Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Freeze: In Colour


Not the hardcore band from Cape Cod.  The Freeze come from the darker side of the Edinburgh post-punk scene.  They formed in 1976 and released this debut 3 song EP, "In Colour" in 1979.  This is dark shit.  At a first glance The Freeze operates in the same intellectual art-punk arena of the late 70's that bands like Wire dominated.  But there is something more that The Freeze have to offer here, and it really develops lyrically.  The first revelation should come about a few minutes into "Psychodalek Nightmares".  What is this?  It sounds like Syd Barrett stepped in somewhere between "Pink Flag" and "Chairs Missing" to record this psychedelic punk weirdness.  A few listens will reveal the lyrical content of this EP to be uncomfortably close to home.  REALLY GOOD.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Various Artists: Somewhere Outside



In 1983 the Irmgardz label released this compilation of dark, cold minimal synth and post-punk from Denmark.  Standout track is definitely "Island" by Naeste Uges TV, which sounds like a bending, detuned New Order remix of a Pale Saints song with too-cool Joe Strummer-ish vocals to keep it rough.  For real.  Honestly every contribution on here is great, think of it as Denmark's "No New York" equivalent.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Aburadako: Self Titled Flexi EP


This is fucking great.  Weirdo lo-fi Japanese punk band. The name means "Greasy Octopus".  This, their first 1983 release of dripping wet, disgusting hardcore punk, came as self-titled flexi EP (all of their releases are self-titled).  The fast stuff is full of snot and blown out thrashing drums, and then suddenly "Aburadako 4" and "Aburadako 6" enter the mix at a stomping pace with some intense throaty vocals.  Seriously, the vocals are perfect.  You gotta get this one.  

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Chronic Sick: Cutest Band In Hardcore EP



This is an incredible release from one of New Jersey's best kept secrets. Formed in 1981, Chronic Sick were a group of young, stiff-lipped antagonists who were one of the original "Shorecore" bands to rise out of the beach towns of the Garden State.  These songs are aggressive, lyrically questionable, and catchy as hell. The EP was originally released by Mutha Records in 1982, I'd say "Public Suicide" stands out as a favorite track.  Don't sleep on this one, it rips.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Stick Men With Ray Guns: Some People Deserve To Suffer


This collection of assorted studio and live tracks from the 80's Texas punk group offers some of the slimiest hardcore songs I've ever come across.  Singer Bobby Soxx, (who died of alcohol poisoning in 2000 after spending time in prison and a mental hospital), howls and shrieks like a more evil/confident version of Bruce Loose.  "Christian Rat Attack" will instantly pull you in, you'll be hooked by "Scavanger of Death", and by the time you get to "I'll Kill Mother" you'll wonder why it took you so long to hear these guys.  Highly recommended if you're looking for more slow, sloppy, offensive hardcore in the style of Flipper, Brainbombs, or Drunks With Guns.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Various Artists: I Hear The Devil Calling Me


This is a truly weird compilation of short, noisy psychedelic folk and post-punk tracks from New Zealand, originally released as a 7-inch EP by the Drag City Label in 1991. Includes contributions from Alastair Galbraith and the The Dead C, but I think "Uneasy Trail" by Cyclops steals the show.

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