen EP

Stiff Little Fingers tenth single. I must admit I had stopped listening to SLF at their sixth single "Nobody's Hero" and only ever bought their first two albums. So when Longy asked for this one, I had never heard of it. I found the vinyl for £2 so thought it was worth a go, and I was surprised at how good "Listen" is, its a bit more commercial than their older material and has a bit of "the Skids" sound which is no bad thing.

Four tracks on this EP, "Listen" is the stand out track for me. Second up is "Sad Eyed People" which is another little gem that will hook you instantly. Next up is "That's When Your Blood Bumps" and finally "Two Guitars Clash", both OK, but not strong enough for me. So give these a try and see what you think and leave a comment.

On the strength of listen I tracked down and purchased the album (only £4 on Amazon - see link below) that these came from and was pleasantly surprised how good it is. It's now got me thinking I'm gonna have to try some of the other albums that I didn't buy.

What do you reckon on the clothes then? Leave a comment a tell ASFM.

Band: Stiff Little Fingers
Label: Chrysalis
Year: 1982
Tracks:
1. Listen
2. Sad Eyed People
3. That's When Your Blood Bumps
4. Two Guitars Clash

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

If you like this then you can get all four tracks plus more for £4 here:

Now Then by Stiff Little Fingers (Audio CD - 2004)

Buy new: £3.98

and if for some strange reason you haven't got these, then here are the best two album from SLF (both £4 each bargain)

Inflammable Material

Nobody's Heroes

SpizzEnergi2 - Jungle Fever

Another Spizz incarnation, and the release of their 11th single. if you got the recent best of Spizz you will have the a-side "Jungle Fever", but I believe the b-side "The Meaning" has never been released other than on this single. In my opinion Jungle Fever is the stand out track of the two, and the b-side is really for Spizz completists (which I know there are lots of you out there).

This is a much more commercial outing for Spizz, but Jungle Fever really grows on you.

There's one etching on the b-side "Spizz 'n' Jim Mix!"

Band: SpizzEnergi2
Label: Rough Trade
Year: 1982
Tracks:
1. Jungle Fever
2. The Meaning

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then try this pretty good best of, its got Jungle Fever plus all of the Spizz clasics like Soldier Soldier, Captain Kirk, 6,000 Crazy, etc.

Where's Captain Kirk: the Very Best of Spizz Energi

Department S - In Concert 20-02-1982

This is more of a warm up set for 'The Jam' (which will follow some time soon) than a full gig. Recorded from the Radio 1 In Concert program you get six full songs, but hey as long as you get 'Is Vic There?' who cares (and check it out you also get a secret bonus track).

Another homemade cover, I bet you couldn't tell.

Band: Department S
Year: 1982
Tracks:
1. Intro
2. Is Vic There?
3. Going Left Right
4. I want
5. Clap Now
6. Tell Me About It
7. Going Up
8. Outro
9. Secret bonus - Is Vic There? (Italian Version)

Ripped from glorious hissing FM radio

If you like this then get their originally unreleased album (Stiff refused to release it and I for one can't understand why) plus you now get their singles as well. Not bad eh!

Sub-Stance

The Jam - In Concert 20-02-1982

This gig was just before the release of their 6th and final album 'The Gift', which in my opinion was not their best but ironically charted the highest (I clearly have no taste) at number 1.

Some excellent tracks here, still playing 'Down In The Tube Station' (my personal Jam favourite) and a couple from 'Sound Effects'.

The warm up for this gig was the previous posting from 'Department S' and seamlessly join if you play them back to back.

Band: The Jam
Year: 1982
Tracks:
1. Intro
2. The Gift
3. Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
4. Ghosts
5. Tales Of The Riverbank
6. Precious
7. A Town Called Malice
8. In The Crowd
9. Circus
10. Pretty Green
11. Start
12. Boy About Town
13. Gary Crowley Outro

Ripped from glorious hissing FM radio

If you like this then, well I don't need to tell you that all their albums are excellent, but the two I would recommend are:

All Mod Cons
and

Setting Sons

Captain Sensible - Happy Talk 7"

This post is from a request by Eugene. I never planned on posting this one as it was a big hit (Number 1# in the UK) so I assumed everyone would have it, and also as a big Damned fan, it was a long way from the sound I always favoured.

So when Eugene said the b-side was no longer available (after a little check you can get still buy all these tracks on the Captains reissued debut - links for purchase as usual at the bottom of this post), I thought I would dig it out and check it out, and as often is the way with singles the b-side is well worth a listen.

"Happy Talk" with backing vocals from "The Dolly Mixtures" (also on the front cover) was a cover of a famous "Rodgers and Hammerstein" musical "South Pacific" and was very commercial (not my cup of tea, but a s a completest, I still had to buy it). The b-side give you two tracks (well one really) the first "It" is a short (1:21) silly track which will make you smile the first time you hear it, but the second "I Can't Stand It (Demo)" returns to the sounds we would normally expect from "Captain Sensible". I love it, you can hear the Captain is having fun, and just in case you think it's my poor rip (it is a bit scratched) the end is not a mistake. So check it out, it's worth it just for the one track.

Artist: Captain Sensible
Label: A&M
Year: 1982
Tracks:
1. Happy Talk
2. It
3. I Can't Stand It (Demo)

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then your in luck as you can still buy all three tracks plus lots more on his debut album here:

Women And Captains First

20 July 2009

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You can still buy a lot of the Captain Sensible stuff, a collection of his hits for only £2:99 here:

The Collection

05 May 2003

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Brian James - Why? Why? Why? 7"

Like many bloggers I sometimes start to think, I can't be arsed with this anymore, and maybe I should kill the blog of, and then out of the blue, you get an email from someone saying, "I thought you might like these...." and attached is Brian James second single (a and b side) Why? Why? Why? and then you think, this is why I blog. The sharing, and helping people (including myself) to find new music still gives me a buzz.

So give a big thanks in the comments to Styreneboy, who shared this hard to find single (well after much searching I couldn't find it anywhere)

Released on green and black vinyl in 1982 on Illegal Records. You get two tracks, with the a-side Why? Why? Why? clearly being the stand out track. It's just what you expect from Brian James, great guitar riffs and a great catchy tune (this one will stick in your head for a while). The b-side "Where Did I Find A Girl Like You" is OK, but James has done much better.

Artist: Brian James
Label: Illegal Records
Year: 1982
Tracks:
1. Why? Why? Why?
2. Where Did I Find A Girl Like You

Ripped from Styreneboy's glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then you can still buy some of Brian James albums here, and they are worth getting:

The Brian James Gang
and you can get this one in the traders area for an amazing £1.23 (I got my copy last week) two CD's, one of the album and the second is the "Dripping Lips" album (of course featuring Brian James) here:

Brian James