The Best of Brought To Life - 151

1. THE POGUES - 'Transmetropolitan' - Stiff LP - UK - 1984

The lack of traditional Irish music with a punk flavouring on this blog is probably down to the fact that Blood Or Whiskey weren't in existence in this time frame. Nevertheless, The Pogues were probably the first to play such stuff and they did write some cracking songs so here's the opening track to their excellent debut album 'Red Roses For Me'.

2. LLYGOD FFYRNIG - 'N.C.B.' - Pwdwr 7" - UK - 1978

The 'Fierce Mice' for those of you not fluent in Welsh. Their sole single which is about the joys of working half a mile underground for health, wealth and job satisfaction. Or maybe not.

3. BANNLYST - 'Det Begynner å Bli Sent' - X-Port Plater - Norway - 1985

The opening track from their only 7" E.P. 'La Dem Ikke Lure Deg'. Nice pace changes again.

4. THE VARICOSE VEINS - 'Geographical Problem' - Warped 7" - UK -1978

Their only single which is a terrible recording but with those cardboard box drums it somehow works a treat. Read more here.

5. THE SILENCERS - 'Boyfriends And Girlfriends' - Demo - USA - 1979

The band that bridged the gap between Shock and Legal Weapon. They never released any vinyl but all the Shock and Silencers tracks were released on a Wankin' Stiphs CD in 2004.

6. THE FACTORY - 'Smile!' - Kick In The Eye 7" - USA - 1982

Their sole single. Lots of influences on this one.

7. SYSTEMATIC DEATH - 'Under Age' - Selfish 12" - Japan - 1987

The opening track of the 'Final Insider' E.P.  It has a slightly deceptive intro but who cares when they can thrash as good as this?

8. SØT HÆVN - 'Latter Kick' - Søt 7" - Norway - 1981

From their sole 'Asfaltparasitta' E.P.

9. THE BEAT - 'Walking Out On Love' - Columbia LP - USA - 1979

Powerpop perfection from their debut album. Also a single. Visuals here.

10. THE POGUES - 'Waxie's Dargle' - Stiff LP - UK - 1984

Another track from 'Red Roses For Me' with a beer tray amongst the instruments. You play it with your head. Readers outside the UK may be able to see the video here.

11. BANNLYST - 'Systemets Redskap' - X-Port Plater - Norway - 1985

Another track from 'La Dem Ikke Lure Deg'.

12. THE GROOVE - 'I Wanna Be Your Pygmy' - Trendy 7" - UK - 1980
'Hey little girl, you're 10 feet tall'. What a contradiction! Their sole single. Read more here.

13. ARTHUR'S DILEMMA - 'Kicks' - Curious Union of Natural Twits 7" - USA - 1979
 Second single. From New York City.

14. THE QUICK - 'Pretty Please' - Quick Fan Club 7" - USA - 1976
Probably better known as the opening track to The Dickies 3rd album 'Stukas Over Disneyland'. Here, we have the original.

15. DEPROGRAMMER - 'Instant Passion' - At Last 7" - USA - 1981
Their second single. There was one before this and a Mystic LP afterwards.
16. THE CORPSICLES - 'Big Doings' - Arrow 7" - USA - 1982

The flipside of their only 7". Anyone got the album?

17. VICTIMIZE - 'Where Did The Money Go?' - I.M.E. 7" - UK - 1979
Their second and final single.

18. BANNLYST - 'Terrorstyre' - X-Port Plater 7" - Norway - 1985

Their finest moment is also the best track from the 'Nå Eller Aldri' comp. E.P.  This is how I remember them playing live at The Station in Gateshead. Wild times.
19. THE SILENCERS - 'Who Needs It?' - Demo - USA - 1979
Another track available on the Shock/Silencers split CD.
20. 20/20 - 'Giving It All' - Bomp! 7" - USA - 1978
Verging on boogie woogie but jaunty enough to be considered powerpop.
21. THE POGUES - 'Streams Of Whiskey' - Stiff LP - UK - 1984
How about 'Lakes of White Lightning?' Another track from 'Red Roses For Me'.
22. KAFKA PROSESS - 'Hun Lever Ikke Lenger' - X-Port Plater - Norway - 1985
Another track from 'Nå Eller Aldri'.

23. THE BEAT - 'Rock And Roll Girl' - Columbia LP - USA - 1979
The opening track from their debut album.

24. HUSKER DU - 'Do You Remember?' - Demo - USA - 1980
Available on various unofficial releases.

25. THE CASH PUSSIES - '99% Is Shit' - The label 7" - UK - 1979
Sole single. Read the whole story here.

***BONUS TRACKS***

26. THE POGUES - 'Boys From The County Hell'

27. THE FACTORY - 'World Gone Mad'

28. SYSTEMATIC DEATH - 'Colour'

29. ARTHUR'S DILEMMA - 'Up To You'

30. BANNLYST - 'Farvel Moder Jord'

31. THE POGUES - 'Sea Shanty'

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The Best of Brought To Life - 150

1. THE INSANE - 'Why Die!' - Insane 7" - 1982

There's a long intro on this, their second single, but then it suddenly morphs into a thrasher and everyone's happy.

2. DEATH SIDE - 'Death Side' - Selfish LP - Japan - 1989

And talking of thrashers with long intros, this is the opening track from Death Side's cracking first album 'Wasted Dream'. Just the right side of metal.

3. WAT TYLER - 'Keith Cassells' - Meantime LP - UK - 1989

The first of two songs they did about footballers on their debut album 'Bavarian Drinking Songs'. 'Tribal war!'

4. THE JOLT - 'Again And Again' - Polydor 7" - UK - 1978

The flipside of second single 'What'cha Gonna Do About It'. Yes, that one.

5. THE EXPELAIRES - 'To See You' - Zoo 7" - UK - 1979

From Leeds. The first of two singles with a nice prominent organ.

6. ZORRO - 'Arrods Don't Sell 'Em' - Bridge House 7" - UK - 1979

Sole single. A song about frustration with the opposite sex.

7. SPITTIN' TEETH - '2nd Generation' - Posh Boy LP - USA - 1980

From 'The Siren' compilation, one of the rarest Posh Boy releases.

8. THE MONOCHROME SET - 'He's Frank' - Rough Trade 7" - UK - 1979

Their debut single which was coupled with the excellent 'Alphaville'.

9. MAN-KA-ZAM - 'Spank-a-thon' - Btitz 7" - USA - 1978

Basically The Alan Millman Sect under a different name. 'Thwack! Thwack!'

10. THE INSANE - 'Dead And Gone' - Riot City 7" - UK - 1981

This one's from their debut E.P. 'Politics'. It's the drums. Love 'em.

11. DEATH SIDE - 'Mirror' - Selfish LP - Japan - 1989

The intro briefly threatens a metallic wankathon, but no, it's another high-speed thrash extravaganza in the fine Death Side tradition. From 'Wasted Dream'.

12. THE YOUNG CANADIANS - 'Data Redux' - Quintessence 12" - Canada - 1980

The lead track from their final E.P. 'This Is Your Life'.

13. THE HATES - 'No Talk In The '80s' - Faceless 7" - USA - 1979

The opening track from their debut E.P.  There was a Rave-Up album which contains all their early vinyl, but it's probably rarer than the originals. From Houston, Texas.

14. BULLDOZER - 'J' Suis Punk' - RCA 7" - France - 1978

The flipside of their second single which has such a long title that I can't be arsed to type it.

15. THE INSANE - 'El Salvador' - No Future 7" - UK - 1982

Third single, quite a departure from their earlier efforts.

16. MEAN STREET DEALERS - 'Japanese Motabikes' - Graduate 7" - UK - 1979

Their only single, but there was an album called 'Bent Needles'. Anyone got it?

17. DEATH SIDE - 'Political Power' - Selfish LP - Japan - 1989

A third from 'Wasted Dream'. And another fast one.

18. COLD COCK - 'I Wanna Be Rich' - IDBI 7" - USA - 1979

Their only single. From Detroit, Michigan.

19. THE VORES - 'Amateur Surgeon' - Family Only 7" - USA - 1978

A nasty little song from their first E.P. with a nice guitar hook which makes everything O.K.

20. THE PHOTOS - 'Cridsilla' - Epic 7" - UK - 1980

From their 'Irene' E.P. One of their catchier efforts.

21. STA-PREST - 'Schooldays' - Avatar 7" - UK - 1980

Sole single, although there was a retrospective album a few years ago which I still haven't heard.

22. WAT TYLER - 'Interfering With Play' - Meantime LP - UK - 1989

Anyone who's ever had an interest in football will know exactly who this song's about. And if you don't you probably don't care.

23. DEATH SIDE - 'Warning' - Selfish LP - Japan - 1989

A fourth from 'Wasted Dream', and yes, it's fast but with a slower chorus for a bit of added interest.

24. THE TWENTY-SEVEN - 'Catastrophe' - Tremor 7" - USA - 1979

From their sole E.P. 'Don't Go To Extremes'.

25. THE INSANE - 'Berlin Wall' - White Rose 7" - UK - 1984

Their final 7" was a split single with The Skeptix. With this track they were morphing into the band that The Fits always wanted to be. With an impeccable German accent!

***BONUS TRACKS***

26. THE SKEPTIX - 'Vendetta'

27. THE JOLT - 'I Can't Wait'

28. DEATH SIDE - 'Circulate Pain'

29. WAT TYLER - 'The Little People'

Get it here

The Best of Brought To Life - 149

1. BAD RELIGION - 'Modern Man' - Epitaph LP - USA - 1990

The opening track from their 5th album 'Against The Grain'. 'Modern man - pathetic example of earth's organic heritage . . .' How true.

2. DEATH SIDE - 'Drunk Too Much' - Selfish 7" - Japan - 1988

The opening track from their blistering debut 'Satisfy The Instinct'.

3. THE COMMITED - 'Crash Victim' - Ace 7" - UK - 1979

Back to basics now with some nice amateurish punk rock. From what appears to be their sole E.P.

4. THE MUTANTS - 'Backyard Boys' - Rox 7" - UK - 1977

The superior flipside of their debut 7" 'Boss Man'. One of three Liverpool bands on this collection.

5. SILENT NOISE - 'I've Been Hurt (So Many Times Before)' - Easy 7" - UK - 1979

Their sole single, though Low Down Kids and Only Fit For The Bin did release more tracks in very small quantities. If anyone would like to share . . .

6. THE NEWS - 'Tell Me Why' - Self-released flexi - Australia - 1978

From a flexi-disc included with their 'Dirty Secrets' 7" which was supposed to be a fanzine freebie but the 'zine folded after the discs were pressed. The 7" itself was just a re-release of two tracks from their previous 7" as the Babeez.

7. BAD RELIGION - 'Turn On The Light' - Epitaph LP - USA - 1990

A second track from 'Against The Grain' with a nice bass solo near the end.

8. LILIPUT - 'Thumblerdoll' - Radio Session - Switzerland - 1980

Available on their various discography packages. What a Thumblerdoll might be is anyone's guess.

9. BIG IN JAPAN - 'Suicide A Go-Go' - Zoo 7" - UK - 1978

The second Liverpool band. This is from their 'From Y To Z And Never Again' E.P.

10. THOSE NAUGHTY LUMPS - 'I'm Gonna Die' - Open Eye 7" - UK - 1980

Followed by the third Liverpool band. This is from their second and final E.P. 'Down At The Zoo'.

11. EBBA GRÖN - 'Ung Och Kåt' - Mistlur 7" - Sweden - 1980

I never thought this lot were that special but I always had a soft spot for this single.

12. CRUX - 'Keep On Running' - No Future 12" - UK -1982

The lead track from their split 12" E.P. with Crash.

13. BAD RELIGION - 'Anesthesia' - Epitaph LP - USA - 1990

A third track from 'Against The Grain' which is a tragic love story written as a metaphor about the perils of heroin use. A masterpiece from Mr Brett.

14. LILIPUT - 'Hitch-Hike' - Off Course LP - Switzerland - 1980

The finest moment from the 'Swiss Wave' compilation album with the best use of a whistle since Clive Thomas decided to go down in history as the most pedantic referee in football history. And that's not easy!

15. BIG IN JAPAN - 'Scum' - Demo - UK - 1978

I think this was floating about on an unofficial CD-R somewhere or other.

16. DEATH SIDE - 'My Pace' - Selfish 7" - Japan - 1988

Another from 'Satisfy The Instinct'. This E.P. sure does remind me of 'Sins Of Our Fathers' by Damage.

17. THE COMMITED - 'Fast Lane' - Ace 7" - UK - 1979

And another from their sole E.P.

18. THE MUTANTS - 'School Teacher' - Rox 7" - UK - 1978

From the flipside of second 7" 'Hard Time'. Red vinyl, it was.

19. BAD RELIGION - 'Quality Or Quantity' - Epitaph LP - USA - 1990

A fourth track from 'Against The Grain' with inventive pace changes and riffage.

20. LILIPUT - 'Igel' - Radio Session - Switzerland - 1980

Featuring the best use of a squeaky toy since 'Curb Job' on the Dickies' first album.

21. BIG IN JAPAN - 'Match Of The Day' - Open Eye LP - UK - 1979

The opening track from the disappointing 'Street To Street' Liverpool comp.

22. SILENT NOISE - 'Heart To Heart' - Easy 7" - UK - 1979

The flipside of 'I've Been Hurt'.

23. THE NEWS - 'Sweet Dancer Au Go-Go' - Self-released flexi - Australia - 1978
The other track from their flexi.

24. CRUX - 'Liddle Towers' - Secret LP - UK - 1982
From 'Oi Oi, That's Yer Lot!' A clever re-write of the Camptown Races. Doo-dah!

25. BAD RELIGION - '21st Century Digital Boy' - Epitaph LP - USA - 1990

And a fifth track from 'Against The Grain'.

***BONUS TRACKS***

26. LILIPUT - 'Wig Wam'

27. THE COMMITED - 'Advertising'

28. BAD RELIGION - 'Blenderhead'

29. THOSE NAUGHTY LUMPS - 'Love Is A Reflex'

30. LILIPUT - 'DC-10'

31. THE COMMITED - 'British Crimes'

32. BAD RELIGION - 'Faith Alone'

Get it here

The Best of Brought To Life - 148

1. KLEENEX - '1978' - Demo - Switzerland - 1978

Available on the Liliput/Kleenex 2 x CD collection on Off Course or Kill Rockstars. There's even a U.S. 4 x LP version for all you vinyl freaks out there. 
2. PEKINSKA PATKA - 'Bila Je Tako Lijepa' - Jugoton 7" - Yugoslavia - 1980

Third single. Oh, how I'd loved to have seen this lot live!
3. THE NUMBERS - 'Rock Stars' - Blasto 7" - UK - 1979

From their sole 5-song E.P.  'No concert halls are too big for me and I don't mind if my fans can't see'.
4. THE REACTORS - 'L.A. Sleaze' - Nuclear Waste 7" - USA - 1979

From their 5-track 7". 
5. THE SODS - 'No Pictures' - Stortbeat 7" - UK - 1979

One of two singles they released in '79. Quite a contrast to 'Mopey Grope'. 
6. THE TAZERS - 'Music To Work By In A Neo-Natal Hospital' - Tazer 7" - USA - 1982

Quite a concept. Visions of a twisted future. From their first E.P. 
7. CHAOTIC DISCHORD - 'Never Trust A Friend' - Riot City 7" - UK - 1983

A piss-take band formed by members of Vice Squad and their roadies. The joke went on far too long. 
8. ABWÄRTS - 'Computerstaat' - Zickzack 7" - Germany - 1980

The lead-in track from their first E.P. 
9. THE SAMPLES - 'Dead Hero' - No Future 7" - UK - 1982

A bona-fide No Future classic. Their second single and, sadly, their last. 
10. HUBBLE BUBBLE - 'New Promotion' - Sinus 7" - Belgium - 1978

Whistling choruses. More please! This band also launched the career of Plastic Bertrand, for better or worse.
11. THE RADIO STARS - 'Dirty Pictures' - Chiswick 7" - UK - 1977

Formed from the ashes of glam 'super-group' Jet. Their debut single.
12. PROTEX - 'I Can Only Dream' - Polydor 7" - UK - 1979

This was their third single, one of Belfast's finest exports. 
13. CHAIN GANG - 'Gary Gilmore & The Island Of Dr Moreau' - Kapitalist 7" - USA - 1977

Another debut single (though 'Son Of Sam' is probably the A-side). This sounds like a B-movie film theme, and if it wasn't, it should have been. 
14. THE NUMBERS - 'Fines' - Blasto 7" - UK - 1979

Another track from their fine E.P. 
15. PLASTIC BERTRAND - 'Ca Plane Pour Moi' - RKM 7" - Belgium 1977

There are dozens of different pressings of this bloody thing. Not to mention videos. 
16. THE TAZERS - 'Delorean' - KYD LP - USA - 1984

From their 'Tazer Tunes' album which has a sleeve that is far too early-'80s for it's own good. 
17. KLEENEX - 'Krimi' - Demo - Switzerland - 1978

Love the random screams on this one. 
18. THE SORROWS - 'Teenage Heartbreak' - Pavillion 7" - USA - 1980

Debut single, title track from their debut album, etc, etc. Have a modern version here. 
19. NILP - 'Tuntschi' - Nilpferd 7" - Switzerland - 1982

From one of 2 E.P.s they bashed out in '82. 
20. THE DOUBT - 'Fringes' - Solo 7" - UK - 1983

From their 'Contrast Disorder' E.P.  There's also a Rave Up album if anyone would like to share? 
21. THE SODS - 'Plaything' - Stortbeat 7" - UK - 1979

The flipside of 'No Pictures'. 
22. THE NUMBERS - 'I Don't Know What I Want' - Blasto 7" - UK - 1979

A third track from their E.P. 
23. ABWÄRTS - 'Moon Of Alabama' - Zickzack 7" - Germany - 1980

Another from their debut E.P. A jaunty Doors cover, no less. 
24. THE REACTORS - 'Red Is Red' - Nuclear Waste 7" - USA - 1979

And another from their 7". 
25. PEKINSKA PATKA - 'Buba Rumba' - Jugoton 7" - Yugoslavia - 1980

The flipside of 'Bila Je Tako Lijepa'. Hey, let's dance! 
***BONUS TRACKS*** 
26. THE SAMPLES - 'Fire Another Round'
27. KLEENEX - 'Night Toad'
28. THE NUMBERS - 'Film Extra'
29. THE TAZERS - 'Emergency Oxygen Intake'
30. PLASTIC BERTRAND - 'Pogo Pogo'
31. CHAIN GANG - 'Son Of Sam'
32. THE REACTORS - 'Sabotage'
33. THE NUMBERS - 'Leather Jacket'

 Get it here