Wheelz of Steel - Volume One (1982/3)

     So I realize I haven't been posting a lot due to work and school eating up most of my time so I thought I'd post something extra for this weekend.  A friend showed me this record awhile back, and its one of of my favorite things in my collection.  Wheelz of Steel was a Rock/Metal, band out of Wisconsin.  The band consisted of Raymond Markowski and Richard Markowski(twin brothers) and "T-R".  T-R was what they called their drum machine, something from the Roland TR series.  This LP is 8 tracks of amazingness, from songs about underage crushes becoming legal, being rock n roll leaders, and traveling through space.   Rumor has it that they used the name Wheelz of Steel because they were in wheelchairs.  At points this LP drifts off into an almost post-punk sound due to the drum machines and ripping guitar styles.  For fans of Hawkwind, Chrome and future metal.

If you choose to download one thing from this blog, this is it.

have fun,
-j

Wheelz of Steel - Volume One (1982/3)
1.  Lady's 18
2.  Outerspace Man
3.  Soul Giver
4.  Cold People
5.  Why Me/Thrills
6.  Rocker
7.  Tortcher City
8.  Madman

Wheelz of Steel

Stew Lane & The Untouchables - Play This Song(1980)

      I think this will be the last post for today, but its a fun one.  I don't think I can quite do a good job of explaining this record or the madness that is Stew Lane( Stewart MacFarlane).  The best i can do is leave one of their music videos here for a demo of what's in store.

Support Stew Lane & The Untouchables and hear their LP on CDBaby.

-j

Stew Lane & The Untouchables - Play This Song(1980)

1.  Play This Song

2.  Perpetrator

Stew Lane & The Untouchables

Los Microwaves - Radio Heart(1979)

    If you haven't heard Los Microwaves before you've been missing out alot.  This EP came out in 79, one year after their first EP.  These tracks appear on their LP as well, Life After Breakfast which is definitely worth a listen..  Los Microwaves members all worked on the  Baby Buddha Music for Teenage Sex LP and David Javelosa had his hands in many projects surrounding Posh boy records.
In a nutshell: fast paced upbeat synth pop party music.

Have fun,
j

Los Microwaves - Radio Heart(1979)
1.  Radio Heart
2.  Coast to Coast

Los Microwaves

The Happy Cadavers - With Illustrations (1982)

   I've got a few EPs for you today.  To start it off we have a Kugelberg Classic coming in a number 74.  If you haven't heard this before or its classic track "I Saw My Baby in the Meat Section" you are in for a treat.  Snotty KBD punk with tongue in cheek morbid lyrics, even some odd keyboards lines to keep you on the edge.  Angst ridden lyrics such as "Things are everywhere, What should I avoid? Don't ask me you idiot, I'm no Freud" will have everyone pleased.

Have fun,
-j

The Happy Cadavers - With Illustrations (1982)
1.  Nothing New
2.  I Saw My Baby in the Meat Section
3.  Images
4.  Rigorous Mortis

The Happy Cadavers

Wet Picnic - Balls Up (1982)

     Last but not least we have Wet Picnic off of Unicorn Records in Santa Monica.  The synth on this album is what really sold me, goofy but fun throughout. It starts off with Cocktailed Sky, a nice track about alcoholism(maybe).  Occasionally the vocals feel a bit overproduced, but the goofy new wave jams that pop up keep it on the right course.  And if new wave isn't your thing, Tensions sounds like a sci-fi soundtrack being layered over a folk balad that goes awry.

have fun,
-j

Wet Picnic - Balls Up (1982)
1.  Cocktailed Sky
2.  She Don't Care
3.  Are You In Touch
4.  Tensions
5.  He Believes

Wet Picnic

Stained Rug Theory - Innocence (1985)

    Second for today we have Stained Rug Theory's Innocence LP from 85.  Art schoolers making art rock.  A chaotic record ranging from just talking over a guitar to post punk jams.  Somewhat novel with tracks like Young Beautiful & Depressed,  I am Communist, and Genetalia(how they spell it).  Surprisingly good even with the comedic nature of the lyrical content but if this isn't tongue and cheek we might have a problem.  You can thank RISD for this one.  They went on to make quite a few music videos which can be seen online.

have fun,
-j

Stained Rug Theory - Innocence (1985)
1.  Go Gentle
2.  Young, Beautiful & Depressed
3.  Genetalia
4.  Ozzie
5.  Bleed For You
6.  Edie
7.  Maybe We Should
8.  I am Communist
9.  Sorry

Link Removed 

Surreal Estate - Curtain Call (1986)

      Three posts coming up today.  First we have Surreal Estate with their 12" EP out of the UK.  This release opens with the track Without which makes one thing you might be listening to the best of Sarah Records comp.  The whole EP is drenched with that Smiths-esque/Twee vibe in all the right ways.  Peppermint and Ivory Towers is the guaranteed heart breaker, with vocals at the end that would feel more at home in a post punk band.  But before it ends Curtain Call brings it all back to the Sarah vibes.

Enjoy,
-j

Surreal Estate - Curtain Call (1986)
1.   Without
2.  Peppermint and Ivory Towers
3.  Curtain Call

Surreal Estate

Virus - Mercy Of Love EP (1993)

      I used to find copies of this record quite frequently in throughout Northern California.  I would pick always pick it up then just give it to a random friend.  I was never able to find out any information about it other than what was printed on the record.  If anybody knows anything about it I'd love to hear more.

      BE WARNED, do not listen to any track other than Change, they are there only to allow the record to remain unaltered.  Change is a great example of someone hopping on the new wave band wagon a little late, imagine Alan J Whitfield's releasing a dance floor new wave killer.  And it's from Danville, CA?! Nuff Said.

Have fun,

-j

Virus - Mercy Of Love EP (1993)

1.  Mercy Of Love (The Lovely Mix)

2.  Mercy Of Love (Vocal Mix

3.  Mercy Of Love (Merciful Mix)

4.  Change (Original Mix)

Virus

Ralph Swickard & Kenneth Heller - Sermons of Saint Francis/Hymn of Creation/Labyrinth (1970)

     For our first post today I have a strange one I found on my last trip to Los Angeles.  An experimental LP featuring Ralph Swickard and Kenneth Heller.  Heller's piece is performed by Douglas Ischar on cello with tape accompaniment, a echo driven piece of sonic soundscapes.  Swickard's piece is narrated by William DuBay reading the sermons of st. francis over sound collage.  I think the story written on Dubay on the back of the record really adds to the story so here you go:

"William Dubay - a native of Long Beach, California - was ordained a Catholic priest in the order of Jesuits after completion of his studies at St. John's College, california, in 1960.  Following several years of parish work, Father DuBay  gained national attention in 1964 when, in writing to Pope Paul VI, he asked for the removal of Cardinal James Francis McIntyre, then Archbishop of Los Angeles, for his failure to offer moral leadership in the civil rights crisis.  After experiencing many ensuing difficulties, partly as a consequence of his rather unorthadox action, Father DuBay was eventually required to relinquish his priestly duties.  Resigning from the Priesthod in 1968, William DuBay is now married, the father of an infant son, and step-father to four older children."

     The back of the LP is filled with great information on all of the artists, although it still does not compare to the beautiful cover artwork on the other side.  Have fun with this one its a strange one but great if your a fan of the electronic music of the late 60's/early 70's.

Have fun,
-j

Ralph Swickard & Kenneth Heller - Sermons of Saint Francis/Hymn of Creation/Labyrinth (1970)
1. Side A: 1.  Sermons of Saint Francis  2.  Hymn of Creation
2. Side B: 1.  Labyrinth

Swickard/Heller

Mission - The Last Detail (1983)

going three for three.

     Here we have Mission, an odd one out of  Maryland.  The 49 cent price tag from Middle Earth is a nice touch.  A bit post punk, a bit punk with a nice  cover of Stepping Stone( a song that was punk prior to the Sex Pistols)  to mix it up.  The track Interogation( yes, they misspelled it) is more of a straight up 80's punk jam, while the rest verges into post punk oblivion. Just listen, you'll like it.

Goodnight,
-j


Mission - The Last Detail (1983)
1.  Dreaming
2.  Reasons Why
3.  Where Were You
4.  What Goes Around
5.  The Girl Next Door
6.  Interogation
7.  Stepping Stone

Mission

Sueños - I'm So Crazy For You (1985)

Number 2 of 3 for tonight

      Here we have Sueños (Dreams) out of Northern California.  This was a recent Goodwill find for me, purchased their LP as well but it just wasn't my dish.  This 12" is solid all the way through, a mix of soul and funk a la keyboards and funky bass lines.  This band apparently had quite a big discography but I believe they changed styles frequently.   This is the only one I've found that is to my liking.  If you only listen to one track off this pick out Strain on my brain, its a guaranteed face melter.

Have fun,
-j

Sueños - I'm So Crazy For You (1985)
1.  I'm So Crazy For You
2.  Strain On My Brain
3.  It's Getting Tough

Link removed by artist request

Mark Beer - Collaborations (1979)

     As promised I will start off this weeks record dump, which is about 3 weeks to late and you have my apologies, but better late than never.  So here we have Mark Beer your ultimate DIY punk, pARTy  school EP, two tracks of odd bliss.  The first track The Man Man Man sounds like an 8 track interpretation of dropping out, the second, After The Accident, a more melodic laid back electronic gem.  Guaranteed to please.  More to come.

After the accident,
-J

Mark Beer - Collaborations (1979)
1.  The Man Man Man
2.  After The Accident

Mark Beer

New music coming soon

So I had to leave town for a bit, but I promise new posts coming soon.
-j

Chinas Comidas - Peasant/Slave Lover/Lover (1979)

     Its late Sunday night but there is music to be had.  Today we have Chinas Comidas out of Seattle Washington, an art punk band who somehow goes between anarcho and synth-punk style as well as doing poetry in 79.  The two sides of this EP are drastically different.  The first track Peasant/Slave has an anarcho style with some of the wimpiest drum machine sounding kick.  The second track, Lover/Lover, takes more of an SF art punk style with keyboards similar to Red Asphalt's sound.  The B-side, which Al Sharp takes part in, I have lumped into one track.  These tracks are spoken word poetry over synthesizer for one part and bass I believe for the second part.  The dark female vocals make this entire EP spectacular and a really enjoyable listen.  One last random fact, El Duce of the Mentors was an early drummer for the band prior to the formation of the Mentors.

Have Fun,
-j

Chinas Comidas - Peasant/Slave Lover/Lover (1979)
1.  Peasant/Slave
2.  Lover/Lover
3.  the alternative vision of the Snake In The Sun
4.  Disease

Chinas Comidas

Mortal Men - Mortal Men

     Heres the last thing on this late night extravaganza. The Mortal Men cassette which was found in the KDVS music library. I posted this release on a very shortly run blog with my old roommate sans images. I finally went down to the station recently and shaped some pictures and thought it deserved a little more listeners. I'll post some of the original description here "Sacramento unknowns mid 80s art school type with keyboard to prove it…. Somewhat reminds me of the laughing apples first EP. Never seen another copy of this thing around, please comment if you have any information on this lost sacramento band. 'I'm not just playing garbage and labeling it as art.'"

I'm not crazy,
-j

Mortal Men - Mortal Men
1.  I'm Not Crazy
2.  Everybody's Mind
3.  T.V. Song
4.  Fast Pace Life

Mortal Men

The Record Players - 60-7 Inches (1979)

     Ok, two more posts tonight then I must be getting some sleep.  As promised here is the final Record Players EP.  More UK DIY fun, with their should-be-famous track 67.  Guaranteed party on every track, nothing more needs to be said.


Have fun,
-j

The Record Players - 60-7 Inches (1979)

1.  Give an Inch
2.  Squirming in the vermin by the bonny banks of clyde
3.  67
4.  Parasite City

The Record Players

Paul Reekie - Desire (1981)

    Next on our list is Paul Reekie's Desire EP, a mellowed out piano driven piece of art.  You may know Paul Reekie as that guy from Thursdays, or that poet from Leslie who passed away two years ago.  I still think hes a punk at heart.  This EP is dark and strange, not quite what you would expect from a guy with the word desire written on his face, but its works.  Well I don't think I can give a proper introduction or even description of Paul Reekie so I will just get right to posting the music.

Love's Rebellious Joy,
-j

Paul Reekie - Desire (1981)
1.  Lovers
2.  Terry

Paul Reekie

Los Vampiros - Los Vamprios (19??)

     So I've gotten pretty busy these last few weeks so im gonna try to make up for not posting last week.  I have four things this for ya, from funk to punk and somewhere in between.  Well, lets get started.
    This one is mostly a mystery to me, found it at the Goodwill just the other day.  The label looked good so I went for it.  What it turned out to be is a rather rare Latin Funk EP out of stockton.  I am unsure of the date on this one but I know they were active in the early mid 70's.  I'm not a huge funk collector, but thought this could be a interesting one to throw on the blog.  The Ep was put out on their own Discos Vampiros and the band was fronted by Enrique Olivarez.

Have fun,
-j
Los Vampiros EP
1.  Al's Place
2.  El Coqueton

Los Vampiros

Atile - Atila (1981)

     Last but not least we have Atila, an LA art-punk snotfest. A bit all over the place but tons of fun.  Atila released 2 EPs and 2 LPs, three of them released in 1981, not sure about the fourth.  The song Chineese seems to fit in more with his International Sandwich LP, a somewhat questionable release.  This EP came out with individually drawn covers, all with simple yet strange drawings.

Discipline,
-j

 Atile - Atila (1981)
1.  Would Be Mothers
2.  Chineese
3.  TV
4.  Iron Curtain
5.  Discipline

Atila

Greg Vandike - All Of The Girls (1979)

     Up next is Greg Vandike's EP All Of The Girls off Cloned Records in 1979,  a classy synth pop gem, two tracks of upbeat synth jams.  This EP was released twice, this one and one released on United Artists titled Clone.  Well if you haven't heard of Greg Vandike before, he was a UK artist that recorded most of his material between 1979 and 1982 as well as a CD that came out in 1991(old material?).   Who can say no to a love songs and track about clones?

You're My Clone,

-j

Greg Vandike - All Of The Girls (1979)

1.  All Of The Girls

2.  Clone

Greg Vandike

Alisa - I Want To Be A Prostitute (1982)

      Guess im a bit late this late with my posts from the week, I've been trying to get new stuff up on sundays but the day seems to go by so fast.  Well only 24 hours late here we go.....
      This one is a strange yet fun one, I first heard only the title track I Want To Be A Prostitute a while back and needed to find and hear the rest.  The headline being a strangely upbeat track about being a prostitute.  Well the rest of the album did not disappointment, a tongue in cheek(?) EP with vocals similar to the Anemic Boyfriends when they no longer needed a fake ID.

have fun,
-j

Alisa - I Want To Be A Prostitute (1982)
1.   I Want To Be A Prostitute
2.  I Want An Ape
3.  Animals Get Used For Meat

Alisa

Disturbed - I Don't Believe (1979)

Here we have another UK punk masterpiece, Disturbed with their EP I Don't Believe.  Both tracks simply spectacular, up beat female vocals, snotty undertones and angst driven guitar lines.  Put out on Parole records in 1979.

Betrayed,

-j

Disturbed - I Don't Believe (1979)

1.  I Don't Believe

2.  Betrayed

Disturbed

False Idols - False Idols (1979)

      I'm posting a bit late today but I've come with goodies.  The first of today is the UK DIY band False Idols with their self titled EP.  In a span of three songs this band manages to lack any plan and every track is oddly different from the last, but the classic DIY UK sound shows up throughout.  This release starts out with a standard shredding punk jam, followed by laid back glam inspired piano tune, and ending with the face melting H Brain.  A guaranteed classic from the first drop of the needle.

Have Fun,
-j


False Idols - ST (1979)
1.  Broken Judy
2.  Marbled Hands'
3.  H Brain

False Idols

Various Artists - The Apprentices Dance (1981)

     The offering today is a great compilation by the name of The Apprentices Dance  by Small Operations and distributed by Sounds Interesting Records in 1981.  The Album showcases seven different bands from the area of  Poole Dorset UK: Tours, Contacts, Surfin Dave, Da Biz, Paul Chambers, Hollows and Cava Cava.  Each band with a different sound from surf to punk and powerpop to new wave.  The album was released exclusively in the US, making it much more difficult to actually get your hands on if you were a living in Poole.

      If you enjoy the music support the bands.  I know that Paul Chambers has a release called Stations / Absorptions on Anna Logue Records.  Also Tours put out a compilation CD in 2010 entitled Album Of The Year...(That Never Was), you can check it out on Cherry Red.

Various Artists - The Apprentices Dance (1981)
1.  Tours - Language School
2.  Tours - Foreign Girls
3.  Contacts - Young Girls
4.  Contacts - Girlfriend
5.  Surfin Dave - Stateside Centre
6.  Surfin Dave - Livin White Hell
7.  Da Biz - On The Beach
8.  Da Biz - There Is No Audition
9.  Paul Chambers - Steering Solo
10.  Paul Chambers - The Visitor
11.  Hollows - The Visitor
12.  Hollows - Hollow Man
13.  Cava Cava - Chinese Voices
14.  Cava Cava A Man In Sorrow

Apprentices Dance

The Record Players - Money Worries / Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right (1981)

      Here is The Record Players third EP from 1981, again off of Wreckord out of the UK.  A bit different from their first 2 EPs but still great.  I will be posting their second EP sometime soon.  Great tracks from a great band.

Enjoy,
-j

The Record Players - Money Worries / Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right (1981)
1.  Money Worries
2.  Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right

The Record Players

Bi-Nostalgia - Art Is Not Much (1988)

     Today we have Bi-Nostalgia's cassette, Art Is Not Much, put out on The League of the Gloomers in 1988 out of Italy.  A mellow New Wave  release thats a rather enjoyable listen while being strangely unobtrusive.  This release is covered in melodic guitar, moody synthesizers and wimpy drum machines, a guaranteed pleaser.  Throw on Le Statue D'acqua before bed, its new age charm will put you in just the right mood.

Enjoy
-j

Bi-Nostalgia - Art Is Not Much (1988)
1.  Shadowland
2.  Half Souls
3.  Essentuki
4.  The Love Box
5.  In My Beat Time
6.  Art Is Not Much
7.  Seekers Of The Truth
8.  Le Statue D'accqua

Bi-Nostalgia