Sky Church - Unaware/Unwarned

Unaware/Unwarned is the second release from these thrash, punk, hardcore noise-makers from the Philippines. They gained their notoriety when Jason Newsted, then with Metallica, visited the Philippines and jammed with some local bands. He was very impressed with Sky Church and I can't blame him. These brothers(!) are really, really good. Go and see for yourself!

Enjoy!

I grabbed the picture from ebay. hehehe


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VA - Half the Battle, Play, Feud 3-way Split

Pinoi comps galore! I've posted Deadly Rhythms from the Production Line & Deep Impact compilation and now the three-way split of Half the Battle, Play and Feud.

I saw Half the Battle for the first time when they opened for Eskapo when the latter toured their home country. I was totally blown away by their performance and quickly scrounge to anything they ever recorded. This is the only one I can find, for now.

PS: I only post Filipino releases to showcase them and to show the world what we have. So, all you Pinoi Punks, go to Cartimar Recto and buy these releases. The bands need your support!

Special thanks to Lena Johnston for the scans. More power!

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VA - Deadly Rhythms from the Production Line

Another excellent Pinoi compilation. Istukas Over Disneyland (a great punk band from the Philippines), Killratio (hardcore from the Philippines), La Grita (thrash punk from California) and Eskapo (Fil-Am hardcore from Vallejo, California).

PS: I only post Filipino releases to showcase them and to show the world what we have. So, all you Pinoi Punks, go to Cartimar Recto and buy these releases. The bands need your support!

Special thanks to Lena Johnston for the scans. More power!


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VA - Deep Impact

This is a four-way "international" split from Brutal Assault from Israel, Bloody Rejects from Singapore, Omerta & No Peace in Silince both from the Philippines.

This is an awesome, ear-splitting record of metallic chaos! Enjoy!

PS: I only uploaded Filipino bands to showcase them and to show the world what we have. So, all you Pinoi punks, go to Cartimar Recto and buy these stuff! Support the band they needed it.

Special thanks to Lena Johnston for the scans. More Power!

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Valley Girl OST

I don’t know what’s gotten over me, but I was feeling kind of nostalgic lately that I feel the urge to posts these soundtracks here. I remember back in High School that me and my buddies would cut classes just to watch Decline of Western Civilization, Sid & Nancy, Great Rock n Roll Swindle, the Jam concert , Suburbia in Betamax format. Hahaha, those were the daze.

Anyways, the soundtracks here now considered classics. SLC Punk & Suburbia OST’s are no-brainers, it’s up my alley, BUT Valley Girl & Sixteen Candles? Well, I still have my New Wave roots in me. But I got to admit that I haven’t seen Valley Girl though I recently bought the DVD in “pirate land.” While I saw Sixteen Candles years later after its release in a local channel. My friend bought me the Sixteen Candles Soundtrack and a New Order Maxi Single (Thieves Like Us) when he got back from Japan. I sold the Thieves Like Us single but kept the Sixteen Candles OST. Also, the Less Than Zero SOundtrack is amazing simply because of Slayer’s version of In A Gadda Da Vida alone. Just like March Violet’s version of the Rolling Stone’s classic Miss Amanda Jones in the Some Kind of Wonderful OST.

And who can forget Pump Up the Volume (which includes contributions from the Pixies, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden just to name a few) or Some Kind of Wonderful

Personally, I was never a fan of teen flicks such as Pretty in Pink and the like, and the only reason why I watched them was because of the soundtracks.

Anyways, hope you liked my little nostalgia trip!

Enjoy!


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More Music from the Valley Girl Soundtrack

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Pump Up the Volume OST

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Less Than Zero OST

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SLC Punk OST

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Suburbia OST

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Pretty in Pink OST

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Sixteen Candles OST

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Some Kind of Wonderful OST

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the Lost Boys OST

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Sugar - Besides

This is a request. Enjoy!

Few bands released as many smokin' B-sides as Sugar, and here are 12 of those songs, plus some of the live versions and solo versions that also appeared on the EPs. If you've never heard such ashen cuts as "Mind Is an Island," "And You Tell Me," the live cover of the Who's "Armenia City in the Sky," and Barbe's "Anyone," you have them all served up on a single platter for you. It's fair to consider this a fourth Sugar LP, as without a doubt it is commensurate with the quality and greatness of the other three. The first 25,000 or so of this compilation came with a bonus CD recorded on the File Under: Easy Listening tour. Far from being just some ho-hum nicety, the live CD is ungodly. What a punishing trio! The opening "Gift" alone is enough to stop the heart stone-still dead; Bob Mould's opening guitar squeals are so revved up you feel like someone put his amp against your ear. "Changes" is almost unrecognizable and takes on an entirely new dimension as a speed-burner. "Gee Angel" sounds as if the entire stage will explode at its rocket launch. "Going Home" seems twice the speed of the original, and twice as cruel too -- it feels like being thrown from a car! Barbe's McCartney-ish booming bass is the perfect, supple support. Drummer Malcolm Travis' thunder-slam of a snare drum and anvil-dropping 16th-note rolls are as devastating as a 400-pound weight dropped on your head, whipping so furiously. After 100 to 150 plays, this recording still captivates like the Kennedy-assassination Zapruder film, only the gore here is the broken down and painful human relationships that come spilling out of Mould's mouth and the viciousness of the band's tight playing and air raid attack. (AMG)


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Bob Mould - Workbook

It should be obvious by now that I'm a big Bob Mould fan. From his work in Husker Du, his solo works and with Sugar's. So posting his first two solo records Workbook and Black Sheets of Rain is not a shocker. Plus I also included the Beaster EP and File Under: Easy Listening both by Sugar.

I made a promise that I'm going to post these releases and here they are. Enjoy!


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Bob Mould - Black Sheets of Rain

A scalding, monolithic collection of soul-baring lyrics and primal guitars, Black Sheets of Rain is extremely powerful musically, but is also slightly monotonous. Nevertheless, the record features several inspired songs from Mould, including the catchy single "It's Too Late."

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Sugar - Beaster

Sugar's Beaster is actually outtakes from their previous dynamite album, Copper Blue. It comes off as some kind of deranged, ugly sister of that sparking album, a yin to Copper's yang, a violent, angry, and seething wall of aggression with (this time) little concession to Bob Mould's pop prowess. Perhaps the most densely recorded, heavy trip the man has produced since Hüsker Dü's Metal Circus in 1983, Beaster is what you might get if Mould had been in the mood to construct a full album of songs like "Slick"'s insanity instead of "Helpless" and "Changes"'s monster hooks. Not that it doesn't still make for great listening once one gets used to the change in focus. "Feeling Better" could have made Copper, with its hooky base (more so than the others here), and the best song, "Titled," is ferocious, fast, furious, and a total knockout, the most aurally exciting post-Hüsker Dü track yet. Again, David Barbe and Malcolm Travis are such a superior rhythm section to Grant Hart and Greg Norton, Sugar is a better update rather than nostalgic reinvention, and bits of Zen Arcade and Black Sheets of Rain aside, Mould has never come off so twisted and out of his gourd. "Come Around"'s "vocals" are all but demonic, and "Judas Cradle" matches metal pounding with MBV/Sonic Youth brutal tones slashing out of the guitars, which gives way to "JC Auto"'s meld of "The Act We Act"-style pounding into a thundering, insane, heavy chorus. When Bob starts seething "I'm your Jesus Christ, I know, I know, I know," you wonder what exactly inspired these straitjacket fits! Man, that's something. Now, there is one major flaw: all the songs need an editor, as with excessive length they approach overkill from too much repetition. Never mind. This is a pretty killer experience more than a record. Whereas Copper Blue made you want to sing along, Beaster makes you hide under the bed. Can't say they didn't warn you; Beaster is well-titled.

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Sugar - File Undeer: Easy Listening

Given Bob Mould's reputation for searing electric rock & roll, it may be easy to think that the title of File Under: Easy Listening is ironic, and it is to a certain extent. But beneath the loud guitars lie the friendliest, most relaxed pop songs Mould had ever written. "Your Favorite Thing" and "Can't Help You Anymore" are two of Mould's most direct, pop-oriented songs, driven by instantly memorable melodies and hooks; they are also the most conventional songs on the record. The best moments come when Sugar push the boundaries a bit, whether it's on the country-rock of "Believe What You're Saying," the swirling "What You Want It to Be" and "Company Book," the searching ballad "Panama City Motel," or "Explode and Make Up," which bristles even at its most delicate moments. Mould throws in one classic spite-fueled rocker, "Granny Cool," but the record's finest moment is "Gee Angel," a powerhouse melodic scorcher.

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VA - New Wave of British Heavy Metal

New Wave of British Heavy Metal

I have to admit I wasn’t aware of this movement until Metallica, specifically Lars Ulrich introduced it to the world at large. Bands like Diamond Head and Angel Witch are totally foreign to me though Tygers of Pan Tang, Venom & Samson are not that new to me.

But I was totally blown away by their music, raw and powerful, a very potent combination indeed.

Anyways, I came to love their music. I hope you feel the same way as I do.

Enjoy!!!


Downlaod Here

CD 1

CD 2

VA - Homage: Tribute to the Descendents

Homage: a Tribute to the Descendents

The Descendents is one of the earliest hardcore bandsd from L.A. They have carved a niche in the hardcore history by writing “love songs” while everyone else are pissed with “everything around them.” Don’t get me wrong, they are one of the meanest, tightest groups ever, but they are not afraid to write and sing songs about girls, which was kind of considered taboo back in the day. Another band that comes to mind when it comes to not being afraid not to conform is Redd Kross. They did a cover of God Thunder while playing in CBGB’s with Circle Jerks & DOA (I think).

Enjoy!!!



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VA - I Wanna be a Stooges: Tribute to the Stooges

I Wanna Be a Stooge: A Tribute to the Stooges

The Kings of Proto-Punk! They were the template for most punk bands and became the yardstick in which punk bands are measured. Bands like the Pistols and the Damned worshipped.

This is an international tribute, bands from Japan, Australia, UK and the US of A all paid their respects to the band that kick started a revolution.

I was very thankful to find this in the bargain bin of the local Tower Records. It’s a kickass record so grab ‘em now.


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Pack / SOL Southeast Asian Tour Promo CD

Aside from the Cluster Bomb Unit gig here in the philippines, this is the gig i regret to miss. i'm so pissed that i missed these gigs. though i was able to procure the complementary CD's. that's the only consolation. hope you enjoy this as much as i do.

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Sugar - Copper Blue

I will never forget this record. Why? Because my sister liked it! Yeah, you heard it right, my eldest sister, a fifty something elementary teach actually liked it. It's not usually a good thing if your sister which is 20 years senior to you actually liked what you're listening. But I will make an exception with this record, because it's a really, really good record! It all started when I asked her to buy me COpper Blue since she's going to the mall and I'm too lazy to go out myself. It was in the early 90's and I was listening heavily on crossover/thrash metal thing, with occassional Sonic Youth, Pixies, Black Flag & Minor Threat on the side. When she came back, I immediately played it. And you know what she said? "That's a good record, unlike what you're listening daily. You should listen to that record more often." I was totally blown away by her remark, I was totally caught unprepared by it. I wouldn't normally listen to my sister's musical recommendations but I think this time she's right. It's not I'm going to abandon Slayer, Nuclear Assault, DRI, Black Flag, Bad Brains & Descendents, but I will surely take her advice into consideration. Afterall, it's really, really good.

Take my sister's advice: "Listen to Copper Blue more often."

Enjoy!


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New Model Army - History

It's been a long time since my last post, or so it seems. I got hooked in playing Vampire Wars - haha! Anyways, here's another bargain bin find. I can't really understand why this record is in a bargain bin but it was and it suits me well. Here's a band that needs no introduction. This is their singles collection from 1985 to 1991. If you're a fan, this is a must-have, for the uninitiated, this is a good record to start with, an introduction to this great band! Enjoy!

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Dean's December - Chemical Wedding

This is a recent request for a Re-up. This time it's Deans December, a Filipino New Wave/Post Punk outfit from the 8o's. This is their self-release record called Chemical Wedding. All the songs here are in English and they're really, really good! Why don't you check it out for yourselves and find out how good this band was.

Sorry I don't have a scanner and can't find the cover for this one.

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VA - Fatal Response

There's a request for a re-up for this TRC compilation. Enjoy!

Tracklist

01. Dead Ends - New Life
02. GI & the Idiots - Broken Lineage
03. GI & the Idiots - Nine Years in Service
04. GI & the Idiots - the Flag
05. WUDS - Patay Buhay
06. WUDS - Inosente Lang ang Nagtataka
07. Urban Bandits - News fo the World
08. Urban Bandits - Battle of Mendiola
09. Zoot Suit - Look at that Boy
10. Zoot Suit - Suit Yourself
11. Dead Ends - Don't Drop Your Guns

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VA - Cupid's Revenge

I found out something. My DVD writer can’t read some of my old CDs. When we went to my sister’s house last weekend, I tried those CDs in my old PC and it worked. So I ripped them all! I’m also having problems with my ripper. Damn! Anyways, enough with my problems.

As I told you on my Valentine’s post, I was supposed to post this on that day but since my DVD writer’s been acting strangely I wasn’t able to. I bought this CD on a bargain bin. I quickly grabbed it upon seeing the tracklist. Though I got to admit that I already have most of the songs here but seeing collected into one CD is pretty amazing to me. I can’t resist it, I just got to buy it..

There are lot’s of great tracks here and particularly the Vandal’s version of that Grease song Summer Lovin’. Nothing really special about their version except that they just punked it up really good which is all I’m looking for. Hahaha. Also, there a classics here like the SImpletones’ I Have a Date (the Vandals have a version of this song as well from the Quickening OST I guess). The Dickies’ version of Rosemary is awesome (reminds of someone I lost years & years back). Stand out tracks here are the Nuns’ Do You Want Me on My Knees and the closing song, the Rotters’ Sit on My Face Stevie Nicks. Need I say more? Enjoy!

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Social Distortion - Girls cars & Loud Guitars

This is a limited CD released only in Germany (I think). This CD collects most of their B-sides o mostly cover songs of country/rockabilly and a Bob Dylan (Lonesome Train). Plus 3 very familiar SD songs, Ball & Chain (edit), Bad Luck (Live Acoustic) and Ball & Chain (Live Acoustic). I love this record. Enjoy!

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Bob Mould - Poison Years

I have to admit that I actually not very thrilled to Bob Mould’s solo efforts. Then I found this CD in the early 2000. I already have the Sugar records Copper Blue & File Under: Easy Listening so I though, wtf it’s Bob Mould! I bought it and was totally blown away by it. He did not lose any of his power & brilliance after the demise of Husker Du, if not even matured, in a really good way. What am I thinking, avoiding his solo records? There's only one left to do, I have to scrounge every record store here the Philippines just to get a hold of Bob Mould’s back catalog – Workbook, Black Sheets of Rain, etc. Good thing I was able to track 'em down. I won't forgive myself if I wasn't able to find them. I'll be very pisssed!

Anyways, I’ll be posting my Sugar & Bob Mould’s records in the near future. Meanwhile, I gotta get back to FB to play VW. Adios for now mi amigos. Hope you enjoy the posts.

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Pailhead - Trait EP & I Will Refuse/No Bunny Single

Talk about unholy alliance. Pailhead is a side-project of Al Jourgensen of Ministry and Ian Mackaye of Minor Threat & Fugazi. Ian Mackaye’s straight-edge stance and Al Jourgensen’s legendary substance abuse make this collaboration really, really interesting. Posted here is their 4-song EP Trait and the No Bunny/I Will Refuse single. Yes it’s industrial but with an edge. I actually downloaded this probably a year ago and I forgot from what blog I actually snagged this gem.

Enjoy!

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Scruffy The Cat - Tiny Days

Part of the fertile late-'80s Boston music scene that included the Blake Babies, the Lemonheads, and Buffalo Tom, when it came to making a clang, Scruffy the Cat favored traditional instruments such as harmonicas and banjos to the wall of distortion of their contemporaries. That's not to say the songs on Tiny Days don't rock, however. Using great sing-song melodies and a relentless backbeat, Scruffy transform basic pop songs like "Time Never Forgets" and "Thomas Doubter" into roots rock workouts; a New England, clam chowdery version of Jason & the Scorchers or Steve Earle. (AMG)


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Scruffy The Cat - Moons of Jupiter

Scruffy the Cat followed their highly enjoyable debut with Moons of Jupiter, which substitutes quantity for quality on 16 new songs. The band's crisp roots rock sound is intact, but the songs don't stick, and the album's kitschy "space age" theme seems like a half-baked attempt to find something -- anything -- to sing about. The album is easy on the ears, but the band was sliding by on pure, uninspired songcraft at this point, assembling superficially adequate songs with little substance. In places even the performances break down, as with the weak vocal on "Keith's Lament," and it came as no surprise when Scruffy the Cat disbanded afterwards. (AMG)


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Bystorm/Pulling Teeth Split

Bystorm

We started out around 2003-2004 as a side project that eventually evolved into a full-time hardcore machine. Influenced by the early-mid 90's hardcore scene, which is the music they grew up with, they set out to shake the very foundations of the local hardcore punk scene which was plagued by the commercially oriented 'hardcore' types to the non-stop whining artsy-fartsy types (when they have everything in the world and no reason to whine about). Our first release was a split CD with local HC contempraries, SAUNA from Batangas, which gave a sign of things to come for the local scene. We have recently released our second effort, a split CD with Baltimore's finest, PULLING TEETH! This split was released with the help of the guys from Take Four Collectie, Major Malfunction and Delusion of Terror Records. Check this CD out, as we believe this is our finest effort so far, and if not for us, check out the PT side! F'n awesome band!! Thanks to everyone who helped us out and showed their support to our recently concluded Malaysia/Singapore Tour and we're seriously considering doing it again because it is the best times we had as a band! (from Bystorm Myspace )

Pulling Teeth
Hometown: Baltimore, MD USA

Mike: Vocals
Dom: Guitar
Mitchell: Guitar
Chris: Bass
Alex: Drums

Pulling Teeth are a brutal metallic hardcore/punk band from Baltimore, MD.

Featuring former members of Slumlords, The Spark, Desperate Measures, and Never Enough, they play a furious style of metal influenced hardcore. Combining the classic power of Integrity and Poison Idea, with the apocalyptic heaviness of newer bands Cursed, Tragedy, etc.

Pulling Teeth released "Vicious Skin" on Chainsaw Safety/A389 in late 2006. The album was considered the sleeper punk/hardcore album of the year, receiving fantastic reviews from press worldwide.

In early 2007, Pulling Teeth released a split 7"EP with UK's Frightener on Dom's label, A389. A release that was followed up by their beast of an album "Martyr Immortal on Deathwish in 2008.

"Paranoid Delusions | Paradise Illusions" is the latest work from Baltimore hardcore mainstays, Pulling Teeth. Painstakingly recorded and engineered by Chris Camden at Ultrasound over a three month period, "Paranoid Delusions | Paradise Illusions" is a conceptual piece of immense artistic depth and darkness.

Songs like the bruising "Unsatisfied" dig deep to reveal monstrous dirges that rival any doom metal artist. While the Slayer influenced "Bloodwolves" is as volatile and infectious as a song can be. Though the aforementioned songs are truly brilliant works, it is Pulling Teeth's new found mastery of emotional ebb and flow which shines as their real strength. This awe inducing quality is revealed in the stunning two title tracks, "Paranoid Delusions | Paradise Illusions". Collectively both songs are a monumental achievement of soulful guitar work, Moog driven textures, and insightful prose. A near perfect example of how a band can evolve without abandoning the heart and raw energy that defines the "hardcore/punk" genre at its very core. (from Deathwish Inc. website)

Btw, this is a request from Putang-I-Nas. He also requested the New Names fro Old Desires compilation.

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VA - New Names for Old Desires

This is another release from Take 4 Collective. It’s actually a 4-way split with Nuclear Punishment, Isvarah, Prayer for Endurance & Forgiveness Denied. It’s a really ear-splitting record. I believe the compilation is now out-of-print but if you have a chance to buy the album, do so. Please support the scene!

Tracklist:

Nuclear Punishment

1. Turbo Kabaong Showcase
2. Shabu
3. Girl
4. Moron Ensemble
5. Succubus

Isvarah

6. Digging Graves
7. Hypocrisy
8. Fear is the Limit
9. Fire
10. Soulless

Prayer for Endurance

11. Sinners Among Saints
12. Parameter
13. Messhiah Complex
14. Broken Halo
15. Last Minute Revelation

Forgiveness Denied

16. Catacombs of Clouds
17. Harsh Reality
18. Another Memory Dies
19. Merciless
20. My Beloved Cancer
21. Nothing But Death

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Verbal Abuse - Red, White & Violent

This is Verbal Abuse’s 1995 release. The music is not what you expect from Verbal Abuse circa Just An American Band but somewhat an extension of Rocks Your Liver. This is thrash metal dudes! And it’s a good one. One might say it’s a little bit late for that crossover thing but personally I don’t mind. I always go for the music and not what’s “hot” or “hip” today. Give it a listen, you won’t be disappointed. Thanks to Terrorizer for giving me a copy of this gem.

Enjoy!!!


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Dream Syndicate - Days of Wine & Roses

What can I say about this record that hasn’t been said before? Nothing really. This is a classic! Infusing elements of Velvet Underground, a dash of The Doors and The Byrds and a hint of Dylan, Days of Wine & Roses was quickly lumped with the Paisley Rock of the eighties. But personally I think this one has a lot more to offer. From the first track “Tell Me When It’s Over” to the Dylanesque “Definitely Clean” to Kendra Smith’s haunting “Too Little Too Late” and of course the title track. This record is a winner and every body should own this record.

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Kylesa - Time Will Fuse Its Worth

This is a band that refuses to be categorized (who needs it anyway). Ok, they are essentially a metal band but hardcore, psychedelic, stoner, doom influences are so overwhelming that one might wonder what the f@#k are these guys up to. I was first introduced to this band early in 2006 by a friend of mine who’s into grindcore. It was their second album called “To Walk a Middle Course.” The album title says a lot about the band and their musical style. He gave me a copy of the record and I gave it a quick spin. I was totally blown away by it. Plus the album cover is unmistakably Pushead’s, and that’s a big plus in my book. Anyways, here’s their 2006 release “Time Will Fuse Its Worth.” You’re gonna enjoy this one for sure.

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Punk Luv Songs

This is a hurried-up post. I was supposed to post my Cupid’s Revenge CD for Valentine’s Day but somehow the computer can’t seem to read the CD. So there’s no way I can rip it. So I did the next best thing, I (tried) to compile every punk love (not!) songs I can think of and put it on a compilation. I was so immersed with what I’m doing that when I checked the list, it’s already 32 songs. And I know I still have tons of songs I left out. So forgive me if I left out song “obvious” songs that should’ve been included but I just got to stop at 32.

Even the covers are hurried-up. Anyways, I hope you like it.

Happy VD (valentine's day) to y’all!!!

Enjoy!

CD1

1. Teenage Kicks - the Undertones
2. I Have a Date - the Simpletones
3. Just Fade Away - Stiff Little Fingers
4. My Girlfriend's Dead - the Vandals
5. Rosemary - the Dickies
6. You're Too Possesive - the Runaways
7. Caught with the Meat in Your Mouth - Dead Boys
8. Ever Fallen in Love - Buzzcocks
9. Until I Say So - All
10. Nothing With You - Descendents
11. Next to You - the Police
12. Never Meant to be This Way - Betrayed
13. She's a Sensation - Ramones
14. Green Eyes - Husker Du
15. Love Song - the Damned
16. Another Girl, Another Planet - the Only Ones

Punk Luv Songs CD1

CD2

1. Gimme Some Head - GG Allin
2. Babby, Youre So Repulsive - Crime
3. Sit on My Face Stevie Nicks - the Rotters
4. Ballad of Extreme Hate - Halo of Flies
5. In My Eyes - Circle Jerks
6. Jealous Again - Black Flag
7. 1-2 Crush on You - the Clash
8. Cold Love - Cult Maniax
9. What is This Shit Called Love - the Pagans
10. Lipstick on Your COllar - the Saints
11. Gonna Make You Mine - Thee Mighty Caesars
12. In Love - the Plague
13. Sick of You - the Users
14. Forbidden Love - Slickee Boys
15. Teenager in Love - Erazerhead
16. I Hate You - Verbal Abuse

Punk Luv Songs CD2

Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes

My friend the Terrorizer gave me a CD compilation of 90’s so-called ‘alternative” hits like Liz Phair, Oasis, the Murmurs, My Bloody Valentine and so on. Though all of the songs are really good, one song stood out, lyrically, Juliana Hatfield’s ‘My Sister.’ It goes like…

“miss my sister, why’d she go ?
Shes the one who would have taken me
To my first all-ages show.
It was the violent femmes and the del fuegos,
Before they had a record out. before they went gold,
And started to grow.”

This song reminded me of my high school days and the radio station WXB 102.7 FM. This radio station opened the eyes of Filipino youth to the new music of the 80’s. From punk, hardcore, goth and new wave. They played everything from ‘famous’ like Depeche Mode & Echo & the Bunnymen to the ‘obscure’ like Under Two Flags, Half Man Half Biscuit and Classix Nouveaux. They also got this program called Capitol Radio for which they played punk, hardcore and other stuff.

Anyways, Violent Femmes received regular airtime thanks to Blister in the Sun and Gone Daddy Gone while the Del Fuegos received minimal airplay but they’re still given airtime as well. Man, good times indeed. I remember being glued to the radio every chance I get.

I’m gonna say it now, WXB 102.7 changed my life!

Enough about nostalgia and let’s talk about the posts. I’ve posted Violent Femmes’ debut album and their second ‘Hallowed Ground’ and Del Fuegos’ Longest Day & Boston, Mass. Just scroll down to find the links to the posts. It’s individually posted.

Enjoy!

Here's what AMG has to say about the VIolent Femmes' self-titled debut:

"One of the most distinctive records of the early alternative movement and an enduring cult classic, Violent Femmes weds the geeky, child-man persona of Jonathan Richman and the tense, jittery, hyperactive feel of new wave in an unlikely context: raw, amateurish acoustic folk-rock. The music also owes something to the Modern Lovers' minimalism, but powered by Brian Ritchie's busy acoustic bass riffing and the urgency and wild abandon of punk rock, the Femmes forged a sound all their own. Still, the main reason Violent Femmes became the preferred soundtrack for the lives of many an angst-ridden teenager is lead singer and songwriter Gordon Gano. Naive and childish one minute, bitterly frustrated and rebellious the next, Gano's vocals perfectly captured the contradictions of adolescence and the difficulties of making the transition to adulthood. Clever lyrical flourishes didn't hurt either; while "Blister In the Sun" has deservedly become a standard, "Kiss Off"'s chant-along "count-up" section, "Add It Up"'s escalating "Why can't I get just one..." couplets, and "Gimme the Car"'s profanity-obscuring guitar bends ensured that Gano's intensely vulnerable confessions of despair and maladjustment came off as catchy and humorous as well. Even if the songwriting slips a bit on occasion, Gano's personality keeps the music engaging and compelling without overindulging in his seemingly willful naiveté. For the remainder of their career, the group would only approach this level in isolated moments."

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Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground

After the surprise success of their landmark debut, Violent Femmes could have just released another collection of teen-rage punk songs disguised as folk, and coasted into the modern rock spotlight alongside contemporaries like the Modern Lovers and Talking Heads. Instead they made Hallowed Ground, a hellfire-and-brimstone-beaten exorcism that both enraged and enthralled critics and fans alike. Like Roger Waters purging himself of the memories of his father's death through The Wall and The Final Cut, bandleader Gordon Gano uses the record to expel his love/hate relationship with religion, and the results are alternately breathtaking and terrifying. Contrary to initial public response, Hallowed Ground is not a parody. Gano, the son of a Baptist minister, may wear his faith like a badge of honor, but it's a badge, not a shield, and what keeps the songs so volatile is the fact that they're filtered through the eyes, ears, heart, and loins of a teenager. Like the first record, all of the songs on Hallowed Ground were written during Gano's high-school years -- he was barely in his twenties when it was released -- resulting in a perfect rendering of the sweetness and brutality of the postpubescent teen, especially on the album's centerpiece; a searing indictment of loyalties broken and the snitches that break them, "Never Tell" is the perfect balm for the bloody righteousness of youth, and when Gano screams, "I'll stand right up in the heart of Hell/I never tell," it's hard not to stand right beside him. Christian imagery aside, Hallowed Ground is not as polarizing as some make it out to be. The band explores gothic Appalachian folk and child murder on the banjo-fueled "Country Death Song," bawdy and bluesy Lou Reed-inflected infatuation on "Sweet Misery Blues," and nuclear holocaust on the brooding title track, leaving little doubt that this is the same band that penned underground classics like "Gone Daddy Gone" and "Add It Up." Even the decidedly politically uncorrect "Black Girls," with its free jazz mid-section that includes everything from jaw harp to the screaming alto sax of John Zorn and the Horns of Dilemma, is full of the same smirk and swagger that made "Blister in the Sun" the soundtrack to so many people's halcyon days. The Femmes are nothing if not true to themselves, and Hallowed Ground is a testament to their tenacity, courage, and sheer obliviousness to industry ogling. Each track is as naked as it is bursting with ideas, and as the landscape changes, the band changes with it, leaving the listener at a crossroads; with each incantation, growling invective, and honey-whispered promise, they're forced to either jump off the gospel train or ride it along with them into the mouth of Hell. [from AMG]

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Del Fuegos - The Longest Day

The Del Fuegos were proud sons of Boston, Massachusetts, but you might not have guessed that by listening to their debut album, The Longest Day, which mixed the swaggering thunder of heartland garage rock with the rootsy twang of Dixie-fried rockabilly and roots-conscious rock 'n' roll. While the band would later claim that producer Mitchell Froom slicked back their sound considerably from that of their raucous club shows, which earned them their hometown reputation, the results actually capture the band's swing and stomp without an excess of sonic affectation (something that would later become Froom's hallmark), reveling in the crack of Brent "Woody" Giessmann's drums, and the bark of Dan and Warren Zanes' guitars. And if Dan and Warren's songs didn't exactly stretch the boundaries of early rock archetypes, they honored the traditions in the best ways -- by playing roots rock with sweat, fire, good humor, and a lot of heart and soul. And you just can't argue the genius of this line from "When The News Is On": "And sometimes love is a lot like a shoe/ You run around too much and it'll fall apart." The Longest Day isn't the sort of album likely to change the way you look at rock and roll, but it will probably remind you why you love the stuff, and that's more than enough reason to slap it into your stereo and turn it up. [from AMG]

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Del Fuegos - Boston, Mass.

The Del Fuegos' debut album, The Longest Day, sounded like a great bar band roaring through a beer-fueled set on a Saturday night, but their sophomore effort, Boston, Mass., found the group sanding off a few of their rough edges and adding a touch of pop polish to their sound. While producer Mitchell Froom had added keyboards to a few cuts on The Longest Day, he's much more of a presence on this set, and the slinky romanticism of "I Still Want You" and the late night vibe of "Coup De Ville" are more adventurous in their conception and approach than anything on the first album. The Del Fuegos' energy and no-frills rock & roll attitude carried them over the rough spots on The Longest Day, and here it helps them skate past the slick spots of Boston, Mass.; the interplay between Dan Zanes and Warren Zanes' guitars may be tighter, but they still know when to crank up the amps and how to leave some space to breathe, and bassist Tom Lloyd and drummer Woody Geissman remain a crack rhythm section who keep this music in gear at all times. Beyond a bit more gloss than it needs, the greatest flaw of Boston, Mass. is that the band didn't have quite as many good songs at their disposal as they did on the debut, but while it's not the group's best album, it comes in as a close second and time has been kind to it. [from AMG]

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Lux Interior - Rest in Peace

This is kind of late post but I can't ignore the passing of one of my heroes. Lux Interior lived and breathed rock n' roll. During the early to mid 70's, while everybody's going the punk way, the Cramps went the other way. The most punk rock thing to do. They opened the door to future "stars" like Stray Cats and Pussy Galore. They also brought to my attention the musicians that should have been "lost & forgotten". Bands like the Novas, the Sonics... I could have passed these bands by if not for the Cramps.

I can still remember the first Cramps song I heard, "This one's dedicated to all you Gucci bag carriers out there, it's called You Got Good Taste." Damn, I haven't heard that song for some twenty plus years but the it's still in my head as if I just played it a minute ago.

Anyways, this one's for you Lux!

the Cramps - Psychedelic Jungle/Gravest Hits

Agression - The Best of

Agression was an American rock band from Silver Strand Beach, Oxnard, California, and considered[who?] one of the most influential founding bands of the Nardcore sound within the hardcore punk scene, and are generally considered the creators of the subgenre "skate punk", being the first band to fuse the skate culture with the punk scene- featuring a song about skateboarding (Intense Energy), and a skater in a pool as album art on the on the cover of their first and most popular album, "Don't be Mistaken".
Agression was very well known for its fast-paced, aggressive songs such as "Slammin' at the Club", "Money Machine", "Intense Energy", "Never Alone", "Go to War", and "Locals Only.”

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Amen - We've Come for Your Parents

This California, USA-based outfit transformed their underground status into mainstream success by ladling their high-energy take on nu-metal with venomous helpings of raw punk attitude. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1994 by Casey Chaos (b. Manhattan, New York, USA; vocals) and Paul Fig (guitar). A veteran of the Californian scene, Chaos had enjoyed a brief spell with Christian Death and recorded with his own hardcore outfit, Disorderly Conduct. Drummer Shannon Larkin (ex-Ugly Kid Joe; Wrathchild America) and two former members of Snot, guitarist Sonny Mayo and John "Tumor" Fahnestock, completed the line-up which recorded Amen's independent label debut, Slave. Three years later the band achieved their major breakthrough when their second album was overseen by leading nu-metal producer Ross Robinson, and marketed through the partnership between his I Am imprint and Roadrunner Records. Chaos allegedly shed real blood during recording sessions in an attempt to recreate the near-anarchic energy of the band's live shows, arguably succeeding on tracks such as "Coma America" and "Whores Of Hollywood".
A troubled period followed, however, as the band embarked on a shambolic tour with Slipknot, Coal Chamber and Dope, during which Chaos was accused of destroying the latter's equipment. Relations with Roadrunner fell apart after several other incidents, and not long afterwards the band found themselves the beneficiaries of I Am's new distribution contract with Virgin Records. Robinson assumed the production reins once more for the recording of the band's wonderfully-titled sophomore set, We Have Come For Your Parents. Released in October 2000, this album saw the band's attacks on consumer society and organised religion reaching new heights of vitriol on the tracks "Mayday" and "Under The Robe".
Record company problems exacerbated the band members' tenuous working relatioship, and Fig left the band the following November. Larkin, Mayo and Fahnestock departed soon after leaving Chaos as the only original member. He was forced to search for another deal without a regular band, and began recording new material with a number of session musicians. Chaos eventually signed to the new label formed by System Of A Down's Daron Malakian and released Amen's fourth album, Death Before Musick, in summer 2004.(NME)

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Gothic Slam - Killer Instinct

Gothic Slam were a thrash metal band from New Jersey, USA that were formerly knows as Stryker. "Killer Instinct" was their first release and thus far has only been released on vinyl and cassette. Their style is urban thrash metal with a bit of groove and a whole lot of East Coast attitude. For the most part Gothic Slam stear clear of speed-for-speed-sake, technical wankery and artistic embellishment and rely more on heavy mid-paced riffs and memorable songwriting. Lyrically it's all about the morally sick society we live in, not unlike something you would expect from Suicidal Tendencies or Anthrax.

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