ASSAULT - Survival In The Street CD (1987)

Assault were a Vancouver speed metal band who recorded a few demos and this one album. I got this CD off ebay for a fairly reasonable price. Since it was only released on vinyl and cassette back in the day, it's obviously a bootleg. It was put out by a Spanish 'label' called Strike Force Records in 2005, but they did a great job because it doesn't sound like it was taken from the record. Maybe they had access to the original masters or just ripped it from cassette, who knows.

1. Survival In The Street
2. Thunder Road
3. I.C.U.C.
4. Shuffle Off The Buffalo
5. Fight To Win
6. The Fire Within
7. Misery
8. Let The Beast Run Wild
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VA - Do Not Open Till Christmas tape (1986)

Here's my obligatory Xmas post. This comp originally came out on cassette in 1986 and featured mostly unreleased songs from Pacific Northwest bands. Someone burned it onto a CD-R, which I picked up at Red Cat Records a few years ago. Bit of a weird mix, but I'll take this over the shitty holiday CD's they sell at Starbucks. I don't really get what Slow's version of 'Hair Of The Dog' by Nazareth has to do with Xmas, but who cares I guess?

Side One 1985
1. Shanghai Dog - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. No Fun - No Fun At Christmas
3. Bolero Lava - This Little Boy
4. The Spores - Christmas Jeers
5. The Grapes Of Wrath - Happy Christmas (The War Is Over)
6. Der Blitzen - O Tannenbaum
7. 54/40 - Christmas Time
8. The Reptiles - Merry Christmas


Side Two 1986
9. The Subterraneans - You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch
10. Slow - Hair Of The Dog
11. Green River - Away In A Manger
12. The Soreheads - You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch
13. No Fun - Xtoovvvvv
14. A Merry Cow - Don't Believe In Christmas
15. Zamboni Drivers - Jesus Christ
16. The Reptiles - Christmas Heat
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SAURON - Prepare To Die demo (2003)

From their Myspace page,

"Sauron stands in opposition to "clean" and "professional." Thrash metal is, was, and always will be dirty, violent, and evil. If we wanted to be professional musicians, we would be playing shitty covers of crappy blues and classic rock songs in bars full of idiots who know nothing about music. Or we'd be trying to make it big playing catchy pop music of some sort. Our shows are intended to be fast and loose. Attitude and energy matter a lot more than tightness. We strictly tune to "good enough for thrash." We're usually drunk when we play, and our fans wouldn't have it any other way. If you have a problem with this, go fuck yourself. If you don't like our music, go fuck yourself. If you don't like the fact that we have songs about Satan and the Lord of the Rings, go fuck yourself. Our releases come out when they are ready to. They take forever because a) we have other shit to do, b) we want them to be as good as they can be, and c) we're busy drinking. Deal with it. We're broke, so we don't have the best gear. In fact, it's all pretty much crap that we bought on the cheap or were given. At least we are better off than the old days, when we had our own guitars and drums and just borrowed everything else. Again, deal with it. We came here to thrash. Fuck off and die!"

This demo tape came out a year before their debut CD, "Thrash Assault", which I recommend if you're into bands like Kreator, Destruction and Bathory. Shortly after I posted this, I discovered Planet Metal Records has just reissued 'Thrash Assault'. As a bonus, they've included this demo and an unreleased song, "March Of The Vandals". So do yourself a favor and buy that shit and while you're at it, check out their 2nd album 'Satanic Assassins' on Witches Brew.

1. Prepare To Die
2. Bestial Warlust
3. Unholy Art
4. Thrash 'til Death
5. The Return Of Darkness And Evil (Bathory)
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SPEEDWOLF - Bark At The Poon demo (2009)

One of my favorite new bands right now. If you've never heard Speedwolf, they a play a mix of blackened speed, thrash and punk with vocals that remind me of a cross between Lemmy and Danzig (except on 'Death Ripper'). I got this four song cassette from the band themselves, and for a few extra bucks they threw in a CD-R of this demo plus two cover songs that aren't on the tape. They just released their debut full-length, "Ride With Death" on Hell's Headbangers. Definitely one of the best albums of 2011. If you like this demo, support these guys and buy the record!

1. Speedwolf
2. Time To Annihilate
3. Death Ripper
4. I Am The Demon
5. Witching Hour (VENOM)
6. Cold Gin (KISS)
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VA - We're Not Contageous tape (2011)

Not much to say here, just a cassette-only compilation of some new underground hardcore. I'm pretty sure most of the songs on here are exclusive to this tape. In fact, I think even a few of the bands can only be found on here (for now). Lots of fun sound bites of old commercials and movies between the songs too. 

1. Dry Hump - Dry Hump

2. Male Nurses - Make Me Free

3. Cülo - Midnight Mind

4. Violent Night - Untamed Mind/Mad At The Streets

5. The Secret Prostitutes - Lelucon Sinis

6. Cülo - (unlisted track)

7. Dry Hump - We're Not Contageous

8. Reformed Homosexual - Nonsense

9. Sgt. Slaughter - Home Of The Strange

10. Long Pigs - Cut Off

11. Earth Pig - Dead End/No More Shock Treatment

12. The Secret Prostitutes - Gimmie Money

13. Male Nurses - Lude Boy (Social D)

14. Würm Tongue - Boot Lickers

15. Reformed Homosexual - Constant Strides

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NO FUN - Fall For A Cliche EP (1978)

This is the long out of print first release by the self-proclaimed 'Beatles Of Surrey'. They formed in the mid 70's and were around in some shape or form for about 30 years, making them one of Vancouver's longest running groups. Although they were a part of the original local punk & new wave scene and appeared on the 1979 LP, "Vancouver Complication", they weren't a punk rock band. Still, listen to 'Now I Ain't Got No Face' below and tell me that isn't as punk as anything DOA or The Subhumans ever put out.

They followed up this EP with a couple more 7"s, then released a bunch of cassette-only albums on their own label, Werewolf T-Shirt Records. None of which have ever been re-issued, unfortunately. They were known for putting on themed events like their yearly 'No Fun At Christmas' gig. Singer/guitarist David M performs solo acoustic shows occasionally.

1. Fall For A Cliche
2. Interlute
3. Paisley Brain Bolts Of The Mind
4. Now I Ain't Got No Face
5. Planet
6. China Shop Raid
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THE BILL OF RIGHTS - Meltdown '85 EP (1985)

Medium speed punk with social and political lyrics. "A Shot in the Ass" is the most memorable and the hardest of the six songs. The simple melodies are something catchy but never really grab you and knock you down.

-Thomas (from Flipside #45, Spring 1985)

Bone-crunching punk (without being metal), these guys deliver intelligent lyrics to boot. This, their second 7", is produced by Dave Gregg of DOA, and there are some slight similarities in their punk "rock" approach. Powerful.

-Tim Yohannan (from Maximum Rocknroll #21, January 1985)

1. The Core
2. Blind Society
3. C-9
4. What Do You Say
5. A Shot In The Ass
6. Conquest For Wilbur
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THE BILL OF RIGHTS - No, Rights, No Chance! EP (1984)

Debut release from this Surrey band. Nothing amazing here, but not bad either. Personally I prefer their 2nd EP, 'Meltdown 85'. I did see this posted on another blog, but the link was dead. So here it is.

1. Decide
2. Drunk Government
3. No Rights, No Chance
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VA - Cryptic Compost tape (1987)

Put out by C.O.H. fanzine. This cassette is made up mainly previously unreleased demo and live recordings of varying sound quality and volume. Good mix of local punk, hardcore and thrash metal.

1. Adversity - Skate For God
2. Adversity - World's Gone Crazy
3. Adversity - Differences
4. Dead Society - VD & Glue
5. Dead Society - Virgin Killer
6. Lethal Virus - Alcohol
7. Lethal Virus - NIENAWISC
8. Spores - Up The Boss
9. Spores - The Nasty Song
10. Dioxin - Nuclear Holocaust
11. Dioxin - America
12. Death Sentence - No Way
13. Death Sentence - Hitler-Ronnie
14. Fratricide - Scream Bloody Vengeance
15. Fratricide - Blood Red Dream
16. Karrion - Necro Nightmare
17. Karrion - They Must Die
18. Witches Hammer - Deadly Mantis
19. Witches Hammer - Final Storm
20. Odds Crypt - Faces Of Death
21. Odds Crypt - Winged Mantis
22. Odds Crypt - Vado Mori
23. Subverse - Iconoclast
24. Subverse - 101%
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TOE TAG - C.S.M.F.D. EP (2008)

Toe Tag's second 7 inch. Most of these songs were re-recorded for their 2009 split CD with World Of Lies. They haven't released anything since, aside from a few compilation tracks. In the meantime, check out Blaine's new side project Denial Fiend, featuring members of D.R.I., Down By Law and Six Feet Under. 

1. Bat Pussy / Car Bomb

2. Hate Your Friends

3. Cock Sucking Mutha Fucking Diablo

4. El Clipo / Head Inna Sack

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Toe Tag at Myspace

TOE TAG - Machete Killah EP (2007)

Debut 7 inch from these Seattle HC/Thrash veterans. Toe Tag formed in 2005 after Blain Cook, Alex Sibbald and Steve Nelson jumped ship from The Accüsed. While they still retain the Splatterrock-type lyrics from their previous band, musically they sound more like The Fartz (the reunited line-up that Blaine and Alex played in together). Great band to see live as well.

1. Machete Killah
2. Junior's Eyes (Black Sabbath)
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THE BILL OF RIGHTS - Surf, Skate, Ski & Skank tape (1985)

Along with Death Sentence, House Of Commons, A.K.O.B., The Spores, etc, The Bill Of Rights were another band who seemed to have that mid 80's Vancouver sound. Whatever that means. Prior to this tape, they put out two 7 inch EPs (No Rights No Chance and Meltdown '85). This was recorded live at CO-OP Radio on September 7, 1985 and featured mostly newer material and covers of old surf classics.

1. Out Of Limits
2. Pipeline
3. Walk Don't Run
4. Surfrenzy
5. The Unknown Surfer
6. Shot In The Ass
7. Slowdown
8. You Better Hide
9. Drunk Government
10. Pig
11. Urban Cowgoof
12. Wipeout
13. T-BOR Blues
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AKOB - Explosion Blues EP (1985)

A.K.O.B. was Neil Embo's band after leaving House Of Commons and before joining Forbidden Beat. 'Officer Friendly' was originally an old HOC tune titled 'Colwood RCMP', later renamed 'Live For Today'. This EP was given to me on a CD-R by Mr. Embo himself. It's a different mix than the 7 inch and includes two bonus tracks from the Undergrowth '85 compilation. 

01. Explosion Blues
02. Diddling With One's Own Thing Blues
03. What's Going On Blues
04. Officer Friendly Blues
05. Plastic Peoples Blues

06. Pogo Blues

07. 5 Finger Discount Blues

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FATAL RAGE - Self Titled LP (1983)

Catchy old school punk rock from New Jersey. The vocals kinda remind me of Shawn Stern from Youth Brigade. Too bad this LP's never been reissued, because it's long out of print and pretty hard to come by. I don't even own this album. But instead of just posting a link from another blog, I borrowed my friend's copy and ripped it myself. Luckily his record was in great shape because I think it came out sounding better than the other rips I've heard online. You tell me.

01. Struggle
02. Assault
03. Jump & Die
04. Die Lady Di
05. Fatal Mistake
06. V.O.A.
07. Copy Bands
08. I'm Appalled
09. Yelling/Wartime
10. Kick That Fucker
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FORBIDDEN BEAT - Driving You Insane EP (1986)

'If there is such a thing as a "Vancouver vocal sound" (DOA, DEATH SENTENCE), then this band has it. With former members of BILL OF RIGHTS and HOUSE OF COMMONS, you'll find four largely mid-tempo punk songs, lots of guitar, and plenty of drive. It rocks.'

-Tim Yohannan (from Maximum Rocknroll, May 1986) 

1. It's A Mad, Mad World
2. Starve The Rich
3. Open Your Mind
4. Death By Insanity
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PIPEBOMB - Self Titled EP (1996)

Pipebomb were a short-lived East Vancouver band that played old school USHC. While that style is fairly common nowadays, not a lot of bands were doing it in the mid 90's. Their only other release was a self-titled tape that included a few songs off this 7 inch. And no, 'Filler' is not a Minor Threat cover.

1. I Don't Care
2. Kill Whitey
3. Fuck Vancouver Pigs
4. Filler
5. Hatred For Authority
6. I.R.A.
7. Hari Rama
8. Beer Run
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FRATRICIDE - Radio Session (1987)

Awesome crossover hardcore from Vancouver. Got this off Soulseek a few years back. This was recorded live at CRFO Co-Op Radio on January 2nd, 1987. Tracks 2, 3 and 4 were used for the B-side of their posthumous 'Scream Bloody Vengeance' 7 inch.

1. Merchants Of Death (Instrumental)
2. Poison Control
3. Beaten Senseless
4. Final Solution
5. Rising Force
6. Razor Piss
7. End The Suffering / Rip Wide The Sky
8. Scream Bloody Vengeance
9. Grave
10. Our Circled Adventure
11. Clear Mind Clear Thought
12. Blind Faith
13. Going Under
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DEATH SENTENCE - Demo tape (1984)

Here's some more rare 80's Vancouver punk. I found this tape at Joey Shithead's yard sale back in 1998. What a score! In my opinion, this raw lo-fi recording is some of their best material. The first three songs appeared on the Undergrowth '84 cassette compilation, while the rest of it has never been released (as far as I know). Here's a review from MRR...

'A very classy, powerful power thrash outfit that doesn't resort to metal riffs. If anything, they owe more to earlier punk, but they're firmly rooted in modern sounds, blasting it out with strong lyrics and hooks to boot--"live" proof that Vancouver is not dead. Hot!'

-Tim Yohannan (October 1984)

01. Get Out of Our Way
02. Real World
03. Ultra Violence
04. Statue of Misery
05. Mein Kampf
06. Fascist Gun in the West
07. RCMP
08. So Civilized

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HOUSE OF COMMONS - Live (1984)

Ok, this is my first post... so what better way to kick it off than with a rippin' live set from House Of Commons? If you've never heard HOC, go check out their 1983 LP, "Patriot". This show was recorded live in December 1984 at Luv Affair nightclub in Vancouver. Enjoy!

1. Here Today Gone Tomorrow
2. MDA
3. Insane
4. Live For Today
5. Low
6. Killer's Pride
7. Endangered Species (UK Subs)
8. Gotta B Alive
9. Peter Gunn
10. Attitude
11. 1999
12. American Patriot
13. Slut (GBH)
14. Way Down South
15. Raid
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