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Please send vinyl (preferred), CD, or cassette releases to MRR, PO Box 3852, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. Maximum Rocknroll wants to review everything that comes out in the world of underground punk rock, hardcore, garage, post-punk, thrash, etc.—no major labels or labels exclusively distributed by major-owned distributors, no reviews of test pressings or promo CDs without final artwork. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!
Boy, these Spanish bands are really sticking to the ’77 sound, but the ESPASMÓDICOS add some new twists. The title cut has an annoying sax break, and “Ni Eficiencia, Ni Progreso” has an awkward, disjointed feel. The best cut is definitely the speedy “Estan Deseando Que Te Pongas A Temblar.” OK, but not destined to become the talk of the town.
More raving, unchecked psychosis from Hysteric Eric (of VOMIT VISIONS and ESOTERICS fame) and company. Here, completely garaged-out grunge meets thrash with that bathroom recording sound. “Hectic Epileptic” sums up this group’s approach.
DECLINO present an EP’s worth of powerful thrash with sound political lyrics. The guitar could have been recorded louder, but the songs have flair and the band is exceptionally tight. In sum, the best Italian hardcore outfit since INDIGESTI.
LA BROMA DE SSATAN offer pretty well done punk, of both the ’77 and more contemporary varieties. The song titles, which include (in translation) “Pogo on a Nazi” and “You’re Gonna Die in El Salvador,” indicate their thematic concerns.
Holland’s AGENT ORANGE continues to flourish with rambunctious cranks of intense mayhem. Whining guitars leap forth as a savage ensemble engages in sudden rages of rigorous combat. A whirlpool of alarming breakneck speed and forcefulness, especially in blitzing cuts like “Herpes” and “K.K.K.”
This is the kind of chaotic, sloppy thrash that’s appealing in short bursts, but hard to take for extended periods. Although this EP has raw guitars and emotional vocals, the rhythm section sometimes falters and leaves only a grinding mishmash. The ABSURD need to tighten up a bit.
The first “psychobilly” compilation mainly features British “blood” bands. Side one is weird gothic post-punkabilly—the songs are miniature trash psychodramas that don’t really rock, ALIEN SEX FIEND track excepted. Side two has SCREAMIN’ LORD SUTCH, who sounds a lot like a local TV host for Chiller Theater; the STINGRAYS, OUTCASTS, and RICOCHETS, who rock out in a real punkabilly style; and the PANTHER BURNS, who thrash out an alternative version of “Red Headed Woman” recorded at a Memphis high school radio station with an orgone accumulator replacing the bass. SHOCKABILLY’s very best song (“City of Corruption”) closes the album.
The TOY DOLLS are in top funnypunk form on their new single. Not only are the themes and sing-along choruses typically hilarious, but the up-tempo rhythm and crisp guitar assault add more oomph than usual. If this record doesn’t make you crack a smile, you’re already dead.
A real potpourri of styles can be found on this latest TOTAL CHAOS release. There’s a cool guitar instrumental (“Blood on the Roof”), a pair of slow, rather unusual punk songs (“Bank of England” and “Where is the Fellowship?”), and three great post-punk numbers that I really like. Given the name of the band and their earlier style, this 12″ is really a surprise, but a pleasant one.
Well, these lunkheads have finally come out of the closet and revealed themselves to be blatant neo-fascists on vinyl. Unlike many others, I don’t use the term “fascist” lightly, but SKREWDRIVER are fascists, pure and simple. With titles like “White Power,” “Smash the IRA,” and “Shove the Dove,” it’s easy to surmise that they have ultra right-wing views on every important issue. The fact that they’ve written three catchy Oi chants is unfortunate, because some misguided souls will pick this up just for the music and inadvertently support these regressive attitudes.
Two clever funnypunk songs from a brand new outfit. The themes can be clearly discerned from the song titles, and the music is in the raucous mid-tempo vein. Good offensive fun.
Working class punk rock, chants and all. The guitarwork is tasteful and melodic, sort of like the early CLASH, and the vocals also have some Strummerisms. It’s funny to hear a band with that style today, but I’ll bet they don’t think it’s particularly funny.
The old POP GROUP singer meets Adrian Sherwood, and the result is absolutely incredible. Is it my speakers blowing out or was the studio burning down? I’ll never know, but I do know that the blend of Stewart’s killer voice and worldview with Sherwood’s distinctive dub editing and bass-heavy style is hard to match. Whether or not you ever liked the POP GROUP, this one is recommended.
A new scam by some members of CHAOTIC DISCHORD. Musically, the “SEX AIDS” play sing-along funnypunk with a rather PISTOL-ian guitar sound and COCKNEY REJECTS-type vocals on the title cut, and they do actually succeed in generating a few guffaws if you’ve had a couple drinks.
This group has a traditional UK anarchist band musical approach and stance, and they seem to be firmly committed. “Man” is a dramatic and unique song with an intense build-up that culminates in tense, maniacal thrash; the other two cuts are slower, but just as tense/intense.
Slower-paced, sparse, and more post-punk than punk, the music performed by this band is very foreboding. It’s often punctuated by longish guitar solos, but they aren’t annoying or egotistical, and actually add to the effect. The lyrics, while superficially offering nothing but a bleak view of the future, are certainly intelligent, and ultimately do encourage resistance to the 1984 horror show.
The first song is a blend of tribal disco-pop sounds and good lyrics. It reminds me of 10 CC, but the flip is in the early P. GIRLS style, with its stark, dissonant, and poetic attack on male sexual attitudes. Maybe they aren’t yet completely lost to the pop circuit.
This one really breaks the TEST TUBE mold. “Jinx” is a brilliant post-punk number with speed, power, and a smashing guitar riff; “Trapper Ain’t Got a Bird” is a humorous reggae jam. No standard funnypunk here.
The PASTELS are a peculiar little psychedelic pop band in the late-period TV PERSONALITIES tradition. This release has a somewhat more solid sound than their earlier efforts, though it certainly won’t blow anyone’s speakers. “I Wonder Why” has a nice bouncy quality; the flip is wimp city.
An excellent second album from these guys. It mostly consists of medium and fast-tempo Britpunk, and all the songs are delivered with great power. “Corrupted World” and “Nightmare” really kick ass, though the latter is also on their recent 45. Recommended.
Most of the five tracks here don’t really grab me, though they’re not bad examples of mid-tempo Britpunk. However, “Frightened” has some real strength in its brooding, menacing development, and “Evil Faces” has nice drive to it.
More exciting mayhem from MAYHEM. “Gentle Murder” and “Lie and Die” are tense mid-tempo numbers with loads of power and dynamism; “Clean Cut” is a roaring thrasher like those on their debut EP. Stunning.
More catchy pop-punk from MAJOR ACCIDENT. Despite their occasional faster-than-usual tempo, all these songs have hooks galore. “Dayo” is particularly distinctive, with its repetitive sing-alongs and stampeding drum assault. Their best so far.
Finally, some vinyl from this eclectic, powerful band. This record has superb production, a speedy full-bodied guitar sound, and distinctive songs that are worth hearing over and over. Highly recommended semi-thrash.
A new English group with a folk-rock sound closer to that of LA’s contemporary ’60s revival bands than the genuine ’60s article. Still, both sides are rather tasteful. “Cold Steel Gang” is an engaging little ditty with a nice folk-rock guitar; the B-side isn’t as good, but has a decent hook. Worth a listen.
A real abrasive, guitar-heavy mid-tempo punk record. The title song, which they’ve borrowed from a newspaper headline, concerns a punk “riot” and has an amazingly cool Oriental-flavored guitar bridge. Real hot! The other cuts are more typical.
Have the EXPLOITED finally joined the “human rights” punk movement? Who can say for sure, but their first EP on the Pax label contains a sharp anti-Bushell tirade (“Singalongabushell”), plus two surprisingly strong anti-war compositions, “Army Style” and the title track. The latter are especially fast and thrashy.
“Monday” mines a neo-psychedelic vein with fair success, though it compares poorly with the ESCALATORS’ past output and other contemporary ’60s-style bands. The real treat is the flipside—a surf-influenced cover of the theme from the Munsters TV show—which is probably a must for fans of novelty releases. Lots of fun.
On their debut album, the CULT MANIAX seem to be veering toward a slicker post-punkish sound, though the guitars are still loud and punky. Most of the material here is slow- to mid-tempo, but there are enough good hooks to keep you listening, and there are re-recordings of some of their old chestnuts. The singer’s voice is quite a bit like that of T.O.H.’s Kirk Branden. An uneven release.
This is good English post-punk with hints of early GANG OF FOUR. Both sides feature a rhythmic bass/drum attack, a powerful, tasteful guitar, and semi-anguished singing. It may not be earth-shattering, but it’s surely uncommon enough to deserve a listen in this day and age.
The three very militant, confrontational, and positive songs on this EP demand that we take back what should already be under our control, be it our governments or the punk scene. The reason I say “positive” is that they stridently demand these rights. CONFLICT represent the real positive punk, and they are therefore justified in launching a spirited attack on bogus “Positive Punk,” the new trend fanned by the British music papers. The music here is also strident and powerful, making this an excellent acquisition all around.
Ugh! The title song urges capital punishment and stronger government action (to deal with rapists), whereas “The Right to Choose” accuses the C.N.D.—British peace organization—of facilitating a Communist takeover, supports the installation of American nuclear missiles, and appeals to people to honor the British Falklands casualties. This band backs up these amazingly reactionary views with fairly common Britskunk. Wanna buy my copy?
The APOSTLES are enigmatic. They are one of the most articulate and politically oriented bands I’ve ever heard, but despite their obvious intelligence, they’re a bit ominous. Their political philosophy is a strange amalgam of progressive (anti-establishment, anti-government, seemingly anti-racist) notions, and they advocate violence to overthrow the system. Musically, this record is raw, abrasive, punky, folky, experimental, and atypical, but the APOSTLES’ significance lies in their provocative ideas.
The ANGELIC UPSTARTS are one of those bands that write about one great song per thirty throwaways. Amazingly, both of these cuts are great punky pop jams with real catchy hooks, fine guitar leads, and fairly thoughtful lyrics. Does this mean we’ll have to put up with sixty mediocrities before the next winner?
The AMEBIX are not a thrash band, but they’re not wimps either. Their music is a blend of tense drama and plodding seriousness that gives me a feeling of impending doom. With its great production, distinctiveness, and angst, I think this 12″ is the best thing they’ve ever done. “Progress” and the title song are exceptional tracks.
ALIEN SEX FIEND would like to lead all those innocent young STRAY CATS fans into the bottomless pit of crazed rock ’n’ roll fire. The only trouble is that they’ve just taken a crash course in rock ’n’ roll trash where sex, cars, booze, and music all get confused and the metaphors get real slippery. There’s a lot of Iggy’s sexual and comical influence, as well as a weird disco accujackabilly track that gives the finger to the rock ’n’ roll purist. But I’ve gotta feel that rock ’n’ roll in my face, nice and cold. Try again, boys.
Engaging mid-tempo Britpunk. The female vocalist has a voice rather like Exene of X, and the musical backing is more melodic and imaginative than the norm. The title track is a bitter critique of glue-sniffing. A good debut.
A lot of the cuts on this Berkeley compilation tape could benefit from my musical ability, and that’s not saying anything at all. There’s too many FLIPPER-ish garage clones without that combo’s “charm,” although REVOLUTION THRU APATHY’s “I Had to Kill Some Ants Today” really stands out. At the same time, there are some real accomplished cuts here by SPECIAL FORCES, C.O.D., BLACK GUARD, and especially ATROCITY.
An array of Virginia’s hardest core line up to thrash that sleepy state into the ’80s. Participating in this cultural attack are WHITE CROSS, HONOR ROLE, HOIT, GRAVEN IMAGE, FRONT LINE, GOD’S WILL, and the PREVARICATORS. The songs are generally excellent, the sound quality is fair, and the spirit is abundant.
This is the long-anticipated Destroy LA compilation, but well nigh half of it is virtually unlistenable. Much of it consists of folk, metal, and regular rock ’n’ roll; the saving graces are S.V.D.B., RED SCARE, and two or three tracks by other bands. I guess if you’re really eclectic, you could relate to this. Personally, I think the F.B.I. ought to investigate this. (Just a joke!)
As the title indicates, this album consists of bands from greater LA with a prominent female component. Musically, it’s a mixed bag of styles ranging from punk (SIN 34, DE DE TROIT) to garage (I.U.D.) to various forms of pop (the L.A. GIRLS, TOXIC FUMES, the SKIRTS, HOT FOOD TO GO) to warpo country (the SCREAMIN’ SIRENS) to awful hard rock and heavy metal (BUTCH, HELLION, BITCH, SOLOMAN KANE). No one will like it all; the question is whether you’ll like enough of it to make it worth buying.
A very good collection of neo-’60s bands appears on this new compilation released by Sounds Interesting. The material ranges from the fantabulous—the SLICKEE BOYS’ guitar-heavy garage rock, the fuzzed-out ’60s punk of Sweden’s NOMADS and the MIRACLE WORKERS, the organ-dominated BLUES MAGOOS-ish psychedelia of the UNITED STATES OF EXISTENCE, and the ripping psych guitar jam by PLASTICLAND—to the VICEROYS’ abysmal attempt to recapture the dynamic power of the YARDBIRDS. Most of the rest, which includes the LAST, the SIC KIDZ, the UNCLAIMED, the FUZZTONES, TRUE WEST, the LONG RYDERS, the SHOUT, and the POINT, is also worthwhile. Turn on and tune this in.
Fuck! What can you say about this 40-band compilation organized by the editor of LA fanzine We Got Power? It has a bit of everything—intelligent bands, stupid bands, great bands, mediocre bands, unknown bands, well-known bands, bands from all over the US and Canada—but it’s great because all the songs are so short that even the few lame ones don’t have time to get boring. And most of them thrash to the max. It’s hard to pick faves, but I think WHITE CROSS, MECHT MENSCH, the ATHEISTS, JACK SHIT, the DAYGLOW ABORTIONS, and—dare I admit it?—WHITE FLAG have the standout tracks. All future comps should maintain a similar 1:00 limit in songs to keep things zipping along, but this platter unfortunately lacks both info on the bands and visible grooves between cuts—a DJ’s nightmare.
Like most compilations, this one from Ohio has its ups and downs. My favorite groups here are the GUNS, who sound a lot like BLACK FLAG when Ron was their singer; NO PAROLE, who favor garagey semi-thrash and have a killer vocalist with a high pitched adolescent sneer; ZERO DEFEX, who have strong lyrics and an intense, awkward thrash style; and the OFFBEATS, who play super-fast garage HC. The rest consists of annoying experimental punk (SPIKE IN VAIN, P.P.G.), some medium-speed punk (the DARK, OUTERWEAR), and highly predictable thrash (POSITIVE VIOLENCE, the AGITATED, STARVATION ARMY).
The follow-up to last year’s Voices of the Angels double-album, this is mainly a spoken word extravaganza. While some tracks have instrumentation (acoustic folk, electric noise, jazz, rap, etc.), the accent is always on the lyrics. This record features people from several alternative bands, including BLACK FLAG, the MINUTEMEN, X, the FLESH EATERS, D.I., the PLUGZ, the DREAM SYNDICATE, the LAST, and the BANGLES; it may be LA’s answer to England’s “ranting” poetry. I’d like to see this kind of stuff incorporated into live shows, perhaps between bands.
“Walk on Glass” is an outstanding song which builds on a basic rock ’n’ roll riff (like the one in the “Peter Gunn Theme”) and half-spoken female singing that explodes into a raw guitar frenzy when the chorus rolls in. Really cool! The flip, with its guitar rave-up, may be even better. This new SoCal band could be great if they don’t move in a more commercial new wave direction.
Good modern hardcore punk. The WORST have a sound that’s powerful and melodic on the one hand, and snotty and herky-jerky on the other. A loud, belligerent, and enjoyable release.
This is a pretty cool garage punk album. The TURN-UPS often serve as BILLY SYNTH’s back-up band, but here they’re (mostly) on their own, and the results are just fine and dandy. Essentially, they specialize in the sort of raunchy guitar-heavy jams that always make “nice” neighbors wince and cover their ears as they pass the basement practice room. And they’ve got great taste in ’60s cover tunes, too—the CHOCOLATE WATCHBAND’s “Meditation.” Alright!
Noisy, stark, melodic, tribal, witty, unrelenting, and snotty as hell—that’s SF’s TRAGIC MULATTO. They have some of the same elements as the Independent Projects bands, but they’re more harsh and not at all reserved.
The best of New York’s art-damaged bands. They play plodding, dissonant noise with industrial overtones, a demonic dirge that’s almost unlistenable for the most part. It’s precisely that unlistenability that makes them so great. Aggressive and abrasive as hell.
