Condannato A Sperare: a Look at Classic Italian Hardcore 81-90 (part 2)

Alright then, this is the second and final part of my brisk and hopefully pleasant walk throughout vintage Italian hardcore punk music. Since I am afraid many of us are still in lockdown, let's call such compiling endeavours mental artistic journeys that you can still pogo to in your bedroom (or in the bathroom if you do not want your partner to judge you). 

If you want to know more about the motivations behind these compilations, I refer you to the first part. Condannato A Sperare (a line from the exquisite last song of the mix), like its twin, aims at illustrating with relevance what made the Italian hardcore wave so special and unique (and, looking with disbelief the insane prices that some 80's specimens can reach, so sought after). You could argue that the Italian sound was the perfect synthesis between US hardcore, British anarchopunk, Bristol noize punk and Discharge-influenced hardcore punk and I guess you would not be wrong. But then, you could also contend that, for all its influences, Italian hardcore was first and foremost its own style and offered a new, rejuvenated aesthetics of punk anger and it is not coincidence if the adjective most commonly associated with Italian hardcore is "furious". 

The influence that Italian hardcore currently holds in the DIY hardcore punk scene is difficult to evaluate. While it is undeniably a prestigious and highly qualitative scene in the eyes of serious hardcore lovers and the fact that the genre has been steadily and widely reissued since the mid 2000's points to the existence of a genuine, if limited, interest. However, outside of Italy, it would be far-fetched to claim that 80's Italian hardcore music is a pregnant influence and referential point for contemporary raw hardcore bands, that generally prioritise American, Swedish, Finnish and Japanese worships, with bands like Wretched being a major exception. Rather strange methinks since some Italian hardcore bands utterly correspond to the notion of "raw punk". 

Anyway, like Quali Domani Quale Futuro, this compilation has 55 bands and 55 songs in a little above 90 minutes. This should get you through the weekend.

Enjoy!

1.Upset Noise « Vita militare », Vi Odio / Warfare split Ep, 1984 (Trieste)

2.5° Braccio « Rabbia e disperiazione », Torino 198X, 1983 (Torino)

3.Infezione « Cazzo per cervello », Oppressione Quotidiana demo tape, 1986 (Modena)

4.Auschlag « Distruzione totale », Last White Christmas 1, compilation tape, 1984 (Viareggio)

5.Riot « Non abbiamo futuro », Il Destino Dell'Uomo compilation tape, 1984 (Chioggia)

6.Disopia « Vittoria », Pace None Significa Vivere Nel Piricolo di Guerra demo tape, 1984 (La Spezia)

7.Attrito « Elogio al vagabondaggio », S/t demo tape, 1990 (?)

8.Reig « Violent change », Disarm Ep, 1982 (Macerata)

9.Bloody Riot « Polizia assassina », S/t Lp, 1985 (Roma)

10.Upside « Golpe », Nati Per Soffrire Ep, 1983 (Sassuolo)

11.Uart Punk « Vita militare », S/t demo tape, 1981 (Messina)

12.Drastic « Agonia ecologica », Tra Il Sogno e la Realtà compilation tape, 1984 (?)

13.Alternativita « Nessun futuro per il qualunquismo », La Notte Dell'Anarchia compilation tape, 1984 (Milano)

14.Pedago Party « Morire a Beirut », 4 Per (A)//(A)(A) Per Tutti compilation Ep, 1984 (Piacenza)

15.Capite Damnare « Lunga vita... alla morte », S/t demo tape, 1988 (Milano)

16.Peggio Punx « Rumori », Disastro Sonoro Ep, 1983 (Allesandria)

17.Kobra « Occupazione », Corri Nel Sangue Dei Tuoi Nemici Ep, 1985 (Milano)

18.I Refuse It! « Sacrifici umani », Sfregio Permanente split tape with CCM, 1983 (Firenze)

19.Bacteria « Non vogliamo piu pagare », Schiavi Nella Città Più Libera Del Mondo compilation Ep, 1982 (Bologna)

20.Blaxfema « Vivisezione », Menes demo tape, 1985 (Pavia)

21.Punk Sound Against « Non abbiamo bisogno del paradiso », Nostra Pelle demo tape, 1982 (Sassari)

22.Acid Cocks « Vita sbagliata », Raptus – Negazione & Superamento compilation Lp, 1984 (Modena)

23.Cani « Guai a voi! », Guai a Voi! Ep, 1983 (Pesaro)

24.Stigmathe « Corri e sopravivi », Suoni Puri Dalla Libertà Ep, 1983 (Modena)

25.The Skulls « V'oi! », Punk Territory Vol.4 – Italian Hardcore 1981-87 compilation cd, 1995 (Catania)

26.CCCP Fedeli Alla Linea « Militanz », Compagni, Cittadini, Fratelli, Partigiani 12'' Ep, 1985 (Bologna)

27.Sinky Rats « Odio »; Vergognati mini Lp, 1985 (Torino)

28.Azione Non Violenta « Morti per amore », Soggetti Nervosi demo tape, 1985 (Falconara)

29.Last Call « Non posso piu aspettare », Tra Il Sogno e la Realtà compilation tape, 1984 (Bari)

30.Raw Power « Burning the factory », S/t demo tape, 1983 (Poviglio)

31.Chain Reaction « Personal autodistruzione », Gabbie Ep, 1985 (Bari)

32.Pravda « Quarto potere », Autogestione! compilation tape, 1983 (Cividale)

33.Obiezione « Vuoto », L'Incubo Continua compilation tape, 1983 (?)

34.Anti « Neuro », Racc N.1 split tape with Sottocultura, Stalag 17 & Impact, 1983 (Firenze)

35.Irah « Marconi occupato », Nè Buoni Nè Cattivi... Soltanto Incazzati split Ep with Stalag 17, 1983 (Bologna)

36.Disper-Azione « Combatti », Sempre Immutada Fede Ep, 1985 (Como)

37.Stalag 17 « Anarchia nella mia vita »,  Nè Buoni Nè Cattivi... Soltanto Incazzati split Ep with Irah, 1983 (Bologna)

38.Basta « Caos », Non Posso Sopportare Questa Sporca Situazione Ep, 1984 (Certaldo)

39.Diserzione « Lotta per non morire », Quando Si Sentirà L'Ultimo Rimbombo... demo tape, 1982  (Domodossola)

40.Strage « Rifiuto », La Note Dell'Anachia compilation tape, 1984 (Milano)

41.Digos Goat « Una visione di morte », Il Delirio Lp, 1988 (Cermignano)

42.Fottutissima Pellicceria Elsa « Si vive per morire », S/t demo tape, 1983 (Gorizia)

43.Disarmo Totale « Vegetarianismo », Opzione Zero demo tape, 1982 (Stienta / Ferrara)

44.Sottopressione « Religione imposta », Rovina Hardcore – Live 1981-1985 compilation tape, 1995 (?)

45.Declino « Coscienza distruttiva », S/t Ep, 1983 (Torino)

46.Negazione « Incubo di morte », Condannati a Morte Nel Vostro Queto Vivere Ep, 1985 (Torino) 

47.Nerorgasmo « Distruttore », S/t Ep, 1985 (Torino)

48.Shockin' T.V. « Solo parole », Milano 1983 split Ep, 1983 (Milano)

49.Juggernaut « Juggernaut », S/t demo tape, 1983 (Firenze)

50.Warhead « Fuckland islands », In Rock We Trust demo tape, 

Condannato A Sperare  

        

Quali Domani Quale Futuro: a Look at Classic Italian Hardcore 81-90 (part 1)

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Bellicose pessimism and the melancholy of Ελληνική πανκ: a Compilation '83/'98

The day is April, 12th, the sun and the country is still confined. The sun is shining, birds are singing, bees (or are they wasps?) are doing whatever bees (or wasps) do and, were it not for a faint but still distinct collective complaint, like a background buzz or something, you would not know we are in France, the nation of moaners, the undisputed champions of grumbling. The lockdown is supposed to be over in a few days but since there is a high chance we are getting served an extra fortnight, I decided to be a proper national hero and help my struggling compatriots through this unprecedented ordeal, boosting the troops' morale so to speak, by making an awesome compilation of dark Greek punk. I know it doesn't seem like much but hear me out.

I already touched upon the subject of Greek punk in 2016 with the series Bellicose pessimism and the melancholy of Ελληνική πανκ (the first part can be found here), a five-part epics aimed at providing a general description and a relevant outline of dark Greek punk as a genre. Illustrating my claim were five fine examples of dark punk music that could not have come from any other place than Greece. I am not saying that those five bands - Γενιά Του Χάους, Γκούλαγκ, Αρνάκια, Χαοτική Διάσταση and Πανδημία - sound alike, because they don't, but that they all share a vibe of melancholia, a sorrowful moodiness and at the same time a tenseness, a sense of combativeness - be it a hopeless one - in the face of life. I am quite certain that none of those bands started out with the intent of sounding all intense and gloomy and that this "bellicose pessimism" permeating the songwriting was not only a reflection of the social and cultural context, but also a characteristic in itself, perhaps grounding the dark Greek punk genre in vibe and mood as much - if not more so than - as in songwriting and instrumentalising. 

I hope that this compilation illustrates such a claim as you will find bands that may technically sound very different in terms of style but share a common moroseness and fighting spirit, common aesthetics of darkness. I do not pretend to be an expert in Greek punk and I basically worked with the bands I was already familiar with, but I may have forgotten important bands that could also have fitted the bill while including some much smaller ones, so if you feel I missed some obvious acts, please let me know. It is, by essence, a subjective selection process. I focused on a 15 year period, from 1983 to 1998, and as hinted above, the range of styles is rather wide, the common denominator being that typical dark punk vibe, from dynamic punk-rock, to mournful postpunk, new wave or free rock. 

30 bands in about 90 minutes. Enjoy the doom and gloom.

1.Ex Humans « Στρατοδικείο », Ανώφελη Επιβίωση Lp, 1984

2.Ορεξη Για Τίποτα / Orexi Gia Tipota « Κορίτσι Βιάζει Αγόρι », Μην Φιλάτε Τον Βάτραχο Lp, 1997

3.Clown « Κλόουν », Κλόουν / Λευκά Κελλιά Ep, 1983

4.Ιδανικοι Αυτοχειρες / Idanikoi Autoxeires « Ωραία Ελένη », Πρώτη απόπειρα tape, 1995

5.Αρνητική Στάση / Arnetike Stase « Αυτολογοκρισία », Love is our Strongest Weapon split Lp with Kismet Hardcore, 1991

6.Όρα Μηδέν / Ora Miden « Σάρκα », S/t demo tape, 1988

7.Panx Romana « Ζω Στο Φόβο », Παιδιά Στα Όπλα Lp, 1987

8.Σκιες / Skies « Ισοβια Δεσμα », Ισοβια Δεσμα demo tape, 1992

9.Εναλλάξ / Enallax « Κόντρα », Κόντρα Lp, 1986

10.Stress « Γενοκτονία », Ήχος Της Ανασφάλειας Lp, 1985

11.Αναβιωση / Anabiosi « Γιατί », Ξεχασμένοι κόσμοι tape, 1990

12.Venericna Bolest « Πυρηνικό Καταφύγιο », Never Trash... a Pretty Face compilation tape, 1986

13.Νεκρική Σιγή / Nekriki Sigi « Ταξίδι Στην Άβυσσο », Ο Ήχος Της Σιωπής Ep, 1994

14.Αρνάκια / Arnakia « Κανείς Δεν Μπορεί », Στο Στόμα Του Λύκου Lp, 1993

15.The Yokels « Εμφανισιμος Πολιτης », Τελευταια Συγχορδια demo tape, 1990

16.Αδιέξοδο / Adiexodo « Εξακρίβωση Στοιχείων », .38 Lp, 1986

17.Metro Decay « Μαύρος Κύκνος », Υπέρβαση Lp, 1984

18.Χαοτική Διάσταση / Chaotiki Diastasi « Κομματικά Εξαρτημένοι », Πολίτες Της Κόλασης Ep, 1993

19.Χάσμα / Xasma « Ταξίδι », Όλοι-Τόσο-Μόνοι tape, 1996

20.Αδραστεια / Adrasteia « Ίσως άξιζε », S/t demo tape, 1998

21.Το Κελί 13 / To Keli 13 « Πλοίο Στασιαστών », Never Trash... a Pretty Face compilation tape, 1986

22.Χωρίς Περιδέραιο / Xoris Perideraio « Το Χρώμα Και Το Σχήμα », Άνωση Ep, 1983

23.Γκούλαγκ / Gulag « Εθισμός », Είμαστε Μικροί Μα Θα Μεγαλώσουμε tape, 1989

24.Πίσσα Και Πούπουλα / Pissa kai Poupoula « Κοινές Καταστάσεις », Πίσσα Και Πούπουλα Lp, 1993

25.Ausschwitss « Χαμένο Κορμί », Απειλή / Χαμένο Κορμί demo, 1983

26.Παρανυχίδες / Paranuxides « Ένα Μυστικό Στο Τέλος », Συνταγη Αντι-Θανατου compilation Lp, 1986

27.Αγανακτισμένοι Πολίτες / Aganaktismenoi Pollites « Φαύλος Κύκλος », Never Trash... a Pretty Face compilation tape, 1986

28.Γενιά Του Χάους / Genia Tou Xaous « Στίγμα », Γενιά Του Χάους Lp, 1986

29.Αποκτήνωση / Apoktenosi « Γενιά του κλικ », Τα Μαύρα Φεγγάρια Της Αποκτήνωσης tape, 1995

30.Anti... « Στρατός, Ελλάδα, Εξουσία », ANTI... tape, 1986

Bellicose pessimism

Give Us This Day Our Daily Death, Uplifting yet Melancholy British Anarchopunk Songs '79/'95: a Compilation

This is the third anarchopunk compilation I did and it has not been banned from youtube (yet?) but I thought that it would be safer to post it on the blog proper. So here we go again.

Third compilation of dark and tuneful British anarchopunk with songs from 29 bands recorded between 1979 and 1995. As with the first two, the purpose of this selection was to emphasize the moodiness and the diverse ways to express anger and outrage that characterize the anarcho wave.  

1. Disrupters « Rot in hell », Alive in the electric chair 12'' Ep, 1985 (Norwich)

2. Faction « Turn away », You've got the fire Ep, 1984 (London)

3. Internal Dimenzions « Wargames », S/t demo tape, 198?'s (?)

4. Youth In Asia « When the wind blows », S/t demo tape, 1983 (London)

5. Potential Threat « A cry for help », Brainwashed Ep, 1984 (Blackburn)

6. Icon AD « Fight for peace », Don't feed us shit Ep, 1982 (Leeds)

7. 7th Plague « Painful death », Aristocrap compilation Ep, 1984 (Wolverhampton)

8. Toxic Waste « Traditionally yours », The truth will be heard split 12'' with Stalag 17, 1985 (Belfast)

9. Slaughter Tradition « Nightmare », Passion revolt demo tape, 1983 (Wales)

10. TVOD « War is for rich men », TVODemo demo tape, 1985 (Bolton)

11. The System « Their corrupting ways », Thought control Lp, 1983 (Wigan)

12. A Touch of Hysteria « Death cart », S/t demo tape, 1983 (Ambleside)

13. Anathema « Fighting to win », Smash the illusion/Acceptance split tape with Systematic Annex, 1986 (New Malden)

14. Wartoys « Ignorance », Indoctrination is the system, indoctrination is death demo tape, 1983 (Wigan)

15. Riot/Clone « A letter to no one », Still no government like no government 2xLp, 1995 (Ashford)

16. Schwartzeneggar « Child of the times », Art XX craft cd Ep, 1993 (London)

17. Honey Bane « Porno grows », You can be you Ep, 1979 (London)

18. Anthrax « It will be alright on the night », Who? What? Why? When? Where? compilation Lp, 1984 (Gravesend)

19. Alternative « Love and life », If they treat you like shit, act like manure Lp, 1984 (Dunfermline, Scotland)

20. FUAL « Repetition », S/t Lp, 1990 (Belfast)

21. The Apostles « Worker's autonomy », Punk obituary Lp, 1985 (London)

22. Chumbawamba « Common ground », Common ground demo tape, 1984 (Leeds)

23. The Assassins « Ronnie's bomb »,  S/t demo tape, 1983 (London)

24. The Mad Are Sane « Collision », Look further than vengeance demo tape, 1985 (Bournemouth)

25. Reality Control « Another sunrise », The reproduction of hate Ep, 1983 (Newcastle)

26. Two-Fingered Approach « World War album », My World War album Ep, 1982 (Cheshire)

27. Omega Tribe « When I'm with you », S/t demo tape, 1984 (Barnet)

28. Morbid Humour « Give us this day », Daffodils to the daffodils here's the daffodils compilation Lp, 1984 (Bradford)

29. Blood And Roses « Necromantra », Love under will 12'' Ep, 1983 (London)

Give us this day our daily death

The Terror of Loaded Guns, Diverse Textures of Moody British Anarchopunk '82/'93: a Compilation

This was the second anarchopunk compilation I did for youtube and, just like the first one, because of monetisation issues, it also got banned from the platform and cannot be uploaded again and I don't really care that much to be honest (do you?). Anyway, here it is with the original introduction.

This is my second anarchopunk compilation after "All the lonely faces" with a selection of 28 songs from as many bands that existed at some point between 1982 and 1993. 

This time I tried to go for a more narrative feel and convey a sense of storytelling informed by the arrangement of the songs. On the whole, the atmosphere is rather moody, sometimes melancholy or bitter, sometimes poignant and hopeful. I also intended to select songs that are different from each other (there are some acoustic and strange-sounding tracks here) but hopefully echo with each other significantly. There are some well-known faces here as well as more obscure bands but all were connected with the anarchopunk world.

1.Blood Robots « Loaded guns », S/t demo tape, 1984 (Newcastle)

2. DIRT « Mother », unreleased Ep, 1985? (London) 

3. Thatcher On Acid « Put it in », Frank Lp, 1990 (Somerset)

4. The Waste « Stop the hate », Not just something to be sung Ep, 1986 (Exeter)

5. Decadent Few « They shoot children », They shoot children Ep, 1993 (London)

6. Man's Hate « Porton Down », Forward into the abyss demo tape, 1988 (Peterborough)

7. The Amebix « Moscow madness (no gods part 2) », No sanctuary 12'' Ep, 1984 (Bristol)

8. Internal Autonomy « Trapped », Inquiry Lp, 1990 (Surrey) 

9. Flowers in the Dustbin « The journey's end », Freaks run wild in the disco 12'' Ep, 1984 (London) 

10. Terminus « Terror is the best of guards », Going nowhere fast Lp, 1990 (Scunthorpe) 

11. Joyce McKinney Experience « Ghost in the mirror », Braemar demo, 1992 (Leamington Spa) 

12. Decadence Within « A breath of fresh air », unreleased Ep, 1987 (Ledbury)

13. The Astronauts « Typically English day », It's all done by mirrors Lp, 1983 (Welwyn Garden City)

14. Dominant Patri « Experiment », Heroes'  glory demo tape, 1983 (Luton)

15. Passion Killers « Why? », Motion... yet motionless demo tape, 1984 (Leeds)

16. A-Heads « Forgotten hero », Forgotten hero Ep, 1983 (Warminster)

17. Conflict « To be continued », The ungovernable force Lp, 1986 (London)

18. Toxik Ephex « Final epitaph », The adventures of Nobby Porthole the cock of the North Lp, 1991 (Aberdeen)

19. The Pagans « Quality of life », The cuckoo has flown demo tape, 1982 (Warminster)

20. Hex « Initiative », Nothing ventured nothing gained split Ep with Feed Your Head, 1987 (Sunderland)

21. Earths Epitaph « Reality song », Child's play demo tape, 1985 (Cwnbran, Wales)

22. Flux of Pink Indians « Is there anybody there? », Strive demo, 1982 (Bishops Stortford) 

23. Virus « 3rd world wonders », You can't ignore it forever demo, 1985 (Dorset)

24. Dan « I think I should », Where have all the children gone? Lp, 1987 (Darlington)

25. Louise « Ribbons and roses », Chiswick demo tape, 1989 (London)

26. Kronstadt Uprising « The horsemen », Part of the game Ep, 1985 (Southend-on-Sea)

27. Blyth Power « Bind their kings in chains », The barman and other stories Lp, 1988 (Somerset) 

28. Paranoid Visions « Strange girl », The robot is running amok Ep, 1986 (Dublin)

The Terror of Loaded Guns

All the Lonely Faces, Darker Shades of British Anarchopunk '82/'92: a Compilation

To help you fight boredom, here is a reupload of the first anarchopunk compilations I did and that youtube banned a few month ago. Below is the original text detailing the thought process and my motivation behind it. Unfortunately, youtube won't let me upload it again but if there are any takers, feel free to do it. 

This is a compilation of 30 anarchopunk bands from Britain with songs recorded between 1982 and 1992. 

The selection reflects a specific angle as I only picked songs that were not your usual snotty and punky numbers but rather, were informed by postpunk or goth. 

I am aware that both terms have been misused and overused in recent years and this is a modest attempt to show that anarchopunk was not a "genre" but an approach to music and shared values. On this compilation, the moody, dark, melancholy side of the anarcho spectrum is partially and hopefully aptly represented.

I tried not to pick bands, songs and recordings that are too obvious and focused on bands who, for some unfathomable reason, have not benefited from the "dark punk trend" of the 2010's (not that this is any sign of accomplishment in itself, trends come and trends go). 

I am not aiming for exhaustivity but intended to present a relevant, significant set of songs (some of them pretty obscure) as a meaningful testimony of the "postpunk" influence on the British anarchopunk wave.

I did my best to use my own rips whenever it was possible and to equalize the sound levels so it has a "mixtape feel". I hope I succeeded and hope you enjoy it!

Cheers

1. Lack of Knowledge "We're looking for people" from the Grey Ep, 1983 (London)

2. Anarka And Poppy "P.O.P.P.I.E.S." from the All that is shattered demo tape, 1983 (Preston)

3. Famous Imposters "The cage" from the Cradle to the grave demo tape, 1983 (Newcastle) 

4. I'm Dead "Page after page" from the Page after page/Necrolatry split flexi with Epidemic, 1984 (Kent) 

5. Shrapnel "Autumn" from the Acts of desperation split Ep with Toxik Ephex, 1989 (Briton Ferry, Wales) 

6.Awake Mankind "Disappearing world" from the Freak demo tape, 1984 (Portsmouth) 

7. Systematic Annex "All the lonely faces" from the Acceptance demo tape, 1985 (Sheffield)

8. This Bitter Lesson "In the eyes of a child" from the Value of defiance demo tape, 1982 (London)

9. Civilised Society? "Tonight" from the Who would have thought? demo tape, 1985 (Batley)

10. Polemic "End song" from the S/t demo tape, 1982 (Fareham) 

11. Smartpils "Life cycle" from the Open mind surgery compilation Lp, 1985 (Bath)

12. Know The Drill "The offending article" from the Who? What? Why? When? Where? compilation Lp, 1984 (Manchester)

13. Nox Mortis "In memoriam" from the Spleurk compilation Lp, 1988 (Southampton) 

14. Null And Void "An old way" from the Four minute warning! demo, 1982 (Yeovil)

15. Hysteria "Tears of wax" from the Behind the veil 12'', 1984 (Plymouth)

16. Cyanide Scenario "Awayday to Auschwitz" from the unreleased split 12'', 1985 (Surrey)

17. Hysteria Ward "Vietnam" from the Breakfast to madness demo tape, 1986, (London)

18. Naked "War machine" from the S/t demo, 1984 (Sheerness)

19. Karma Sutra "Intelligent life" from the Daydreams of a production-line worker Lp, 1987 (Luton) 

20. Rubella Ballet "Slant & slide" from the 42°F 12'' Ep, 1984 (London)

21. Indian Dream "Discarded" from the Walk across America for Mother Earth compilation Ep, 1992 (Scarborough)

22. Paranoia "Dead man's dream" from the Shattered glass Lp, 1984 (Stoke-on-Trent)

23. Lost Cherrees "Who believes it?" from the Unwanted children 12'' Ep, 1985 (Sutton)

24. The Deformed "Psalms" from the Blind faith Ep, 1985 (Lowton)

25. The Dead "Prince of darkness" from the Rest in peace demo tape, 1984 (Whitehaven) 

26. Kulturkampf "3rd world holocaust" from The corpse of bureaucracy demo tape, 1983 (Barnsley)

27. Political Asylum "Trust in me" from the Fresh hate demo tape, 1983 (Stirling, Scotland)

28. Cold Vietnam "Winds of change" from the Blast into action with hunt the man demo tape, 1988 (Redditch)

29. We Are Going To Eat You "Life of lies" from the Four heads feast demo tape, 1986 (London)

30. Vex "Pressure" from the S/t demo tape, 1983 (London) 

All the Lonely Faces

Tunes & Snot with a Message - The Recesses of the Anarchopunk World (Part 5): Clasping for the Future but there's Nothing to Hold

Here we are then, this is the last part of Tunes & Snot with a Message and hopefully these "post-mixtape" compilations were enjoyed by all. The rules to this closing chapter are similar to the previous ones. 30 songs from as many bands that were part of 80's Britain's anarchopunk world and a focus on lesser known acts or obscure recordings. 

I am aware that the very concept behind the comps can be seen as potentially problematic. In our current era ruled by the Great Equalizer, how meaningful are they? In the 80's, mixtapes were conceived as tools to share music with likeminded individuals and often included bands from your local area, or bands one was in touch with, or bands that had played your local venue, or little-known bands that were pioneering a new sound (I'm thinking of the early hardcore years here) and so on. They served a communal purpose and fitted in the "Think globally, act locally" mindframe and of course exemplified the DIY spirit in action. This practice has not disappeared (fortunately) and you can still find compilations promoting new relevant bands from one specific area that will prove to be, I'm sure, great historical and social documents in the future.

The compilations I made can not be perceived in the same light at all. They are tributes, deprived of nostalgia, and may hopefully convey a sense of what characterized the anarchopunk sound(s) of yore (assuming there was such a thing, I prefer to think in terms of vibe or songwriting tricks but whatever). 

I think I also needed a break from the Terminal Sound Nuisance routine of writing about records and the mechanics of compiling looked like a funny escape from it. But I will be back with more rants and ravings, as usual. 

Enjoy.        

01. Atrox "In for the kill", from the Hit the Oxide demo tape, 1984 (Dorchester, England)

02. Insurrection "Silence is plutonium", from the The People are Starving demo tape, 1987 (Guernsey, England)

03. Exit-Stance "Condemned to die", from a demo tape, 1983? (Milton Keynes, England)

04. Contempt "Six seconds", from the Familiarity Breed Contempt Ep, 1986 (Wolverhampton, England)

05. Plague "That's life", from the Catalogue of Terror demo tape, 1983 (Bristol, England)

06. Some Died Laughing "?", from a S/t demo tape, 1983 (?)

07. Desolation "Civil disobedience", from the A Midsummer Night's Boob compilation tape, 1984? (?)

08. The Downhill Musicians "I wonder", from the Ha! Last Week I Saw this Fella with Your Wife compilation tape, 1985 (?)

09. Liberty "Diluted rebellion", from the S/t demo tape, 1984 (North Kent, England)

10. InOrOut "Problems", from the Lie...f demo tape, mid/late 80's (Leamington Spa, England)

11. S.A.S. "Is mankind gonna abolish war?", from the Sing Along Songs demo tape, 1983 (Scarborough, England)

12. Freestate "Oppresion", from a S/t demo tape, 1983 (Ipswich, England)

13. Rudimentary Peni "Arkham hearse", from the Cacophony Lp, 1988 (Hertfordshire, England)

14. Syphletix "1984", from their 4th demo tape, 1984? (London, England)

15. Maximum Security "Pig ignorant (part 1)", from the From Innocence to Ignorance demo tape, ? (Glasgow, Scotland)

16. Six Minute War "Progress", from the S/t Ep, 1980 (London, England)

17. X-Cretas "Familiarity", from the 2nd demo tape, 1982 (Gillingham, England)

18. Hit Parade "Here's what you find in any prison", from the Bad News Ep, 1982 (London, England)

19. Poison Justice "Life to it's end", from the Punk Lives! Let's Slam compilation Lp, 1986 (?)

20. Eve of the Scream "Dare to dream", from the Control 12'', 1989 (Liverpool, England)

21. Arch Criminals "Falling, from the Hang 12'', 1986 (Barking, England)

22. Pro Patria Mori "Where shadows lie", from the Where Shadows Lie... demo tape, 1986 (Wokingham, England)

23. Condemned "Overhead", from the S/t demo tape, ? (Cardiff, Wales)

24. Suicidal Supermarket Trolleys "The power is ours", from their 1st demo tape, 1988 (London, England)

25. Silent Community "The day after", from an unknown tape, 1985 (Leeds, England)

26. I Breathe First "Shattered pedastal", from the Value of Defiance compilation tape, ? (?)

27. Spyin' For Brian "Mistake", from the Wessex 84 compilation tape, 1984 (Somerset, England)

28. Malice "Birthright", from the Grevious Musical Harm compilation tape, 1983 (Harrow, England)

29. Pseudo Sadists "Patriotic killers", from a S/t demo tape, ? (Swansea, Wales)

30. Deviated Instinct "Perhaps", from the Tip of the Iceberg demo tape, 1985 (Norwich, England)

Clasping for the future

Tunes & Snot with a Message - The Recesses of the Anarchopunk world (part 4): We don't have to Live like This

This is the fourth part of the anarcho mixtapes marathons and you know the drill by now. As the previous compilation showed, selecting songs can be tricky and mistakes can be made in this day and age of cultural abundance and overproduction. Hopefully, I got them all right this time but feel free to comment if I have not. As my venerable kung-fu master used to say "mistakes allow thinking to happen" (or maybe it was an Ace of Base song, I can't remember). 

Anyway, there will be one more of these compilations and then I'll be back to my raving mania. 

Here is the tracklist for this one:  

01. The Epileptics "1970's have been made in Hong Kong", from the March 1979 demo tape, 1979 (Hertfordshire, England)

02. Carnage "All the sad people", from the All the Sad People Ep, 1983 (Bexhill-On-Sea, England)

03. Vendetta "How much longer", from the Aristocrap compilation Ep, ? (Wolverhampton, England)

04. Defyance "From a nightmare to a dream", from the Alternative to Nothing compilation tape, ? (?)

05. Urban Decay "Incinerate", from a demo tape, 1980 (Harlow, England)

06. The Strength of Weakness "Borstal boy", from the Keep going demo tape, 1984 (Bridgend, Wales)

07. Self Abuse "(I didn't wanna be a) soldier", from the Teenage demo tape, 1983 (Bournemouth, England)

08. Psycho Faction "Oppose war, oppose law", from a live tape, 1982 (Whitehaven, England)

09. Another Warcry "Past, present, no future", from the War is Murder compilation tape, 1984 (Blackburn, England)

10. Danbert Nobacon "Angry words", from the Volume One - March 1989 tape, 1989 (Leeds, England)

11. Crow People "Strolling", from the Cloud Songs 12'' Ep, 1987 (Doncaster, England)

12. The Snipers "Nothing new", from the Three Peace Suit Ep, 1981 (Oxfordshire, England)

13. The Convulsions "Media punx", from the Enemies of the State compilation Lp, 1984 (Bradford, England)

14. Radical Alternatives "Waiting room", from the Spirit of an Old Age Anthem compilation tape, 1982 (?)

15. Stress "Strike back", from the The Beginning of the End compilation tape, ? (?)

16. Stone the Crowz "Minds decayed", from the Suffer Little Children demo tape, 1985 (London, England)

17. Classified Protest "False dreams", from the S/t demo tape, 1984 (Gwent, Wales)

18. Farce "Just another animal", from the S/t demo, 1984 (?)

19. A.P.F. Brigade "Disease", from an unreleased Crass Records Ep, ? (Peterborough, England)

20. Generic "Coca-Killer", from the Join the Conspiracy demo tape, 1985 (Newcastle, England)

21. Failing Parachutes "The good old days", from the Spirit of an Age Old Anthem compilation tape, 1982 (?)

22. Legion of Parasites "I hate you hate", from the Another Disaster demo tape, 1982 (Pavenham, England)

23. Crude & Snyde "Right to survive", from the S/t demo tape, 1987 (Drogheda, Ireland)

24. Abstract Critique "Coriolanus", from the A Midsummer Night's Boob compilation tape, ? (Waterlooville, England)

25. Screams of Children "Walk away", from the Alternative to Nothing compilation tape, ? (?)

26. Co Exist "Silent scream", from the To Russia With Love compilation tape, 1985 (Brighouse, England)

27. Black Solstice "No more bright eyes", from their S/t demo tape, 1987 (Camberley?, England)

28. Look Mummy Clowns "Chuggin in the riggin", form the Ongoing Zeugma Scenario Ep, 1984 (Waltham Cross, England)

29. Freeborn "This country", from the Imprisonment demo tape, 1983 (Wisbech, England)

30. Upset Tummy "State oppression", form the Spleurk! compilation Lp, 1988 (London, England)

31. Practical Existence "Protest and get arrested", from a demo recording, ? (Glasgow, Scotland)

32. Icons of Filth "Fucked up state", from the Not On Her Majesty's Service demo tape, 1983 (Cardiff, Wales)

We don't have to live like this

Tunes & Snot with a Message - The Recesses of the Anarchopunk World (part 3): There ain't no Heaven cuz this is Hell

Alright then, this is the third installment of my 80's UK anarchopunk compilations series, this time with a rawer, punkier approach maybe but still with that all important tunefulness. As I mentioned previously, not all of those bands could be characterized or indeed described themselves as "anarchopunk" but had ties with the anarcho world in some way. Some of them were one-hit wonders bands (like Wardance or Stigma), others became quite well-known (like Oi Polloi or The Instigators). 

The humble purpose of such compilations, apart from being a tribute to the lovely 80's punk mixtapes, is to convey a sense of the diversity of anarchopunk but also to stress its commonalities. And of course, to provide a healthy slice of catchy, angst-fueled punk-rock. And they are fun to compile actually. I have also tried not to include bands that I had already selected for previous compilations (there's enough material to avoid being redundant methinks). 

01. The Deceased "Boredom", from S/t demo tape, 1982 (Wigan, England)

02. Chronic "No time", from the split flexi with Living Dead, 1981 (Bradford, England)

03. Criminal Justice "Criminal justice", from the The System Is... tape, 1983 (Huddersfield, England)

04. The Mental "18", from the Extended Play Ep, 1979 (Warminster, England)

05. Steve L "There's a place", from the Open Mind Surgery compilation Lp, 1985 (Warminster, England)

06. Wardance "Stand the proud", from the We don't Want Your Fucking Law! compilation Lp, 1985 (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

07. Society's Victims "Army", from the Who is the Enemy? compilation tape, 1984 (Fife, Scotland)

08. Devoid "Conned", from the No Sense tape, 1982 (Redditch, England)

09. Indecent Assault "Nation's prisoners", from the Dawn of the Android Workers Ep, 1986 (Dudley, England)

10. Wasted Amongst Reality "Protest and survive", from the Please Don't Feed the Missiles demo tape, 1984 (Whitby, England)

11. Telic Tribe "Times", from the Wild & Crazy Noise Merchants compilation 2xLp, 1990 (Guernsey)

12. Oi Polloi "Whale song", from the In Defence of our Earth Lp, 1990 (Edinburgh, Scotland)

13. Stigma "Think again", from the We don't Want Your Fucking War! compilation Lp, 1984 (London, England)

14. Napalm Death "The good book", from And, like Sheep, we have all gone Astray demo tape, 1982 (Birmingham, England)

15. The Depraved "Democracy", from the S/t demo, 1984 (Warwick, England)

16. The Heretics "Relegion OD", from the It's Better to Die on Your Own Two Feet than Live on Your Knees tape, 1986 (Cardiff, Wales)

17. State of Shock "Excess youth", from Bullshit Detector Three compilation 2xLp, 1984 (?)

18. Class War "Class war", from the Better Dead than Wed Ep, 1986 (Swansea, Wales)

19. The Fits "Bravado", from the Tears of a Nation Ep, 1983 (Blackpool, England)

20. City Indians "Radioactive wasteland", from the Root of Freedom demo tape, 1987 (Derby, England)

21. Pagan Idols "Ain't no", from a S/t demo tape, 1983 (Leeds, England)

22. Organized Chaos "H-bomb war", from the Wessex '81 split tape with A-Heads and Wild Youth, 1981 (Warminster, England)

23. War Whores "Madame X", from the Realization Leads to Freedom demo tape, ? (?)

24. The Commited "Whose war", from the S/t demo tape, 1982 (Isle of Sheppey, England)

25. Anihilated "40 dumb animals", from the Punk Lives! Let's Slam! compilation Lp, 1986 (Ipswich, England)

26. Sore Throat "A bow to capital" from the Unhindered by Talent Lp, 1988 (Huddersfield, England)

27. Idiot Savant "Language of the privileged", from the Bleak Moments tape, ? (Hull, England)

28. Health Hazzard "Scared to dance", from the Bit's of '82 tape, 1983 (Lincoln, England)

29. The Next World "Safe territories", from the Branded Ep, 1988 (Kettering, England)

30. The Cause "Belief", from the Violence demo tape, 1983 (Manchester?, England)

31. Societies Vultures "Democracy - Corruption", from the Value of Defiance compilation tape, 1984? (?)

32. Terminal Disaster "What future?", from the Nuclear Suicide demo tape, 1981 (London, England)

33. The Instigators "?", from a demo tape, 1984/5 (Dewsbury, England) Actually this is a mystery song. I thought it was a demo song from The Instigators (I downloaded it as such a long time ago) but it appears that it isn't. I have no idea who wrote the song but will indicate if and when I find out. EDIT: the song is "Why take my life away" by Foreign Legion. It's taken from their Surf City Ep released in 1989.

There ain't no heaven

Tunes & Snot with a Message - The Recesses of the Anarchopunk World (part 2): The Pressure from the Outside Vice Machine

Here is the second volume in my series of homemade compilations of British anarchopunk from the 80's with 33 bands in 89 minutes.

Like for the first installment, I tried to focus on obscure bands or on atypical songs from established ones in order to illustrate the versatility, snottiness and tunefulness that I posit are inherent to anarchopunk (to be understood in the broadest sense here, not as a genre but as a galaxy). In other terms, the point was to create a collection of catchy song in order to convey the essence of the anarcho vibe. As usual,  the quality of the recordings vary a lot so I did my best to equalize and make the whole sound as cohesive as possible. I sometimes struggled to find details about the bands but feel free to enlighten me if needed (I'd like that actually).   

Here is the lineup:

01. Revulsion "No justification", unreleased song, 1989 (Norwich, England)

02. Schutzhaft "Behind the wire", from the split demo tape with Leukaemia, 1984 (Peterborough, England)

03. The Secluded "Royal blood", from the We Despise Society demo tape, 1983 (Ebbw Vale, Wales)

04. Xoset UK "State of a nation", from the Ere What's This? Vol. 1 compilation tape, 1983 (Huddersfield, England)

05. Warning "Who's the rapist?", from the Home Made Protest demo tape, 1982 (?)

06. 2 Minutes of Hate "Vision of prison", from the S/t demo tape, 1982 (Leeds, England)

07. 4 Minute Warning "Lady killer", from the Pictures on the Wall demo tape, 1982 (London, England)

08. Cold War "Cold world", from the S/t demo tape, 1982 (London, England)

09. Total Chaos "Revolution part 10", from the There are no Russians in Afghanistan Ep, 1981 (Newcastle, England)

10. Black Easter "Rokin chair", from the Ready to Rot Ep, 1982 (Farnborough, England)

11. Part 1 "Marching orders", from a S/t demo, 1981 (Milton Keynes, England)

12. Still Life in Action "Vietnam syndrome", from the Play For Today demo tape, 1985 (Norwich, England)

13. Andy Stratton "I don't know", from the I don't Know / Evil Minds Ep, 1980 (London, England)

14. Nick Toczeck "Things to do on a saturday night", from The Britanarchist demo tape, 1984 (Bradford, England)

15. The Snapping Bogseats "Role control", from the Feed the People demo tape, 1986 (Crewe, England)

16. Lunatic Fringe "Who's war", from the Cringe with the Fringe Ep, 1984 (Bristol, England)

17. Intencified Chaos "No rights", from the Alternative South West compilation tape, 1984 (?) (South West, England)

18. Sedition "Unknown", from a live set in Norwich, 1985 (Northampton, England)

19. D&V "Today's conclusion", from The Nearest Door Ep, 1983 (London, England)

20. Active Minds "Royalty", from the Welcome to the Slaughterhouse Lp, 1988 (Scarborough, England)

21. Xpozez "No war", from the S/t demo tape, 1981 (Huddersfield, London)

22. Miasma "Rough justice", from The First Big Gamble demo tape, 1983 (Scarborough, England)

23. Noise Annoys "Unknown", from the There's More than Male Voice Choirs in Wales compilation tape, 1985 (Wales)

24. Solstice "Dreaming", from the Bye Bye Ronny compilation tape, 1988? (?)

25. The Suspects "Day to day", from a S/t compilation tape, 1982 (?) (Norwich, England)

26. Tony & Mole Chater "Class war", from the Alternative to Nothing compilation tape, 1986 (?) (?)

27. Wild Youth "Nobody cares", from the Wessex '81 compilation tape, 1981 (Trowbridge, England)

28. 16 Guns "Evil man", from the 3rd demo tape, 1985 (London, England)

29. Guernica "No more war", from the S/t demo tape, 1983 (?)

30. No Label "We gotta get together", from the 7-track demo tape, 1981 (Swansea, Wales)

31. Corpse "In Ireland", from the S/t demo tape, 1983 (Winsford, England)

32. Asylum "2000 AD", from the We will be Free split Lp with Toxic Waste and Stalag 17, 1986 (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

33. Apocalypse "Setback of a nation", from the How Many More demo tape, 1988 (Drogheda, Republic of Ireland)

The Pressure from the Outside Vice Machine