Best Of 2011

Well here we are on New Years Eve...and yes, the typical best of list. I was not going to do one this year but at the last minute I decided to. Let's hope that 2012 is a great year and that all of you that visit here have a great year.

This list might be incomplete but hey here we are. Occupying the number 1 spot is....



1. Angelic Upstarts- The Dirty Dozen Split with Crashed Out
Who would have thought that Mensi and co. would put out new material...Their best in YEARS
2. Toy Dolls- Credit Crunch Christmas song
I always have time for this band. Olga has seemed to go back to an earlier style...love it!
3. Vice Squad-Punk Rock Radio
Great new album by Beki and the boys!
4. New Chords split with The Templars
I would love to hear more stuff from this French Oi! band. Ex-Veros here!
5. Amebix- Sonic Mass
Yessss some real nice new stuff from this Anarcho band that has come back from the dead

That is it...not too much here because in my opinion 2011 sucked for music.

Help I Need To Hear The 'Tone One For The Money Single!!!!

A big thanks goes out to Chris for hooking me up with most of The 'Tone singles...that was very cool man thanks!

However I am still looking for the singe One For The Money. DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS???????? Help!

The 'Tone-Wide Eyes and Nonsense

Ok this release hit me like a ton of bricks! I bought the comp. Welcome To The Welfare State that BYO put out many years ago because Leatherface was on it. When I heard the song This Is A High I was completely smitten with The 'Tone. I bought this compilation of their singles Wide Eyes And Nonsense and absolutely fell in love with this band that had more in common with SLF, Clash, Ruts and Specials than what was being played in the UK at the time. I do need to hear some of their stuff that did not make it onto to here, so if someone can help out this aging punk rocker that would be very nice of you! If you have never heard this band then please check this baby out. It is classic. The band released another album called Here's Another Reason To Believe In Rock N Roll which is equally as good. The best thing about that album is the song called The Real World. IMHO that song is one of the greatest songs ever written. It is a ska-punkish song that just rules my world. That is high praise when you consider that some of the bands that I love like The Clash, Jam, SLF, Ruts, Damned etc. have also written some amazing tunes. I really wish The 'Tone would put out some new stuff......
http://www.mediafire.com/?nmbqgwb3yz9l734

The 'Tone

Does anyone have any of the singles that The 'Tone put out in the 1990's????? I have Wide Eyes and Nonsense which covers most of the singles but there are a few tracks missing from the singles that I have to hear. Please please please someone help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Subhumans- Same Thoughts Different Days

I just found out that this is out. What you get is The Subhumans re-recording Incorrect Thoughts because the dick head over at CD Presents who is a greedy turd threatened to sue the band if they released the original. You see the album has sat around unavailable because CD Presents re-pressed the album and it was deleted. What are you to do if you are that band. Well they went ahead and re-recorded the album but included 4 songs from the old days that were not recorded. I Got To Move, Out Of Place, Escalator To Hell, and 21st Century are those songs....and let me tell ya, they are fantastic. Just buy this disc to get those four songs. Recommended!

The Now-Fuzztone Fizzadelic

Holy shit! So this band which has two singles and a compilation of all of their stuff on one cds gets together in 2004 and decides to re-record their long lost 1977 album. Well what are the results???? This is so fucking good! I mean really good. I love it! Kind of like The Adverts a little, well actually a lot for some strange reason. The playing of course is more direct and fluid then the days of 1977. This is just a wonderful cd to hear. Please check it out and leave a comment.

http://www.mediafire.com/?d36kiy0ah5vspo6

UK Subs Riot '98 Ep

Crap! Does anyone have this EP??? If so I would love love love to hear it. Please help me out as I cannot find it anywhere on the web. Thanks in advance!
Keb

Wire 1976 Demos

I love Wire! But truth be told, after 154 they totally lost me. I found this on the web the other day and I thought I would post it. Here we have demos form 1976. Some of these songs appear on the Peel Sessions cd that was released many years ago. This has decent sound quality so it is more for fans.
Ken

http://www.mediafire.com/?3cimwjdi7w8j34e

New Toy Dolls Single

Wow oh wow is this good. I mean really good. Think back to the days of I've Got Asthma, Tommy Kowey's Car, Fisticuffs on Fredricks St. etc. Gone are the lame attempts by Olga to throw in too many guitar histrionics ala metal gods. This is how The Toy Dolls are supposed to sound. Love this!!!

Does Anyone Have Chelsea's Give Me More/Sympathy For The Devil Single??

Does anyone out there have this??? I have never heard Chelsea doing Sympathy For The Devil and it would be great to! Please someone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken

Social Unrest Songs For Sinners 7"

Well finally this is seeing the light of day. Great chugging along hardcore from one of the Bay Area's best from the early 80's. Most of you that visit the site know that I am a huge Social Unrest fan right?...see interview with Jason Honea. Well this three song effort is more like their pre Jason days and has original singer Kretin Chaos singing. Much reccomended
Ken

Steve and Paul or (The Professionals) Odds and Sods

well well well, look what we have here. I knicked this from a site in S. America, but really I don't care. This is just too good to not to share. What we have here is demos, and such cut with Paul Cook and Steve Jones with other people, as well as Professional demos. This is how cool this is. You get Chrisie Hynde with the boys, Joan Jett doing You Don't Own Me as well as I love RocknRoll. Some Lightening Raiders, Sham Pistols stuff which would eventually find its way onto one of the 90's Sham 69 albums. The Looters from the movie Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains with Ray Winstone singing and Paul Simenon on bass. Everything on here has fantastic sound quality. So cool to finally here some Sham Pistols and especially cool to have The Looters on my music!! Enjoy!
Ken

http://www.mediafire.com/?1wxe8fv36ps2h0v#1

MotorDamn "Over The Top" 7"

Dunno too much about this other than the fact that The Damned were in search of a bassist and Lemmy of Motorhead stepped into help. Of course you all have heard Ballroom Blitz a million times. Many bands have covered it and in fact The Damned did too. What we have here is the two bands rolling through some songs in the studio. Over The Top has Lemmy singing and to be honest, it sounds like a Motorhead song. The guitar playing on the leads would lead you to believe that Captain is playing due to the whah whah during the solo's. Ballroom Blitz has Vanian singing. This is pretty darn cool. The Damned roled through here last weekend in SF and played Damned Dammned Damned and the Black Album in their full. Missed it...............
Sorry for the delays on putting stuff up. I have been very busy with work and life. I got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and my back went out so my time has been limited. Don't worry though, I have some gems up my sleave.
en
http://www.mediafire.com/?g1yovt6yct1f2yk

Factory Minds

A newish band from my neck of the woods having been making their rounds of late. San Jose band Factory Minds is onto something, and my bet is, they will be huge. Like Rancid huge. Wanna bet? They have a better understanding of rock n roll then they do and they understand how to write a hook and then some. Think The Clash, SLF, Ruts with some Specials a bit. Then throw in some Dead 60's a bit and maybe The 'Tone and you will get an idea. Here is the link to some music. I want you to comment because once you hear their stuff you will be saying I am right! Love these guys...I have not seen them yet but will be very SOON! The best thing out of SJ since well ummm The Forgotten.

Music

http://soundcloud.com/factory-minds/tracks

Band website


http://factorymindsband.blogspot.com/

Anti Nowhere Leagure-We Are The League

Was listening to this today at my home. In fact I had a few windows open and the amount of cursing made me embrassed as my neighbors were in their yards with their kids. Oh well......Just wanted to shout out how much I like this album. An 80's version of The Sex Pistols lyrically???
Ken

The Ramones-Live at The San Francisco Civic Center Plaza 1979

My first Ramones post and it is a boot! Recorded live at the Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco in June of 1979. The Ramones played an afternoon show that was recorded by radio station KSAN. KSAN was a pretty cool FM radio station back in the day. Many boots that you see that was recorded live in the SF Bay Area was from the shows that KSAN put on. This is a good sounding boot and a great performance! I wish that I was old enough and smart enough to know that they played this show. I would have loved to have been there!

http://www.mediafire.com/?l3953wh58xo6hlo

UK Subs

Probably my fave lineup of The UK Subs

And a shameless plug of my old band The Forgotten with Charlie wearing a Forgotten t shirt

I just wanted to touch upon something I experienced last night. I went to a BBQ that was attended by a bunch of old high school friends and had a fantatic evening, eating and drinking! Anyways, after a fun evening my wife drives us back home and out comes the music for the hour long drive. I decided upon listening to The UK Subs album Brand New Age. Instantly I was transported back to a teenager and singing along to every song while my wife drove my drunken ass home. While listening to this album it reminded me of the sheer power, excellent musicianship, the fantastic production and just amazing songwriting. I know The Subs were looked down upon by the trendy London punk elite when they started, and the fact that some considered their following to be a little on the simplistic side, again the London elite??? But truth be told, this band was heads and shoulders above many. Their recorded output from 1977-1983 was STUNNING. From Stranglehold to Warhead. From the crushing assault of Endangered Species to Party In Paris. Then the amazing War of The Roses as Nicky and Co. leave Charlie, there is no doubt how damn good this band was. Live? The Subs could, and did wipe up the floor with just about any band. Today we still see Charlie and Alvin still at it, with Nicky joining on certain tours and recordings. I just wanted to shout out how much I love The UK Subs and I am glad that I have met them, listened to them, and how much joy they have given my life. Long live The UK Subs!

New Naked Raygun Single for 2011

Well after a long wait...#3 is to be released this month...Yeah!!!!!!!!!

The Drab

Since we are talking San Jose hardcore here. I thought I would let people know that The Drab have songs available on iTunes. Who are The Drab??? They were the 3rd band in the spikey hair axis. Sean Gregonis played in Grim Reality for awhile and then moved onto The Drab. After The Drab, Sean, myself and Lars Fredrikson started a band callled Slip. Slip would last 5 years and then become The Forgotten. Enough history here. Just get this over at iTunes. It is kinda simplistic but a good time piece. I dig it!

Executioner-Anthology

For those in the know, I interviewed Dave Burks awhile back on this blog. For those that are not familiar with Executioner, they were a band from San Jose that were part of the spiky hair axis of Executioner and Grim Reality (Jason Honea is the lead vocalist for that band before moving onto Social Unrest-I interviewed him too BTW). Anyways, this is for those that dig Crucifix, Bad Brains, Cro Mags meets Dishcarge and then hooks up in a bar with the San Jose hardcore sound ie Los Olvidados, and Drunk Injuns.....Speedy hardcore with some melatic tinges. I digress...This is a VERY comprehensive collection of 29 songs. Some live, some from the glory days, and some from the Growing Pains comp. and some songs recorded a few years ago. This just simply rages! Get it!!!!!!!

Jello Biafra and The Quantanamo School Of Medicine-Enhanced Methods of Questoning

More of what you would expect from Jello here. Nothing ground breaking musically or lyrically. Jello is being Jello here and I will take that any ole day! I would say this is just as good as the first release so do yourself a favor and find it and buy it. Or you can get it here:

http://punkrockoi.com/

The Afflicted-Good News About Mental Health

San Francisco punk band that existed in the mid 80's. Saw them open for Whipping Boy and Social Distortion at the New Varisty Theatre in Palo Alto. I thought The Afflicted were amazing and by far the best band playing that night. SD bored the crap outta me, but hey, I still love them! I cannot remember who gave me the file for this, so I will say thanks to however gave this to me. I think the bitrate on this is a tad low so the sound is not that great.
Ken
http://www.mediafire.com/?basbej4rfi4y28d#1

X at The Catalyst 6/17/11

Well time to see X....again. Seems like I see them every 6-8 months and this time was pretty much like every other time I have seen them....they were awesome! Started the night with my wife and I meeting some friends for drinks and some food. Hung out with Clifford of Blast! fame...(interview coming...) and then off to see one of the most iconic US bands ever. Opening the shindig was Matt Freemans (Rancid) side project Devils Brigade...they were ok'ish but really not grabbing me too much. They did however do a killer version of Police Truck (DKs). Next were X...wow! As always they killed it! Each song was perfect and the band was very into rocking us all out for the night. I went into the pit for Nausea, fell down, and was picked up. I then headed over to stage left where I ran into Steve Corona (Diesel Queens fame) and settled in for the rest of the night. Once their set was over, John Doe and Exene came out and played an acoustic version of 4th Of July that was perfect. Someone mentioned to me, why is it that John Doe is always sweating and you see Billy Zoom with his leather jacket and he is NOT sweating.....hmmm. If you look at Billy, you'd think he made a deal with the devil. He looks the same as he did in 1983.....After leaving, the wife and I went across the street to our fave Mexican food haunt on Pacific and had a free Quesadilla and some killer Anejo Tequila! I was hungover for TWO days! WOW.
Next up for next weekend are The Swingin Utters and Rev. Horton Heat. Same club, same town!
Oh and the bottom picture, it was taken by Billy Zoom...I am the guy with the two finger F U salute wearing the Lonsdale Tee. This can be found on X's site too.
Ken

Frontline-Outside Your Window

Got this one from System/Sabotage/Chaos blog by request. That was over 2 years ago and since many of my followers are different I thought I'd post this. Frontline were from San Jose and were a huge band in our scene. Fronted by the ever so affable Joe Sib they were a force to be reckoned with. I saw them many many times opening up for bands like The Ramones, and other big bands around 1984-1986. They should have been bigger on a national scale, but well....sometimes these things happen. They would change their name to Lifeline, and would continue playing big shows. Lifeline released a split 12" with SF punk rockers No Alternative and then they would split. Joe would move to LA and start the band Wax that had a hit on MTV called California which is not a bad song for the early 90's pop punk stuff. Joe also runs Side 1/Dummy Records and is an all around great guy. Last year Joe did a comedy tour based on his years growing up as a punk rocker in the early 80's. I saw him in San Jose with all of the usual suspects of the SJ hardcore crews of the 80's. It was awesome! Joe was really, really good. But that does not suprise me, he is a fantastic frontman to begin with. I have also included the track on Rat Music to download to. If you are a fan of Social Distortion, DI, Adolesecents and that ilk, then you will dig this. Seems most SJ bands were influenced by the LA hardcore scene unlike up north in SF where there were a bit more tuneless. Once Lifeline was over, it was my band, Slip that took the mantle and was the big boys on the block. Hows that for ego! Ohhh and don't let the stupid cover fool ya, this is REAL good!!!!
Ken
Outside Your Window Ep

http://www.mediafire.com/?ebq0nwdbp3hhsgb

Rat Music Comp.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tomkxwyjhyl

TSOL-4 Song Ep

1. Darker My Love
2. White American
3. Perfect Day
4. Politics

Recorded in 2005, this was available for a short time on TSOL's website for free. Dunno if it is still there because I have not taken a look. If it is gone, then here it is for you! Inspired by Neil over at 13th Floor Vendetta. I just wanted to make this gem available to you all. Darker My Love was released on the Suburbia Soundtrack and I think, nowhere else. This is a studio version recorded in 2005. Politics is of course a Damned cover done TSOL style. It kicks ass! Enjoy this folks!
Ken

http://www.mediafire.com/?uum8w9amq6k96r9

Dag Nasty-Can I Say

What CAN I SAY....one of the most distinctive, original hardcore albums ever made. The moment I heard this it was like getting a punch in the face. Straight, direct and in your face melodicism by Dave Smalley, searing guitar lines by Brian Baker...just pure perfection. 30 minutes and then you are done. As much as I love Government Issue's albums Crash and You, this blows both of those away. This is one of my alltime favorite albums. I know this has been posted on other sites, but I wanted to pay my respect to one of the greatest albums ever made.
Ken

http://www.mediafire.com/?wkphvl5d39a8lq7

TSOL-Revenge

You know, I might get slighted on picking this one. But really...I don't care. I do "like" this version of TSOL before they went completely off of the map trying to be Guns N Roses. Change Today and Revenge were good rockin, punky albums that deserve to be listened to. I saw TSOL on this tour for Revenge as they played The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. My buddy and I went thinking that this would be a great show. The Catalyst is a 1000 seat venue (which I just saw X last weekend there)......there was a total of about 50 people there to see TSOL that night...wow. Anyways I did a stage dive and fell all the way to the ground and badly sprained my ankle....fun night. Everbody's A Cop sounds like TSOL of old.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ivx7cxru58ew7b5

1981, 1982, and 1983....What Does It Have To Do With Me

Since I did a favorite releases of 1983-1984 I noticed it was all UK based. Well I do like music from other countries, most notably mine. You see, I grew up during the golden age of Hardcore, so I thought I'd post my favorite 10 releases from that period.

#1

This one was an easy one. From 1980-1983 this band could do NO wrong. Period. Typical OC guitar playing, harmonies and surf drums round out a amazing debut.

#2

Another band that was flawless from 1981-1983...OC punk at its finest...not too mention some tasty surf tunes for us Cali types

#3

Coined the term HARDCORE? Maybe.....Still releasing great stuff to this day. Awesome live band and just plain legendary

#4

My only hometown release here....wow. You see I like melody and tasty guitar playing. Not that this release was Fresh Fruit #2, it was a different animal altogether. Much faster in pace, The DKs were trying their hand at hardcore and they succeed.

#5

One of my fave bands of alltime. Geekcore at its best. America's version of The Buzzcocks???

#6

Personality, power, originality....sporting one of the greatest frontmans of alltime? Yep. TSOL were HUGE in LA during their heyday. Since coming back they have retained the power of days of old

#7

The Blue Album....follows the OC way of life...soaring guitars, great background vocals, melody and the goold ole surf beat. What sets them apart is Tony's "Iggy meets Darby" vocals. Love them

#8

Ex Adolescents here...played many shows with DI, have seen them a million times, and yes, they follow the OC way!

#9

Funny that this is the only other out of state release on here. You see, I love Minor Threat, Effigies, AOF, Necros, Really Red, Big Boys, Minutemen, Kraut, Bad Brains, Government Issue and many more. It's just that the bands I am listing made a huge impact on me when I was around during those years.

#10

And last but not least. Almost from the OC comes CH3. Melody, power and just plain great songs. Still at it today and still as good!

My Favorite Releases Between 1983-1984...The Top 10

#1
Released in 1984, Perfection is all I can say. This was a slowed down version of The Abrasive Wheels. Adding melody and rocking guitar playing made this my alltime fave from these two years.

#2 This could also be a number one! Between this album and The Abrasive Wheels album, those two did not stray too far from my turntable. Del's playing on this was unbelievable!! I still love this!

#3 Some might pan this, but I actually liked this album a lot. Vice Squad slow things down a bit and add some crunch. Lia did a great job singing on this and to be honest, this whole era of Vice Squad was quite enjoyable.

#4 I love Oi! But I like the stuff with good melody...and yes the la la Business delivered on this. This still gets many plays at my house! An awesome band that still delivers to this day.

#5 The kings of Oi! What can be said about this amazing band that has not been said before. Still recording, playing live and taking them all.

#6 With personel changes the boys kept rolling in 1984. Not as good as Shock Troops but still full of piss n vinegar!

#7 Another band with personel changes and a little reinventing....A little more subdued than your typical Subs release, but I really dug this when it came out.

#8 I am sure this is will raise a few eyebrows. But hey it is my blog and I love this Ep! Getting into their more "rock" faze, but it still was a fantastic release!

#9 A band grows up in front of our eyes and pulls out their greatest moment! This album was sooo good.

#10 This was a tough choice..It was between Conflict's Increase The Pressure and Dem Bones...Dem Bones barely wins this one. This album has it aall...doomish apocalyptic thrash with Bones unmistakable riffs. Love this!

Blitz- New Age 7"

Just thought of something....I forgot to mention Blitz in my prior post about bands I dug in 1983....Blitz tops them all, and how in the hell could I forget that...especially when I have Blitz' Voice Of A Generation album cover on my arm....DOH! Anyways, Blitz holds a very special place in my heart. Even their Second Empire Justice album I like...maybe because I dig Joy Division! Anyways, this single is amazing and even to this day, I love listening to it!

http://www.mediafire.com/?a533p2pzh6pevng

Abrasive Wheels

Ok here is a treat for you all. But first some history! Back in 1983, that  was my big year for completely going punk. I listened to the music for a few years, but 1983 it was the year that I really became aware of a lot of bands. PATTB, The Business, Discharge, Broken Bones, Abrasive Wheels, Chron Gen, UK Subs, Angelic Upstarts (yeah I like UK punk more than N. America punk...so what) were all the rage for me. I have posted Black Leather Girl already and between that album, The Mating Sounds of North American Frogs, and Reason Why, those albums ruled my world. Fast forward to 2002 and the news that the Abrasive Wheels have reformed! Yes!!!!!!!!!! Well...... from the news that I was getting, was that they recorded a new album and were looking to release it. THEN, nothing....breakup and Shonna, finding new members...dunno if there was a falling out, though I kinda heard there was through the grapevine. What bugged me was that they recorded an album and I CANNOT HEAR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then comes the Nothing To Prove Ep and the album Skum....To my ears, they were alright, but nothing like the manic, When The Punks Go Marching In (and no, I did not expect them to make a MK II of that) or the sophistication of Black Leather Girl (which I hoped they did...). Well here is the album that was recorded, and I have to tell you, it is DAMN GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!. Melodic, rockin and has flourishes of BLG......on top of that, they do a total Motorhead version of Vicious Circle which just rocks beyond belief! Lullaby is my fave.....though there are many more strong tracks that rival it! Enjoy my treat. Hopefully Shonna does not make me takes this down.

 http://www.mediafire.com/?t7abeg065pkr6lo