The Straps - Just Can't take Anymore

Strange first choice for the "Straps", which sounds a little more rockabilly than punk. I love this song and at 1.40 minutes long you cannot get bored of it. The b-side "New Age" is more like classic "Straps".

I used to share a squat in Brixton with Jock the lead singer. I cannot remember ever hearing any of his material in those days but that was 1978-79. All I can remember is getting drunk with him.

Luke Rendal (Crisis, Theater of Hate) and Stan Stammers (Theater of hate, Spear of Destiny) who also lived in the same squat, also had a stint in the Straps

If you like this, you can buy a clean digital copy of this single and a lot more on their album (link below)

Band: The Straps
Year: 1980
Label: Donut
Tracks:
1. Just Can't take Anymore
2. New Age

So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

and if you like this then buy:

The Punk Collection by Straps

Actifed - Rehearsals Various Singers

Actifed were named after a cough medicine, which the company subsequently took legal action to stop the band using the name.

Based in surrey the first band lineup was Dave Rogers, John Bristow, Rob Ryan and Al (From Jacobs Well , Guildford) with the first offical singer being Weasel (see more below on singers).

This posting I guess is very rare as it is a tape recording of one of their very early rehearsals, and much of this will never have been heard by many people. The singers include Phraser (from Crisis) singing all of the songs that are in tune, Weasel singing McKinneys Manacles (both versions) who for a while was Actifed's lead singer, and the off-tune songs were embarrassingly sung by me. The recordings are not great as they from a hand held tape recorder.

The first Actifed gig was at a wedding reception around 1980 (I've got the picture somewhere). weasel and myself sang, reading the lyrics from printed sheets (I still have those printed sheets). I was dropped after this gig (and rightly so, as I couldn't sing)

A year(ish) later they managed to get themselves on the front cover of sounds, not bad considering they hadn't even released anything.

Some of the tracks names are wrong on the mp3, the listing below is accurate.

Band: Actifed
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Living Death #1
2. Your No Better Than Me #1
3. So Schizo #1
4. So Schizo #2
5. So Schizo #3
6. Your No Better Than Me #2
7. Your No Better Than Me #3
8. Your No Better Than Me #4
9. So Schizo #4
10. So Schizo #5
11. So Schizo #6 / Media Moron #1
12. Doss Anywhere (incomplete)
13. McKinneys Manacles #1
14. Living Death #2
15. Your No Better Than Me #5
16. Media Moron #2
17. Doss Anywhere #2
18 McKinneys Manacles #2
19 War Cry #1

So ripped from a glorious hand held tape recorder:

The Nips - Only The End Of The Beginning

The Nipple Erectors shortened their name to the Nips. I think this was released first as "The Tits Of Soho/Only The End of the Beginning" (which included all the singles and a live gig recording). It was then re-released in 1980 as just a 14 track live LP, just called "Only The End Of the Beginning", and it is latter that I am posting here.

It's a pretty good recording and one that I have always enjoyed, see what you think.

Tracks:
1. Love To make You Cry
2. Vengeance
3. Gabrielle
4. King Of The Bop
5. Ghost town
6. Fuss 'n' Bother
7. Venus In Bovver Boots
8. Happy Song
9. Stupid Cow
10. I don't Want Nobody To Leave
11, Infatuation
12. Maida Ada
13. Hit Parade
14. Can't Say No

Ripped from glorious good condition vinyl

The Bad Actors - Are They Hostile

I don't know much about this one at all. I seem to remember that 'the Damned ' had some involvement in helping to release this, and it if that's true then it wouldn't surprise me, as the a-side 'Are They Hostile' does sound similar to them.

Does anyone out there know anymore? Google is showing very little.

If you haven't heard this one before it will soon be stuck in your head and you will find yourself walking around singing the chorus, ever since I ripped this last night, I keep singing it.

The b-sides OK, but for me it's the a-side (I know strange for me).

There was obviously a mistake on the cover as the b-side 'Love Song' title was added with a sticker.

Band: the Bad Actors
Label: Plastic Speech
Year: 1980
Tracks
1. Are They Hostile
2. Love Song

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

The Satellites - Urbane Gorilla

Don't know much about this one except I love the a-side Urbane Gorilla. It's fast and furious, and I don't know what the hell their singing about, as I can't understand the lyrics, but that doesn't stop me singing along to the chorus:

Urbane Gorilla he's gonna get you
eeya eeya waki waki

Don't know what that means, but I don't care, its brilliant. The b-side is OK, but not a patch on the a-side.

Band: The Satellites
Label: Rewind Records
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Urbane Gorilla
2. High Rise Hillbillys

As the cover show Rat Scabies from the Damned produced it. Anyone know anything else?

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

Cuddly Toys - Astral Joe

From 'Raped' the controversial punk band (see earlier posting) to 'The Cuddly Toys', a change both in image and music. This was Cuddly Toys second single, and it's an excellent mix of punk and glam rock, which personally I love. If this doesn't get you dancing around your house nothing will. The b-side is a bit of a slow ballad type and doesn't work for me.

Although the label is Fresh records the back cover still quotes a Parole records production which is the label used for Raped (so they cleaned up the name and the label).

A bit of etching on both sides, on the a-side 'It's All Part Of growing Up.......'. Is this a message linked to them cleaning up their act? On the b-side '....and Breaking Up....... See Ya Suckers!!!'

Band: Cuddly Toys
Label: Fresh
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Astral Joe
2. Slow Down

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this then buy this one for all their singles, plus a few other tracks:

The Best of the Cuddly Toys

or their debut album with a DVD too, Cor blimey!

Guillotine Theatre: +DVD

Vic Godard & Subway Sect - 'Split Up The Money'

Another classic from Vic Godard & Subway Sect, you can hear a little of the old Subway Sect sound in the background, but as usual Godard starts too move into a new direction and sound of his own. Both sides are excellent catchy tunes that will have you walking around singing along.

Produced by Bernie Rhodes (the ex notorious Clash manager) who appears to have had a long relationship with Vic Godard. A few years later he formed 'Club Left' (it was meant to be the only good club left to go to) where Vic Godard and Subway Sect regularly played as headliners.

Band: Vic Godard & Subway Sect
Label: Oddball
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. 'Split Up The Money'
2. Out Of Touch

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like then go and buy Vic Godard's excellent second album, this new version includes both of these tracks plus a load of other extra tracks. It is a true masterpiece and one of my all time favorites:

What's the Matter Boy

The Bad Actors - Are They Hostile (Repost)

This is a repost of 'The Bad Actors' for a couple of reasons, firstly I got it wrong when I said I think the Damned were involved, and secondly the lead singer of 'The Bad Actors' left the following comment:

Captain said...

Well, strangely enough, I was the band's lead singer, and no, The Damned were not involved in any way, although we used to see Captain Sensible in the queue at the Croydon Unemployment Office, and we did once support Brian James.

"Strange Love" was the only other single, but was more arty-farty and not so punky, unlike the B-Side which rocks but is a crap recording.

The band eventually split, with some of the others going on to do typical 80s pop stuff, while I became a recording engineer.

A few years ago I came out of retirement and currently front a punkpop band "MARC and the Millionaires", so if you download this, do me a favour and visit the homepage and/or the myspace rubbish: www.marcandthemillionaires.com

So I hope you don't mind the shameless plug, and otherwise, thanks for uploading this, I haven't heard it in years!

Cheers

MARC

So if you did download this gem of a song, then do Marc a favour and go and visit his link.
if you didn't download it now and then go and visit his link.

Message to Mark if you've got a copy of your second single, ASFM would be happy to post it (and I wouldn't mind hearing it).

Band: the Bad Actors
Label: Plastic Speech
Year: 1980
Tracks
1. Are They Hostile
2. Love Song

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

The Human League - Holiday '80

I said I would post one more Human League song, and this is it. I posted this one for three reasons, firstly I don't think the a-side version on this single is readily available, and secondly the a-side is a cover of a 'Gary Glitter' classic (shame he turned out to be a perv - kind of makes it bad to like any of his songs) and I wanted to tell a story about the best audience heckle I have ever heard. The third reasons will come at the end of this story.

I went to see Bauhaus at Guildford University circa 1980 and Gary Glitter was supporting, the audience was a mixture of punks and goths. Glitter blasted through all his songs to a pretty appreciative crowd (obviously it hadn't got out about his private life yet), when he came to 'The Leader of The Gang' he launched into it and in the chorus he is singing:

'I'm the Leader. I'm the Leader, I'm the leader of the Gang I am"

and then he stops, its totally quiet.....

..... he looks at the audience, waits for a while.....

...... and then shouts

"Whose The Leader?" (Expecting the audience to shout back "You're The Leader")

..... More quiet......

and then someone in the audience (I wish it was me) shouts....

"Not you, you Fat Bastard"

Well it made me laugh (still does).

So now I've told the story here is the third tenuous link to why I posted this.....

What's the best audience heckle you've ever heard? (In the comments please)

Band: The Human League
Label: Virgin
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Rock 'N' Roll
2. Being Boiled
3. Dancevision

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this you can get another version of Rock 'N' Roll mixed with Iggy pops Nightclubbing (pretty good actually) plus the rest of the album (which is also very good), then get this:

Travelogue

T.V. Smith's Explorers - Tomahawk Cruise

This is T.V.Smith's debut single following the Adverts break up. As far as I'm concerned all of the 'Adverts' singles were outstanding and 'Tomahawk Cruise' continued that run.

T.V.Smith's voice is distinctive and you can instantly hear the influence he had on the Adverts. This is one single you will play and play and play, I promise. the b-side is good but nowhere near as good as the a-side.

I also rate the first explorers album 'Last Words from a Great Explorer' and was surprised when I had a look for it that it is no longer commercially available, so I may post this at a later date if anyone likes what they hear. My copy also came with a free single 'World Of My Own / Walk In A Straight Line" which I couldn't find any sign of (but I only did a quick Google) has anyone else got this?

The lyrics are on the back cover, so as per usual I have included a high resolution scan of the back cover.

Band: T.V.Smith's Explorers
Label: Big Beat
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Tomahawk Cruise
2. See Europe

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


TV Smith is a prolific artist with a large catalogue of recording which continue right up to today. Although some of them are no longer on Amazon, etc. iTunes has a few of his good albums such as Misinformation Overload. One other to recommend is his recent live cover of the classic Adverts tracks:

Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts Live at the 100 Club

Vice Squad - Living On Dreams

Vice Squad formed in 1979, and this their debut, double a-side, three track single was released in 1980. Having trouble with finding a good record deal, they created there own label 'Riot City records' and manged to sell a healthy 25,000 copies.

The singer was originally the lovely 'Beki Bondage' see poster (free with this single) scan (high res copy in download) below, she was replaced later on by another female vocalist 'Lia'.

For me 'Last Rockers' is the standout track of the three. But I'll leave it to you to listen and leave a comment and tell me what your favourite is.

Etchings on both sides - 'Punks and Skins O.K.' and on the other side 'O.K Punks and Skins'. Well from my memory they weren't.

Band: Vice Squad
Label: Riot City Records
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Living On Dreams
2. Latex Love
3. Last Rockers

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like then buy this, it includes this posting plus singles from both vocalists:

Vice Squad: The Complete Punk Singles

Splodgenessabounds - Simon Templer

A bit of silly punk fun here from 'Splodgenessabounds' debut single. The a-side 'Simon Templer' was a souped up version of the ITV show 'Return Of The Saint'. Strangely enough it was the b-side 'Two Pints Of Lager and A Packet Of Crisps Please' which amazingly got to number #7 in the national chart, and also inspired the name of a BBC situation comedy of the same name

Splodgenessabounds were noted for playing pranks my favourite was if they had no support band, they would support themselves all swapping instruments and playing very loudly and badly. Their press claims were also just as mischievous: a three sided LP, and a free Christmas tree with every album.

Band: Splodgenessabounds
Label: DERAM
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Simon Templer
2. Michael Booth's Talking Bum
3. Two Pints Of Lager & A Packet Of Crisps Please

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this, then you buy this for a nice clean digital version of this posting plus loads of other stuff:

Splodgenessabounds

Pinpoint - Waking Up To Morning

Pinpoints second single is very different to their debut 'Richmond' (follow link for earlier posting). For the a-side 'Waking Up To Morning' gone is the punk sound and replaced with something more like a speeded up Depeche Mode. The b-side 'Floods and Trickles' is back to the old Pinpoint sound.

Both sides, even though they are very different work for me. I have always liked Pinpoint and thought that they were underrated. I did used to go and see them a lot so maybe there is some sentimental link, but listening to them today, they still sound good. Which one do you like best? Leave a comment (I think I might be able to guess)

The sleeve was a fold out poster which I have scanned out in full and left a high resolution copy in the download. The single also gave a lyric insert also included with the scans.

For old memories a few scans of the Pinpoint badges as well

Band: Pinpoint
Label: Albion
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Waking Up To Morning
2. Floods & Trickles
Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


Someone should collect their singles and album and release them, anyone out there?

Pinpoint - Yo - Yo

Pinpoint's final single 'Yo- Yo' is excellent in my opinion. A number of people have commented that their first single 'Richmond' is their best, and I would agree, but I still love this one. Both sides of this single were on their debut and only album 'Third State.

So now you have heard all three, what's your favourite track? (excluding Richmond, coz that just too obvious)

Band: Pinpoint
Label: Albion
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Yo - Yo
2. Drowning In The Wave Of Life (Instrumental Version)

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

If you like then buy their album:

Third State

The Piranhas - I Don't Want My Body

The Piranhas single that John Peel introduced to the wider public.

'I Don't Want My Body' is one of those songs that always makes me smile. The lyrics are witty and clever, the tune is infectious and is guaranteed to have you dancing around your living room singing along. After listening to this and 'Space Invaders' again it led to me digging out their debut album 'The Piranhas' Which I had forgotten how many songs like 'I Don't Want My Body' they had written. I was going to post this as well, as it is still not generally available but found the guys over at the Twilight Zone have already done so (so if you like the last couple of postings, get over there, and git it). This is a slightly different version to the album, but both the Sire versions are better than the one on the only available Piranhas collection.

The b-side of this single, is definitely not my cup of tea, and appears to be a bit of an oddity compared with their normal style. As usual though I leave it here for completeness.

So how many of you out their don't like your bodies? I know I could do with a few changes on mine. Leave a comment and tell ASFM.

Band: The Piranhas
Label: Sire
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. I Don't Want My Body
2. (I'm Gonna Get) Well Away

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


This is the only available Piranhas stuff currently, so if you like this then try this (please note they are different versions to the Sire recordings):

The Piranhas

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

A.D. 1984 - Race To Nowhere

The final single from the excellent A.D. 1984. It's a shame no one has collected their works, all of their singles are excellent. You can again here strains of the Stranglers in their songs, but in my opinion they are still different in their own right.

"Race to nowhere" is the stand out track but the b-side "Leisure Crimes" is also good (although it is much more commercial.

Leave a comment and tell ASFM what you think of this one.

I haven't got the picture cover for this one apart from this tiny image, so if anyone can send me a better scan it would be much appreciated.

Band: A.D. 1984
Label: Grand Prix
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Race To Nowhere
2. Leisure Crimes

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this , then check out their other postings on ASFM, I don't think they have released anything else, but hopefully 45 Revs or Worthless Trash will prove me wrong, as I would love to find more from this band,

Stiff Little Fingers - At The Edge

Stiff little Fingers fifth single was 'At The edge' and in my opinion it was five perfect songs in a row. This single could of effortlessly sat on their brilliant debut album 'Inflammable Material (see link below). The b-side consists of two live encores which each song 'Running Bear' and 'White Christmas' are 50/50 in terms of a standard rock cover/then a punk cover, both recorded live at Troon & Aberdeen in 1979.

I love the comic book art cover, which now reminds me of an episode of 'Heroes'.


Band: Stiff Little Fingers
Label: Chrysalis
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. At The Edge
2. Silly Encores: Running Bear
3. Silly Encores: White Christmas

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you want all their singles (b-sides as well) then get this:

All the Best

If you want their best albums then get these two, they are classics:

Inflammable Material

and

Nobody's Heroes

Department S - Is Vic There?

The classic debut from Department S, released in 1980 on Demon Records (and later picked up by RCA in 1981) "Is Vic There?" got to #22 in the national chart. Even though they released some other excellent tracks their new record label Stiff gave up on them, and this disappeared.

I always loved this song, and liked a lot of their other material as well, its a shame that they never got the support and recognition that they deserved. The b-side of this is a cover version of T.Rex's "Solid Gold Easy Action" which as the original was such a brilliant track in the first place , it was a mistake to cover. There is a nice touch at the end where it merges into the Stones "(I Can't get No) Satisfaction"

Nice little etching on the a-side "Is Porky There?"

Band: Department S
Label: Demon Records
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Is Vic There?
2. Solid Gold Easy Action

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this then your in luck as both tracks and much more are available on their debut album which although produced in 1981 was not released until a few years ago:

Sub-Stance