Gang Of Four - Damaged Goods EP

Although early (1978) this was never seen as Punk, and is now classed as post punk. I personally couldn't care less as all three tracks are top notch. released on the FAST label as a double a side (on one side it says "Side 1" on the other side it says "Side 1 as well").

I posted this as only two of the three tracks appeared anywhere other than this single. "Armalite rifle" for some reason was left of the album, even though it is brilliant. So here's all three for you.

There is an amusing little note on the back cover, about what should be on the front cover, I have included a high resolution scan in the download so you can read it.

A bit more etching trivia, I think this is another take on the classic "Porky Prime Cut" this one has "A Spikey Spectacular"

Band: Gang Of Four
Label: Fast
Year: 1978
Tracks:
1. Damaged Goods
2 Love Like Anthrax
3, Armalite Rifle

Ripped from glorious very scratched vinyl:


If you do like then definitely go and buy their brilliant debut album:

Entertainment

Johnny Thunders - Dead Or Alive

There is so much to say about 'Johnny Thunders' and so many have said so much already, it's difficult to know where to start.

I loved 'The New York Dolls' his first band, I loved the more punky 'Heartbreakers' and I have never stopped playing his debut solo album 'So Alone'

'Dead or Alive' was his debut solo single, and it is an all time classic. The b-side 'Downtown is also good, but in this case it is the a-side that stands out. When his album 'So Alone' was originally released, 'Dead Or Alive' was not on it, but for you it is now included alongside the classic b-side 'Hurtin' from his second single (I will post this sometime).

The label tells you to 'Play real loud' and so you should, its blasting out my speakers right now, and I have never got bored with this one.

Vic Goddard was also clearly a 'Johnny Thunders' fan and released a self-titled song which I have included as a secret freebie (as I was too busy to get a post out yesterday). from the start you will hear the classic 'New York Dolls' whistle and riff. Enjoy.

Artist: Johnny Thunders
Label: Real Records
Year: 1978
Tracks:
1. Dead Or Alive
2. Downtown
Secret Track
3. Johnny Thunders - Vic Goddard and the Subway Sect

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl


If you like this go and buy this album now it is an all time classic.

So Alone

If any of you downloaded the classic 'Shangri La's' album from the excellent blog Thee Head Vein then you can compare their original 'Great Big Kiss' with the brilliant 'Johnny Thunders' cover - JT wins in my opinion.

Gang Of Four - Message From Dave Allen

I was just going through the blog checking old comments, as some people do leave comments on older postings (does anyone know if there is a way to find out when a comment is added?) and I found this in my 'Gang Of Four' posting - from Dave Allen -Bass Guitarist of Gang Of Four - check it out.

Dave Allen/Pampelmoose said...

Hey, this is Dave Allen from Gang of Four, I just came across your site and I like what I see. I've posted new Gang of Four recordings (demos) on my blog -
http://www.pampelmoose.com

Check 'em out.

Best, Dave

25 January 2008 11:45

Seeing the artists support blogs is very cool, Thanks Dave, I am checking out your blog right now.

Streets - Select highlights From Independant British Labels

Only one posting today, but it is a 17 track 'LP' (it takes a long time to rip and scan in LP's - I think I will mainly stick to singles). This is touted as the first ever 'Punk Compilation' album. Although it was released on the 'Beggars Banquet' label, it is a compilation from other labels as well. The excellent cover artwork is from 'Savage Pencil' aka 'Edwin Pouncey' aka 'Lead singer for the Art Attacks'.

There are some real 'gems' on this album. I will pick out a few and then you can sample the others yourself. I have already posted 'The Art Attacks' first single and I mentioned that they contributed one song to this album, so here it is the excellent 'Arabs In 'Arrads'. The 'Members' also feature for their first time on this blog, not one of their best, but it's still very good, I will post a couple of their classics very soon. A brilliant 'Lurkers' song, 'Be My Prisoner' from their debut album Fulham Fallout', classic punk that will have you jumping around.
'Arthur Comics' aka 'Giovanni Dadamo' aka 'lead singer of the Sniveling Shits' plays 'isgodaman' again not one of their best but interesting, the excellent 'Pork Dukes' and their classic 'Bend and Flush' (I haven't posted any of theirs as yet because of their explicit covers - still not sure how to handle stuff like that). Punk poet 'John Cooper Clarke' also features with the brilliant 'Innocents'. On top of these more well know artists there are some further classics, from less known bands such as 'The Dogs, The Reaction, The Exile and Jerkin, but as usual I will leave it to you to choose.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think of some of these tracks.
There are three tracks on this album that I have already posted a singles, and I have left them on here for completeness.

Some etching trivia on this one. On the a-side we have "More College Girls Please" a reference to track 8 from 'Crane'.

Bands: Various
Label: Beggars Banquet
Year: 1977
Tracks:

Side A
01. Trash - The Doll
02. Fear On The Streets - The Members
03. Be My Prisoner - The Lurkers
04. isgoadaman - Arthur Comics?
05. Arabs In 'Arrads - Art Attacks
06. 19 - The Dogs
07. Talk Talk Talk Talk - The Reaction
08 College Girls' - Cane

Side B
09 - Cranked Up Really High - Slaughter and the Dogs
10. Ain't Been To No Music School - The Nosebleeds
11. Lookalikes - The Drones
12. Hungry - The Zeros
13. Bend and Flush - The Pork Dukes
14. Disastermovie - The Exile
15. Jerkin - Drive
16. Innocents - John Cooper Clarke
17. No More Rock n'Roll - Tractor

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

Joy Division - Transmission

Hi everyone back again, I managed to get a couple of postings in that I had prepared before I left, but didn't have the chance to answer any comments, so I will hopefully get back up to date today.

On the journey home I saw the film 'Control' the story of Ian Curtis and Joy Division. For me the film was OK. Sam Riley as Ian Curtis was outstanding and as I was lucky enough to see Joy Division it was like watching Curtis on stage again. Listening to the soundtrack I had forgotten how brilliant Joy Division were and was inspired to make this posting of their second single, Transmission.

This track was not on their classic debut album 'Unknown Pleasure' and you would have had to buy the 'Substance 1977-1980 album' to get this. The b-side 'Novelty' was harder to track down as the only release I was aware of was on an album by Joy Divisions previous name 'Warsaw' (and even this is a different version) but now you can get both of them on the remastered version of 'Unknown Pleasures' (see link below)

A little etching trivia on both sides, on the a-side "and how I'll never know" and on the b-side "Just why or understand".

So if you haven't heard this before (you must have done, but just in case), then you are in for a treat. My personal Joy Division favourite is 'She's Lost Control', leave a comment and tell ASFM which is yours.

Band: Joy Division
Label: Factory
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. Transmission
2. Novelty

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this, then you must buy this:

Unknown Pleasures: Remastered & Expanded

and if you want an early taste of where Joy Division came from then buy this (a little raw but I still recommend it).

Warsaw

Essential Logic - Aerosol Burns

Essential Logic was formed in 1978 by singer (mmmmm... see what you think) and saxophonist Lora Logic when she left X-Ray Spex. This was their debut single, released on their own label Cells Records.

She definitely had a unique sound which may not be to everyones taste, the best description would be a cross between X-Ray Spex and Kleenex. Her vocals are definitely different, and the songs have a jerky feel with the rhythm changing throughout so you never no what is going to happen next.

I like this single, especially the a-side 'Aerosol Burns' but you have a listen and leave a comment and tell ASFM what you think. The other side looks like there are two tracks and there is a little gap after 'World Friction' and then an instrumental (I Have left the two tracks connected - not sure if they are meant to be - does anyone out there know?)

One etching on the a-side "Good Luck With The Exams", the other side has "AA" so I guess this is supposed to be a double a-side single. Difficult to tell. Again does anyone out there know?

Band: Essential Logic
Label: Cells Records
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. Aerosol Burns
2. World Friction

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this, then buy this, it includes both sides of this posting plus other singles

Fanfare in the Garden

Nero 12" - Theatre Of Hate

Posted by request for Longy, inspired by 'Nuzz Prowling Wolfs earlier posting of 'The Hop'

The excellent 'Theatre of Hates' 3rd single, this one on 12" not sure if there was a 7" release.
It reached number 2 in the UK indie chart but was always too heavy for the general radio listeners. It took the more commercial (but still brilliant) 'Do You Believe in the Westworld' to break into the national charts.

When I ripped this it nearly blew the meter of the scale with a wall of noise. Brandon's distinctive vocals blast over the noise making this a classic in my opinion, but then I have always been a fan of Kirk Brandon and all the various bands he has created. The 12" version of 'Nero is a might' 7.30 minutes long. The b-side Incinerator at 4.23 minutes gives you a fair amount of Theatre of Hate for your money.

Etchings on both sides, on the a-side "A Personal Invitation...." and on the b-side ".... To The Ides of March". From Kirk Brandon, who knows?

By the way I didn't bother scanning the back cover as its just black.

Band: Theatre Of Hate
Label: Burning Rome
Year: 1981
Tracks:
1. Nero
2. Incinerator

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this start with this, it has all of their singles as the Pack and Theatre of Hate,

The Complete Singles Collection

and then go and buy their classic debut album

Westworld

The Cravats - Burning Bridges

The Cravats second single, and first release on the excellent 'Small Wonder' label.

There was always something different about the Cravats, even their debut single 'Gordon' had that distinct strange sound that made it impossible to put them into any category.

'Burning Bridges' is an excellent single, although the cover implies 'The End' is the main single, but whichever track is meant to be, it's Burning Bridges that stands out from these three tracks.

One of my favourite Cravats songs is 'Land Of The Giants' which is about the classic TV series of the same name. Well I loved it as a kid and have not risked damaging those memories by watching it again: Has anyone out there watched it again? Leave a comment and tell me if it is still good, I could be tempted to watch it again.

They also later spawned into the Very Things and continued to make that wonderful weird and strange music which songs such as 'The Bushes Scream When My Daddy Prunes'

The lyrics to Burning Bridges are on the back cover, high res scan included for you to sing along.

If you want to know more about the Cravats then follow this link.

Band: The Cravats
Label: Small Wonder
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. Burning Bridges
2. I Hate The Universe
3. The End

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like the Cravats then buy this excellent album, you can also find their 'Toyland album on itunes:

The Land of the Giants

if you like the Cravats and want to hear who else recorded on the Small Wonder label, then buy this:

Small Wonder Punk Singles Collection Vol.1

prag VEC - Existential (4 track EP)

This is prag VEC's debut single a 4 track double a-side EP. I haven't got much information on prag VEC, maybe some of you out there will know more and leave some info in the comments.

I did some info so follow this link for discography, interviews and a few photots.

Cateogrised as a post punk band, there is not much around about them, so if you have any more info then leave a comment.

The first track 'Existential' I'm not sure about, sang in another language (not sure what), the second track 'Bits' is the standout one for me, I really like, the catchy guitar and vocals. 'Wolf' is a but more punky ('Kleenex' style) and final track 'Cigarettes' is one that grows on you as you give it a few plays.

Band: prag VEC
Label: Spec Records
Year: 1978
Tracks:
1. Existential
2. Bits
3. Wolf
4. Cigarettes

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you did like this, I couldn't find anything else available, so if anyone does know of anything I can point at then please leave a comment.

Lines - White Night

Bruce Rhodes is back with another excellent donation, so if you like this then leave a comment and thank him. This is one of those tracks that for me, on the first play it grabbed me. I want to tell you who they sound like and why it's so good, but I can't pin that sound down, have a listen and leave a comment if you can answer that question.

'White Night' is the stand out track here with excellent guitar and vocals, the b-side 'Barbican' is an instrumental (well until the very end it is) which is also very good.

Band: Lines
Label: Illegal Records
Year: 1978
Tracks:
1. White Night
2. Barbican

Ripped from Bruce's glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like the Lines then follow this link to Acute Records and try out this latest release:

One On The Clapometer - Seven Inch l.p.

A real little gem here from PaulSpizzle, and a personal one as well, considering Paul was in the band.

All of the band members were from 'Prestatyn High' and the band was originally called 'The Officially Unnoticed'. They practiced at 'Prestatyn Town FC' changing rooms on a Thursday night, and later changed their name to 'Thursday Night Is Music Night'.

The band members were originally Paul E Mer (Paulspizzle), Muss (Mark Jones) and Duggie (John Douglas) who left fairly soon, then came along Stephen Hughes on steam powered organ, followed by brothers Steve and later on Tim Roberts. Unfortunately Paul was replaced due to musical differences (Paul liked the Lurkers (didn't we all), UK subs, etc. and the rest of the band preferred Joy Division)

So what about the music, well track 1 'As Time Goes By' is a cover of an old forties jazz song by 'Dooley Wilson' which I cannot imagine whose idea it was to cover this, but they have covered it brilliantly and for me it is the stand out track(for those of you who may not know the original I have included it, so you can hear why this was a strange cover - this song also has famous clips from Bogart e.g. Of all the gin joints in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine" but unfortunately they are not in the cover).
The other three tracks you can clearly hear the bands influence from Joy Division and the Fall, especially 'Long Term Investment' which is my next favourite track. Interestingly 'Mystery Car' was played by John Peel but for me is the weaker track of the four. Obviously there were a few other people who like this as the ep also made 'Sounds' obscurest charts

So what do you think of One On The Claopometer?, leave a comment and tell ASFM.

Band: One On The Claopometer
Label: Beaky Trout
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. As Time Goes By
2. Long term Investment
3. Mystery Car
4. Hip Sounds From the Orthopedic Ward

Mystery Track:
Singer: Dooley Wilson
Label: United Artists
Year: 1943
Tracks:
1. As Time Goes By

Ripped from Paul's glorious scratched vinyl:

Killing Joke - Almost Red 12"

This is 'Killing Joke's' debut single, a 12" four track EP, which was very different to their later material, a blend of electronic and post punk sounds to come up with something different for its time.

The first track 'Almost Red' nearly fools you into thinking it's 'Donna Summers' disco classic 'I Feel Love' with the repetitive synthesizer sound, but then the guitar and 'Jaz Coleman's' vocals enter and you know it's something different, for me this is one of 'Killing Joke's' best tracks. Next up is 'Nervous System' which starts of sounding like 'Gang Of Four' and then again the vocals enter and you know it's not. 'Are You Receiving Me' is the third track and this starts to sound a bit more like the 'Killing Joke' that most people will know. The final track 'Turn To red' is a dub track which is the weakest of the four. Note that 'Turn To Red' has runout that just keep going on for ever, so I have faded it out in this case.

Band: Killing Joke
Label: Malicious Damage/Island
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. Almost Red
2. Nervous System
3. Are You Receiving
4. Turn To Red

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:

If you like this you will have to buy a couple of albums to get all four of these tracks:
This one is reasonable if you want to hear tracks from across their releases (Only Turn to Red is on this one).

Laugh I Nearly Bought One

Yeah Yeah Noh - Prick Up Your Ears EP

This was "Yeah Yeah Noh's" third single which was a three track ep released on "In Tape". "Yeah Yeah Noh" based in Leicester have been likened to "the Fall", and you can see why some would say that, but in my opinion they are a bit too upbeat and have their own sound.

The a-side "Prick Up Your Ears" (same name of the Joe Orton film and biography) I assume is all about Joe Orton the British playwright who was murdered by his jealous gay lover (considering there is a picture on the label and his name is mentioned on the back cover). On the b-side is the brilliant "Brown Shirts", a real catchy number that will have you dancing around, last up is a real gem its "Bias Binding" which was a stage favourite but this version is performed by "Terry and Gerry" (the well known alt skiffle band from Birmingham) with "Yeah Yeah Noh" backing them. I alway loved "Terry and Gerry" in my opinion one of the best bands to see live, I have never seen any other band that managed to get crowd participation on every track. I think you can tell what my favourite is here, but don't let it distract from the "Yeah Yeah Noh" stuff which is equally good.

A few etchings on this one, on the a-side "Harry was a Baby Sitter" and on the b-side "For Norman Tebbit"

Try this then leave a comment and tell ASFM what you think of Yeah Yeah Noh (and Terry and Gerry)

Band: Yeah Yeah Noh
Label: In Tape
Year: 1984
Tracks:
1. Prick Up Your Ears
2. Brownshirt
3. Bias Binding (Performed by Terry and Gerry)

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this then you are in luck, there is an excellent "best of" album, which also has Bias Binding as performed by Yeah Yeah Noh.

Leicester Square: the Best of Yeah Yeah Noh

Also their first official album "Cutting the Heavenly Lawn of Greatness ... Last Rites for the God of Loveover" at the Twilight Zone, then follow this link.

and their first album "when I am a Big Girl", which was a collection of their first three single including this one (apart from the Terry and Gerry version) over at Phoenix Hairpins, then follow this link.
and if you like the Terry and Gerry Stuff, you can get all their material (debut album plus all singles and b-sides) except for this one on iTunes as well as an excellent first album and singles here on CD:

Let's Get the Hell Back to Lubbock

Senate - The Original Sin 12" Megamix

After "The Pack", there was "Theater of Hate".
After "Theater of Hate" there was "Spear Of Destiny". After "Spear Of Destiny" there was "Senate".

Mmmmm I'm not so sure about this Kirk Brandon incarnation. I loved everything Kirk Brandon did and rushed out to buy this 12" Megamix of an old "Theater of Hate" classic "Original Sin". Senate was a collaboration with "Kirk Brandon" and "Rusty Egan" (who was in the Rich Kids, Skids, Visage and DJ'd at Blitz).

I think this was the one and only collaboration of "senate" but if anyone knows of anymore leave a comment. Also leave a comment and tell ASFM what you think of the dance version of Original Sin. if someone had told me that they were going to use this track for a dance song, I would never of believed it. But here it is.

So what do you get? Well two 7 minute plus long versions of "Original Sin" with electronic drumbeats and lots of synthesizer additions which never really worked for me, however the 7" version of this is far better (I will post this next up). You also get a live version of "Theater Of Hates" classic "Do you believe in the Westworld?", I'm not sure where this was recorded (it was in 1982) but listen to the polite clapping at the end, made me smile.

Band: Senate
Label: WAR
Year: 1984
1. Original Sin
2. Original Sin (Version)

Band: Theater Of Hate
Year: 1982
3. Do You Believe In The Westworld? (live)

Ripped from glorious (and a bit too) scratched 12" vinyl

Senate - The Original Sin 7"

So as promised here is the much improved 7" version, this one is just over 5 minutes long and a bit more faithful to the original. For some reason the 7" was released on Burning Rome records.

Not much more to add as it was all in the previous posting. So try it out and see what you think.

The flip side is again the "Theater Of Hate" classic "Do You Believe In The Westworld?", but this time its the studio version (which I can't believe anyone who likes any of Kirk Brandon's incarnations hasn't already got.

So leave a comment and tell ASFM whether you like this version or not.

Band: Senate
Label: Burning Rome
Year: 1984
Tracks:
1. Original Sin

Band: Theatre Of Hate
Year: 1982
Tracks:
2. Do You Believe In The Westworld?

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like "Senate", there's nothing left to find, however if you like Kirk Brandon, then I would recommend the following three classic albums. one from Theatre of Hate:

Westworld
and two brilliant "Spear Of Destiny" albums (at last available on CD):

Grapes of Wrath

One Eyed Jacks

Sabotage - When The War Is Over

Now I had this one ready to go, but was beaten to the post by Longy on his new and excellent blog "Punk Friction". This was another donation from Stuart Blackaller and is the debut single from Sabotage and the first punk release from Plymouth (unless anyone knows any others). So as Stuart took the time to rip this and scan the covers and I had written this post, I thought why not post it here as well. So check out "Punk Frictions" post and try this one and choose whichever rip you prefer.

Sabotage were a four piece band, with Mark on vocals, Knobby on bass, Rod on lead guitar and Mike on Drums (its all on the back cover). According to Stuart this single did get airplay on the John Peel show, and he liked their second single (hopefully coming soon) so much that he offered them a session, but by then the bass player had left and they literally couldn't be bothered to keep going.

So what do you get, two tracks release on the Optimistic label in 1979. On the a-side you get "When the War Is Over", starts with a classic thumping drum beat and then the guitar riff, and an even more thumping bass (it sounds like Knobby the bass guitarist managed had control of the mixing desk). You even get a bit of echo on the vocals, what more could you want. The b-side "silently screaming" is another gem, not quite as good as the a-side but not far off

Band: Sabotage
Label: Optimistic
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. When The War Is Over
2. Silently Screaming

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl.

Spear Of Destiny - The Wheel

'The Wheel' has already been posted over at the excellent Punk Friction, however this version is the gate fold two x 7" singles which has two excellent live 'Spear Of destiny' tracks which only recently have been made available on the 'Grapes Of Wrath' CD reissue., and I know Longy was keen to hear them so, here they are.

So I think everyone knows 'The Wheel' and the b-side which is a rerecording of an earlier 'Theater Of Hate' single 'The Hop' (this one is very similar to the original but different enough to be worth having). The second 7" has two live tracks from the Venue in Aberdeen, the first is 'Grapes of Wrath' which is a classic track from their debut album of the same name. But for me the final track is the stand out of the four, another live reworking of an album track 'The Preacher', which has always been one of my favourite SOD tracks. If you like SOD you will love this.

So leave a comment and tell us what you think of these four gems.

Band: Spear Of Destiny
Label: Burning Rome Records
Year: 1983
Tracks:
1. The Wheel
2. The Hop
3. Grapes Of wrath (Live at The Venue, Aberdeen)
4. The Preacher (Live at The Venue, Aberdeen)

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then there are still plenty of Spear Of Destiny albums out there. For me the two best (even though all of them are worth having) are 'Grapes Of Wrath' which on the reissue (linked below) has the original album plus all of these tracks (however one word of warning, read the comments, there are a few complaints about the quality of the mastering, I will stick with my vinyl copies).

Grapes of Wrath
next one is 'One Eyed Jacks (but again same warning as above)

One Eyed Jacks