The Kinks - One for the Road

Today's posts includes five live recordings, starting off with a classic one from the the criminally overlooked band the Kinks. I had this one on a double LP vinyl way back. Unfortunately, I did not take of it and it's all scratched up and had to throw it away, stupid me. Anyways, I got the CD reissue and had to contend with it.

I've been contemplating of posting this one for a long time since I bought it about 3 months ago but a bit hesitant since it's way off the "alley." I finally got the balls to post it and it really feels good. Anyway, it's only rock n' roll!

Enjoy!!!

The Kinks - One for the Road

Fugazi - Stage Dive Masters

This is a bootleg recording from the seminal DC band Fugazi. I think, this was part of the official bootleg series released by the band. I could be wrong, though I would love to get my hands on those 30+ volumes.

The recording itself is very descent for a bootleg, though the drums were pretty much "at the back" if you know what I mean. I can still remember downloading bootleg recordings from their Official Website. I downloaded their Peel Sessions and I'm tracking it down since I forgot where I backed it up. And there was this time where I'm on a steady diet of Fugazi. Though I must admit that I was less thrilled with their latter recordings. It became very experimental for my taste.

Anyways, this is a fine recording and a must have for any Fugazi fans and non-fans as well.

Fugazi - Stage Dive Masters

Killing Joke - Love Like Blood Live

Rockaplast, Germany on August 17 1985. This was the venue and the date of this recording. This was actually released under another title called ‘No Way Out But Forward Go.’ Among their live recordings, this is, in my opinion their best. With songs like The Wait, Kings & Queens, Tabazan, Eighties, Requiem and the title track. But the tracklisting for the last two songs were interchanged, instead of Chessboards, it says Adorations and vice-versa. But for the fans of Killing Joke like me, who gives a shit!

This is a great live album, download it and tell me if I'm lying.

Killing Joke - Love Like Blood Live

Social Distortion - Live at the Roxy

I love Social Distortion, so this record means a lot to me. This is their first record after moving out of Epic Records and into an indie label Time Bomb. This is a blistering set of something old (1945, Another State of Mind), something new (I Was Wrong), something borrowed (Under My Thumb) and something blue (Ring of Fire, sumthin' borrowed too, hehe). This record shows how these guys mature from years of touring and playing just about anywhere.

This was the final recording of Dennis Danell w/ the band before his untimely death due to brain aneurysm. It also featured Chuck Biscuits on drums, a one-time DOA drummer and a long-time Samhain, Danzig drummer.

I'm looking forward to a new SD record, should be out by '09. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Social Distortion - Live at the Roxy

D.O.A. - Talk Minus Action is Zero

The last of my 5 live posts, this is DOA's 1988 live record "Talk Minus Action is Zero." What can I say about DOA that hasn't been written already... well, nuthin'!!! So, here grab it and ENJOY!!!

DOA - Talk Minus Action is Zero

Sisters of Mercy - Some Girls Wander by Mistake

Mike of This Are Music suggested this record when I did a Sisters of Mercy double post. I had to get me this record when he said it included an excellent Stooges cover. But the irony of it all was that Terrorizer, my friend and contributor has this for a year or so. He only told me about this after seeing the comment of Mike.

In case you don't know it yet, this is a compilation of early Sisters of Mercy materials. It's worth the wait. Thanks to Mike and Terrorizer!

Sisters of Mercy - Some Girls Wander by Mistake

March Violets - The Botanic Verses

The March Violets enjoyed some success here in the Philippines during the 80s when a local radio station WXB 102.7 FM included their song Deep in their playlist. WXB played an almost exclusive all-import music, from New Wave to Goth and later Punk and Hardcore.

But all of that changed when two of their songs were included in the John Hughes movie "Somekind of Wonderful." The songs were "Turn to the Sky" plus a very excellent cover of the Stones song "Miss Amanda Jones."

Anyways, Botanic Verses is a collection of their early singles. You can hear traces of their label mates Sisters of Mercy in their earlier works but that's actually a plus in my book.

"The male/female vocal dynamic was definitely one of the March Violets' strong points, and their most successful tracks push that hard, whether it's the more immediately radio friendly dance-rock fury of "Walk Into the Sun" or the murkier edge of "Children on Stun." Plenty of other winners surface throughout: the slow-then-fast dank funk of "Slow Drip Lizard," the wonderfully vicious "Radiant Boys," the blunt "1 2 I Love You." by Ned Raggett

March Violets - The Botanic Verses

The Beauty of Doubt - The Nothing

The Beauty of Doubt is a Pinoi Hardcore that really kicks ass. They had a chance to open for Vitamin X when the latter toured Manila and they can actually hold their own. Standing toe-to-toe with Vitamin X is no small feat. (These are the words of Fishbone from Bad Omen, another great Pinoi punk band who sold me this CD, because I wasn't able to watch the gig for personal reasons.)

But I believe every word Fishbone said after just "one listen" to the CD. There are only a few bands that are in my "one listen" wonders and The Beauty of Doubt is one of them!

Download this and see for yourself. Enjoy!!!

For more info, click here for their myspace.

The Beauty of Doubt - The Nothing

Unrest - Imperial F.F.R.R.

Unrest's first full-length album. It continued the band's pop meanderings of their earlier singles and EPs. I best describe this release as Manic Pop Thrill. I totally enjoy listening to Unrest, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to them.

Enjoy!

Unrest - Imperial F.F.R.R.

Unrest - Perfect Teeth

One of the must-haves for any Indie scenesters. In my book, Unrest is up there with Sonic Youth, the Pixies, Butthole Surfers, Guided by Voices as Indie stalwarts.

Here's what Allmusic gotta say about Perfect Teeth:

Unrest's final and best album is both jangling and lush, and covers many styles of pop music. "Angel, I'll Walk You Home" is filled with pristine vocal harmonies, while "Cath Carroll" is flashy, thrashy punk-pop. "Light Command" is wistful and triumphant. "Breather X.O.X.O." is majestically melancholy, and "West Coast Love Affair" is breezy and tongue-in-cheek. Unrest's experimental and pop leanings come together with terrific success on Perfect Teeth, making it a high point in the band's too-brief recording career. by Heather Phares

Unrest - Perfect Teeth