Send in the troops.....

Modern Warfare

Their first 7'' released in 1980 on the fabulous Bemisbrain record label. They consisted of: -

Jim Bemis - Guitar/Vocals
Steve Sinclair - Bass
Ron Goudie - Guitar
Tish Lucca - Keyboards
Randy Scott - Drums

They lasted until 1983 releasing a second 7'' and appearing on a few compilations. This 7'' was produced by Geza X.

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Vatican Commandos

Formed in 1980 and lasting until 1985 they released two 7'' and one 12''. Probably more famous now for the fact that Richard Hall was a member of the band, he's better known as Moby....yes that Moby. They produced snotty hardcore that sounds as good today as it did when it was released, which was 1983. They reformed for a few shows last year.

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Minutemen

A band most people either love or hate; there doesn't appear to be much middle ground with them. I've no idea how anyone could hate them. I love their jazzy, manic punk. Three guys who could all really play and meshed so well as a unit.

Formed out of the ashes of the Reactionaries by D Boon, Guitar/vocals and Mike Watt, Bass they recruited George Hurley on drums and began touring extensively. They lasted from 1980 until 1985 when the untimely death of D Boon brought things to a shuddering halt. They left behind a wealth of music to explore and all of it is great imho. This was released in 1981.

Mike Watt and George Hurley continued as fIREHOSE after some persuasion as they were obviously shattered by the death of their friend. fIREHOSE produced some great music also.

You can only wonder what the Minutemen would have gone on to produce had D Boon survived.

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Cheifs

OK so it's a tenuous "troop" link, but, hey, it's a good single.

Coming out of Hollywood CA, they played a great old style punk and are often cited as being a bridging band from the old punk to the new hardcore.

They released a cd a few years ago that is a must have as it gathered together their official releases, demos, unreleased tracks etc in one place. You can find it here. Hollywest Crisis is a classic song. This is their single from 1980.

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Suicide Commandos

I've had this record for soooooo many years and it never gets old. Cited as being a big influence on a young Bob Mould. Formed in 1975 and lasting until 1979 they had less than a handful of releases, this being their only studio long player from that period. ..... but, wow, what a long player. I'm still staggered that this was released in 1978, it just beggars belief; it's so good and hasn't dated at all.

They reformed a couple of years ago to do some gigs and there's some good footage on you tube from this time. myspace

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Salvation Army - Mind Gardens 7'' (1981)

I first heard this 7'' 30 years ago, I feel old, and its sublime beauty just blew me away; 30 years later I'm still blown away.

Released in 1981 on the Minutemen's New Alliance label the band consisted of: -

Michael Quercio - Vocals/Bass
John Blazing - Guitar
Troy Howell - Drums

The band were teenagers at this time and were signed to Frontier soon after this 7'' where they released their first album.

For obvious reasons a forced name change ensued and they became The Three O'Clock who were leading lights of the Paisley Underground scene which exploded in the early 80's with bands such as Rain Parade, The Bangles, Green on Red etc. The Three O' Clock were a little too polished for me, but this single is stunning, still.

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Uk Subs

The Damed - Live Birmingham Odeon '77

Nothing more to say really.

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Penetration - The Feeling 7'' (2010)

I've no idea how this one slipped past me, but better late than never I guess.

Penetration/Pauline Murray can do no wrong in my eyes so it's no surprise that I think this is great. It's on iTunes for £2.00 ish, three tracks, buy it and support the bands. The 3rd track is a live version of Come into the Open.

Auweia! - There's no freedom, there's nur Scheisse (2010)

I've never really been a fan of non English speaking music, primarily as I want to be able to sing along and I find that very difficult when I've no clue what's being said. There are a few bands I listen to and I'm sure I'm missing out, but I've got more music than I can shake a stick at anyway so.....

.....a mail landed last night from a band asking me to link them....hmmm they sing in German, I'm not gonna like this. The mail, probably a mailshot, said: -

Hey we want to spread our first lp all over the world :D so maybe you like our sound. we play german punkrock in style of the good old 80ties like tin can army, toxoplasma, slime or razzia. so it would be an honour for us if you relink it on your page! Keep the spirit alive D.I.Y. until we die!
 

We also got some english translations in our lyricssheet!

It's all true, this is old style punk, great tunes and if it was in English I'm sure I'd be horse from singing along. The fact that this isn't in English doesn't detract,this is seriously good..

You really need to give this a listen, makes me miss the old days. I've no idea who they are, or their history, but I'm going to find out and if I can help spread the word of their stuff to one person it's job done as far as I'm concerned. Lebensqualität is my fave track so far.

Album here

Naked Raygun - Home 7'' (1990)

Naked Raygun came like a bolt out of the blue to a guy sitting in England in the 80's. By the time Throb Throb hit my doorstep, 1985, hardcore had become fairly formulaic with the diversity of the early days being replaced with a sieved derivative of the major players. So to have a band who didn't follow anyone else's path and managed to mix power, speed and incredibly catchy hooks was manna from heaven.

Existing from 1980 - 1991 they released 5 ep's and 5 albums, all of which are excellent. This 7'', released in 1990, was an instant hit and has been a favourite of mine ever since.

If you don't know the band grab Home and then head over here and have a read. If you are a fan but don't have the two 7'' shown below head over to iTunes and grab them, they're both staggeringly good and extend a great back catalogue. I hope they release an album soon...oh and tour the UK again.

I was lucky enough to see them in Leeds many moons ago and was told off for stage diving, sorry Jeff! They're one of those hardcore bands who just get better with age. 

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And I'm stumbling home

Tonight I feel alone

And the skies fire

I really feel the rain

And I just move along

Wild, not to belong

And the pain, God,

I really feel the pain

Chorus

I'm thinking on and on about it

I always dream and I don't like it

Feeling sad but I can't fight it

Home

In a fever I think I'm dead

Coloured acid webs in my head

Am I sane now?

I just don't feel the same

Dance a twisted scene

To melodies obscene

I think I'll drink now

It's my house anyhow

The Nerves - ep (1976)

So whilst I'm talking about Blondie I may as well throw this one out there. Best known as a major hit by Blondie "Hanging on the Telephone" was actually a cover version of a Nerves song.

Released in 1976 as a self financed 7'', it promptly sank without a trace until it was picked up by Blondie who made it internationally known. I'd be hard pushed to choose which version of this song I prefer; they're both great. The group consisted of: -

Jack Lee - Guitar
Peter Case - Bass
Paul Collins - Drums

The Nerves lasted for a very brief period before they split. Case and Collins went on to form the Plimsouls in the late 70's.

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Blondie - Panic of Girls (2011)

It's soooooo good to have a new album from Blondie to throw into the mix of their great back catalogue, and this one stands up very well against them all. It's the best album since they reformed and I'd highly recommend it. I got mine from amazon and, with a discount ticket, it only cost me £6.49, which is a stupidly low price.

Happy birthday to Debbie for the 1st July, 66 and still kicking arse.

This is available to digitally download now: -

amazon.co.uk -- iTunes -- HMV -- Tesco

Blondie - Mother 7'' (2011)

I love this, 99 pence from iTunes = Bargin; can't wait for the album. ....and yes, I still would! :)