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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z COMPS SLOPPY SECONDS
U.K.
Subs
Crash
Course - Live CD
Alright,
now I saw these guys on the Chaos tour and I believe they are going to
be making their way across the states again soon. I am usually apt to
bash these guys, for the mere fact that they have at least 2 CD reviewed
each month and quite frankly I get sick of hearing them. Granted this
here is another packaging of all the same songs once again, but the saving
grace is that this is a live recording giving the record a certain flare
that seperates it from all the other Subs releases this month. Of course
all the standards are here, and the sound quality is exceptional for a
live recording. Dutch
Captain
Oi
Union
13
Youth Betrayal and
the Awakening CD
I keep hearing about
these guys but other than a track they had on the Give em the Boot
Comp many years ago I have not heard them. New school punk played at breakneck
speeds and still managing to fit in a guitar solo here and there. The
music is tight and surprisingly clear for the pace. The lyrics are insightful
and not common for the music associated with it. Union 13 have put together
something worthwhile here, I can't say it's for me though. Dutch
Epitaph
Vanilla
Muffins
Gimme Some Sugar
Oi! CD/LP
Sugar Oi? I guess its
opposed to metal Oi! Well regardless of the fact that I never thought
I'd hear Sugar and Oi! together in a sentence, these guys are fucking
amazing! Frankie Flame sings the first track, about how Vanilla Muffins
are big fuck ups, but they can't be too bad, touring with the Bruisers,
PTTB, and Mad Parade. This Swiss outing is pretty poppy and upbeat, with
sing a long songs about their soccer team (Blue Red Forever), their country
(Switzerland) and even a song called "Mike Tyson". I guess they like him
over there- The weirdest part is 3 different songs with "Mommy" in the
title. Maybe its an inside joke. Toy Dolls would be proud. Jimmy Da Kid
Knockout Records
Voodoo
Glow Skulls
Symbolic CD
It's hard to say that
the Voodoo Glow Skulls have not made a name for themselves. They have
done their time and have stuck to a sound that most people assume has
been retired. So what is a band to do: release another album. A onetime
big fan of the VDGS I still have problems with the vocals, most of which
just seemed to be spoken, spoken like a man with a nasal infection. The
full force of the musicains behind him could be packaged and sold on their
own, they are the motion of this CD. Dutch
Epitaph
The
Wretched One
We Don't Belong
To Nobody CD/LP*
Damn, a brand fuckin
new Wretched Ones. It's hard top the older records, after listening to
them over and over for years, the new material almost seems foreign. It
took me a couple listens to truely appreciate this CD. All the songs contain
the standard Wretched Ones ingredients: songs about the working class,
beer, working, breaking the rules and taking no shit. Don't forget about
B.T. Bob and Mike, together they lay down some of the strongest music
to hit the streets, if half the youth in America could rock as hard as
these guys punk rock would rule the world. This record will soon take
it's place among the other `One's classics. Dutch
Headache/*Knockout
Youthful
Offenders
Domination LP
Young as hell and ready to carry on Oi!, Y.O. put out a pretty impressive
release here. Somewhat reminiscent of the Cuffs, lyrically and musically,
except with slightly more evolved songwriting. There is a hilarious cover
on here of "Do your ears hang low?" called YARBLES, which is probably
an amazing sing along song live. Songs by young skinheads for young skinheads,
and if you saw them at Midwest Oi! Fest 2000 you know that they are already
able to compete with the older guys. Jimmy Da Kid
Vulture Rock
V/A
Believe The Hype CD
New breed hardcore,
the gangsta rap of the white man!!! I see a lot of confused youngsters
out there emulating the speed demons of this highbred concoction of hardcore
and rap. I know I probably just pissed someone off by connecting the two.
Don't deny the crossover son, it's suburban, it's white, it's new breed
hardcore sucka!!! In your face. A couple bands on this comp don't fit
my description, but then again some are even worse. Dutch
Too Damn Hype
V/A
Brewed in Canada CD
A really good comp
from Canada. Six bands contributing 2 or 3 songs each. There are no bad
songs on this comp, they range from good to great. Even the contributions
by The RABBLEROUSERS (a band I'm not fond of) were good. My favorite band
on this one definatly goes out to The SUBWAY THUGS. This comp is well
worth your time and money. Canada, I will now forgive you for William
Shatner. Put out a Brewed in Canada Vol 2 and I'll forgive you for letting
in those filthy draft dodgers a while back. Cabel
Blind Beggar Records
V/A
City Rockers: a Tribute to the Clash CD
If the the Warner Brothers
label Clash tribute did not kill you, here is some salvation. Featuring
punk rock legends MURPHY'S LAW, FANG, and ILL REPUTE. Plus newer names
to the game STIGMATA, SAVES THE DAY and INCOGNEGRO. It hit and miss, some
of the "interpretations" are a little too far out for me. Beyond
that it is quite good. Dutch
Chord
V/A
Midwest Rules Vol. 1 CD
Man, I never realized
just how angry those folks out in the American mid-west are! Then again,
I guess being stuck out in the middle of nowhere with all that livestock
to tempt one romantically it would get to you after a while. Haha. Then
again I guess some bands don't really apply to that stereotype such as
MURDER CITY WRECKS (Detroit), AMERICAN DREAM and PRONOUNCED DEAD(both
from Chicago). This CD is jam-packed full of angry sounding bands. Some
sound angry and talented (good bands), others just plain angry (mediocre
bands). Some of this is pretty straight forward hardcore in nature (DOGFIGHT),
others have that street punk sound going for them (BRASS TACKS, BRASSKNUCKLE
BOYS), others just snotty punk in sound (LAST YEARS YOUTH, DAGGERS). As
with most compilations there's usually something on it everyone will like.
Myself, I was partial to the BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS
and BRASS
TACKS
tracks. The rest, ehhhhh. Canadian Mike.
Haunted To0wn
V/A
Might As Well... Can't Dance CD
This comp starts off
strong, but as it moves along it gets progressivly weaker. Not to mention
that Adeline mainly deals with the poppier side of punk. But I digress,
many of the bands on here are rockin full force, albiet some of it is
a bit campy, they pushing forward and it comes out in the music. A couple
of the bands truely stand out: DILLENGER FOUR, the CRIMINALSs, ONE MAN
ARMY and FREE BEER whose track Money or my Car sounds so familiar
I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out what 80's California band
it sounds like. Dutch
Adeline
V/A
Never Say Die (Vol 1) CD
Usually with comps
you end up getting a lot of bands that sound vaguely the same. Not here
folks, the CD contains some straight up oi, hardcore, punk, and metal,
not too mention bands from Serbia, Sweden, Germany, France, Poland and
many other countries. The quality of the songs varies from band to band
but nothing to drastic to turn your nose up. Honestly though only a couple
bands on this comp really stand out (in a good way) JINX, PORTES, HEADCASE
and RABAUKEN. Dutch
Sick Mind
V/A
Punk-O-Rama #5 CD
The Punk-O-Rama series
is a generous helping of all that Epitaph has going on. Tracks from upcoming
releases and some favorites of recent releases. If the stock of Epitaph
bands it right up your ally then there is no denying that this is for
you. On the other hand if only a select few bands seem to get your willy
started this comp may be something you will want to avoid. Epitaph has
a wide variety of bands and unless you got a remote control for your stereo
you'll be getting up everyother song to hit the skip button. Dutch
Epitaph
V/A
Streetpunk 99: The Midwest Oi Fest CD
Great compilation!
This features many of today's top punk and oi bands including: LOWER CLASS
BRATS, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, BEERZONE, NOTA, THE CUFFS and more, giving
their all for you and me. RSVP from PATRIOT has been one of my
favoritess for quite sometime and that was reenforced yet again. The MAIN
STREET SAINTS contributed several songs including and emotional and moving
“Ireland” performed with Scotti Lyons of PIST-n-BROKE. The WRETCHED ONES
throw in a couple too from their set which no doubt ended the Midwest
Oi Fest at a high point. The only negative thing I can say about this
CD is that everytime I listen to it I am reminded what a great oi fest
I missed. Pick this up, either as a memento of a great show or just as
an all around great CD of live punk and oi. James
DSS Records
V/A
A Tribute To Terrible CD
The highlight of this
for me was the perfect title. This is truly terrible. A wierd assortment
of = heavy metal, death metal, crust, rap and just plain bad bands. This
was absolutely painful to listen to and once again proved the division
between hardcore and punk grows ever wider. If you like unintelligible
vocals and metal then you’ll like this. If not - just say no. Cabel
Chord
Angelic
Upstarts
The BBC Punk Sessions
CD
As much as I love the
Upstarts, you can only re-issue so many different versions of the same
songs, y`know? This CD collects the band's sessions for John Peel between
the years of `78 and `81. Most of the stuff here is great, as expected,
but as I said before; you can really only own so many different versions
of the same songs before it just gets pointless. Your call, really. Christian
Captain Oi!
The
Boys
(The Original) To
Hell With/Odds & Sods CD
Any Guns and Roses
fans out there, come on admit it, I know you exist. Anyways if you want
to know where G-n-R pulled their influences from it is nowhere more likely
than from the Boys early material. As a matter a fact Knockin On Heavens
Door is a Boys cover, kinda sorta at least. The Boys track is called
Terminla Love, I don't know about the actuall title of the G-n-R track,
but the both have that "knock knock knockin on heavens door part."
Anyways, the Boys have stood the test of time and are probably one of
my favorite multiple-reissue bandS. Their old school rock sound mixed
with the early ages of punk has caught me off gaurd more than once and
is truely an original. Dutch
Captain Oi
The
Crack
The Best of the
Crack CD
Sometimes I don't know
why I even bother listening to these before I review them, I know what
it sounds like, I already own this record in one way or another. If you
already know the Crack's distictive sound then you can skip to the next
review. For those of you who don't, let it be known that the Crack practically
invented the Brit-Oi-Pop sound. For the most part all the songs are about
women in one way or another, the old school version of the Vanilla Muffins
as it were. I have always liked these guys but it been something I can
only take in measured doses. Dutch
Captain Oi
Demented
Are Go
In Sickness and
In Health LP
Kicked Out Of Hell
LP
The rerelease of these
two Demented classics could not of come at a better time. Rockabilly,
Psychobilly and all otherthings billy are on a uprise or at least
gaining a wider audiance. The broken down sound of psycobilly with its
thumping stand-up base and surf/country influences has a certain addictiveness
to it. It also helps that the songs are filled with humor, horror, and
sex. Both of these records are classic examples of how the music need
to be played. Dutch
Knock Out
Eddie
& The Hot Rods
Life On The Line
CD
Classic Balls to Wall
Rock and Fucking Roll !!!!!! A great, great reissue of a great, great
album. The bonus tracks are good too: You get songs that were only ever
released as singles and nowadays would cost you a mint to get.... even
on E-bay (trust me... I checked). Rock and Roll Motherfuckers!!! Chas
Captain OI!
Eddie
& The Hot Rods
Teenage Depression
CD
One look at the band
photo in this and I knew I was in trouble. I don't like bellbottoms, I
don't like aviator sunglasses, and... nope, I don't like Eddie & The
Hot Rods, either. This isn't Oi! Or punk; it's just boring pub rock. Somebody
really ought to talk some sense into Mark Brennan; just `cause they played
with the Sex Pistols don't make `em punk, buddy. To be fair, a few more
rockabilly-sounding numbers on this are actually okay, but when the best
song on your album is a cover of The Kids Are Alright by The Who; there's
a problem. All I can say about teenage depression is that I'm depressed
I wasted the time listening to this. Christian
Captain Oi!
The
Ejected
The Best of The Ejected
CD
OK, if you like your
Oi! old, British and pounding with East London attitude, you WILL love
this! Taken from their two albums and a few EPs, you get some obvious
classics like East End Kids and Have You Got 10p? as well
as a fistfull of other boot-stomping, pogo-inducing riot starters. Even
the last five tracks recorded in `97 are a fair match for the older stuff,
which is saying a lot, especially in light of the recent rash of less-than-impressive
comeback efforts I’ve been hearing lately. So raise a pint of Bass, salute
the Union Jack, put on yer best Cockney accent and go find this! Jeff
Captain Oi!
Kidnap
79-85 CD
Way before my time
this band was kicking it and from the sound of it inspired a lot of the
early West Coast bands. French Oi/punk has always had a softspot in my
heart, they are chartaristacally more meldy driven than American or English
punk. Sadly though this is the first time I have ever heard these guys,
completely my loss. It is a excellent non-Captain Oi example of your punk
rock roots. Dutch
Upstart Records
Klasse
Kriminale
Odiata & Fieri!
- the early years 85 - 88 LP
A classic of Oi!, this
album serves as a healthy reminder that some of the best acts dont speak
English. This 1988 reissue translates to "Hated and Proud."
Klasse Kriminale's raw, early sound is reminiscent of the Last Resort.
Three of the songs also serve as a reminder that ska used to be skinhead
music, including a cover of the Maytal’s Monkey Man. One of the
best tracks, Construito in Italia, is a haunting and moving, patriotic
epic in the vein of England belongs to me. A must-own for any fan
of European Oi!, if not any skinhead. Tommy Gunn.
Vulture Rock
Lager
Lads
The Good and the
Bad CD
First I'd like to apoligize
to all my Canadian friends, but the early years of the Lager Lads sucked
fuckin balls. I've heard of bare knuckles music, but this was so bare,
it was almost lifeless, each track sounded like it was being force out
against it's will. A little later on the Lads must have grown together
cause the music gets tighter with each 7 that is released. The no frills
is still in effect but the songs are built much better. 28 tracks of Canadian
oi history. Dutch
Blind Beggar
The
Lurkers
The BBC Punk Sessions
CD
Wow, this is good!
I had never really heard The Lurkers before, and from the band photo and
song titles like I Don't Need To Tell Her, I was expecting this
to be nothing but crap pop music. But I'm diggin' this! The Lurkers played
catchy and anthemic Brit punk, and were a definite precursor to the `82
UK bands like Special Duties; just check out songs like Total War
if you need proof. Out of everything I got this month to review, I've
been listening to this non-stop. Definitely worth picking up. Christian
Captain Oi!
The
Meteors
Wreckin Crew
LP
This is a fine, fine
Punkabilly/Rock -n- Roll record. I don't know much about the band, but
I know that they were alright. The record itself though is pretty rad.
Collectors of vinyl would love the fact that it's half silver and half
gold colored vinyl... split straight down the middle!! To tell you the
truth, that’s what really impressed me about the record. If you don't
wanna buy it... you can stop by my house too look at the beautiful vinyl...
I'll have to charge admission though. Chaz
Knock-Out
Oxymoron
Fuck The Nineties...Here's Our Noize CD
This
is the fifth label that this record has been released on.... And it’s
still awesome as hell. You could tell by listening to this record, their
debut album, that they were just going to get better, and they did. This
record is an essential to every punk rockers collection. These German
guys even write better lyrics in English than alot of American bands.
Chaz
Knock
Out
Red
London
Streetlife: The
Best of Red London CD
Every song on this
CD is awesome. What amazed me most abut it, though, is that the songs
recorded in 1984 and the songs recorded in 1999 all sound like they were
written and recorded at the same time. It's amazing to have that kind
of consistency for 15 years. Standout tracks include: Once Upon A Generation
and This Is England (Part 1 & 2) Chaz
Knock Out
The
Saints
Eternally Yours
CD
Initially released
in March of 1978, The Saints second full length is still regarded as it's
best. The song writing is great and the inclusion of horns, harmonica
and acoustic guitar gives it a nice diversity that other punk rock of
the time didn't have. Lost and Found is probably one of the best
songs I’ve ever heard. This Perfect Day ain’t too shabby either.
The inclusion of three bonus tracks gives the big Saints fan a reason
to buy the CD as well. Chaz
Captain OI!
The
Saints
(I'm) Stranded
CD
I heard the second
Saints album before I heard this one and I was kinda dissapointed by this
one. Don’t get me wrong... It’s a great record, but there isn’t any tracks
quite as good as Lost & Found.... the title song comes the closest.
For Saints fans... this is a must, especially for the bonus tracks. But
if you’re new to the band... Pick up the other record. (see review) Chaz
Captain OI!
Sham
69
Rarities 1977-80
CD
Nope, sorry. Trust
me, I love Sham 69 as much as the next guy, but this... this is just terrible.
A bunch of crap demos and three songs that were intended for the Quadrophenia
film soundtrack. All the songs here showed up on other releases with different
names, and most aren’t even off the early, great stuff; the majority were
down after Hersham Boys, which was when these guys started to slide. Sham
69 were a great band, but this? Don't bother. Christian
Captain Oi!
Slaughter
& The Dogs
Do It Dog Style
CD
If you read this fine
magazine on any sort of regular basis, you should know all about these
guys due to the in-depth expose written on them last issue. If you missed
last issue, shame on you; go cry in the corner. Slaughter & The Dogs
had their own style, that's for sure; they sound like a mix of the Rolling
Stones and `60’s rock -n- roll with street-level punk rock. I’ve always
loved this band, though I do know a few people that can't stand them.
Still, the song Where Have All The Bootboys Gone propels these
guys into legendary status in the world of punk rock, no matter what anyone
says; one of the most incredible streetpunk anthems ever written, hands
down. Check this band out. Christian
Captain Oi!
Snix
Archives CD
I'm a huge fan of French
Oi, Warrior Kids, Evil Skins, Brutal Combat, Skinkorps and this band Snix.
Vulture Rock seems to be the only label in the US who would care enough
and put out the effort to find this. This CD consists of unheard basement
type demos from 1984 & 85 as well as live tracks. It's got the classic
French Oi sound; melodic yet at the same time very powerfull. Because
these are demos it doesn’t show the band in their best form but it's not
bad just kind of tiny, on the other hand the live tracks taken from a
show in Belgium have more of a full sound. The booklet is cool too, with
old photos, discography, band history in both French and English, and
an interview from an early issue of Pure Impact. It’s a good CD but I
would only suggest buying this if you are really into French Oi or just
want to hear a style you've never heard before. Mad Mitch
Vulture Rock
Special
Duties
The Punk Singles Collection
CD
Kings of re-releases, Captain Oi!, have put together a tough little cd
by the SPECIAL DUTIES. If you haven't heard them, you have some catching
up to do. Nice gruff punk rock from England , that spawned from what bands
like Clash and Sex Pistols had created. All of their old classics ("VIOLENT
SOCIETY", BULLSHIT CRASS) are here and some newer tracks too that are
equally as good. Great liner notes to find out about each song, like exactly
what they think about Crass:"Punk had nothing to do with them.", and how
much they love the Spirit of '77:"I wish it could be '77 all over again!".
Lastly, two great covers: Tommy Gun by the Clash, and Shadow by the Lurkers.
This reissue is great for us young guys who werent around to buy the LP's
and dont wanna search around for them on eBay. Jimmy Da Kid
Captain Oi!
U.K.
Subs
Brand New Age
CD
This is a re-issue
from a band which never seems to let up. They've been going for over twenty
years now and show no sign of slowing down. I remember back in the mid
80's you could find someone in a U.K. Subs t-shirt just about any day
in downtown Toronto. They were huge back then and this album was a big
reason for that popularity. Originally released back in 1980 this album
spawned a couple of singles which made it into the U.K. charts, namely
"Warhead", "Brand New Age" and "Teenage" all placing in the top 40. The
rest of the album is an absolute classic as well with tracks such as "Emotional
Blackmail", "Rat Race" and "500 CC". Also included are ten bonus tracks
which include the single versions of songs and a cover of "She's Not There".
If you like your punk tuneful and angry with sing along type lyrics, you
must pick this up. Actually, even if that isn't your "thing" you should
pick thisup as an important part of punk history. Canadian Mike.
Captain Oi!
U.S.
Bombs
Put Strength in
the Final Blow CD
This a reissue of the
Bombs first LP on glorious digital plastic. If you're like me and sick
of listening to the taped copy you got off your friend's warped, scratched
and cigarette-burned vinyl, go find this. Some of the best `77 punk to
grace the dismal reaches of Orange County. I
gotta get something off my chest though. I know it's punk rawk to have
your lyric sheet hand-scrawled with the odd word or two crossed out and
what not, but if you're going to put it in a CD booklet, MAKE THE WORDS
BIGGER! Or at least include a free novelty magnifying glass for fucksake!
There, I feel better already. Jeff
Alive Records
U.S.
Bombs
Never Mind the Opened
Minds CD
Another reissue, this
CD contains the Never Mind... mini LP and the first Bombs EP. Overall,
I'd say some of the best this band has put out. Go Back Home and
Retreads being two of my personal favorites. I could have done
without the reprise of Ballad of Sid tacked on at the end though.
One punk rock ballad per album is plenty enough for me, thank you. Jeff
Alive Records
The
Vibrators
The BBC Punk Sessions
CD
Eh. I always thought
The Vibrators were pretty good, but I was never their hugest fan, and
this doesn’t do anything to change my view of them. They weren't bad when
they were doing the straight-up `77 punk rock, but when they threw in
all the Glam, pub rock and pop influences they lost me. As far as this
release goes, there’s some good songs and some simply mediocre stuff;
but the synthesizer and saxophone on the live tracks at the end are just
completely wretched. Whatever; if you're really looking for something
by this band, pick up their Pure Mania LP. Fans might want this, but I
can't see many die-hard Vibrators fans reading this, anyway. Christian
Captain Oi!
Vicious
Rumours
The Best Of... CD
On the more playful,
tongue-in-cheek side of ‘80s British Oi!, the Rumours give heartfelt meaning
to the old adage "Have a laugh and have a say." Collected here
are twenty of their best. Plenty of power, rough yet often melodious.
Makes me want to down a pint or three and go piss on a disco dance floor.
If you’re bored with politics and hardcore attitude, this is just the
drunken bad influence you need to spin you off your bar stool. So get
up front, sing along and have some fun for a change, or get bent! Jeff
Captain Oi!
Vice
Squad
The Very Best Of...
(CD)
Before the Social Chaos
Tour last summer I could probably only name two Vice Squad songs: Last
Rockers and Stand Strong Stand Proud. I don't know how I failed
to procure anything other than what was put on the 25 or so Best of Oi!
comps sitting on the shelf. But finally, here it is in my eager little
hands. Spanning the years `78-`85, this CD features 24 British streetpunk
gems. Listening to this, I kept thinking, why don't more female punk singers
sound this good? Prospective front-grrrls could (and should) take a few
lessons from Beki Bondage. The energy of the music comes through without
any of the high-pitched cat fight screaming. Beki's vocals are more flirtatious
and seductive. I don't know about you, but a woman screeching at the top
of her lungs for the length of an album just reminds me of some love spats
best forgotten. If you like old Siouxsie and the Banshees or X-Ray Spex,
pick this up. You won't be disappointed. Jeff
Anagram Records
The
Wanderers
Only Lovers Left
Alive CD
Only one group of people
who read this zine by will want this CD. Stiv Bators, frontman of the
legendary Dead Boys headed up this group in 1980. I can honestly say there
is nothing else good to say about this CD. Dutch
Captain Oi
The
Wretched Ones
The Wretched Ones
LP
Go To Work LP
The Godfathers of New
Jersey Oi, the Wretched Ones!!! This summer, not only did the Wretched
Ones release a CD full of new material they had 2 of their previous releases
stuck on vinyl and repressed overseas. The First Song starts off
the Wretched Ones maiden release from their 1993 self titled album. From
there the record is filled with classic drinking songs that are rarely
unknown. The treasured Go to Work, with Take Us To Your Leader, The King,
That's Why I Drink Beer whats the point of naming my favorites you should
already own a 9th generation of this tape. Dutch
Knock Out
V/A
Strength Thru Oi CD
A record I've been
looking for,for a long time. Came out on Decca about 19 years ago,now
keep in mind I've heard a lot of these songs on various best of compilations.
But to have them together the way they were originally released is nice.The
bands on here are the original British Oi bands now regarded as pioneers
and legends.The two 4Skins songs on here are nothing short of earth shattering
1984 and Sorry a song that has been my theme song for several
years. "I won't say sorry for what I've done I won't say sorry for
having fun, I won't take the blame and ain't gonna be ashamed". There's
a Last Resort song on here I've never heard before called Working Class
Kids. Cocksparrer is on here too, Taken For a Ride and Running
Riot Some of the more obscure bands like Splodge and Criminal Class
did nothing for me. Toy Dolls I almost feel guilty liking, bouncey brit
punk with a lead singer that sounds like he inhaled an entire tank of
helium. Hey I even like some of the poems if you don’t have this record
what the hell are you waiting for!!! Mad Mitch
DSS Records