Arturo Bassick pounded bass on the first two singles by London's Ramones-influenced Lurkers, 'Shadow' and 'Freak Show', both from 1977. He left The Lurkers before their debut LP 'Fulham Fallout' in order to form Pinpoint. Bassick wanted to play guitar and focus on his clever songwriting. Pinpoint released three singles and an LP before disbanding in 1980. The LP, 'Third State' was reissued just once on CD, in 1988. Luckily for you, I tracked down a copy of this strange post punk and moody new wave artifact...with a few nods to the Lurkers three-chord punk. 'Family Life' and 'Dark and Red' keep riffing like the Lurkers, but the ample Moog and keyboard brings a Howard Devoto and Magazine creepiness to the tracks. 'Country Towns' sounds like goth-era Damned and 'Blind Eyes' has a thumping beat similar to 999, who Bassick now tours the world with. “Listen to the Snow' has a big rock sound that would do post-Pistols Cook/Jones outfit the Professionals proud. The new wave songs like the title track and 'Hospital' are a different vibe but thoroughly enjoyable. A cool LP if you're a fan of UK punk. Too bad the band's punkiest track, 'Richmond' from the first single isn't tacked on here, an unfortunate omission. In interviews, Bassick has complained about the overdone album production by new wave legend Martin Rushent. Nevertheless, the LP has rightfully become highly prized after all these years.
Staying in London, Kameras formed in 1978 with vocalist and primary lyricist Joe Kelly leading the band. In 1979, guitarist Phillipe Siegfried (a Parisian who moved to London to explore the punk scene) replaced Matthew Ashman, who left to join Adam and the Ants. With Stan Stainthorpe on bass and Alan Kasket on drums the lineup recorded three demos that same year. The band never released anything officially, except for one track on the “Moonlight Club Bands Live' LP from 1980. These demos are the entire recorded output, with the CD featuring eight songs of obtuse and original first wave punk. 'Return of the Ice Age' and 'Melancholy' sound a lot like the first Adam and the Ants LP, 'Dirk Wears White Socks' (which I love!). In fact, Kelly's vocals resonate much like those of Mr. Ant. The pulsing and robotic 'Artificial Joy' could've been a hit, John Peel would have put it on heavy rotation (it's that good). “Anger Baboo' is a minor-chord masterpiece with razor-sharp guitar slashing. The band broke up in 1980 and Siegfried moved back to France to form new wave band Panoramas. Too bad Kameras didn't release a single back then, it could be a classic.
Very excited to talk about this reissue of Surrey's amazing and intense Crisis. This super cool gatefold 7 inch and CD package with 14 tracks spans the band's 1978-81 output. First single 'No Town Hall' b/w 'Holocaust' 'and 'PC1984' is an absolute rager. Original singer Phrazer, spits out lyrics condemning police brutality and political corruption backed by tribal beats and slashing guitar. The band was known for playing Rock Against Racism gigs and Right To Work marches and opened for Magazine and Bauhaus. A John Peel session from 1978 provided four tracks released on the 'UK79' single from 1979 and the 'Alienation' single in 1981. The recordings are fantastic with the band incorporating angular guitar chords and more biting political activism. In 1979, Dexter replaced Phrazer and Crisis recorded the 'Hymns of Faith' LP. This reissue includes five of the seven tracks with the band playing excellent goth-punk. 'Kanada Kommando' sounds like Joy Division in the best possible way. Guitarist Douglas Pearce and bassist Tony Wakeford left in 1980 and formed controversial goth band Death in June. Crisis is one of the most original punks bands from the era, combining streetpunk with post-punk guitar forms. Must listen!
If you want Mod, you got it. The Jetz dish out punchy Mod with a little Powerpop around the edges. Formed in Chestnut, just north of London, in 1976, the band released just one single while together, the earworm ‘Catch Me.’ Fortunately for you all, the band left us some studio tracks and great live recordings for this retrospective. The band never made a mark in the U...the single was never released in their home country, only in Germany, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Despite relentless touring in Europe in 1978-79, they never caught on. A total shame since they had catchy as fuck tunes and a great live show. 'Time Of Your Life' is like early Elvis Costello with introspective lyrics to match. 'Do You Think That's Funny' is as catchy as any Paul Collins Beat track...really! 'Don't Answer' and a few others venture into pub rock, but in the best possible way. Lisa thinks 'Catch Me' sounds like Undertones and she's absolutely right! A great compilation! It's on permanent rotation since we got it.
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