In The Trashcan Records
GEM004
"..."
"Big A little A, bouncing B, the system might've got you but it won't get me" is the start of this terrific anti-Thatcher accusation by Britain's first real punk band with a non-hypocrite attitude. One of the best punk songs ever.
In 1980 "Strawdogs" was re-released as flip to "At the edge" on the Dutch label Ariola, part of Chrysalis Records. See also vol 3.
Five song EP sung in Dutch by a Dutch threesome who were good friends of De Rondos. In only 75 seconds Toni Tampax, Sint and Johnny Jehova they recorded this punk tune at the end of 1980.
"Not The Nine O'Clock News" will always be my favourite BBC television program, including Mel Smith and a young Rowan Atkinson. The rest of the crew were Pamela Stephenson and Chris Langham. This punk pastiche is so bad that it is brilliant. Of course it's on the BBC Records label.
"Can't cheat karma" was their first AND best release and their sole release on the Crass label. Founded in 1978 by the charismatic singer/bass player Steve Lake. It's not that typical anarchopunk they played. More eccentric and quirkily weird in sound.
"Kill the poor" already appeared on many comps, but this flipside was overlooked, unexplicably. "In-sight" is so Dead Kennedys that I can't understand why nobody seems to know it. Released on Cherry Red.
Flipside of "Decontrol", this is typical Discharge. Again a Clay Records release from their top year 1980. This is the sound that The Exploited adopted a year later.
Neo-mod band Secret Affair, ex-New Hearts, recorded five 45s for their own I-Spy Records in 1978-1981, this being the 4th. Later we see them linked to Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Woodentops and others.
A pink vinyl 3-track EP on Gem by Charlie Harper's seminal punk rock band. In 1980 they released their 3rd album already.
Television Personalities' Dan Treacy with a short-lived new wave dub project on Rough Trade. A-side is "Big city bright lights"
"The greatest cockney rip-off" will always be their best remembered song, maybe that's why this flipside has been shamelessly ignored, despite being one of their finest punk songs.
Ex-Adverts' Tim Smith and his Explorers are here with their first release for Big Beat. There's a big gap between the 77punk of The Adverts and this new poppy post punk style, which didn't have any success at all.
Although it was recorded with the U.K. Subs line-up, this 45 was issued as by Charlie Harper, the singer. On yellow-green wax released in 1980 on Gem. The song title later also influenced The Exploited for their "Exploited barmy army".
Written by bass player Jean-Jacques Burnel and released on the "White room" EP for United Artists between the '79 album "The raven" and '81 album "The meninblack". Great bass phasing sound on this rare track.
Flipside to "Cartrouble", "Kick" was always my fave side. Recorded in February 1980 for the Do It label. Guitarist Marco Pirroni released two months later the fantastic Rema-Rema 12" by Rema-Rema on 4AD.
Again a B-side. Featuring song writer Bill Carter and Chris Thompson and harp playing Pete Lodge and Steve Atkinson, there's not so much known about this band. I think this was their sole 45. A-side is "Got the hurt".
