The Carpettes - The Carpettes EP

I promised you some more from the Small Wonder label and here it is.

The Carpettes first single (ep), I really like this ep it has a couple of classic punk songs, "Help I'm Trapped" at a fast 1.03 minutes long.

Radio Wunderbarr has the classic end of track silence and then it leaps into life again. As was usual for Punk singles there was often witty comments or attempts to shock - Not sure which one was being attempted but the cover has the following comments: All fans, perverts, girls with big tits, major record companies telephone Houghton-Le-Spring 845246



Band: The Carpettes
Label: Small Wonder
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. How About Me And You
2. Help I'm Trapped
3. Radio Wunderbar
4. Cream Of The Youth


So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this there are two CD's worth acquiring, the first

The Best of the Carpettes

This one does not have the classic "Help I'm trapped" and "Cream of the Youth" but does some of their other singles.

The second is the best as it has the ep and their classic track "Small Wonder" which I will serve at a later date, as well as some classic John Peel sessions, so this is the one I would go for:

The Early Years: 1977-1978

There are a couple more of which I have not heard any of the tracks, if anyone has drop me a comment.

Ultravox! - Young Savage

The original Ultravox!. The ! at the end is the only difference in the bands name between the classic John Foxx first incarnation and the dreadful Midge Ure second incarnation.

I bought this single because of the cover (I liked the look of it) got home put it on, and was blown away by the brilliant "Young Savage", In my opinion a classic punk song and therefore punk band. I then scoured the NME and found that they were playing at the Marquee in Wardour Street and went to see them, I was shocked to find out that they were not Punk, but more..... couldn't classify them at the time, but it was one of the best gigs I had ever been to. I then went out and purchased their first album, which a word of warning, although brilliant it is not punk at all. From then on they were one of my favorite bands and I stuck with them for all three albums listed at the bottom, and even John Foxx's excellent solo period for the first two albums.

Band: Ultravox!
Label: Island
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Young Savage
2. Slipaway (Live at the Rainbow)

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

Although different from Young Savage I recommend that you buy all three of these CD's. If you prefer the punk style, start with their second Ha! ha! ha!

The first album

Ultravox: Remastered

Ha Ha Ha: Remastered

Systems of Romance: Remastered

The Dials - All I Here

The Dials were a local band from Sunbury (Middlesex). I'm not sure how well they are known (there is no mention on punk77).

They did have some association with the Members and this record was produced by Nicky Tesco from the Members.


This was their first and I think only recording, again if anyone has anything else, I would be interested.


All I Hear is great, fast and loud with lots of saxophone which apart from X-Ray Spex was rare for punk bands. The b-side in my opinion is too long and nothing special, See what you think


Band: The Dials
Label: Scene Records
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. All I Hear
2 Running

So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl, the Dials

999 - Nasty Nasty

OK I know that this is not rare (although I believe the Nasty green vinyl is not that common). but how can you talk about punk and not mention "999".


I always loved this band, I liked their singles and albums (even the post punk ones) and to see them live was excellent. Nick Cash would always shout out "Hello. London"or whatever other city they were in and then they would blast out a high speed set.




Band: 999
Year:1977
Label: United Artists
Tracks:
1. Nasty Nasty
2. No Pity






So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl




If you like this then you are spoiled for choice:

Their first and I believe their best album

999

Their second (you can buy the first and second on one single CD)

Separates

Their singles album

The Punk Singles 1977-1980

Adam and the Ants - Young Parisian

Many people may not realise that Adam and the Ants were originally a very cool band.
This was way before he went with the OTT Red Indian, pirate, highwayman, etc. rubbish.

His first offically published material was two tracks "Deutsher Girls" and "Plastic Surgery" on the soundtrack to Derek Jarmens Jubilee film (I will post these sometime).

It was sometime later in 1978 that Adam and the Ants released their first single "Young Parisians" on the Decca label. Both tracks are good, but for me the best track is the excellent b-side "Lady"

The lyrics for both tracks are on the back cover which I have included a high resolution scan so you can sing along.

Band: Adam and the Ants
Year: 1978
Label: Decca
Tracks:
1. Young Parisians
2. Lady

I'm not sure this is available on any of the Adam and the Ants albums, so no recommendation this time.

So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

The Lurkers - Shadow

The Lurkers were one of my favorite bands, and "Shadow" was one my favorite singles.

Many people will recognise the simple riff at the beginning.

The Lurkers and their fans known as the Lurker Liggers came from around Kingston, Putney and Fulham.

We used to hang around Howard Walls (Lead singer) house in Walton-on-Thames playing records (never the Lurkers). It was Howard who introduced me to Johnny Thunders and George Thorogood, not really punk but excellent music, I recommend you try them.

I can remember Howard saying that the only time people printed their lyrics was if they were good, which is strange now as the lyrics to "Shadow" and the b-side "Love Story" are on the back cover (high resolution scan included in the download) and reading them now, I wonder what he thinks of them.

None the less Shadow is one of the great Punk classics.

Band: The Lurkers
Year: 1977
Label: beggars Banquet
Tracks:
1. Shadow
2. Love Story


So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

The Lurkers have two albums I would recommend you buy:

Fulham Fallout

God's Lonely Men

and one singles album:

Beggars Banquet Singles Collection

The Straps - Just Can't take Anymore

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

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

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

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

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

So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

and if you like this then buy:

The Punk Collection by Straps

Raped - Pretty Paedophiles E.P.

Well I mentioned in the "Carpettes" posting, that punk bands tried to shock or be funny and "Raped" did everything they could to shock. The name of the band, the name of the ep (pretty sick), some of the lyrics. Even the etching "messy sounds 4 u".

And shock they did, the press ranted over it, and it was banned in all standard stores, which they even had printed on the back cover "not available in W.H. SMITH, BOOTS or WOOLIES".

Shame really because the tracks are all very good, and I still play them today. They had one other controversial single (http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/raped2.htm) as "Raped" and then changed their name to Cuddly Toys and became much more mainstream (trex/bowie style), in my opinion, worth a look as well.

See what you think.

A little trivia as well. For many of you vinyl collectors you will be familiar with the tiny etchings on some records, one of the most common is "a porky prime cut" on this one it has a "a normal porky prime cut" a slight play on their track on this ep.


Band: Raped
Label: Parole
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Moving Target
2. Raped
3. Escalator Hater
4. Normal

So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl, download in inferior mp3:


If you like this, then go and buy their CD all of these tracks and more are on it:

The Complete Raped Punk Collection

The Surgeons - Sid Never Did It

February 2nd, 1979 the day Sid Vicious died.

I will never forget this day. I was an apprentice and went into work as usual, when I arrived all the old guys in the factory were stood in a row,standing in silence, with black arm bands on, saluting me. I stood there thinking what are they taking the piss of now, then one of them said "your hero died today" I replied "who" and they all returned "Sid Vicious" and burst out laughing. Well that's how I heard Sid died.

This is one of a few songs that claimed Sid never killed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. It's OK but not one of my favorites. I can't even remember buying it, but I understand it is hard to come by and many people may never have had the opportunity to hear it. So here it is, see what you think. The b-side is all about Rikers island the prison Sid was sent to (not very good in my opinion).

Band: The Surgeons
Label: Surgery Records
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. Sid Never Did It
2. Breaking Rocks On Rikers Island


So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

Adam and The Ants - Deutscher Girls & Plastic Surgery

As promised from the earlier Adam and the Ants posting. Find his two classic contributions to Derek Jarmans strange film Jubilee. Adam Ant also starred in this film

The soundtrack has a few other highlights (although these two are the best), the Electric Chairs, Chelsea and my other two favorites by Suzi Pinns (Jordan) covering "Rule Britannia and the hymn "Jerusalem" in punk style.

In my opinion these two Ants tracks are the best that he officially published.

See what you think.

Band: Adam and the Ants
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Deutscher Girls
2. Plastic Surgery

Ripped from glorious (good condition) vinyl

You can still buy this album so if you like these tracks then go and get:

Jubilee [Us Import]

Cash Pussies - 99% is Shit

The beginning, middle and end of this song have quotes spoken by Sid vicious, with his final comments providing a spooky predication of what was to come.

The title of this tracks "99% is shit" is also taken from a Sid Quote which can be heard at the beginning of this track.

Although the Cash Pussies clearly jumped on the "Sid is Dead" gravy train, I really like this song and it has always sat on compilations I have made up. This is a supposedly double a-side single but "cash flow" is poor, but I leave it hear for completeness and for you to make your own minds up.


Band: Cash Pussies
Year: 1979
Label: The Label
Tracks:
1. 99% is Shit
2. Cash Flow

So ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

The Normal - T.V.O.D. / Warm Leatherette

This was the the Normal's first and only single. You may know it for two reasons:

1. It was the first release (MUTE 001) for the Mute Label, which Depeche Mode made famous
2. The b-side "Warm Leatherette" was released as a single by Grace Jones.

These tracks could be classed as electronic. They are very sparse but strangely engaging.


See what you think.

Band: The Normal
Year: 1978
Label: Mute
Tracks:
1. T.V.O.D.
2. Warm Leatherette

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

The Killjoys - Johnny Won't Go To Heaven

A classic punk song on a classic punk label. "Raw records" was one of my favorite labels and I will post more from this label. You may have heard of the Killjoys as in a later in life the lead singer (who also wrote both sides) is Kevin Rowland of Dexy Midnight Runners fame. This gave the Killjoys wider acknowledgment in the early 80's

The a-side which is the best (but I still love the b-side as well) has the obligatory "1234" start, excellent riff, its loud and fast, has swearing and a simple sing along chorus, what more could you want.

Band: The Killjoys
Label: Raw
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Johnny Won't Go To Heaven
2. Naive

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

I thought you could still buy two excellent Raw records collections, but looking on Amazon volume 1 is going for £65. So if anyone wants this stuff then leave a comment.

This vinyl also has the classic "a porky prime cut" etching. How many records have that?

The Users - Sick Of You

After posting the Killjoys it got me digging through my vinyls and I had to play this one again, and as soon as I had played it I knew I had to post it. So hear it is.

If you haven't heard this one before, then you are in for a treat. Brilliant guitar riff start, makes the hairs on your neck stand up, then the rest of the band come in loud and fast. The lead singer snarls the lyrics and you really get the feeling the Users are sick of everything.

The Users formed Raw Records (see the classic label under the Killjoys posting) and this was their first release.

This has always been one of my favorites and will hopefully be one of yours.

Etching Trivia: Looks like "Another Porky prime cut" etching competition started here as well, this one has: "A Bilbo Punk Rocka" and "Bilbo Master Room" on the other side.

Band: The Users
Label: Raw Records
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Sick of You
2. (I'm) In Love With Today

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Mittageisen (Metal Postcard)

How can you post punk music without something from Siouxsie and the Banshees? You can't, so here is some for you. I don't think this one is massively well known outside the hardcore banshees fans. A German version of Metal Postcard (which is originally in English on her excellent debut "The Scream").

Lyrics on the back cover, so you can learn and sing along in German (high res scan included in download). The b-side is also excellent, an old live favorite "Love In A Void". It's a little scratched I'm afraid, so to make up for this the following post will be a brilliant studio bootleg called Metal Shadows (which has another version of Love In A Void)

Band: Siouxsie and the Banshees
Label: Polydor
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Mittageisen (Metal Postcard)
2. Love In A Void

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

The Nipple Errectors - King Of The Bop

This was Shane McGowan's (of the Pogues fame) first band and first single.

And what a debut, the a-side "King of the bop" is good, but the b-side "Nervous Wreck is even better.

They went on to change their name to the Nips and continued to release some excellent songs.

Band: The Nipple Erectors
Year: 1978
Label: Soho Records
Tracks:
1. King Of The Bop
2. Nervous Wreck

If anyone like this then I also have an excellent live bootleg, leave a comment if your interested.

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then you can buy this, both of these tracks are on it, and their excellent follow on single Gabrielle:

Bops Babes Booze and Bovver

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Metal Shadow (Bootleg)

The Scream for me was always Siouxsie's best album. It was raw and dark, and nothing like their first single "Hong Kong Garden"

I think I played this bootleg as much (if not more) than the Scream. So if you do like this go out and buy "The Scream", you will not be disappointed (see link as usual at the bottom).

Please note this is not a concert bootleg but some early studio cuts.

Tracks:
A-Side
1. Love In A Void
2. Metal Postcard
3. Suburban Relapse
4. Mirage
5. Carcass
6. Overground

Side B
1. Helter Skelter
2. Hong Kong Garden
3. Make Up and Break Up
4. Love and Romance
5. Carcass (II)
6. Love and a Void (II)

Ripped from glorious (not too) scratched vinyl

If you like this, then buy this. There is a cheaper version, but this deluxe edition includes a few John peel sessions.

The Scream [Deluxe Edition]