CLOWN - s/t 7'' 1983

In keeping with my physical condition follows now a small, subtle but interesting work, and there may have been few published records of the Clowns' musical wanderings in the Eighies, but their mark remained and remains indelible on the Greek underground music scene. Founded in 1981, the band consisted of Yannis (vocals), Elias (guitar), Poupeta (keyboards) and Vagelis (drums), and of more artistically (and not purely musically) restless spirits who made it through their intelligent compositions, their special lyrical inspirations and their overall aesthetic ethos have managed to occupy a special place in the domestic alternative music reality. Both songs on this beautiful 7Inch are based on those conscious, artistic, expressive digressions and move mainly in dark tones. They're two of the era's finest sonic moments, while also highlighting the shame of the band's lack of further released work. In particular, these tracks combine all the necessary components to form two catchy blends of intellectual Post-Punk/New Wave demonstrations. What remains: a nice release by a remarkable group that disappeared so ingloriously without meaning, but in 2012 came the re-issue via Eirkti in a limited edition of 400 hand-numbered copies. They are even featured on some Compilations. Back to bed and get quick healthy.

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SKIDS - Charles EP 1978

Damn, I guess I caught a cold yesterday. The morning wasn't pleasant and I also had a bit fever, so I'll keep it short and am grateful for the intro information discogs has to offer: The Skids were a Scottish combo formed summer 1977 in Dunfermline and consisted of Richard (vocals), Stuart (guitar), William (bass) and Tom (drums). They rode into British consciousness on the new wave backwash to the ebbing tide of Punk. The release of their self-financed, attention-grabbing Charles EP (this record brought them to the attention of John Peel.) came at the time Richard Branson's Virgin label were busy accruing an eclectic roster of post-punk hopefuls. Consequently, with almost indecent haste, the band were tethered to what was to prove an optimistic eight-album deal. They published four albums in their first lifespan (I like their second one) which ended in 1982. Since 2007 they've been active again and their current album Destination Düsseldorf is waiting for you.

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ISOCRACY - Bedtime For Isocracy EP 1988

Well, if I just lay in bed and watched fucking TV that wouldn't be the worst option for this shitty gray month, but today I'm home and did some rips. And today a fresh one from a band that was more of a short project and as it is with all sort of them, they are usually mercilessly awesome and their few records are very sought after these days. Today we find Isocracy from California and this four piece consisted of Jason (vocals), Lenny (guitars), Martin (bass), Al (drums) and this record saves your day. Released via Lookout Records and little dittie has eleven songs ready for your deaf ears, but half of which are none. They are rather funny gimmicks and the last song, which according to the cover lasts almost eight minutes, is a small message that is constantly repeated in the outlet groove and is clearly understandable. They have an excellent sense of humor. The record came out in different versions and no matter which one you have, you have a fucking awesome piece of US Punk history. And with this beauty is a request fulfilled and at the end you get a wonderful review: With the music being a mixture of speeded-up quality Flipper and early Minor Threat, this record kicks it with Hardcore anthems that cover such topics as love, Gilman St. Project, anarchy, and all-out wackiness. The band’s smart-ass sense of humor is in abundance throughout the lyrics, packaging, and general concept. Equally abundant is the band’s “we can do whatever we want” attitude, which is a pleasant relief in these days of professionalism. This be great! (Martin Sprouse, MRR #57 • February 1988) And now it's time for breakfast and chill out a bit, see you tomorrow.

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RISIKOFAKTOR - s/t EP 1992

An interesting combo which deliver surprisingly a decent catchy und rough sound are Risikofaktor (chosen by a song from the Düsseldorf combo Male), a four piece from Soest and they founded 1986 and consisted of Gaffer (vocals), Daisy (guitar), Pille (guitar/bass) & Jason (drums). They released some decent tapes (listen) and this is their debut 7Inch on Kadaver Records and came in a limited edition of 500 copies (the first two hundred hand-numbered copies with different covers). A second 7Inch followed three years later and a 'Best Of' CD in 2000, also invited to Compilations, most of them via cassette. I like this EP because the sound is close to the good old '77 style, bilingual and really cool songs with good lyrics... a small, unknown round one. Definitely interesting enough to keep an eye out for more material... and with that, greetings from the Langsdorf fog.

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EBBA GRÖN - Prorock 7'' 1979

Second 7Inch by Ebba Grön on Mistlur and they formed in Rågsved outside of Stockholm in 1977. They are one of the most renowned bands from this country and this 7Inch will kick your ass and is one more beautiful highlight in their glorious discography. Two briliant goodies and what can I more say: don't miss it! 

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NUCLEAR WINTER - s/t 12'' 1997

Finally Saturday and finally time to post again. It's simply not possible for me to find time here after a tiring day at work during the week, so stay tuned anyway. Today now a Crust Trash Metal combo from Athens which formed in 1995 and disbanded in 2003 and later eventually turned into Dead Congregation. The band consisted of Anastasis (vocals), Kostas (guitar), Army (bass), Vagelis (drums) and this is their only release which came first as CD on Live Records, re-released as 12Inch on Necroterror Records/Rusted Lock in a limited edition of 300 copies. Such music doesn't affect me as much these days, that was my world fourty years ago, but Πυρηνικός Χειμώνας brings me together surprisingly well and their sound isn't 'crust' as people describe it. Check it out and you'll see it's not strenuous at all.

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V/A - Bored Teenagers Vol.12 2020

Ja Ja Ja, the next fucking great Compilation is certainly nothing new for you my dear followers, but it is definitely irreplaceable for everyone who visit this theater for the first time and wondering, what the hell is that: "After a frantic year and a hard slog sorting all this out, the anticipated next volume in this highly collectable series is finally being released!" Volume twelve by the essential Bored Teenagers gift features some long lost Punkrock gems which have been undiscovered for over fourty years and you know, at which high level this grandiose series is. I don't have to tell you much about this, because everything that has appeared on this fantastic series so far remains of high quality and will be most sought after in the next damn AI years, I'm 100% sure of that and the CD version has more the chance of being your own, because the vinyl edition is, in this case, limited to 600 copies. You see, a rare piece of wax after a short time. Enough blah blah, the Bundesliga is just around the corner and I recommend every Punkrocker to look out for these records.

1.London - XTENSIONS

2.Hard Addict - XTENSIONS

3.Leave Us Alone - XTENSIONS

4.Suck It And See - XTENSIONS

5.Put A Bag On Your Head - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

6.Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

7.Love - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

8.X-Ray Eyes - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

9.You Do Too Much Talking - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

10.Oxford Street - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

11.Drofxo Treets - THE MYSTERY GIRLS

12.TV Kids (Demo) - THE MEDIA

13.Just For You (Demo) - THE MEDIA

14.Don't Sit Back - THE MEDIA

15.Back On The Beach - THE MEDIA

16.Don't Stare - ST MATILDA'S BOYS

17.Polyfilla - SNYDE

18.Who Are You? - SNYDE

19.Living In Langley - SNYDE

20.Thieving Bitch - SNYDE

21.Silicon Chip - SNYDE

22.Style & Fashion - SNYDE

23.Play In A Day - SNYDE

24.Down By The River (Is Where I Lost My Baby) - THE FAMOUS MEN

25.New Stran - THE FAMOUS MEN

26.It's Not Me - THE FAMOUS MEN

27.What's The Point? - THE FAMOUS MEN

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TIEBREAK - Mina Grannar (Gillar Inte Rock'N'Roll) 7'' 1982

I don't have any information about this band called Tiebreak, but they do a solid job and recorded two early rock'n'roll goodies and immortalized them on their only rare 7inch, released by the Swedish renowned Rock label Pang Records. Whether it is a real collector's item is up to the viewer, I don't think the record is bad, as it is absolutely audible and doesn't come with long solos or similar elements. A-side with a 'short' two minute track, while the flip is a bit too long ballad, but the guitar sound sounds pleasantly creaky and somehow antique... very charming. A record where tastes certainly differ, I like it.

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Z-CARS - This Is Z-Cars 7'' 1980

Brilliant PowerPop curls from this Melbourne based combo and, of course, this is their sole release on Au Go Go with two superb nuggets. The Z-Cars (named after a British television police procedural series) were formed in the late Seventies and the band consisted of Russell (vocals), Trevor (guitars), Craig (bass), Craig P. (drums), they played countless gigs with bands as obscure as the Zorros and as renowned as the Saints and after much positive vibes they thought it was time for a nice record. "An early offering from the esteemed Au Go Go label, the 45 was widely panned at the time, which the group themselves attribute to ‘possibly the worst guitar sound ever put on record’. To modern tastemakers, of course, such claims only increase the appeal, and ‘This is Z-Cars’ has since become a sought-after piece." The band broke up in 1981... but fourty years later, this bloody Mary was reissued by the Canadian label Meanbean Records in a fucking limited edition. Guest appearances at Compliation performances are rather rare, but luckily they left some Bloodstains. Have a good start with this to the weekend!

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ADMIT YOU'RE SHIT - Expect No Mercy.... If You Cross Your Real Friends EP 1985

Debut record by this four piece from London and Admit You're Shit consisted of John (vocals), Jom (guitars), Sean (bass), Rim (drums). Founded in 1984, they managed to made two releases during their short existence, this EP and an album (12Inches Of A.Y.S. Are You Sure?) in 1986. Both records were released via the Conflict label Mortarhate Records and received a lot of positive response by the consumers. They often shared the stage with the Anarcho mates but mostly stayed away from political topics. Six short smasher on this goodie plus a cool Minor Threat cover and an explosive short start to the grayest month of the year and highly listenable. In 2004, Mortarhate Records reissued both of the band's releases on one CD called "Someplace Special" with seventeen standout blasts. Enjoy!

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