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36 STRATEGIES - ‘STRATEGY TWO’ 7” EP



Slug, Coxy, Mobs, Craig and Kirsty are back with round two of their DC style melodic punk band. More fleshed out than their first outing, this has a pounding production a lot like 90’s Revelation Records releases. Think later Dag Nasty albums with female vocals that even these old ringing cauliflower ears can’t really nail down to one sound-a-like. Andy Cairns from Therapy? guests on guitar and backing vocals on two songs, one of which being ‘Ignite’, a cover of the opener of the Damned’s Strawberries album. Talking of the Damned, I dread to think what most of this lot will look like by the time they release ‘Strategy Thirty Six’. A solid, confident release, that will no doubt gain in both as more come. Clean, sharp artwork and white vinyl completes the package for this, the first release for... SURPRISE ATTACKS

4130's - 'OVER THE BARS' CD

Debut album length download of driving melodic ‘skate punk’ from Ipswich, that’s catchy, urgent and has songs about actual stuff. Reminds me of early SWINGIN’ UTTERS mixed with Scottish melodic punks SHATTERHAND. The vocals skirt a bit close to Billie Joe Armstrong Americanisms in places, but can belt out a growl in the next breath. There’s a hint of PROPAGANDHI on songs like ‘The Bible Was A Lie?’ and you can tell these guys probably grew up on NOFX. That said, it’s not straight up ‘pop punk’, think more bands like THE REBEL SPELL if they’d been on Lookout! Records. 4130’S

7SECONDS - LEAVE A LIGHT ON LP+CD



7SECONDS back and doing what they do best; fast, positive, ultra catchy hardcore. They’ve gone off the deep end with the songwriting this time, there’s some gems on here. Brilliant. RISE

THE ABUSED – ‘LOUD AND CLEAR’ LP



New York hardcore from ‘83 reissued on LP for those who don’t have a few hundred to spend on the original. This is the original EP plus their demo and live tracks. The emphasis here is the effort and expense that’s gone into putting it together. It comes in a sleeve with a fold over front flap (which even has the inside printed), there’s a 24 page LP sized booklet and a whole sheet of stickers. And the music? Well, it’s gravel vocals ‘Drug Free Youth’ style ‘83 New York hardcore so if you’d heard bands like early AGNOSTIC FRONT, THE MOB, SHEER TERROR, SHOK, KREIG KOPF and the like, then you’ll be into it. RADIO RAHEEM

ACTION SEDITION / SPANNER - HISTORY LESSONS: SPLIT 7” EP



ACTION SEDITION up first with two tracks of heavy duty French Oi! Thick and heavy vocals that’d sit nicely halfway down side two of Chaos En France. Next is SPANNER from Bristol playing their crustie ska-punk with occasional CHUMBAWAMBA horns from a very anti-fascist perspective. You can just imagine undulating hordes of skank‘n’stank ‘punx’ in boggy fields jigging to this in their ripped waffle jumpers with arms stretched to their knees, heads down, dreads-a-whippin’. REBEL TIME

ADIEXODO - ‘.38’ LP



Reissue of this 1986 album from Athens. Greek punk is hard to come by, and I’ve heard very little of it so this is of interest to me. Fairly straight forward European punk rock of the era that comes across like anarcho punk of the era mixed with a little gothic edge, that quite a lot of the anarcho stuff had anyway, so makes sense. Rough male vocals over choppy tinny distorted guitar, a driving intricate bass and snappy drumming.

If you like eighties Polish punk, or imagine one of French or Italian Oi! influenced punk bands of the time, with JOY DIVISION bass and early KILLING JOKE guitar, and you’re nearly there. Comes on clear vinyl with a foldout insert with photos and lyrics/biography in Greek and English. B-OTHER SIDE / SCARECROW

ATTERKOP – ‘S/T’ MCD


Bristol hardcore with ‘ska’ bits like CAPDOWN and FIVE KNUCKLE. The hardcore stuff’s decent with a rumbling rhythm section, stop and go guitar and throaty vocals (see: ‘TGNI412’), but the ‘ska’ just detracts from it. RIOTSKA / RODENT POPSICLE / PUMPKIN / U?R / SNIPERHILL

BAD SAM – ‘WORKING CLASS HOLOCAUST’ LP



Debut full length from this South Wales veteran punk rock crack squad that features members of COWBOY KILLERS and DUB WAR. What you get here are 13 songs of heavy and intricate punk of the old classic variety, with a slight metallic guitar crunch and driving rhythm section. Beddis’ trademark vocal delivery hasn’t diminished and as usual likened to a cross between Jello Biafra and Chi Pig, and the end result is not dissimilar to a JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE and SNFU mix with a dose of DUB WAR heaviness.
From the opener ‘American Fat Fucks’ through anti-Thatcher attack ‘Snake With Tits’ to the soaring sentimental anthem ‘I Love the Port’ it’s hit after punk rock hit that will stick in your head, forcing you to play the damn thing again. Unlike the days of old when dodgy recordings and mastering jobs didn’t do bands like the COWBOY KILLERS justice compared to their live show, this time Beddis and crew have delivered their best recorded work to date that really does reflect what they’re capable of on stage. A UK punk rock heavy hitter for 2013 that’s well worth your ear time. KRIMINAL RECORDS

BEVERLEY KILLS – ‘ON THE THE TRAIL’ 10”



Cambridge area all-female punk gang with ultra-melodic vocals and a knack for writing catchy indie-edged pop punk hits. The stand out here is ‘Know It All’ with it’s full-on harmonised backing vocals that gives an impression of Motown meets modern rock. Fans of THE GITS, THE CREAMERS, TILT and BLONDIE will get into this. Four songs on this 10” EP and it also comes with a CD-r and download code. REPEAT RECORDS

BOB MOULD - BEAUTY AND RUIN LP/CD



At first you think it’s a continuation of ‘Silver Age’ with the slow opener ‘Low Season’ that harkens back to ‘Candy Apple Grey’ era HÜSKER DÜ, but before you know it in bursts in ‘Little Glass Pill’ and you’re off on a ride of fast classic HÜSKER Mould with a lump of SÜGAR. Where I was slightly surprised by Mould’s return to form on the last album, this was a revelation. It shows that moldy old Bob still has a killer riff and catchy refrain up his sleeve. ‘I Don’t Know You Anymore’ and ‘The War’ were instant standouts here. Think classic DÜ on ‘Flip Your Wig’ meets SÜGAR on ‘Copper Blue’ - yep! MERGE

BUZZ OR HOWL / CHESTNUT ROAD - SPLIT 7” EP



Buzz Or Howl up first, and I try hard to get past that cute cover art all those fat-students-with-beards-playing-the-thousandth-cover-record-of-Screeching-Weasel type bands have to actually put the record on. OK, so it’s not the umpteenth twee Jawbreaker riff, it’s more of the HUSKER DU with DINOSAUR JR solo and being northern, a hint of HOOTON3CAR. Up next is Chestnut Road. I’ve heard their LEATHERFACE/HOOTON3CAR homage before, and this is no different; melancholy-cry-in-your-drink indie/punk that appeals to fat-students-with-beards-buying-the-thousandth-cover-record-of-Screeching-Weasel, and this French lot are safer than Leatherface in that you know you’re probably not going to get your teeth knocked out if you heckle them, in fact, they’d probably cry. BOSS TUNEAGE / BRASSNECK

CAVES – ‘BETTERMENT’ CD



Sing-a-long-a-woah-e-oh indie punk from Bristol that borrows heavily from the likes of RVIVR and ‘Fest’ punk in general. In fact, it looks and sounds like this band would not exist at all if it wasn’t for No Idea’s ‘The Fest’. Sloppy three-piece ‘basement show’ punk with live production and female/male vocals, it’s all over-earnest and heart-on-the-sleeve that would definitely benefit from a little woah-e-oh editing. Y’know, less is more and all that. Probably playing ‘The Fest’ this year. BOMBED OUT

CHEMICAL THREAT - ‘VICIOUS’ CD



Anarcho hardcore from this Southampton four piece. Fans of CONFLICT, OI POLLOI, DISORDER and AUS ROTTEN will get into this. Topics covered are the IMF (‘International Murder Fund’), celebrities (‘Media Whore’) and religion (‘Religion’). All wrapped in black and white images of riots, cops, riot cops, gas masks and riot cops rioting in gas masks. Wot no skulls?! Eight songs but no Lou Reed. CHEMICAL THREAT

CHESTNUT ROAD – ‘S/T’ LP



Melodic punk from France taking its cues from the likes of HÜSKER DÜ and LES THUGS with that picky LEATHERFACE guitar influence and more than a hint of the likes of BROCCOLI and PEZZ. People who like the sound of that will get into this guitar heavy but low raspy vocal mix, especially those of the bearded Fest variety who will lap this up. SPEEDOWAX / BRASSNECK / BOSS TUNEAGE

CREEM – CURATOR 7” EP



Get past the atrocious band name and this lot play angry hardcore with distorted vocals, unrelenting with overloaded and distorted everything. Highlight here is ‘The Hunchback’ that reminds me of CAREER SUICIDE mixed with NIGHTSTICK JUSTICE and all that clobber from around 2000, but in 2014 and from Noo Yawk. STATIC SHOCK

DAMAGED ONES - DEMO 2014 CD-R



Featuring members from Germany and the U.S. this I guess, is a project band. The guitarist is from Californian bands OUTSPOKEN and MEAN SEASON apparently. Don’t know much about these, but this sounds a bit like German band NOTHING playing old fashioned MINOR/CIRCLE/FLAG hardcore but through the lens of more recent straight edge hardcore. www.facebook.com/damagedones

THE DEAD ON – ‘S/T’ CD



I thought this was going to be a new mod band based on the sparse cover art, but it’s a new band out of Chicago featuring members of Boss Tuneage favourites WOOLWORTHY, and continuing in the same vein, it’s melodic modern day power pop. The kind of thing you could imagine Canadians THE NILS or RISE doing in the present day. Kicks off with ‘We Are All Alive’ (at the same time) which takes inspiration from Joe Strummer I believe. I think what they’re going for sound wise is power pop of the new wave era like SVT, JAGS or STARJETS, and fans of that will get into this, as even though it’s loud, there’s none of that pointless sound manipulation that you get in modern production, just straight up record and mix. Oh, that and song writing. BOSS TUNEAGE

DiE - ‘S/T’ 7” EP



Raging old fashioned home-cooked hardcore from the London area from members of SHITTY LIMITS amongst others. Opening with the future underground hit ‘Life Is Hate’ you’re in for a right pounding. Think a bash-crash mix of NEGATIVE FX and DIE KREUZEN of old, mixed with the likes of BRAIN SLUG and SICKOIDS of now, right in the middle of a New York live bill circa 1983. Relentless searing guitar over a drummer who only knows one beat and a seriously pissed off vocalist. Not enough bass cuts through to my ears, but I doubt they give a shit what I think. The most often spun U.K. hardcore record for a long while in the Artcore dungeon. SONIC TERROR DISCS

DOKUMENTIA – ‘KOURALLINEN LIHAKIRVEITA’ CASSETTE



Punk rock trio from Finland that looks outside all-out hardcore for inspiration. There’s something about this that makes me think of KOHU-63 and SKJIT LARS with a spoon of early 80’s German punk, and a drizzle of early DEAD KENNEDYS. And there’s a cover of ‘Screamager’ by THERAPY? in their native tongue, just to throw a spanner in the works. PAALAUS / CHABANE’S RECORDS

DOWN AND OUTS – ‘LIFELINE’ CD



Melodic punk from Merseyside now stripped down to a three piece. I think they used to be described as ‘street punk’ but this is veering more towards the bearded piss-up pop punk style, especially with artwork very much in keeping with that stuff, and different from their previous stuff. Fans of other U.K. melodic bands of that style from DAUNTLESS ELITE to THE MAGNIFICENT, this is going to be up your street if you’re into that kind of thing. BOSS TUNEAGE

DOWN BY LAW - REVOLUTION TIME 10”



No change here, Dave Smalley doing a 90’s style melodic punk that takes in all influences from mod revival to his days in ALL, padded out with some old cover versions. DRY HEAVE

DUMBSTRUCK – ‘IT’S STILL BROKE ...THE FIRST TWO RECORDS’ CD



After RIPCORD but before VIOLENT ARREST, Baz (guitar), John (drums) and Jim (bass) enlisted local Bristolian Totters (vocals) to blast out some more hardcore. I remember the RIPCORD reunion that was the precursor to this in a concrete bunker at the back of Bristol’s then indoor skate park. With Steve on vocals, they ran through all the old RIPCORD thrashers as well as some choice Boston hardcore covers. I don’t think Steve wanted to carry on after that, so in came Totters. You know what you’re going to get if you’ve heard any of their other bands; a relentless powerhouse of hardcore with its eye very much on old Boston X-Claim! approach. The difference here of course if the down-in-the-mix more D-Beat/Crust style vocals, but don’t let that put you off. Original art all nicely re-designed by some smart arse. BOSS TUNEAGE

EPIC PROBLEM – ALL BROKEN 10”



What do you think of when you think of punk rock and New Mills, Derbyshire? ATTAK? VIOLATORS? BLITZ? Well this lot features Neil ‘Mackie’ Mclennan of BLITZ on guitar, you can still hear the echoes of BLITZ in this straight-up punk rock. Add in the modern feel of bands like GREAT ST. LOUIS or OFF WITH THEIR HEADS and that pretty much nails it. A mix gravel-throated catchy punk with the bleach splattered denim Oi! of old and this is what you get here, six songs of engaging anthems. LONGSHOT / PIRATES PRESS / CONTRA

THE ESTRANGED - ‘S/T’ LP/CD



Portland post-punks back with their third full length. A little more polished and layered than previous albums with crafted song writing and Greg Sage lead guitar. The more mainstream feel borders on a darker indie in places, but still keeping that WIPERS influence, and adding a more British 80’s feel like THE SOUND. Extra black cover art with added black vinyl to add to the blackness. DIRTNAP

EXTERNAL MENACE – ‘COALITION BLUES’ LP



With a title like that you may think this is new recordings, but it isn’t. This was all recorded between ‘82 and ‘85, and is a compilation of their two early EP’s and demo tracks. Formed in Glasgow in ‘79, this is for fans of ONE WAY SYSTEM and BLITZ with a hint of old EXPLOITED in places... In short; U.K. brick wall punk of the UK ‘82 variety. This one comes on orange vinyl in a gatefold sleeve with obligatory photo collage inside, although these kind of things really need the original art and the tracks in the right order, but that’s just me. DIRTY PUNK

FRANTIX - ‘MY DAD’S A FUCKIN’ ALCOHOLIC’ LP



Here is the collected Frantix recordings. Lo-fi sloppy garage punk full of bash and crash and swears-a-plenty as you’d expect. Existing out of Colorado in the early 80’s, the Frantix practiced a primal punk rock, sounding like one of many bands of one of many tape compilations of the era, and sound like they could easily have fit into many scenes from pretty much anywhere in the U.S. Imagine if one of the Vat Rat bands had appeared on an old Smoke 7 Records compilation and you’re in the right ball park. ALT. TENTACLES

FRAU – ‘DEMO’ CASSETTE



Shouty London punk that happens to comprise of all females judging by the drawing on the lyric sheet (no other info, although they feature members of WOOLF and GOOD THROB). Sometimes fast and jarring, sometimes more post-punk and jarring, FRAU sound like PINK TURDS IN SPACE when they play fast, and THE SLITS when they simmer it down. ‘Messthetics’ homage for fans of CRASS, HONEY BANE and AU PAIRS... recorded in a practice room. fraupunk@gmail.com

THE HATES – 'PEOPLE’S TEMPLE' CD



This is the current incarnation of the Texas Killed By Death punk of ‘No Talk In The Eighties’ infamy. This line-up features David Ensminger of ‘Left Of The Dial’, ‘Visual Vitriol’ and a dozen other punk art projects, along with original Christian Arnheiter on guitar/vocals. Most of the old songs are on here re-recorded, including ‘No Talk’ as well as ‘Bored with the Boys’ and ‘All the Whites are Going Negro’. They adeptly re-create the old sound, and this sounds timeless in that you wouldn’t know if it was recorded in 1979 or 2013. If you want to know what it sounds like, then it’s pretty much any punk band half way up a bill at any bar or club across the States at any time between then and now. So, sounds like a cross between SS-20 and Maggot Sandwich, if that means anything to you. Bloodstain across the dance floor... HATES

HERO DISHONEST – ‘ALLE LUJAA’ LP/CD



Stop and go intricate Finnish hardcore that careens violently between disjointed verse, chorus and bridge. Formed in 1999 with numerous releases and tours under their belt, HERO DISHONEST are one of those bands who are a modern example in the history of hardcore bands that have dared to step off the cliff into the abyss of non-conformity. Imagine a sonic assault of VICTIMS FAMILY, LOS CRUDOS, RATTUS and RUIDOSA INMUNDICIA, but visually the band all wears parkas as they wander onto the expansive stage of some ‘heavy fest’ or other. A phalanx of beards and folded arms gazes at them confused, but after five minutes of decibel attitude adjustment, HERO DISHONEST has them completely rethinking their shit. A teeth cleaning cover of DIE KREUZEN’s one minute of ‘Pain’ should be more than enough than you need to know. IFSOCIETY

HERO DISHONEST – KAIKKI HAJOAA 7” EP



There’s no stopping these Finnish hardcore stalwarts, they just keep banging ‘em out. The opening riff to this EP made me think instantly of CIVIL DISSIDENT for some reason, then the slow intro stops for a fast bass intro then raging hardcore like an OFFENDERS song. But this is unadulterated Finnish hardcore, no Australian or American accents, just all-out intricately delivered thrash. Side A closes out with an all Finnish fucked up version of ‘Religion is the Opium of the Masses’ by the PROLETARIAT. Raging record from a dedicated band. IF SOCIETY / LAJA / SABOTAGE

THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY - ‘CRUNCH ON – DEMO 1984’ 7” EP



Finally released on vinyl nearly thirty years on, THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY featured Drew Stone on vocals, maker of the ‘All Ages: Boston Hardcore’ documentary and current vocalist of Antidote (NY). A time capsule of New York hardcore that sounds like it could’ve come out of either New York, Boston or the Midwest in that initial era of hardcore. Short, sharp blasts of teenage problems with a Mad Max obsession. This comes with a nice booklet with all the goods you’d expect. Records like this are proof that there’s still high quality nuggets out there to be unearthed and released. Imagine an early Washington D.C. band recorded at A7 and released on Touch & Go. RADIO RAHEEM

THE HIP PRIESTS - BLACK DENIM BLITZ CD-R



Dribblin’ ‘n’ dirty garage rockers from Nottingham rock city thrust forward for this their third album that takes in equal measures of NEW BOMB TURKS, ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN and ZEKE with Aussie punk style guitar solos thrown in. They even sound a bit like THE MISFITS on ‘Good Things Come to Those Who Hate’. Fans of any of the many hot rod ‘n’ rollers of recent years will get into this, as well cut-off denim types still clinging their old STOOGES and MOTORHEAD albums. NO BALLS

HOLIDAY – ‘S/T’ 7” EP



Manchester punk featuring Ryland of GROVER/GREAT ST. LOUIS on drums, and probably other former members of various bands, but it appears some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty. This is straight up punk rock with a northern accent kicking off with ‘Missiles on the Roof’, which at first glance appears to be like a next-level-up homage to THE CLASH but is a reference to the over the top security of the London Olympics. Fans of early SNUFF, SOUTHPORT, DAUNTLESS ELITE, CROCODILE GOD, DOWN AND OUTS and other similar U.K. Punk you care to mention, will get into this. On snot green vinyl. BRASSNECK / JSNTGM / LOST CAT / PUMPKIN

JERKY BEATS - ‘PS4L EP’ DEMO CASSETTE



With Phil formerly of CHOKEWORD and PILGER on vocals, this rough ‘n’ ready garage punk, and when I say ‘garage’ I mean sounds like it’s in a council estate garage rather than a sixties garage. Distorted bass, oompah drums, no guitar and distortion vocals. Think SHITTY LIMITS doing early ANGRY SAMOANS covers as a fake band on an old Oi! Compilation and that should give you some sort of idea. Opening with ‘Tory Party Dance Party’ and closing with ‘Message in a Bottle (Says Fuck You)’ this is short and to the point. Anything with a Dios De La Muertos theme on the cover has got to be a winner right? THE JERKY BEATS

JOHN SINCLAIR - MOHAWK CD



MC5 guru does voice over freeform jazz. IRON MAN

JUST BREATHE / FORTY HELLS – ‘SPLIT’ 7” EP



First up is JUST BREATHE from Santa Cruz (California), which is the latest band for drummer Rory Rogers, who drove my old band up the West Coast of the U.S. 15 years ago when he worked for B.Y.O. Records. They play catchy anthemic punk rock that sounds to me a lot like JCHURCH, with a hint of early DOWN BY LAW, or heartfelt vocals over driving melodic punk. FORTY HELLS from Atlanta (Georgia) features Joel Perdue on drums, who toured with us when he was in BLACK COUGAR SHOCK UNIT (small world innit!) and this band plays a kind of a JAWBREAKER meets JCHURCH (again!) style of melodic driving punk rock. With all the JCHURCH comparisons you can tell that these two bands are well suited for a split EP, and with the nifty cover graphics wrapping this D.I.Y. collaboration, I’d recommend you pick it up. 7AM VINYL

LIVE FAST DIE FAST – ‘KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED’ LP



(Last year’s?) Youth crew out of Long Island, New York with xGroupShoutsx and a posi-crunch but thankfully not heavy on the metal. I’m no expert, but this reminds me of bands like locals KILL YOUR IDOLS as well as Boston’s IN MY EYES, and sometimes veers into more catchy territory like other locals CAPITOL. Generic subject matter abounds on this white vinyl platter, and with titles like; ‘Brothers United’ and (we’ve been here) ‘From The Start’ you can pretty much figure out what you’re gonna get, and whether that’s your thing. Looking at the album title though, I can’t help envisaging live photos with band and crowd all open-mouthed and crossed-fingers aloft. FULL CIRCLE ATTACK

LOS DRYHEAVERS – ‘SEVEN INCHES JUST FOR YOU’ 7” EP



Hispanic punk rock outta Santa Cruz, California. The kind that some may call ‘street punk’. Sing-a-long anthems that reminds me of a cross between CH3 and THE GENERATORS (a.k.a. later SCHLEPROCK) or ‘Riot Riot Upstart’ era AGNOSTIC FRONT if they’d been writing a KRAUT record. In short, beefed up woah-oh no fart arsing about punk rock. If the back cover shot of the band in full yell with the crowd all giving them the finger isn’t reason enough to check out this four song EP, then I don’t know what is. LORELEI

LOVE TRIANGLE – CLEVER CLEVER LP



Gone is the D.I.Y. production and sixties garage psych-pop homage of their previous recordings, for this the first full length for these former and current members of just about every punk band out of London and surrounding counties in the past decade. Fast-guitar-chord garage punk, this album takes in the modern-approach-to-the-old of bands like the MARKED MEN, but this is far more informed by early WIRE while on an imaginary tour of Northern Ireland in 1978 to promote a debut 7” on Albion Records. Thirteen songs, blink and you’ve missed it. If you like the sound of that, then you’ll like the sound of this. Excellently adrenalizing. STATIC SHOCK / SORRY STATE

MARC GANANCIAS - ‘POLICY OF DISCONTENT’ CD



Acoustic-heavy jangling Washington DC based indie rock that sounds a fair bit like Greg Graffin singing for the DOUGHBOYS with hints of later HÜSKER DÜ. Heartfelt lyrics and vocal delivery ride over clean Don Zientara/Inner Ear production. Steve Hansgen (MINOR THREAT, SECOND WIND etc.) features on the bass and there’s guest vocals on one song from Dave Smalley (DAG NASTY, ALL, DOWN BY LAW etc.) so with all that on board you should be able to ascertain where this is coming from. For fans of material from other punk front-men turned the singer/songwriter such as Chuck Ragan and Tim Barry. MARC GANANCIAS MUSIC

MENSHEVIK – CEASEFIRE 7” EP



New band out of Norfolk, U.K. featuring members of CAPDOWN, VANILLA POD and WHIZZWOOD. Straight out of the gate with this advance download and they’ve already got or done gigs/tours with SNFU and a load of big Kerrang type bands before their first record’s even out – we’re talking organised D.I.Y. here folks! Well that’s what the industry style promo sheet shouts at me anyway. Music-wise it’s throaty vocals and hardcore that’s tight and choppy with straight edge type backing shouts. I can hear (what I remember of) CAPDOWN in there, and U.K. bands like IMBALANCE or DEAD INSIDE. Expect to hear more of this lot whether you like it or not. DRY HEAVE

NO – GREAT SPACE 12”



Mysterious hardcore band no doubt featuring members of other mysterious hardcore bands. No lyric sheet or any other information, it’s like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Swirling and chaotic overloaded thrash that jerks in spasms back and forth between medium and fast pace hardcore, as if members of DAILY VOID and UNITED MUTATION have done a project band for Sorry State Records. The tension mounts from the outset, and while you have no idea what any of this is about, it’s like listening to rabies. STATIC SHOCK

NORMAN SILVER AND THE GOLD - ‘WAR MEMOIRS’ LP



Featuring ex-members of NEWTOWN GRUNTS, OI POLLOI and BADGEWEARER, this isn’t what you’d expect from these older Scottish punks. The POGUES, GUN CLUB, RANK AND FILE, MEAT PUPPETS (and even CHUMBAWAMBA when the female vocals come in) spring to mind when listening to this Whiskey drenched folk-country punk and roll record that sounds like it could’ve been a campfire collaboration between Johnny Cash and East Bay Ray. Subtle steel guitar and jaw harp countered by raucous punk vocals (that simmer down for those more introspective numbers) belt out from these Highland deserts. Culminating in the dark and brooding ‘Last Night at the Proms’, this is something for the saddle sore heading out to those dusty arroyos south west of Edinburgh (not Indiana), and further south west of punk rock conformity. GALLIVANT

NORWEB – ‘PERMISSION TO SPASM’ DEMO CD



Off the wall post-punk from oop norf featuring members of old bands that probably don’t care if that gets mentioned or not. Oompah drums, rotating bass lines, country fair guitar and public address vocals. Like early NOMEANSNO falling backwards through a FALL song at an early San Francisco punk gig. NORWEB

NOT TONIGHT AND THE HEADACHES - LOVE & OTHER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION CD



Grim-grim-Grimsby pop-punk that takes most of its cues from THE PARASITES. So... if you’re one of those people who only listens to 100 bands who all sound like SCREECHING WEASEL, then this my friend is your new favourite album. BOSS TUNEAGE

PERSPEX FLESH – S/T LP



Arty but noisy hardcore out of Leeds that actually reminds me of another old Leeds band; PLEASANT VALLEY CHILDREN in a lot of ways, like the similar approach to twisted BLACK FLAG jamming, and the anguished vocals. In fact, there’s a lot here in the noise that you can pick out that seems to connect the latest breed of hardcore bands coming out of the UK (NO) with the old (RUDIMENTARY PENI). Equally, you could liken PERSPEX FLESH to recent as well old U.S. Bands too, as there just as much NO TREND here as DOUBLE NEGATIVE. So in short, if you like it dark and coming at you from just outside your peripheral vision to catch you unawares, then check these nasty buggers out. STATIC SHOCK

POLICE BASTARD – ‘CONFINED’ CD



Long running Birmingham pop combo back for another bite, and after a cool intro sample/intro about religion we’re off into ‘Curse of the Cross’. Crushing metallic anarcho that fans of Profane Existence releases have probably already picked up. Band names like AMEBIX, NAUSEA, BEHIND ENEMY LINES and TRAGEDY should give you a very good idea of what to expect. This kind of stuff, like pretty much everything, is hit and miss, and I can report that this doesn’t miss. Well executed and recorded with the kind of things you look for, like grinding riffs and memorable punk choruses the crowd can chant along to with their crushed plastic glasses aloft. But bear in mind whilst spilling that flat cider, if the crowd around you stink, it’s not cuz they haven’t showered, it’s because POLICE BASTARD just hit the brown note again. Or maybe it’s you?! Ten songs with digipak and booklet. IRON MAN

RAD – ‘LOUD AND FAST’ LP



As the title suggests this is loud and fast hardcore from Sacramento. Four piece with female vocals (and occasional males shouts), but not the kind of sonic overload of RUIDOSA INMUNDICIA but more old style 80’s hardcore in basic one minute blasts. Reminds me of F-MINUS with songs like ‘This Is Not a Final War’ and ‘Corporate Drugs’, and a D.R.I. (as RAD) themed shirt on the insert taken from the song ‘Never Turn Your Back on a Mosh’ gives a nod to influences. 20 sonic assaults from Sacramento, California. SACRAMANIACS / PHONO SELECT

REMA-REMA – INTERNATIONAL SCALE 7”



An interesting vinyl curiosity that comes with the latest issue of Inflammable Material. Post-punk from London 1978-79 featuring Marco Pirroni before he hit the big-time with ADAM AND THE ANTS, and other members went on to do PSYCHIC TV, RENEGADE SOUNDWAVE and WOLFGANG PRESS amongst others. Bass driven rhythm and tom-tom drums with minimum guitar, synth and vocals, this sounds very much of the Rough Trade school, and of course 4AD who released Rema-Rema’s only 7” in 1980. INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL / LE COQ MUSIQUE

REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN – ‘SHATTERED DREAMS PARKWAY’ LP/CD



Whenever I see this band’s name I always expect weird, jazzy punk, but then I hear them and are reminded they are a straight-forward fast hardcore punk band. Not sure what it reminds me of, it could be any of a whole host of U.K. punk bands, probably from the midlands, but they do sound to me like they could be a former ska-punk band who dropped the ska. The lyrics seem to have a political message, but very much in keeping with the modern post-everything irony-soaked age, they seem to feel they have to make a joke out of it, or add a quote by Charlie Brooker underneath. Like being scared of actually making an explicit point for fear of being accused of taking themselves too seriously... or something. BOSS TUNEAGE / TNS / PUMPKIN +3

RIPCORD - FAST’N’FURIOUS: THE COMPLETE DEMOS DLP/CD



As you’d suspect from the title, it’s the er, demos of er, RIPCORD, and it’s er fast‘n’furious. From the outset this is all a blur of British 80’s hardcore. The first couple of demos are what you’d expect; sounds like no-one is hitting anything specific, just going as fast as possible. Back then being ‘fast’ was a thing. The highlight here is the ‘West Coast Thrash’ demo, the third tape, which sees them get their thrashin’ shit together and includes the Digging In Water version of ‘Single Ticket to Hell’. After that it’s the rejected mix of ‘The Damage Is Done’ flexi, which lacks a bit of bass but that’s about it. The collection ends with the ‘Fast ‘n’ Furious’ demo that turns everything up to eleven and sees the band come close to being UK’s SIEGE in places but also in places descends into the dreaded metallic shite that was doing the rounds in the U.K. at the time. The whole thing has been lovingly preserved on coloured vinyl and comcrapped disc by Boss Tuneage along with the usual fan-fucking-tastic artwork by some twat. BOSS TUNEAGE

S.O.A. - ‘12/29/80 FIRST DEMO’ 7”



You know what this is right? Well if not, then this is Henry Rollins’ first band before he skipped town for the BLACK FLAG gig. The other members went onto FAITH, IRON CROSS and the like. Super-fuzzed harDCore with those oompah drums and Rollins’ throaty vocals. This is the demo that was used for the classic ‘Flex Your Head’ compilation, and those tracks are here as well as the rest. Eight songs on a lovingly compiled time capsule on red vinyl with a triple foldout cover with all the flyers, photos and info you could need. The quality you would expect from... DISCHORD

SCHEISSE MINNELLI – ‘SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS’ LP/CD



Opening with a blatantly-nicked-off-RKL bass intro before bursting into fast hardcore, here comes Scheisse Minnelli which feature members from Bavaria and California. The result is tight riffed-up skate punk of old. Even with the modern production you can imagine this slap bang in the middle of Them Boners Be Poppin’ right next to the BONELESS ONES or VERBAL ABUSE. The up-front vocal mix also remind me of later beach punk like SMUT PEDDLERS or JUGHEAD’S REVENGE. If you like all those things, you’ll like this. DESTINY

SEE YOU IN HELL - ‘JED’ CD



Long running Czech Republic unit that play a ripping hardcore that sounds like a lot of the prime output of Scandinavia to these ears. I expected something heavier, more down-tuned and metal, but this just delivers the goods in an urgent, dynamic and shredding fashion. Think RATTUS, KNUSTE RUTER and RÖVSVETT or something. This is the CD version of this eight track album, with a compilation cut tacked on the end. IF SOCIETY

SILVER SCREAMS - CREEP JOINT SCRATCH CDEP



This band is from Boston, MA and plays punk rock. No prefix, just punk. For the Boston connection they remind me of THE NOT a bit as they have that sound present in pretty much any U.S. band of any era that you catch playing halfway up a bill that isn’t trying to chase any particular trend. The band they mainly remind me of though is FULL FATHOM FIVE out of Iowa in the 80’s, in that there’s a melancholy to it and elements that you’d find on a Homesetead release of that time. There’s a cover of TSOL’s ‘Wash Away’ on here, which is dealt with in efficient style, and some nifty art from Chris Shary (ALL/DESCENDENTS). Get the CD/download here... www.facebook.com/SilverScreamsBoston

STRESS – ‘SOUND OF INSECURITY’ LP



Greek punk from the mid 1980’s that I’ve wanted to hear for a long time. Pacey punk rock with vocals in Greek and the pounding feel of U.K. punk of the early 80’s. The end result reminds me of the Polish bands of the era, like ARMIA or DEZERTER, mixed with Welsh language punk like YR ANHREFN. The original cover art is reproduced and has a double-sized foldout insert, with lyrics and photos of the band as they look now. B-OTHERSIDE RECORDS

TERMINUS – ‘GRAVEYARD OF DREAMS’/‘GOING NOWHERE FAST’ CDS



Re-issue of this anthology of 7”s as well as debut album from this Scunthorpe band of the late 80’s. I’ve written about TERMINUS at length before now. Largely forgotten these days, this lot were a favourite of a few of us. I guess we were lucky to be knocking about with Karl of Words Of Warning Records when he got the first 7” ‘Star Born Thing’ in for his distro. Then he got the second EP in, then he put the album out, then the second. Anarchist (not ‘anarcho’) dark punk rock like a mix of the DAMNED and early LEATHERFACE or something. These two CDs compile all five of their 7”s on one and their first album on the other. Cut straight to ‘Dance with the Dead’ on the ‘Graveyard’ and you’ll be sold. Alternatively, on ‘Going Nowhere’ head for ‘Propaganda War’, ‘Hey Little Girl’ or the title track for stand outs at Artcore HQ. BOSS TUNEAGE

THIS IS BRAINWASH - ‘S/T’ CD



UK/Euro project featuring former members of UK bands OLDER THAN DIRT, PARADE OF ENEMIES, TV21 and Spanish bands CEREBROS EXPRIMIDOS, HOLOCAUSTO POMADA and DISEASE. The result varies between mid-tempo punk and faster beefier hardcore with clean production. There’s a variety of vocalists so each songs seems to have a different feel so it’s difficult to nail other bands this sounds like, and in the end it kind of comes across like a compilation. The cover art looks a lot like a STRIKE ANYWHERE record, but the music is a lot more UK sounding, closest to something like the 90’s ENGLISH DOGS. T.I.B.

THIS SYSTEM KILLS - S/T 7” EP



These Welsh valley veterans return with a new EP. Less melodic this time, and more angry, gritty and possibly a bit crusty. Ripping hardcore with pissed off vocals of the political variety. All on white vinyl with download code (extra two tracks) and all housed in some punk rock art. MASS PROD/FFC PROD/ALL SYSTEMS GO/BLIND DESTRUCTION

UNDERCLASS - NOT IN MY NAME CD-R



Pounding punk from the U.K. Formed in the 80’s and still putting out DIY CDs. Pretty basic three chord punk with a drum machine. Reminds me of bands like OI POLLOI and THE RESTARTS with a definite working class political outlook. So if yer pissin’ down yer pants halfway down some lane next to a punk all dayer, you’ll be gruntin’ skyward when you hear the strains of UNDERCLASS coming from the broken venue window. Oh, and it says all four UNDERCLASS albums are free to download from: www.facebook.com/underclassuk

VOLUNTEERS - ‘RINGING EARS’ CASSETTE



Still at it, this is Bury St. Edmonds hardcore of the bashing ‘n’ crashing variety. Everything’s got distortion on, including the cover art. Fast ‘n’ slow ‘n’ stop ‘n’ go, dark ‘n’ dirty. Swirling repetitive riffs with all players following each other around and around the wall and fret board. You could see this lot getting a surprise album out on Alternative Tentacles or Touch & Go. Sounds like ALICE DONUT playing Power Violence, or EYEHATEGOD having a thrash day in the garage. Vocals sound like they were recorded in a toilet. Like actually in the bowl. Unflushed, vocalist gagging. VOLUNTEERS.

WARRIOR TRIBES / DISTRACT - SPLIT CS



Up first is WARRIOR TRIBES playing fast hardcore in the style of bands like SICKOIDS but taking a ride through the influences of STATE and NEGATIVE APPROACH while staying true to their Chicago school with the grit of that city in the mix. Next is DISTRACT who play more 80’s style hardcore, this time reminding me of SLUGGO but probably with dirtier trousers. Hints of a less poppy ZERO BOYS in the vocals too. warriortribes.bandcamp.com

ZERO GAIN - ‘SLOW THINKING’ MLP



Catchy punk rock from scene veterans of St. Etienne in France. Instantly engaging this reminds me of PEGBOY with its ringing guitar leads and mid-paced pounding rhythm. Add a distinct style similar to Chi Pig of SNFU on vocals and you’re nearly there. Subtle socio-political comment on songs like ‘Rich Wage War’ and a real knack for conveying emotion through the mood of the music (see: ‘Fast News’). From first spin this didn’t leave my turntable. ZERO GAIN / GESTALT / NO GLORY / BEST STUFF / ECHO CANYON / REST WAS HERE

VARIOUS ARTISTS - 'FOUR BAND SPLIT' CD



‘Four band split’... or compilation, depending on how old you are. I guess more than a two band ‘split’ is now as such because all the bands want their name on the front rather than being content with a common banner? Anyway, MIGHTY MIDGETS hail from Denmark and play hectic melodic hardcore that has those bad melodic backing vocals. Imagine screaming type stuff that used to be on Household Name Records with intricate twin guitar noodling. R.O.T.P.M. blast out their frantic Manchester hardcore. Songs about drinking, fighting and D.I.Y. and the most interesting on here. Next up is FIST OF THE NORTH STAR from Nashville, Tennessee and it kicks off with a twenty three guitar overture that makes me want to puke out of my eyes. It’s fast melodic hardcore but more technical in that metal way that has just expanded its guitar personnel to seventy eight, and... it’s... next! ACK! Finally, BROKEN ARIS from Sweden and, oh no, it’s NOFX complete with snotty American accent – ARGH! FIVE FEET UNDER / TNS

VARIOUS ARTISTS – ‘HARDCORE ‘013’ DOUBLE LP



Showcasing what’s coming out of Finland this year comes this incredible double album of blazin’ an’ a ragin’ hardcore. Proving that there’s either something in the water, or the 90’s and 00’s have completely passed Finnish punk rock by, bands like ABORTTI13, RAYGUN, SEKANNUS, VIVISEKTIO and TERVEET KADET take up side one, and straight out of the gate it’s all go-no slow hardcore urgency. As the collection progresses, you get MAILMANLOPPU, YHTEISKUNNAN YSTAVAT?, FORCA MACABRA, LAPINPOLTHAJAT amongst many others to a total of 22 bands and 47 songs. Reminiscent of one of those killer comp. tapes someone sent you in the post years ago, but pressed onto vinyl with a booklet, poster and fold-over sleeve, this is essential stuff you’ll keep going back to. Hail to Finland! KAMASET LEVYT / ROKU RECORDS

VARIOUS ARTISTS – ‘WITHOUT KIBOU THERE IS NOTHING - VOLUME ONE’ 7”



A U.K. Hardcore compilation featuring REVENGE OF THE PYSCHOTRONIC MAN, DOMESTICS, CASUAL NAUSEA, 5 STRING DROPOUT BAND, SHITHOUSE, MIGRAINES, JUST ADD MONSTERS and NO LAST WORDS. Each band delivers a strikingly similar fuzzed up punk assault with gnarly vocal approach. Comes on nifty red and black splatter vinyl with a foldout cover that includes all the info you need on the bands. KIBOU

FANZINES/BOOKS

DEFIANT POSE #8



Mike Clarke’s great zine back for another bite. This time you get the REMA-REMA 7” reviewed above as well as a feature on the band, THE HERETICS, STENCH, CERVIX and BLOOD AND ROSES. There’s a good article by Aaron Cometbus, some art, flyers, anonymous rants... the lot. On top of this you get authentic Zerox (machine) cut and paste anarchy. P.O. BOX 2544, LONDON, NW6 3DF, U.K.

MEANTIME #15



Nifty zine from Jean Maz of ZERO GAIN here. This one’s got nice design on its compact A5 format. There’s stuff on NEGATIVE RUNNERS, SUNNYBOYS, reviews, art and some cool photos. Shame I can’t read French, but image wise it’s really good stuff. meantime42@wanadoo.fr

PUNK IN MY SOUP #1



Unique little square zine here from Alex. It’s mainly green ink on yellow paper, and consists of reviews, reviews and more reviews. Interesting concept. He’s basically interested in talking about music that fires him up. So if that fires you up, then grab this. £1.50 plus post: micahjensen@yahoo.com

PUNKULTURE #1



Massive, glossy and full colour punk rock zine from the Mass Productions people in France. This is very much of the Plastic Bomb look and covers stuff like AGROTOXICO, ENGLISH DOGS, DE FATWAS, RAW POWER, PLANET TRASH, BRAINDEAD, BRING TO RUIN, SENSA YUMA, POISON IDEA, GUTTER DEMONS, HORNY BITCHES, CREEPSHOW and loads more, as well as all the zine fare you’d expect. www.massprod.com

RAZORCAKE #80/#81



Fair play to Razorcake, they keep hammering them out. #80’s got MIND SPIDERS, OTTAWA EXPLOSION WEEKEND, STALINS OF SOUND and THE KLITZ. #81’s got M.O.T.O., MUHAMMADALI, FRENCH EXIT and RADIOACTIVITY. If The Fest, pop and garage punk is your thing, then this is for you. Loads of comic art in this issue, and of course hundreds of reviews. www.razorcake.org

ROCK’N’ROEL – ‘ARTROCK BY ROEL SMIT’ BOOK



This book compiles all the art to date of Dutch punk artist Roel Smit. Like most punk art and design, you’ve probably seen Roel’s work over the years and not even known, noticed or cared, so it’s good that it’s all here. There’s art for everyone from LARM, POISON IDEA, BRUTAL OBSCENITY, DIE LEBENDEN TOTEN, BREZHNEV, YAWP, DESCENDENTS, I AGAINST I, NRA, Epitaph, Kangaroo and Wicked Witch Records. There’s also comic strips as well as the written word, and all in full colour. A fitting collection of this accomplished and long-term punk rock artist. OOG & BLIK

SUSPECT DEVICE #55



Back again for their fifty bloody fifth issue is this little U.K. gem. This time you get NIGHT BIRDS, ANTI-PASTI, NO STATIK and THE LOVE TRIANGLE. All the usual columns and reviews as well as some really good half page size photos ala Zonked. You’ve probably already got this. What, you haven’t? Sort it out. wwwsuspectdevicezine.co.uk


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