Old Punks Never Die!

Well, not exactly. But I'm not dead, just in case anyone was wondering.

I've been pretty busy IRL, and haven't had an ounce of spare time for what seems like aeons but is actually only a few weeks. Much of that time has included knocking up a website for some good friends of mine. And trust me, I'm no coder. Everything I know about XHTML, CSS, PHP and any other random combination of letters you may care to mention, has been learnt by endless hours of trial, error, searching and reading and searching again, cussing, breaking things and finally sussing out something that would've been bleedin' obvious to anyone with a hint of competence.

But I am a perseverer. I just can't let some things lie until I understand what's happening. And coding a website is one of those things. It's not enough for it to look OK, I also have to make sure that it meets the latest coding standards and is as user-friendly as possible to as many people as possible (yes, even you, IE users).

Anyway, to cut a boring story short, this is the result. I liked what I'd done so much that I've used the code for here too. I still need to work on a graphic for the header but, apart from that, it all seems to be tickety-boo.

Other things occupying my life have included: three parties and two barbies; being the personal chauffeur for a teenager and other assorted hazardous loads; supporting my pub cricket team through mostly thin times; visiting friends up country; fixing a locking mechanism on a double-glazed door (not as easy as it looks, let me assure you); and helping a mate create a new garden area.

But I should be able to get back to the noise again this week. You have been warned.

Randy (of Insurgence and Rebel Time) has recently been spreading the word about a bunch of young upstarts collectively known as The Class War Kids. Having checked out the tracks that Randy's posted on one of his blogs, I know why he's so keen. They're very, very good.

In an email to Randy I described 'em as having "a great street-punk sound with just a hint of melodic hardcore - kinda The Restarts meet early Propagandhi", and he didn't disagree. But that's not really to do 'em the full justice they deserve. TCWK get stuck in on their own terms without any problem whatsoever. I'm just trying to give you a vague reference point to start from.

You've got your reference point, now head to Rebel Time and feel the noise. And keep an eye out for their forthcoming CD. It should be a belter.

UPDATE: the band have happily agreed to let me share a few tracks with you lot (a mix of 128kbs mp3 and wma files), so now you don't even have to leave the comforting smell of OPND to grab 'em. Nice one Kids! Thanks also to Randy for making this possible, much appreciated mate. Go pay him and them a visit and say hello.

OP's opinion: @@@@@

Download here.

A couple of mates of mine, Beardy Rob (aka Robert) and Ratty (aka Richard) are doing a great (and knackering just to think about) thing - they're cycling from Land's End to John O' Groats (about 1000 miles) to raise money for the Mines Advisory Group. For those who don't know, MAG works to clear land mines and other weapons from areas of conflict so that people don't get blown to bits, as well as working closely with communities in the affected areas:

MAG moves into current and former conflict zones to clear the remnants of those conflicts, enabling recovery and assisting the development of affected populations. MAG consults with local communities and works to lessen the threat of death and injury, while releasing reclaimed and safe land and other vital resources back to the local population, helping countries to rebuild and develop their social and economic potential.

Beardy Rob is a Turbojugend fiend, responsible for all manner of camp leather-and-denim madness, and Ratty is the semi-retired guitarist from legendary-in-their-own-lunchtimes Bristol hardcore loons The Herb Garden. They're funding the trip themselves and all the sponsorship money they raise will go straight to MAG to help them continue their invaluable campaigns.

I've given away a lot of free music here and it's rare that I ask for something in return but, on this occasion, I'm asking anyone who reads this to give up a couple of pints and throw a few quid into the bucket for this worthy cause. If you can't make an online donation, drop me an email and I'll sort something out with you. You've only got to give up a beer to do your bit, others literally put their lives on the line to carry out this vital work.

Innocent people shouldn't have stumps where their arms and legs should be just because others decide to go to war.

Image © Sean Sutton/MAG

Moshpit Tragedy, purveyors of the mighty Amebix and other worthy noise merchants, are having a few problems with their old web URL. So they've bought a new one - http://moshpittragedy.com - which will be their permanent home from now on. And they're asking their friends to spread the word. So there ya go.

They're working on resolving the problem with the old address, and it will eventually point to the new site. But, in the meantime, if you link to Moshpit Tragedy (and why wouldn't you?), please update your link to their site as soon as you can.

It's nice to know that my efforts here have a positive knock-on effect elsewhere - just check out this email I received yesterday:

Hey, Randy from Insurgence Records here, hope this finds you doing well. Just wanted to say 'Thanks!' for the kind words you've written about Insurgence on the blog. It's very much appreciated…honestly, blurbs like yours about, for example, the Fighting Chance package, make it all worth while A pat on the back once in a while goes a long way!

I've also started up a new label with a buddy of mine - Rebel Time Records.

It'll focus more on 'political punk'. I'm still helping out with Insurgence too.

And, thanks too for linking to the 'We Want Rebel Music' blog [see sidebar - d]…I started that one up, and I do get a diaperload of hits from your blog!

Cheers and thanks

Randy

Respect should be given where it's due, and I've got the utmost for Randy and his efforts. And if Rebel Time Records is only half as good as Insurgence then it'll be getting my attention and hard-earned wage-slave remuneration from the off.

Blimey, it's a veritable love-fest going on in here.

Artist: Amebix
Title: Monolith
Source: Studio master
Bitrate: 256kbs
Running time (h:m:s): 00:44:04
Size (mb): 85.8
Label: Moshpit Tragedy
Year: 1987 (re-released 2008)

This band should need no introduction. As the official Godfathers Of Crust™ before the term was even coined (credit for that goes to Hellbastard with their 'Ripper Crust' demo), they were personally responsible for adding the dark and crushing edge to the punk scene that many of us have come to love. They also had a pretty good sense of humour for such a miserable bunch of bastards.

This was their last full-length studio release and was, in part, responsible for the ultimate demise of the band soon afterwards. While 'Arise!' will always be their greatest triumph (at least for this Old Punk), 'Monolith' saw the band stretching their own boundaries to create something that, whilst still distinctly Amebix, showed just how much they had to offer.

So what's the deal with the re-issue? Well, from what I can gather, the band got fucked over quite a bit by the label that originally released it and ended up out of pocket (which didn't have much in them to start with). In true punk fashion, they've teamed up with Moshpit Tragedy Records to make it available again. And the deal is pretty good. Moshpit Tragedy operate a sliding scale payment system for all of the bands on their label. This ranges from free to a maximum of $10 Canadian. This particular download comes with very classy DIY CD sleeve and insert artwork that includes lyrics and a few words from The Baron.

I've stumped up the ten bucks (about a fiver in proper money) and grabbed it. I've always rated this band as one of the greats and I'm more than happy to show my appreciation for what they're doing with this. Head over to Moshpit Tragedy and pay (or not, as you see fit) your respects too.

While you're there, you'd be daft not to check out all of the other fine troubadours touting their tasty wares.

One final thing: The Baron has recently jammed with his bro' (Stig - original guitarist) and Roy Mayorga (drummer from Nausea, amongst others) as a consequence of putting together an Amebix DVD. It all seemed to go rather swimmingly, and there is a possibility that a new phoenix may arise from the old ashes. The DVD, including the new recordings, is due out later this year. I, for one, am almost wetting myself in anticipation. This sounds like it will be much more than just a reunion re-hashing past glories (although a bit of that would be most welcome here).

OP's opinion: @@@@@

I like to fool myself into believing that I've got my finger on the pulse, sonically speaking. But, to be honest, underneath it all I'm aware of just how much self-deception is going on. The fact of the matter is that there are simply too many bands making too many good tunes (and a lot more making shit ones) for any human to keep up with (although the chimps might have a better chance). However, that doesn't stop me getting a buzz the first time I come across a mob of musicians who grab and engulf my ears and brain with their audio extravagances, even if they're already 'out there' and adored by thousands well before I find 'em.

One such mob are total mash-up terrorists Sonic Boom Six. Last week I heard my first track by 'em. This week I've got all of their tunes and am waiting for the t-shirt. According to the wiki entry they sound like 'Notting Hill Carnival on a punk CD', which to my mind is under-egging the pudding (moral dilemma - is it OK for vegans to use animal-based expressions?). Punk, ska, drum 'n' bass, ragga, calypso, dancehall, metal, hip hop, dub, samples and loops all fuse perfectly for a full-on booty-shakin' experience, but that's only half the story. The lyrics are just as fiery, fiesty and fun and make the whole package well beyond complete.

I can't recommend any of their albums in particular, they're all pretty much spot-on, just take a lucky dip and prepare to be impressed with whatever lands on your doorstep. Having said that, 'Sounds To Consume: Champion Edition' has the best version of 'Safe European Home' that I've ever heard, easily surpassing the original.

They're some of the most intelligent, talented and up-for-it political partyheads I've had the good fortune to stumble across this year, so let your hair down and join in the fun.

OP's opinion: @@@@@

Download sample tracks - 'Monkey See Monkey Do' (original version + Rogue Trooper's Jungle Fever remix)

And if you're in the Hull area around solstice time, check this out:

The best bargain of the season I reckon.

If you live further afield, they're also playing these venues beforehand:

12 Dec 2007 WHITE RABBIT, PLYMOUTH
17 Dec 2007 BRICKYARD, CARLISLE
18 Dec 2007 BAR ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM
19 Dec 2007 VIVAZ, SCARBOROUGH

Time to get yer dancing legs on.

Just a quickie…Punk Torrents will be open for registration from sometime around teatime today until Sunday eve. It's free, it's friendly and it's full of moist musical morsels.

And thanks to Burke for this email:

I just wanted to say thanks for posting this Culture Shock LP. I havent heard this in probably 12 years but has always been a record that I've been very fond of, although I unfortunately never owned it nor did I ever find it to buy.

Anyway, just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that you made my week by posting this.

Cheers!

Burke
Brooklyn, NY

My pleasure mate. Look out for more in the near future.

Over the next few days (or, more likely, months), I intend to take front and back photos of the covers of all of my albums and singles uploaded here. I'm also going to take one of the label, whichever side is more interesting. Then I'm going to edit and resize the cover pics so that they'll fit in a standard CD case, and the label so it will fit on a CD label. Then I'll zip and upload them somewhere convenient. Which means that you'll soon be able to download them and print them off for use if you decide to burn any of the music to CD and want a fancy cover.

What a wonderfully selfless thing to do / I've got far too much time on my hands (delete as you see fit).

A couple of the Blogger bloggers in my side bar don't allow comments from non-Blogger bloggers. I've grabbed a few things from their excellent uploads but I can't leave a thanks without signing up for a Blogger account. I can barely remember my own name sometimes, so there's just no chance of remembering user names and logins for every social networking site out there (note the use of hip and modern terminology). So, if any of you ever find this post, 'Cheers' for the noise. And can I ask you ever-so-nicely to liberalise your comment regimes so I can leave a more personal response in future? Ta.