7-31-2015

Setlist:
Ramleh - Hole In The Heart
Pure - Sciamachy
My 3 Sons - Starving Artist
Blue Sabbath Black Fiji - You Hit The Funk / Six Fingers For California
Index - Turquoise Feline
Drunks With Guns - Leprosy
No Trend - Blow Dry
No Aid - Charlie Wutz

Ramleh - "Hole In The Heart"

Off of "Hole In The Heart," released on Broken Flag in 1987, reissued with bonus tracks in 2009.

A jumble of undefinable genres and sounds, Ramleh's landmark in the British Industrial / Power Electronics scene, Hole In The Heart, is quite a treat! The original cassette was taken up by 4 songs, all intense drones. The Double CD reissue however, contains 13 tracks; one reaching 25 minutes in length (True Religion). Tons of great songs on this reissue. Do Not Come Near, Product Of Fear, Grazing On Fear 2, Spear Flowers, and well, pretty much the whole tracklist is great. The main stick out track (besides True Religion because of its length) is the great 4 minute blast title track, Hole In The Heart. Blasting synths (or are they guitars being ran through synths? I dunno, man.) and a dude yelling. The last 15 seconds is the best outro I've ever heard in a song, except impossibly the outro to Blow Dry by No Trend. 

The cover of the album is depressingly majestic. Extremely reflective of the music; Hole In The Heart's 2009 repress hosts a very fitting cover. A desolate wasteland with a long forgotten road, dead trees and a old, long abandoned factory off in the distance. I was never too fond towards Power Electronics / Death Industrial, (it's a very stagnant genre that's appeal lies in excess) but I felt the British PE crowd always knew what they were doing aesthetic wise. The original 1987 press hosts a very fitting photo of Jean Genet, but I better stop; I can talk about Gary Mundy and his buddies all day.

Pure - "Sciamachy"

Off of "Fetor," released on Birthbiter in 1987, repressed on Freak Animal Records in 2007.

Another crowning achievement of Power Electronics in 1987, Fetor, despite having little to no press published on it and lacking a notable label backing it, it became a classic of Power Electronics. Power Electronics may not be the right term however, because much like their friends Ramleh, Pure is harder to tag down. Lo-Fi production (even for PE) and tendencies to sway towards Noise Rock, Pure's Fetor is, along with Hole In The Heart, a case of true artistic foresight is present. Pure is most known for having member Matthew Bower, (Skullflower) who coined the future sound of Skullflower and even mid-period Ramleh on this tape. 

The history behind Fetor is a whirlpool of confusion; however. During their initial frame of activity, Pure never released any material; only played shows. Not long after their breakup, the label Birthbiter came forward and asked Matthew Bower for recorded material to release. Matthew Bower sent back what was mostly solo work, which was released as Fetor, under the Pure name. Pure did boot an untitled tape in 1983, and that tape is usually referred too as a true Pure release, unlike Fetor.

My 3 Sons - "Starving Artist"

Off of the "Starving Artist / In The Beginning" single, released on Buy Our Records in 1984.

Strange, obscure Noise Rock not completely unlike Flipper and No Trend. From New Jersey, My 3 Sons saw a short time together as a band and as a result only released one single. They did record more; however; the songs "Untitled 13" and "People Who Bleed" where featured on the 1985 V/A comp "New Jersey's Got It?" also on Buy Our Records, the label that gave us this single. Driving simple Art Punk with Flipper-esque blasts of feedback here and there. Most American Punk scenes had a scuzzy, fucked up noise rock group to keep the punks in like (DC had No Trend, San Francisco had Flipper, New York had Swans, and so on) so it's no suprise a Noise Punk band arose form the New Jersey punk scene.

There was a compilation of My 3 Sons studio sessions (most of the tracks previously unreleased) slated several years ago but it fell through. Although I'm not too big on My 3 Sons, I'd enjoy too hear more.

Blue Sabbath Black Fiji - "You Hit The Funk / Six Fingers For California"

Off of the "Mistake Of A Small Bird" LP, released independently in 2010.

I put the 2 tracks together since they flow into each other so well, if you're wondering. Blue Sabbath Black Fiji (possibly a parody on Blue Sabbath Black Cheer) are all about making loud, thundering, albeit fun noise music. Using guitars and mics hooked up into a soundboard and mixing table whilst being backed by a drum kit or drum machine, the European duo mainly operated from the mid 2000's to the the early 2010's. I had the pleasure of bringing this home after an acquaintance sold it too me. Taking the better aspects of Wolf Eyes and Black Dice and mixing them with weird underground rock (Chrome, Hawkwind and The Butthole Surfers seem to be a sonic inspiration) is an excellent way to develop a unique, albeit confusing sound.

Index - "Turquoise Feline"

Off "The Index (Black Label Album)" LP, released on DC records in 1967, repressed in the mid 80's by Voxx records and in 2004 and 2013 by Varlord Records.

An explosion of wahwah and reverb, Turquoise Feline is just a glimpse of the masterpiece that is Index's 1967 debut. Recorded in a basement by 3 seniors in high school, The Index (Black Label Album) is a long forgotten classic of American underground music. Index doesn't sound like they debuted in 1967, but more so the mid to late 80's during post-punk and the garage revival. Along with Ptooff! and Black Monk Time, Black Label Album is definitely ahead of it's time, and along with VU & Nico, Black Label Album still sounds like it could be released today, despite being nearly 50 years old.

Varying from the proto-shoegaze tracks like Eight Miles High and Israeli Blues to the garage rock jams John Riley and You Keep Me Hanging On to the psychedelic Fire Eyes and Turquoise Feline to even the ball busting noise rock track Feedback, beating Sister Ray by a year.

Drunks With Guns - "Leprosy"

Off the "Alter Human Industrial Fetishisms" EP released on Dental records in 1987 and the "Second Verses" compilation EP released on Intellectual Convulsion records in 1990.

LLLLEEEPROOOOSYYYYY! Here DWG presents us great noise punk with the lo-fi punch of Rusted Shut mixed with the noise rock squeals of Flipper and a scummy industrial aesthetic to top it off. Drunks With Guns are one of the few notable underground St. Louis bands of the 80s/90s, and for good reason! If you listen to alot of 80's and 90's Noise Rock / Hardcore Punk you're probably familiar with DWG's sound. I would've used "Wonderful Subdivision" from their self titled album, but I couldn't find a good rip. Ha!

No Trend - "Blow Dry" 

Off the "Too Many Humans...." LP, self-released in 1983/1984.

No Trend... what to say? One Of My All Time favorite bands. The legacy, the philosophy, the music... all incredible. I could never do them justice, so here's some links.

Wikipedia

Ugly Dwarf

Yellow Green Red

 Teen Beat

NYPress

Fucked By Noise

No Aid - "Charlie Wutz"

Off the "Charlie Wutz" single, released independently in 1980.

Strange, off the wall  German minimal synth with undertones of no wave and dadaism. Not much to add, since there's no press on them.

7-22-2015

Setlist:

1. Brainiacs- Don't Tell Me Why

2. Atoms - Max Bygraves Killed My Mother

3. The Negatives - Love Is Not Real

4. Gross National Product - Twisted Cross

5. Xterminators - Occasional Lay

6. Hand Grenades - Coma Dos

7. Nirvana - Kielletyt Leikit

8. Teenage Depression - Working For The Kremlin

9. GRRR - 1984

10. Peggio Punx - Scemo

11. Tender Lugers - The Best Thing

12. The Child Molesters - Hillside Strangler

The Brainiacs - "Don't Tell Me Why"

From The Brainiacs 4-track EP released in 1979 on Mental Health Records.

The Brainiacs, from what I can gather, are part of the Punk Rock pantheon of artists that are primarily remembered for an appearance on one of the many Killed By Death V/A boots from the 80's and 90's. The Brainiacs had their classic Punk anthem "Don't Tell Me Why" featured on "Killed By Death #15 1/2," released in 1998. The A side of this 1979 EP is remarkable, with "Don't Tell Me Why" and "Take Me To Paris." The B side falls flat in comparison, with "Suzie's So Unsure" and "Stunned." The B-side has the vocalist and bassist switched, which seems to be the root of the problem. The Brainiacs would go on to release a 1981 12" single, which I still haven't heard. This is one of the cheaper KBD 7"s, usually in the range of $15-$30.

The Atoms- "Max Bygraves Killed My Mother"

From "Swingalongamuck" released in 1979 on Hinka Records.

A confusing mixture of Post-Punk, Dub and Reggae lay within The Atoms only single, "Swingalongamuck." Featuring 2 tracks, "Max Bygraves Killed My Mother" and the equally great "Beatlejacket." Fronted by British comedian Keith Allen, (who has a history with Max Bygraves) who would go on to to work on a project under the name "Boots Sex Dread" which would release one single in 1980, hosting the 2 songs, "Tickle Tune" and "Pentel." The song "Beatlejacket" was featured "Killed By Death: British DIY Volume 1" and "Messthetics #5," but I much prefer the A-Side to Beatlejacket.

The Negatives - "Love Is Not Real"

From the "Love Is Not Real + Stakeout" Single, released in 1979, on LOOK records.

There isn't a lot to write about when it comes to The Negatives. Formed by 4 friends in the late 70's, The Negatives were one of the first (if not the first) Punk band from Bradford. The back of the sleeve boldly remarks "We Don't Come From Leeds or London!" After accidentally stumbling across them, I bought the official repress on Paramecium Records, completely repackaged in the original sleeve design and all. Reminiscent to al ot of American Hardcore that would follow in the year(s) after the release, The Negatives loud sound coupled with biting Nihilism is what makes this single the gem it is.

Gross National Product - "Twisted Cross"

From the V/A Compilation, "Code Blue" released in 1984

I wish I had more to say about Gross National Product, I know little to nothing about them. Their sound seems to be a part of the microtrend of underground rock bands in the 1980's slowing down Hardcore Punk and making it more noisey and lo-fi, more notable bands using this sound and formula are Flipper, No Trend and Drunks With Guns. Their sound and lyrical themes do remind me quite a bit of Rusted Shut, another notable noisecore/noise rock band. The cassette this is featured on is quite unique, too. The tape features songs by Die Kreuzen, Big Black, Husker Du, F.U's, White Flag, Naked Raygun, along with some more obscure acts, like Rights of The Accused, Nadsat Rebel, Out Of Order, Suburban Mutilation, amongst others. All of these recordings can't be found anywhere else; which is the strangest part. All the recordings from the more notable bands on here are rare live recordings or forgotten demos, and the more obscure bands bring forth material that sounds more akin to studio material, although it's likely it could be more demos. GNP had another song on this tape, one called "Death Farce." Both are great no-fi noise punk tunes that would hint at the sounds of Drunks With Guns, Strangulated Beatoffs and Rusted Shut.

The Xterminators - "Occasional Lay"

From the "Microwave Radiation" single, released in 1978 on Radio-Active Records.

If it isn't another KBD single! The song Microwave Radiation is held in higher regard than the B side "Occasional Lay." I think the B-side is a fun, poppy punk tune about a mindless relationship; although Microwave Radiation holds more historic value for incorporating wacked out industrial synths over the Xterminator's brand of fun, wacky Art Punk sound. The concept could be compared to the early years of Devo. The 7" can demand many dollar bills these days, and rumors float around to how many were even pressed, some estimate not even 100 were pressed, although I doubt anyone will ever know for sure. Occasional Lay is stupid, but righteously so; with the dumb vocals, simple musicianship and possibly satirical lyrics, it's a fun ride.

Hand Grenades - "Coma Dos"

From the "Demo To London & Coma Dos" single, independently released in 1979.

Famously featured on the "Killed By 7 Inch" comps and even played on WFMU and ranked #17 on Johan Kugelberg's list of the top 100 DIY singles; which was published in Ugly Things magazine. Hand Grenades are just about making fun, somewhat self aware (Post) Punk tunes. They only released one single under the Hand Grenades name, but would change their name to The Sponsors, and under that titled release a self titled LP. The year 2011 saw the release of "Abskaft Tribute To Daniel Johnston," and a band credited as "Hand Grenades" did a cover of Daniel's "Funeral Home." Who knows (and better yet, who cares) if it was the Hand Grenades or not. Any information on these guys is scarce, but what I do know is that this single rocks.

Nirvana - "Kielletyt Leikit"

From the "Kielletyt Leikit / Kulgen Kaupungilla" single, self released in 1980.

The 4th Nirvana I can think of off the top of my head, this Finnish trio released only one single, and it now demands pretty pennies on forgotten corners of the internet. Featured on Killed By Death #33 and Thrilled By Dearth (whatever the hell that is) Nirvana are all about 3 chord punk jams and shouting. The song has some nice, ear piercing Mic/PA feedback that blasts in the beginning. The B side doesn't reach the level of greatness as the A-Side does, sadly. Still a solid, yet long forgotten Punk single.

Teenage Depression - "Working For The Kremlin"

From the "Skank Or Die" EP, released on Bulldada Records in 1984.

Teenage Depression's soul release, "Skank Or Die" is one of many humorous parodies of Hardcore Punk to spring out in the early to mid 80's, (the most notable example would be The Butthole Surfers glorious debut EP) Teenage Depression is all about funny, gimmicky punk songs usually under a minute. A classical example would be "Working For The Kremlin," 50 or so seconds of them ripping on hardcore's uninspired "Fuck the establishment" message. The most notable thing to point out about this EP would be "False Jesii, Part 1," a song that would be referenced in Pissed Jeans' "False Jesii, Part 2," recorded and released about 25 years later. Hopefully in 2040 we'll have "False Jesii, Part 3."

GRRR - "1984"

From the "GRRR" LP, Self-Released in 1984.

Ok, I'll admit, I know next to nothing about GRRR. Hard to dig up info, since we live in a world were GRRR is a Rolling Stones album, a sound one makes when frustrated, you get the idea. This self-released LP from the Netherlands finest is post-punk with more emphasis on the punk part of the formula. Sonically it is alot like other minimalist Post-Punk, and lyrically (and aesthetically) they have some relation to British post-punk groups, most notably The Pop Group. Like alot of other politically aware underground albums released in 1984, it seems to be obsessed with Orwellian Philosophy. I wonder why...

Peggio Punx - "Scemo"

From the "Disastro Sonoro" EP, released in 1983 on VomitoPunkRock Records.

Peggio Punx are one of the more notable 80's hardcore acts from Italy. Usually I hate bands who use the term "Punx," since their sound and lyrics are like every other band that uses the term "Punx." But the mixture of me not knowing Italian, it being Italian, and it being from the early 80's before the Oi! and Pogo thingy caught on all over the world, Peggio Punx is fantastic. Or maybe they suck, I've only listened to this EP and none of their other releases!  "Scemo" is the best example of their early sound, loud, short, strange guitar bits and catchy choruses. I have no clue what the song's about; I could have my Grandmother translate it for me, but I doubt she'd like it! Looking at lyric sheets, I see mentions of "Male," "Society," "System" and "Mamma" so I bet it's edgy as shit.

Tender Lugers - "The Best Thing"

From the "Closer To God" Compilation, recorded 1986-1988 and released on Blue House Records in 2012.

Hailing from Ipswich, Tender Lugers have to be one of the best Post-Punk groups of the late 80's, and possibly Ipswich's finest Post-Punk act. Possibly the most obscure thing on here, (aside from possibly Gross National Product) Tender Lugers are pretty much impossible to dig up dirt on. You can get the "Closer To God" comp for free off Bandcamp, or buy one of their 3 12" EPs off Discogs for under 10 dollars. I'm suprised The good ol Lugers never got anywhere, I can here alot of 90's alt rock and grunge in their sound (well, sometimes) and they even got a John Peel Session. Musicianship is in a league of its own, although it still can be tagged down as Post-Punk; while their lyrics seem to be a more passive aggressive and contemporary version of Flipper. The (probably unreliable) Last.FM entry on them states thusly:

"All the band disappeared without trace after a mysterious incident involving mushrooms, the A11, two horses and the police. Their whereabouts are still unknown, and are still wanted by the police… "

I doubt that's true, but it's still badass.

The Child Molesters - "(I'm The) Hillside Strangler"

From the "(I'm The) Hillside Strangler / Don't Worry About Kyoto" single released on Ace & Duce Records in 1978.

Chances are you guys are familiar with this KBD classic. Now a Punk Rock collectible (and the platonic ideal of a punk collectible), the 7" has been repressed and booted plenty of times. A song written about the then at-large Hillside Strangler, meant to make the listener cringe or laugh, depending on your sense of humour. The B-side hosts a pretty rockin' Yoko Ono cover, "Don't Worry About Kyoto." The sleeve is a landmark in punk and underground aesthetics; as well.