Like Shanghai Dog, I got into these guys after uploading the Zulu Sampler tape, particularly the song "Flying Dutchman". I found both their records for $10 a piece at Zulu Records. And like Shanghai Dog, this band is in need of the reissue treatment.
1. Flying Dutchman 2. Windshield Wiper 3. Monsters In The Basement 4. A Bit Too Far 5. Strangely Wild 6. Rush Hour In Russia DOWNLOAD
Like the 1985 live set I posted last year by these guys, this was also ripped and sent to me by Dan Walters. The sound is a bit rough, but still not too bad considering it was from a 27 year old tape. Apparently their guitarist Miles was in the process of sorting through the band's masters to put together a Unnatural Silence CD. I have no idea if or when that will come out, so until then here you go. Photos by Adam Hughes.
1. Once Again 2. What Are You Waiting For 3. Patriot Pride 4. Hiroshima 5. Alternative Reality DOWNLOAD
It was when I was ripping the Zulu Sampler tape recently that I discovered Shanghai Dog's "American Desert". Turns out I've had this song for almost twenty years on the 'Last Call' comp. I've never heard it before because it was on the second disc, and I only really played the first half of disc one (which was where all the punk rock was on that 2 CD set). That's when I decided to track down this band's records, which I've seen around town for years. I was actually able to score a sealed copy of this LP online for only $4. While I prefer their first release, "Clanging Bell", "American Desert" is (in my opinion) their best song. And yes, "Hiroshima" is a Subhumans cover, even though half the band are ex-Subhumans. I'm surprised Sudden Death Records hasn't put out a discography CD or something. I mean, if Joey Shithead can reissue The Spores, why not Shanghai Dog?
1. This Evolution 2. American Desert 3. Siren 4. Hiroshima 5. Refusal 6. Security 7. In The Distance 8. Past Tense 9. Try 10. On The Rocks DOWNLOAD
For years, the only song I knew by this band was "Teenage Barnacle" from the Last Call compilation. To be honest, when I first heard it back in the mid 90's I wasn't that into the song and hadn't listened to it since. Probably wasn't "punk" enough for me at the time. I guess now that I'm older, my musical tastes have matured somewhat (haha!). These guys played a mix of punk and garage rock with a 60's influence. "Pancho Villa" is my personal favorite on this 12". And for those that don't know, singer/sax player Paul McKenzie would later go on to front the Real McKenzies.
1. Teenage Barnacle 2. Pancho Villa 3. Roll With The Punches 4. Daymare 5. Greenstreet DOWNLOAD
Here's some more rare Pointed Sticks, this time recorded live at Rohan's in Kitsilano. The sound quality is a bit muddier than the show I posted last month, but it's still pretty good. It sounds like someone taped this off the radio as the first and last song are incomplete. Also, at one point the band has some technical issues and a few studio tracks (songs 14-16) are played while it's being sorted out. What's cool about this set is the number of covers and originals that never made it to the studio, or were never released. I'm still not sure what track 2 is called (posted below). Anyone?
1. Downtown 2. ???????? 3. The Way You Do 4. Stupid Girl 5. Automatic You 6. I'll Never Change Your Mind 7. Apologies 8. Who Cares 9. Part Of The Noise 10. You Must Be Crazy 11. Somebody's Mom 12. My Little Red Book 13. I'm Numb / What Do You Want Me To Do? 14. Marching Song 15. Apologies 16. The Real Thing 17. Baby, I Love You 18. The Kids Are Alright 19. Nothing Else To Do 20. Instrumental / Out Of Luck 21. Nothing Holding You 22. All I Could Take 23. Tired Of Waiting For You 24. Love Or Money 25. All My Clocks Stopped 26. Ride On Baby DOWNLOAD
The main reason I haven't posted this tape ages ago is because it was already available on the Model Citizen blog. Now that link is dead, so I thought I may as well put my rip up on here. This compilation is actually two cassettes, unfortunately I only have the first half. But the second tape is mostly electronic, industrial and experimental type stuff, whereas this one is mainly punk rock and hardcore. There's some great stuff on here too, a lot of it not available anywhere else.
1. Nomeansno - Self Pity 2. Nomeansno - Some Bodies 3. The Bill Of Rights - Blind Society 4. The Bill Of Rights - Shot In The Ass 5. The Bill Of Rights - Back In The USSR (live) 6. Clay Pigeon - Party Line 7. Clay Pigeon - The Holy War 8. Soldiers Of Sport - The Broadcast 9. Celebrity Drunks - Laugh Till I Cry 10. Culture Shock - Stay Away 11. Death Sentence - Get Out Of Our Way 12. Death Sentence - Real World 13. Death Sentence - Ultra Violence 14. Unnatural Silence - Misfits Are Innocent 15. Unnatural Silence - Enemies 16. The Spores - Meat By-Product 17. The Spores - Pervert Me 18. Sudden Impact - Hostage Taker 19. Sudden Impact - She Drives Me Crazy 20. House Of Commons - Insane 21. Unknown Fibres - Surfer Joe 22. Slow - The Night Before DOWNLOAD
Even though this Vancouver band was made up of ex-members of The Subhumans and Young Canadians, I've never actually listened to them until recently. They don't sound much like their previous bands, going more for a post-punk sound here, but this 12" is still pretty good. My favorite song is 'The Closet', which kind of reminds me a bit of Nomeansno, but not really. If that makes any sense.
1. Bawl And Change 2. Work Will Set You Free 3. Clanging Bell 4. The Closet DOWNLOAD
