Divided Minds - Strangers 7" [2014]

Many of you know that I'm involved in Doomtown Records. We put out a bunch of new releases in the last 12 months and I haven't had a time to post 'em here but eventually I will do that. This blog was kinda on hiatus cause I was sick of writing for some long time and other people just quit. As you see, recently, I started to post on the regularly basis and I hope this will not change for a period of some longer time. One of the few releases I put out this year is debut vinyl release from the frantic Zagreb city punk trio Divided Minds. This little fucker delivers four memorable mid-tempo songs of highly energetic and nervous herky-jerky punk rock, sounding like a cross of traditional 77 KBD punk and early 80's melodic hardcore played by the Zero Boys and most Rikk Agnew's bands. The "Strangers" EP is all about good ol' punk riffs, played with passion and blended with perfectly fitting snotty vocals, so if you dig old fashioned punk rock with a modern touch, you definitely need this piece of wax.

Some other opinions on this 7":

"Darkly tuneful punk by this Croatian three piece. There's a little bit of a west coast whiff to the overall sound although a song like "Invitation" sounds almost like a punked-up Warsaw (Joy Division's original name) track. Not gloom 'n doom by any stretch--there's a kick to the songs, especially the closing "Burning Hell." written by Al Quint (Suburban Voice)

"Yeah, Divided Minds plays straightforward post-punk with more of an emphasis on the punk that the post. Sometimes, it feels like the band is playing a little to fast for their skill level, in a way where it feels like everything might fall apart, but that adds to the charm of the whole record. Anyway, it has a dark, but not gloomy sound and sticks to a punchy 16th note-driven attack, not unlike a lower tier Marked Men offshot. It's good. I would go see them in a Decrepit squat." written by Greg Harvester (Maximum Rocknroll #377)

Buy the 7" from Doomtown webstore here. The band also repressed their demo tape for their 3rd european tour with Black Gust and there are very few copies left and added to the store as well as some last copies of Black Gust 7inches.

If you're living in the USA it might be easier for you to order this one from Sorry State Records or Dirt Cult Records.

Doomtown Records is also a distro, see the goodies in stock on this blog or just go over to our bigcartel store.  Also, you can purchase our stuff via our discogs store. As for the other Doomtown releases we put out, you can check them out on our bandcamp page. Also, there's plenty of new releases on horizon. More info on that soon.
 
DL

M.

Blank Spell - Demo CS [2014]

Stomping hardcore punk influenced by both UK82 and haunting post-punk. Even thought you can file this band under death rock, dark wave or post-punk category they don't follow the current trend of bat cave sounds. This is more primitive, lo-fi and...well, punk? Members of The Stasi, New Crime, and Low Charge.

DL

M.

The Coneheads - Total Conetrol [2014]

Devo-indebted punk from Indiana. These guys come from the same sewer that spawned Big Zit and Ooze and they even share some members with the mentioned bands. If the Spits would come to an idea to cover Rudimentary Peni's songs the final output would probably be something similar to this tape. The bass lines really remind me of Rudi Peni's trademark bouncy, frantic and manic attack. When you think it couldn't get any weirder here comes the Residents cover. This is fucking insane! Weird punk as it's finest.

DL

M.

Ruleta Rusa - Aquí No Es 12" [2013]

Highly energetic, mid-tempo and catchy punk featuring Peligro Social, Born/Dead and Los Monjo members. Like mentioned Peligro Social and Los Monjo, RR plays classic Eskorbuto style punk mixed with some more rocked out USHC influences not unlike Gang Green  or Annihilation Time.

You can buy both vinyl and tape version of this record here.

DL

M.

Wounds - MMXIV CS [2014]

New Portland based band featuring Red Dons, Autistic Youth and Defect Defect members. This is more stripped down, direct and snotty then all the bands they played in. Cool stuff.

Buy the tape here.

DL

M.

Slimy Member - Demo CS [2014]

4-piece schizo dark punk from Dallas, Texas. Obviously, Slimy Member named themselves after a Rudimentary Peni's song from their cult "Death Church" LP. Heavily influenced by the darker side of UK anarcho punk and early LA punk such as TSOL; these punks manage to capture everything I dig about mentioned RP and "Dance With Me" era TSOL (occult macabre imagery, creepy paranoid vibe, gothy/deathrock influences). Hopefully, SM will produce more records in future to come, cause, world needs more bands like Slimy Member.

DL

M.

Data Control - S/T CS [2013]

Herky-jerky punk rock trio from Sweden featuring members of Thurneman and Negative Lifestyle. DC plays nervous, straight-forward and raw punk reminiscent of early Husker Du, midwest hardcore and maybe Adolescents or some new bands like Regulations.

Some of the songs from the tape were repressed as a 7". Buy it here.

DL

M.

Crimen - El Problema Eres Tú [2014]

Due to some fucked up circumstances concerning the pressing plant this release was put on hold for some time and then the band broke up. Unfortunetly, the label dropped the idea of putting this out on vinyl and the band offered their latest album for free download. Crimen is anarcho-punk band hailing from Mexico and are one of the best bands in aping that classic spanish sound (MG-15, IV Reich, RIP). Add some Appendix, Discharge and post-punk to the flavour and mix it up with some psychedelics and that's what Crimen are all about. Take note that this is not some generic type of music and the only band that comes to my mind which plays something similar and psychedelic at the same time (well, kinda) is Una Bestia Inontrolable.

For fans of Destino Final, Rayos X, Vaaska...

MF

M.

Cal And The Calories - Demo 7" [2014]

Three songs rejected by the Lumpy And The Dumpers for being to "poppy". Demo includes three cartoonish lo-fi garage pop tunes that sound like the band's recording session took place in filthy rusty garbage can. For fans of Nobunny, Gizmos, Ramones...Eat shit, get this!

Buy the 7" from Lumpy Records/Spotted Race.

MF

M.

Black Panties - S/T Flexi 7" [2014]

Debut flexi from St. Louis's Black Panties. This midwest slime punks deliver three songs full of snot, mold, grease, garage-punk rawness and anti-social behaviour. A modern day kbd thrash punk classic.
For fans of Reatards, Dirtys, Dead Boys, Freestone etc.

Released by Lumpy & The Dumpers frontmen on his Lumpy Records.

MF

M.

Nuclear Spring - Live On WFMU's Distort New Jersey [2013]

Pretty decent live session Brooklyn's Nuclear Spring recorded live on WFMU's Distort New Jersey radio show. Nine infectious political punk anthems including at the time one unreleased track called In The New Regime (this one later ended on Maximum Rocknroll's compilation called Sound The Alarms). I won't bother you much with describing how great this band is cause I've been raving about them earlier.

I found one copy of their final 7" in the storage the other day. This is the last copy from the label till it's sold out. You can get it here. 

MF

M.

Pure Mania - Ratas De Dos Patas CS [2014]

Members of Spectres (Vancouver, Canada) and members of raw anarcho-punks troops from Fracaso are responsible for this incredible demo. Pure Mania incorporates both scummy chords and fuzzy bass lines Fracaso are known for. On the other hand there's plenty of post-punk and anarcho-punk influences Spectres are known for. This is insanely good punk rock with a slight gothy and dark vibe, so fucking catchy, and so fucking raw at the same time.

MF

M. 

Farang - Farang 12" EP [2014]

Schizophrenic, snotty and noisy female fronted hardcore punk attack from Toronto, Canada. On this debut 12" EP there are moments of pure hardcore intensity and toughness but this is not some generic stuff. There's plenty of Ginn alike atonal solos as well as some math rock skills so this equally reminds of Black Flag, punkiest moments of Minutemen and rawer and tougher version of Bikini Kill. Members of Kremlin, School Jerks and The Endless Blockade are involved so you know this must be good!!!

Buy the record from Bad Vibrations Records.

MF

M.

Sect - Selftitled LP [2012]

Everybody's been raving about Barcelona based post-punk depression Belgrado but this project that involves Belgrado members seem to have slipped under majority's radar or at least I think so. The band already broke up but they managed to craft 10-track debut lp full of catchy melodies, female/male intertwined shouty vocals, jumpy rhytms all together creating bleak & dull atmosphere. The music is heavily influenced by the darker side of UK anarcho punk/peace punk and while spinning this vinyl I couldn't not to think of cult polish band Siekiera. Even the artwork of the record reminds me of Nowa Aleksandria. The Sect's drummer who also sings in Belgrado is from Poland so she obviosly introduced the band members with the polish classic post-punk sound. This is pretty decent modern take on 80's european anarcho punk and if thats your cup of tea make sure to get this.

You can purchase Sect's vinyl record here.

MF

M.

Black Boot - Demo CS [2014]

Here we go with some more nasty hardcore punk from the Toxic State camp. Black Boot nuke yorkers seem to be influenced equally by USBM akin to Bone Awl and everything that influenced Crazy Spirit, Hank Wood, Dawn of Humans, Murderer, Warthog and Perdition (all the bands of whom Black Boot is comprised). This is raw, stripped down to the bones and ugly stuff. Not for the weak!!!

You can get it here.

MF

M.

Haute Couture - Demo 7" [2012]

USHC worship featuring Autistic Youth (PDX) drummer and Youth Avoiders guitarist Maxime. Somehow this slipped under my radar but this is some pretty good slab of retro hardcore. The 6-song demo was recorded while AY drummer was living in the France and eventually Shogun put this one out.

MF

M.

Gas Rag - Beats Off! [2014]

One of the best new bands from the USA broke up right before embarking on their first european tour and this is their latest effort. Beats Off! is equally good as their previous "Human Rights" 7inch EP and their killer demo from the 2012. If "Pick Your King", early Anti-Cimex, Totalitar, raw punk and european hardcore mean anything to you, you really need to hear this ugly savages obsessed with lightning-fast, frantic and aggressive execution. All killer no filler!!!

You can buy euro press of this 12" here.

MF

M. 

Ajax - Demo CS [2014]

Straight ahead, short, superfast and pissed off hardcore from NYC. This demo is full of blistering riffs and there's a hell of a lot of barking thrown in. Somewhere I read that Ajax sounds like a slightly less melodic incarnation od Negative Approach and I can see the connection. Ajax also shares members with Creem, Warthog and Nuclear Spring.

Even Worse Records is repressing this one as a 7".

MF

M.

Una Bèstia Incontrolable - Observant Com El Mon Es Destrueix 12" [2013]

Psychedelic punk insanity from Barcelona, Spain. These guys are taking cues from traditional Discharge influenced hardcore and they're taking it to a whole new level. This is not your typical raw punk record. I'd like to think of this record as an initiation to a secret cult tribe society, the songs are based on tribal alike groove and repetition which are building up into anthemic burst of hypnotic psychedelity. The lyrics are all in Catalan and vocals are all drenched in reverb which perfectly fits the vibe. UBI are/were members of all those spanish bands everybody seem to like (Destino Final, Invasion, Glam, Atentado...) One of the best records I've heard in the last few years. A modern day classic.

LVEUM put this out. Also. there's a new 7" in the works. Check it out here.

MF

M.

Prag - Demo CS/7" [2013]

Squealing, thrashing and pretty fucking raging raw punk madness from Perth, Australia. Bestial vocals are full of reverb and echo plus nasty lyrics filled with total hatred for the human race. Whatever the hell influenced current bands like Crazy Spirit, Dawn of Humans and Lumpy & The Dumpers, whether that was early italian hardcore or spanish raw punk, whether that were Germs or Rudi Peni or mixture of their music with high dosage of some fucked up psychedelics, Prag drew influence from the same pool full of dirt, slime, rust and shit. Prag members also play in Nervous Trend and Helta Skelta. Higly recommended!!!

Prag's Demo is repressed onto 7" vinyl by Crucificados Pelo Sistema. If you're living in the States you can get your copy from Feel It distro.

MF

M.     

Skategang - Freya Police CS [2013]

Garage-y power-pop project featuring some people from Youth Avoiders, La Secte Du Futur and bunch of other bands from french underground scene. Skategang really reminds me of Dirtnap Records type of poppy punk bands like Marked Men, Sonic Avenues, Mean Jeans...Cool shit!!!

MF

M.

Midnight Crisis - Selftitled 7" [2014] & Demo CS [2013]

Kinda new gang from Leipzig that plays finnish style of hardcore punk in the vein of almighty Appendix or Totalitär. If you are into newer finnish bands like Herätys or Gas Rag from the States you'll go crazy over Midnight Crisis. Actually, Herätys vocalist is messing around with his throat skills here. The band also features some fine folks who played in bands like Depressive State, Unkind and Idiots Rule. Don't miss on this.

You can buy MC's 7inches from Doomtown distro.

Selftitled 7"
Demo CS

M.

Crazy Spirit - Crazy Spirit CS [2014]

Second tape from the unholy nuke york mutant punks captures five new songs of pure filth and dirt this band is known for. There's no need for introduction into the mad and violent world of Crazy Spirit degenerates. Still original and uncompromising as always!!!

Buy the tape here.
People living outside of the USA can buy tape here.

MF

M.

Big Zit - Demo CS [2013]

Straight up early era Bad Brains worship from outta Chicago, Illinois. Even the singer sound like a pissed off baby H.R. Killer stuff, so, if you like Brains while they were playing hardcore you need to hear this.

MF

M. 

Warsong - Restitution 7" EP [2013]

Spanish Warsong comes with their third release in a row after their Caravan 12" EP and debut "Ancient Times" and they've never sound catchier than right now.

Here's official press info from No Nostalgia Records who put out Restitution 7":

"Hailing from Zaragoza, Spain, WARSONG delivers a blend concocted from the best ingredients of 80s West Coast punk. They drink amply from the fountain of old Southern California punk and hardcore (think DESCENDENTS and ADOLESCENTS) while also faithfully paying homage to the melancholic and dark melodies of the WIPERS. This band includes members of INSOMNIO, revealing that their approach to punk is also firmly rooted in the Spanish classics such as RIP and ESKORBUTO. The "Restitution" 7", their US debut and third release in total, features 3 instant hits, exuding energy and catchy melody through their signature guitar leads and infectious hooks that will echo unrelentingly in your head long after the record leaves your turntable. Their perceptive lyrics reflect on frustration and alienation, contributing meaningfully to the universality of the punk ethos. The records are hand numbered and on mixed colored vinyl."

If you're living in the USA and want this one you should write to No Nostalgia Records here.

If you're living outside of USA you can buy Restitution 7" from Doomtown Records. Doomtown also put out Caravan 12" and Ancient Times (tape version). You can find all of the Warsong releases in Doomtown webstore: http://livinginadoomtown.bigcartel.com

MF

M. 

Garbageman - Mad Future Demo CS [2013]

I got this tape in some random trade with folks from Creem when we were setting up Nuclear Spring / Creem show here in Zagreb. And then, I was not aware of the fact that Creem members were also involved in this project. Garbageman play pissed off, energetic and primitive hardcore inspired by early Boston and NYC sound. If "Victim In Pain" and straight edge mean anything to you, you'll dig this cassette.

You can buy last copies of this tape from Doomtown Records. Here's the link for DT Discogs Store.

As we speak of Doomtown Records; I just want to say that Nuclear Spring's European Tour 7" is almost sold out (we have 6 copies left for mailorder). The main idea is that this one will never be repressed so this is probably the last chance to get your hands on their latest effort. You can buy goodies from Doomtown distro from our discogs store or you can get in touch via email. We have plenty of new vinyls, tapes and zines in stock.

Doomtown Records Discogs Store
Doomtown Records Distro Page
Doomtown Records Bandcamp Page 
Doomtown Records Facebook
Doomtown Records / Teenage Lobotomy Tumblr
Doomtown Records email: doomtownrec@gmail.com

MF

M.

Acid Wash - Demo CS [2013]

Many of you who read TL frequently will be interested in this but probably never heard of this project. Acid Wash is a new band consisting of Bi-Marks and Autistic Youth members and they are all about 70's and psychedelic hard rock tunes.

You can buy tape from Taken By Surprise Records.

MF

M.

Smärtsam Utlösning - Demo CS [2013]

Smärtsam Utlösning is international project from members of Agent Attitude (read more about AA in my previous post) and Coke Bust from USA. Both bands toured the States together and when they were bored they wrote this songs and recorded it somewhere in the dirty rehearsal room on the road. Smärtsam Utlösning jams are total hommage to swedish crusty hardcore punk stuff like Disfear, Totalitär, Mob 47 etc. As I've hard, lyrics are telling stories about some of the AA members bad trip experiences. Cool shit!!! 

You can buy tape from Flophouse Records from the States or from Judas Cradle.

MF

M.

Agent Attitude - Affliction Days LP [2013] & First Two EP's LP [2012]

Watching these guys live three times last summer was quite a privilege. They didn't disappoint neither once and were always super tight. Uppsala, Sweden's Agent Attitude play straight in ya face snotty hardcore punk not unlike Citizens Patrol and they are brilliant at what they're doing and that is aping early USHC finest moments plus adding some scandinavian flavor (I'm thinking of Totalitar and DS 13). Both LP's are sold out but Adult Crash put out a new AA 7" so you better order yourself a copy before collector scum outrun you.

MF

M.

Murderer - Demo Tape [2013]

Kinda new band from the city of Nuke York featuring people from Crazy Spirit, Dawn of Humans, Goosebumps and Hank Wood & The Hammerheads. Not unlike Crazy Spirit, Murderer's music sound like it's been executed by mutant mole people living in the deepest depths of NYC sewers. This is some pretty nasty, ugly and creepy music played in total primitive manner and it have that stompy and galloping style Crazy Spirit are known for. Plus, if you add Hank Wood's pitt bull alike vocals on top of that how could you not like Murderer???

Toxic State Records put this one out. Grave Mistake Records is stocking some copies.

MF

M.

Lunch - Johnny Pineapple 7" [2013]

Lunch is hailing from the heart of the rain forest called Portland. I could go into describing their sound but I'm just gonna throw some words and you connect the dots : Punk Post Garage The Gun Club, Reverb Wire Punk Bo Diddley (?) Modern Garage...Anyway, four really good  and catchy songs ( one of them being gun club cover ) make this release definitely worth getting. Good one Jonnycat Records! If they ever decide to move their ass out of Portland, definitely go see them!

Order your copy HERE.

MF

M.M.