For my buddy Brandonio: couldn't resist.
Formed in 1996, the instrumental surf quartet of the aptly titled Surftones where inspired by the beach party antics of surf, sand, and warm weather -- ironically enough, their home turf is based in the very frigid Jyv?skyl?, Finland. After signing with MahoPop Records not too long after their first show, the band's debut full-length, Expose Yourself to Surfers, came out in the same year that they got together. Two years later they followed with their second album, Who Stole My Hypnotics?
Word on the street was that Kory Clarke & Co. were so fed-up with Geffen Records' lackluster $upport, that they decided to record two records at once...The "art/experimental" record would go to Geffen to satisfy contractual needs & the "commercial" record would go to any number of major record companies who desperately wanted to sign Warrior Soul. "Chill Pill" is that art/experimental record that was supposedly going to be a bad product and end their relationship with Geffen.
Japan exclusive compilation for the all female rock trio best known in the U.S. for their appearance in the film 'Kill Bill'. This album is a blast! A%*#! kicking, name taking garage rock o'plenty on this one. These gals are not just a cute novelty act, although they *are* cute as a button--but they can really wail too! Oomphy guitar sound with plenty of tasty licks and solos, the bass spices up and embellishes the songs without being too annoyingly obtrusive, and the drumming is impeccably solid with lots of jazzy fills. Our heroines know how to take a standard I-IV-V garage number and do a lot with a little! The garbled, indecipherable lyrics just add to the wacky fun, especially on the covers of old US rock standards Throw this one on at your next shindig and do the Arkansas Twist and the Rockin' Rochester!
Subtitled Peel Show Hits & Long-Lost Lo-Fi Favourites Volume One: 1976-80. Excellent 2008 collection of spiky 70's Punk and Pop Peel favorites that may be forgotten by the masses, but remain memory-tickling treats to all the avid Peel listeners nearly 30 years after their release. Anyone who ever cuddled up alone at night with Peel will recognize the glee with which he pounced on these devil-may-care, slightly broken Pop songs. Indie also-rans these bands may have been in the Sting 'n' Bono scheme of things, but add up all these flashes of underdog genius, and here's a CD to rival any other from the era of the questionable stringy tie.
Underrated punks from the 90's - Pulsating anger, heavy guitars, simple but powerfull riffs and a stomping mid-tempo pace. This is Warrior Soul's best offering and I recommend to anybody who likes heavy rock. Although the lyrics are a bit on the depressive/angry side, listening to this CD is like being plugged into high voltage, I feel like bursting with energy every time!
Nice British comp of American punk. Some of these groups never played CBGB's but that's a just a little nit. Otherwise, solid "hits" of the era in one place. Good stuff.
What can you say, they're so darn good they had to cover their own song. (My Beach 2000) And hey, how 'bout the chewy goodness of that Casiotone we all got for Christmas in eighth grade on "Ride the Wild Surf". (Can't listen to the original version after hearing theirs.) "Klo-rene" is such a niiiice song too. Ya know it's the true conisseur (is that right?) of the sweet life that can enjoy the alluring combination of salt water on the brain and power chords that is "Oh No...Not Them Again" More dumb loud fun.
Put together punk rock with surf revival, and whuddya get? The Surf Punks! Led by Dennis Dragon, this '80s outfit combined SoCal breeziness with punk brashness, turning patches of sand into mosh pits up and down the coasts. Combining the frivolity of early Beach Boys stuff with the agressiveness of late '80s California skate punk (a la the Dickies, Redd Cross) and a bit of B-52s and Devo type wackiness. A best of collection from their late-'80s releases for Restless and Enigma-catch the $#@! wave! Surf Punks did indeed roll a fat party bomb on this 1988 release! Loud, dumb and proud. “Somebody Ripped My Stick” is worth the price of admission by itself.
Although the Washington D. C. area wasn’t as notorious as New York or London during the heyday of punk, it had a good scene. The Bad Brains were the most notable group from that period but others were here, too. This is a comp of some of the folks in that scene during the first wave of punk/new wave. The DIY ethic is evident throughout these raw cuts. Standouts – Slickee Boys, Billy Synth ( like Suicide), The Nurses, Mark Hoback and my personal fave - Stay Limp. Get it - you'll feel like a 17 year old hopped up on MadDog and caffeine pills all over again.
