THE AGGRAVATORS

UK punk band from 1977. They played the Roxy Club, opened for the Clash and never recorded a thing. This makes them the essential punk band. Just go and do it, and they did it. This recording is raw and extremely low fi and that is what makes it one of the best examples of the ethic and aesthetic of this era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvFtkKJC7VQ

ACK ACK

West London punk band that started out as Dirty Mark & The Stains and existed between 1977 and 1981. No releases during their active period. This song is taken from their unreleased album "Trouser Tricks." For more information about the band and to download this album, go to http://www.ackack.co.uk/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raft98xLR9M

ACME SEWAGE CO

Acme Sewage Co were formed in 1976 as Bullfrog and became regulars at the Roxy Club & The Vortex. Best known for their appearance on Farewell To The Roxy, they also appeared on Raw Records compilations "Raw Deal" in 1977 and "Oh, No! It's more from Raw" in 1978. This song is taken from the excellent collection of studio recordings "Raw Sewage" released on Only Fit For The Bin Records from 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp37lptjKoc

LES ELITES

Brilliant Mod revival band from the amazing posthumous Pathways 1978-79.

Text from boredteenagers.co.uk :

'Les Elite' was one of the early bands playing on the renewed London Mod scene in the late seventies. As it happens with a lot of groups, 'Les Elite' came about more by accident than design when Londoner 'John Kiely' and 'Chris Grierson from Durham met while browsing through a 'Stax' stall at a record fair at 'Alexander Palace' in the spring of 1978. At that time 'John' was promoting concerts while 'Chris' was roadie for 'The Damned', and the two decided to form a group together to play the sort of music they wanted - in the way they wanted. Although both were heavily into early Soul music (believed it could never be properly played by whites), Soul wasn't their main influence. That place was reserved for British bands such as 'The Kinks', 'Them', 'The Who', etc - but 'John' and 'Chris' wanted to play in a Modern way with some of the energy of Punk, as opposed to just doing covers. In short, they wanted to write and play British music about British things for British working class kids.

'Alick Letort', the band's French-born guitarist, was soon recruited via a friend of Chris's and their first drummer was found through an advert in 'Melody Maker'. Although 'Dave' played some of the earliest gigs, the band soon discovered what a zero he was (i.e. he couldn't do a runner from an Indian Restaurant at Midnight with eight pints of lager inside him), beat him up, and threw him out of the band. He then went onto join 70's "Pop" group 'Mud', which proved that they did right.

'Derwent' now entered the picture. He had supported the group since its earliest days and had been going on and on (and on) about how he could play drums, and as soon as the band discovered he actually owned a drum kit he was in. Incidentally, it was at this same time that drummer and guitarist for 'Squire' came for an audition and wanted to merge the two bands - they were quickly sent packing when it became obvious that they knew (and cared) more about Copyright law than Music!

'Les Elite' was one of the earliest groups to play at the mecca for Mod bands, 'The Bridge House' in Canning Town, and their first gig there (they'd spent almost a year writing songs and practicing!) was with 'Secret Affair'. Although they were set to play on the 'Mods Mayday' album, they had to pull out due to a prior engagement, but they did play at the three-day Mod festival at the 'Marquee' - the first time Mod really went West.

Les Elite's gigs were also very popular with the Police. One concert at the 'Trafalgar' in Shepherds Bush was broken up when they refused to stop playing, while another at the 'Notre Dame in Leicester Square made the National Papers when rival National Front gangs started fighting which spilled out onto the streetand caused a riot. Another episode was the night 'Les Elite' played three concerts: the first as headliner at the 'Hope & Anchor' in Islington, the second supporting 'The Purple Hearts' at the 'Music Machine' in Camden, and the third at a party in a warehouse in Wapping. At the end of the night the police broke up the warehouse gig after residents of tower blocks two miles away complained about the noise!

'Les Elite' continued gigging around and building up a loyal following, and were often courted by the music press and approached by potential managers / record companies and various other leeches - but the band would never compromise its initial stance that it was a working class group for working class kids. 'Les Elite' would have neither manager nor record company nor agent. Its philosophy was that if one follower had to sleep in the van, then all of the group would. Their music was from the heart, not the wallet.

'Les Elite' became more and more disillusioned as they saw the movement they believed in and were a part of massacred by record companies and the press for the sake of profit, when they saw dozens of plastic pre-formed imitators sent forth with absolutely no idea of the spirit or beliefs of the Mod scene. Disgusted by bands jumping up and saying "Look at us. We're a Mod group" (but in the end using Mod as no more than a stepping stone), 'Les Elite' called it a day in 1980. True to their roots, their last gig was where it all began - at the 'Bridge House' in Canning Town. Chris went back to Durham as a disc jockey in Northern Soul clubs; Alick went to Stratford in the East End of London where he is helping young people going into music, and John started the Mod disco at the 'Whiskey A-Go-Go and then joined 'Long Tall Shorty' with 'Derwent'.

Sadly the band never released anything at the time apart from they had a track featured on a compilation album that was put out by "Elton John's" 'Rocket' label in 1979. The track was 'Career Girls' which was a different version that appeared on the 'Beat Generation & The Angry Young Men' compilation and the 'Unicorn' release. The Rocket compilation was called '499 2139, this was the phone number to the 'Rocket' offices in London.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jfaYH_N1jY

THE NERVES

From one and only release by this great short lived band from Newry, Ireland. Recorded 1980, released January 1981 on Good Vibrations.

For more information about this band, have  alook here: http://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/nerves.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHiQbtxBv5g

WARSAW (JOY DIVISION)

In 1977, Joy Division were still known as Warsaw and had yet to develop their dark and atmospheric sound. Here are two unrecorded Warsaw songs from a show at Rock Garden, Middlesbrough, 14-09-1977. Raw and brutal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nliGg4zEas

THE VILETONES

I don't really have the words to express how important this band was. The Viletones for all intents and purposes could be called a street gang that played instruments. They were what the Dead Boys played at. 30 odd years later, the wave of graffiti that washed over Toronto proclaiming the turf of the Viletones is slowly being erased, but the music will always be part of the fabric of this city.

This video is taken from Colin Brunton's The Last Pogo movie, which is as essential to any fan of Punk Rock as Don Lett's Punk Rock Movie, Ulli Lommel's Blank Generation, Lech Kowalski's DOA or Penelope Spheeris' Decline of Western Civilization. 

There was a problem with equipment, so left handed bass player Sam is playing a right handed bass backwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dULE-fhc0eA

Here is a early rehearsal session from 1977. The songs are Auschwitz Jerk, Wet Dream Girl, Heinrich Himmler & No Fun.  I believe it predates the recording session that their first single "Screaming Fist" came from. It was just released last year as a limited edition single on a couple of different labels.

Get it here:

Auschwitz Jerk (Recorded 1977/Released 2013)

THE UGLY

These guys were the real deal from Toronto.Not only did they have the tightest rhythm section in the city in Sam and Tony, but they were fronted by the charismatic villain Mike Nightmare (who was infamously punched out by Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy) and his guitar playing brother Renee.

Mike had a side job as a cat burglar and as a result, often performed in disguises such as oversize sunglasses and leather hoods as the cops were looking for him. Gunshots into the ceiling of their rehearsal room was nothing out of the ordinary as it was Mike's way of getting the band wound up and on edge. The group recorded some rehearsals around 1977 that were later released as "Disorder" by Other People's Music in the 90's. Their sole release in the 1970's was this amazing single with a later line up. Mike passed away in the late 90's. I am posting this because I hope more people discover this great band. They had a power that few punk bands at the time could come close to and they deserve to be remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_vOQt--ZCc

THE VIOLATORS

This is taken from a collection of demos/rehearsal/live tapes recorded in 1979 by Denver, Colorado's The Violators. Amazing rock 'n' roll band and a must for any fan of The Stooges/Dead Boys school of punk rock. This band never managed to play outside of the Denver/Boulder area and never released a proper record in their time. These recordings were issued as "Gun Control" on the Italian label Rave Up Records in 2002. If you are lucky enough to find a copy, you will not be disappointed. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiImfQivhPY

THE STEREOTYPES

"Calling All The Shots". Great UK Punk single from 1980. This is the B side, "Lovers Of The Future":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVhSoJJn1pE

Download Both Sides Here:

Calling All The Shots (1980)

MENACE

If you are reading this, this band needs no introduction. Here are two great unreleased songs recorded live 1978:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=387-olyXF0c

You can download the entire gig, live Wolverhampton 1978 here:

Wolverhampton 1978

THE BLANKS

From Paul Marko's excellent punk77.co.uk :

The Blanks were from Peterborough and were Neil Singleton (vocals), Andy Jackson (guitar), Allen Adams (bass) and Andy Butler (drums), though they were listed under the pseudonyms of Fats O'Grady, Jah Nimrod, Arthur Mullard and Winston Nikomo on the back sleeve of their only single 'The Northern Ripper' / 'Understand' / 'Break Down' (Void, 1979). Bass player Allen Adams later formed "The Destructors" in the 80's who recorded their own version of "Northern Ripper"

View video of "Northern Ripper" here:

Northern Ripper (1979, Void)

Songs from The Northern Ripper single has turned up several times on various unlicensed KBD/Bloodstains compilations, but have had semi-legitimate reissues such as the 7 inch reproduction on Germany's Last Years Youth with a limited issue of 484 copies in 2006 as well as a CD length collection called Northern Ripper LP including the single and live material released through Retro Records in the UK. Due to the scarcity of all formats and my skepticism about the royalties paid to the band on these released, I have posted a copy of the Northern Ripper LP, I've attached a copy of the music for your pleasure:

GET IT HERE:

The Northern Ripper LP

SHAG NASTY

Bio from Shag Nasty UK Facebook Page : 

Way back in '77 a guitarist and a singer from the East End (Riff Starr and Gary) started a punk rock band, trouble was they had no equipment and no money. Then long standing friend Joe Strummer (thanks Joe) gave them £500 from the Clash's advance from CBS Records.

They got the band together with Paul 'B. P.' Hurding as the bands first drummer. Shag Nasty gigged constantly around the East End and also down West London where the emerging punk scene provided a ready audience, gigging with the likes of Menace, Screwdriver & X-Ray Spex with Polystyrene. After a few months, B.P. was poached by the X-Ray Spex. The search was then on for a new drummer.... welcome to Nick Shirley.

The band have gone through a few line-up changes (owing to musical and personal differences) - and we find them now today the most refined, articulate, educated (NOT), bunch of Punks who despite their later years (all Punks are OLD), punch higher than the Punk musical weight.

Shag Nasty Musical and Performing Origins:

On Sunday 17th July 1977, Shag Nasty & The Clash arrived in Birmingham at lunch time to play the Punk Festival which was being staged at the Rag Market under the banner of Britain's Burning and had been advertised some three weeks earlier. Other bands that were due to appear were The Saints, Cherry Vanilla, Subway Sect, and Snatch etc. Our good old friend SPIZZI even got to the musical motivation from this particular Punk event in his local town.

The local council had got cold feet two days prior to the event and decided pull the plug but by this time, a large gathering of Punks had started to emerge and the Police turned up in force and made arrests for an unlawful gathering and obstruction.

The show MUST GO ON???!!!

A last minute ditch attempt was made to save some of the festival and they re-located to Barbarellas night club. The band borrowed local heavy metal band Warhead's instruments and both bands played a hurried set in front of a large mass of cheering punks.

Amongst many other memorable gigs one that stands out was at the Rainbow Theatre in London supporting Dillinger (Cocaine in my Brain) & Clint Eastwood to a packed audience of Reggae fans.

Q: Guess what??

A: They are back together and in full on traction (2008) and they have to date played a number of gigs in town (London) and the most recent spectacular Rebellion Punk festival in Blackpool on the 8th of August 2008.

They are back writing, performing and being a chaotic bunch of old school Punks now gigging right near you... well maybe.... 

If you are interested in the band's current activities or just want to drop them a line, you can reach them here:

Shag Nasty

Hear is a song for the layabouts who venture no further than youtube: 

Looking For Love (1979, Shag Nasty Records)

Get The Whole Record Here:

No Bullshit Just Rock'n'Roll (1979, Shag Nasty Records)

SCHOOLGIRL BITCH

Reprinted from boredteenagers.co.uk :

In Autumn 1976 'Blitzkrieg Bop' by 'The Ramones' was the first Punk record to really grab 'Nick Name' and 'Phil Serious' (known officially as 'Nigel and Phil McHugh respectively). The 'Sex Pistols' hype machine also attracted the pair, but it was in April 1977 that the debut 'Clash' LP 'The Clash' hit 'Nick Name' like the FINAL SOLUTION. Suddenly everything made sense and everything seemed possible! 'SCHOOLGIRL BITCH' came out of this inspiration against a backdrop of adolescent depression and hopelessness. The name was coined by 'Phil Serious' after splitting with his girlfriend who at the time was still at school.

Through 1977, fuelled further by the 'Sex Pistols' Jubilee fiasco, the group, now a 3-piece completed by 'Kid Sick' on the drums, played at Youth Clubs and Rock Venues in the North West and even managed to get banned by Blackburn Council for a brief spell. They supported such acts as 'The Boys', '999', 'The Boomtown Rats' at the local venue 'The Loadstar'.

In late 1977, a record was cut in Manchester 'Chaos Studio', 'Phil Serious' worked in 'Mullards' Electrical shop, Blackburn to earn enough money for pressing the vinyl. The record 'Abusing the Rules' and 'Think For Yourself' eventually hit the streets around March 1978 by which time 'Phil Serious' had decided being an anti-hero wasn't for him!

'Nick Name', desperate to carry on, recruited 'non-musician' 'Nigel Talbot' from an ad' in the Lancashire 'Evening Telegraph'. Re-named 'Evil Doctor Talbot', partly because he looked like 'Sid Vicious'. 'Nick Name' taught him to play Bass lines from the single in two days. The band built up a set which began to sound more and more like a Punk version of 'Jimi Hendrix'.

In September 1978 after the bands last Northern gig supporting White Reggae band 'China Street', the 'Doctor' and 'Nick' went to try their luck in London leaving 'Kid Sick' behind. The 'Doctor' only managed to stay until Christmas before splitting back up North to Accrington. 'Nick Name' continued in London recruiting 'Griff Johnson' on Bass and 'Gabby Shearman' on Drums. They played gigs supporting 'The Thompson Twins' and 'The UK Subs' in and around London.

Becoming more and more disillusioned 'SCHOOLGIRL BITCH' finally split after being threatened with legal action over their name by the management of two bands, 'Girlschool' and 'Bitch'. That was the end. The SCHOOLGIRL BITCH had been out bitched.....their career ended in March 1979!!!

Watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gGFXJXpz40

Get The Record Here:

Abusing The Rules / Think For Yoiurself