Friday, April 30, 2021

Yell-O-Yell: Shoot The Truth (Vinyl 7'', Single) 1982

Post-Punk/Darkwave band formed in 1982 in Athens, Greece. They were the first group that signed at the legendary Creep Records. They made a lot of appearances along with 'Headleaders' and 'Villa 21'. On 12/2/1983 and 20/11/1983 they performed live at 'Σοφίτα' club (Athens), along with 'Villa 21'. On 4/2/1984 they performed live at Cine Louiza (Vyronas, Athens), along with 'Cpt Neφos', 'Χωρίς Περιδέραιο', 'Teenage Dolls', 'Rehearsed Dreams', 'R.R. Hearse' & 'On Purpose'.                                                                                                


On 23/3/1984 they performed live at (the school of Gravas - Athens) Σχολικό Συγκρότημα Γκράβας, along with 'Στρυχνίνες', 'Ghetto', 'Metro Decay', 'Art Of Parties', 'South Of No North, 'Cpt Neφos' & 'Villa 21'. On 20/4/1991 they made their last live appearance at An Club (Athens).
                                                                                          

They were one ne of the darkest bands of the greek post punk scene . Later the bassist of Headleaders (and also member of Rehearsed Dreams) participated at the band. Between 1982 and 1983 they released the 7" "Shoot The Truth" with three tracks and a mini lp titled "Funtime".
                                                                                   

In 1984 they released the lp "Hello Hell" again on Creep Records, and in ' 86 the lp ΧΙΙ-13 from Smash Records. The drummer of the band on lp ΧΙΙ-13 was andreas ferdianakis. Ex member of punk band ex humans and later member of south of no north and be bop jungle (The other greek post punk label which released only 3 Lp's). Unfortunately the singer / guitarist Fill Scars died in early 90's from drugs overdose. The birthday party's influenced is obvious in this band.                                                                                      

Label: Creep Records ‎– CR 01
Format: Vinyl, 7", Single
Country: Greece
Released: 1982
Genre: Rock
Style: Dark Wave, Post-Punk


SIDE A

 




A.  Shoot The Truth     6:37

SIDE B

 

B1. Crow's Complaint     4:35
B2. Imitation Of The Real   1:32

MEMBERS

Bass – Hurry
Drums – Bang
Engineer – V. Georgopoulos
Guitar, Voice, Design [Sleeve], Photography By [Cover], Words By – Feel
Music By – Yell-O-Yell
Painting – Edvard Munch
Saxophone – George Guest

Recorded and mixed on 28th, 29th & 30th of September '82.
 



SHOOT THE TRUTH  LYRICS

Shoot your fears
ain't no reason to
shoot your fears
ain't no good in it.

And if your fears come to be true
then: Shoot the truth!

Follow your fears
fear goes far
follow your own footsteps
see where they dig
your grave.

Learn from it'n' keep it in mind
and stab their backs!
No warning!
Shoot from behind
it's the first time, it's fair.

MP3 @320 Size: 30 MB

Flac  Size: 73 MB

Yell-O-Yell on Urban Aspirines HERE

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The Sugarcubes: The Complete Studio Albums

The Sugarcubes (Icelandic: Sykurmolarnir) were an Icelandic alternative rock band from Reykjavík formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992.                                                                                                                


For most of their career, the band consisted of Björk (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson

(vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums). They were the biggest group ever to emerge from Iceland, which helps explain their off-kilter sense of melody. Their 1988 debut "Life's Too Good" attracted terrific reviews and became a college radio hit, but they never were able to recapture that sense of excitement.
                                                    

According to group legend, the Sugarcubes formed on June 8, 1986, the day that vocalist Björk gave birth to her son. Prior to that day, the members of the group had been in a variety of Icelandic bands.

Björk had the longest career out of any of the members. By 1984, Björk, Einar Örn Benediktsson and Siggi Baldursson had joined forces, forming KUKL with keyboardist Einar Melax. KUKL — which means witchcraft in Icelandic — was a noisy, artsy, post-punk band that released two albums on the independent British record label Crass. In 1986, KUKL evolved into the Sugarcubes, adding Björk's then-husband Thor Eldon on guitar and Bragi Ólafsson on bass.
                                                                        

In late 1987, the band signed to One Little Indian in the U.K., Elektra Records in the U.S. The

Sugarcubes released their debut album "Life's Too Good" in 1988 to critical acclaim in both the U.K. and the U.S. Birthday, the first single from the album, became an indie hit in Britain and a college radio hit in America. In particular, Björk received a heap of praise, which began tensions between her and Einar Örn.
                                                          

"Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!", the band's second album,
was released in September 1989. The greater vocal contribution by Einar Örn on the record was criticized in many of the record's reviews,

which were noticeably weaker than those for "Life's Too Good". Not all critics agreed that it was worse than their debut album, though. Robert Christgau rated it a B+, higher than the B- he gave "Life's Too Good". The singles "Regina" and "Planet" topped the UK indie charts but fared poorly in the mainstream charts outside of Iceland. After the release of "Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!", the band embarked on a lengthy international tour. At the end of the tour, they started to ponder about splitting up and went on a hiatus.
                                                                   

The album featured a greater vocal contribution by Einar, which was criticized in many of the record's reviews, which were noticably weaker than those for "Life's Too Good". After the release of "Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week!", the band embarked on a lengthy international tour. At the conclusion of the tour in late 1990, the band members pursued their own individual interests.
                                                                          

"Stick Around for Joy", the band's third album, was released in 1992. Before the record appeared, a collection of remixes called It's It was released in Europe. "Stick Around for Joy" received better reviews than "Life's Too Good", but the album failed to yield a hit single. It featured guest guitarist

John McGeoch (formerly of Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees) on the opening track "Gold". The album received noticeably better reviews than "Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!", and spawned the band's first big hit single, the aptly titled "Hit". Further singles "Walkabout" and "Vitamin" failed to make any chart impact. The Sugarcubes opened for U2 during the US leg of their Zoo TV Tour in October and November 1992, playing to a grand total of 700,000 people. Following its release, the Sugarcubes disbanded. In 1993, Björk launched a critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo career that was based in dance music.
                                                              

On 17 November 2006 the band had a one-off reunion concert at Laugardalshöll sport arena in Reykjavík, Iceland, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut single "Birthday" with all profits going to the non-profit Smekkleysa SM to promote Icelandic music.

MEMBERS

                                                                               



Björk Guðmundsdóttir – vocals, keyboards
Einar Örn Benediktsson – vocals, trumpet
Sigtryggur Baldursson – drums, percussion
Þór Eldon – guitar
Bragi Ólafsson – bass
Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir – keyboards (1989–1992, 2006)
Einar Melax – keyboards (1987–1989; replaced by Margrét Örnólfsdóttir)
Fridrik Erlingsson – guitar (left the band at the time of the first album release)


THE SUGARCUBES - LIFE'S TOO GOOD  1988

TRACKS


01. Traitor     3:08
02. Motorcrash     2:23
03. Birthday     3:59
04. Delicious Demon     2:43
05. Mama     2:56
06. Coldsweat     3:15
07. Blue Eyed Pop     2:38
08. Deus     4:07
09. Sick For Toys     3:15
10. Fucking In Rhythm & Sorrow     3:14
11. Take Some Petrol Darling     1:27
12. Cowboy     3:26
13. I Want...     2:14
14. Dragon (Icelandic)     3:07
15. Cat (Icelandic)     2:56
16. Coldsweat (Remix)     3:16
17. Deus (Remix)     5:12


Total length:    54:52

MP3 @ 320 Size: 128 MB
Flac  Size: 355 MB

HERE TODAY, TOMORROW NEXT WEEK!  1989

TRACKS

                                                                                 



01. Tidal Wave     2:56
02. Regina     4:05
03. Speed Is The Key     3:18
04. Dream TV     3:12
05. Nail     3:18
06. Pump     4:25
07. Eat The Menu     3:44
08. Bee     2:26
09. Dear Plastic     3:23
10. Shoot Him     2:10
11. Water     3:01
12. A Day Called Zero     2:38
13. Planet     3:23
14. Hey     3:22
15. Dark Disco 1     3:01
16. Hot Meat     3:26

MP3 @ 320 Size: 120 MB
Flac  Size: 358 MB


STICK AROUND FOR JOY  1992

TRACKS




01. Gold  (Guitar – John McGeoch)  3:40
02. Hit     3:56
03. Leash Called Love     3:42
04. Lucky Night     4:03
05. Happy Nurse     3:37
06. I'm Hungry     4:33
07. Walkabout     3:48
08. Hetero Scum     3:08
09. Vitamin     3:41
10. Chihuahua     3:31

MP3 @ 320 Size: 89 MB

Flac  Size: 264 MB

Sunday, April 25, 2021

The Mushrooms: Taste Of 1986

Mushrooms Was a Greek Rock band Rock band formed in December 1984 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
                                                    


Its members used to play in various Northern Greece bands with "International Comedy" and "Silent Moves" being the most well-known. Their first live appearance took place in Serres, June 1985. In May 1986, they supported Television Personalities in Athens. On 21/6/1986 they performed live at Θέατρο Δάσους (Thessaloniki), along with 'Villa 21', 'Noise Promotion Company', 'The Anti Troppau Council', 'The Last Drive' & 'Dark Bay'. In July 1986, they supported The Dream Syndicate in Thessaloniki.
                                                                                        

Asklipios Zampetas, guitarist, later joined the legendary Greek rockers Trypes, while vocalist Pluto was found dead in 2004 after a lethal drug overdose.
                                                                                   

[Δεν είναι γκαράζ οι Mushrooms όπως γράφεται συχνά. Γκαράζ είναι η εκκλησία που δε θέλει να ξεστρατίσει απ'τα πατροπαράδοτα ...τρία ακκόρντα, οι δεξιοί που νοιάζονται μόνο για την πάρτυ τους και γράφουν την πρόοδο στα παλιά τους τα παπούτσια. Γκαράζ είναι οι Ξανθόπουλοι όχι οι Χορν, οι Steven Seagal κι όχι οι Jackie Chan, οι του ροκ δημοτικού με τις περιορισμένες δυνατότητες. Οι Mushrooms ήταν πλήρεις μουσικών γνώσεων, αισθητικά επαρκείς, λεπτεπίλεπτοι μέσα στην ορμητικότητά τους (άκου "Swinging", άκου "Downstairs drops") και υπέροχα μελωδικοί (άκου "Rain", άκου "Child of the tide").
                                                                                  

Στο "Taste of" βρίσκω όλα τα στοιχεία που αγαπώ στο ροκ, το νεανικό σφρίγος (οι μεγάλοι δίσκοι είναι Dorian Gray, μένουν πάντα 20 χρονών), αυτή την αίσθηση μπουλντόζας που δουλειά της είναι η δύναμη κι όχι η ταχύτητα, τις δαντελωτές κιθάρες αλλά και τα δυνατά ακκόρντα (το καλύτερο σχήμα: η μια στρώνει το χαλί για να χορέψει πάνω του η άλλη), την ευγένεια και το πάθος χέρι χέρι, τις μελωδίες. Αντί να κάθομαι να εξηγώ γιατί δε μ'αρέσει το post rock θα συστήνω στο συνομιλητή μου μια ακρόασή του. (Διάολε, πώς μπορείς να είσαι δεκαοκτώ και να ακούς post rock και Radiohead; Στα τριάντα τί θα ακούς, music for meditation; Τρέξε γρήγορα στον ενδοκρινολόγο. Κάτι πολύ άσχημο συμβαίνει με τις ορμόνες σου!)

Mic Greek Music Magazine HERE]
                                                                      

[Ο Ασκληπιός Ζαμπέτας πριν από τους ''The Mushrooms'' συμμετείχε στο συγκρότημα ''International Comedy'' και μετά την διάλυση των ''The Mushrooms'' έγινε μέλος του θρυλικού συγκροτήματος ''Τρύπες'' (δες εδώ: ΤΡΥΠΕΣ). Στους ''International Comedy'' εκτός από τον Ασκληπιό Ζαμπέτα συμμετείχε και ο Γιώργος Ατματζίδης πριν ενταχθεί και αυτός στους ''The Mushrooms'' και ο οποίος μετά την διάλυσή τους συμμετείχε στο συγκρότημα ''Blackmail''. Και οι δυο τους πριν την δημιουργία των ''The Mushrooms'' συμμετείχαν στο συγκρότημα ''Silent Moves'' μαζί και με τον Γιώργο Ματεντζόγλου όπου είχαν συμμετέχει στην συλλογή ''Sounds And Noises Of SKG'' με 2 τραγούδια.

Η πρώτη τους live εμφάνιση θα γίνει σε μία συναυλία, τον Ιούνιο του 1985 στις Σέρρες. 

ELLINIKO - GREEK ROCK.BLOGSPOT.GR HERE ]

                                                                  


[Όπως οι ίδιοι μας είπαν οι αγαπημένοι τους καλλιτέχνες είναι οι Robyn Hitchcock, Julian Cope, Iggy Pop, The Velvet Underground, Syd Barrett, Dream Syndicate, Lou Reed, Jimi Hendrix, John Hammond και Fall. Τον Αύγουστο ηχογράφησαν το πρώτο τους άλμπουμ με τίτλο "Taste of" για την εταιρεία Pegasus Records».
LIFO HERE ]

Γιώργος Αντωνιάδης - Φωνή και στίχους
Ασκληπιός Ζαμπέτας - Κιθάρα
Γιώργος Ατματζίδης -Τύμπανα
Κώστας Τρυψάνης - Μπάσσο
Γιώργος Κυριάκος -Κιθάρα

Label: Labyrinth Of Thoughts ‎– LOT 052
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered (Pegasus Records)
Released: 2019  
Made in : Greece
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock
Year: 1986

TRACKS




SIDE A

 

A1. Taste Of The Mushrooms / Swinging     4:41
A2. Child Of The Tide     3:32
A3. Yard Of My Head     5:48
A4. Downstairs Drops     5:19

SIDE B

 

B1. Subnormal Night     3:29
B2. Deviation     3:36
B3. Yellow Moon     3:19
B4. Rain     4:48
B5. Human Replica     3:57



MP3 @ 320 Size: 90 MB
Flac  Size: 255 MB

Mushrooms - Scarecrow Princes on Urban Aspirines HERE

Friday, April 23, 2021

Ultimate Spinach: Discography (The Big Beat Records 1995 Remasters)

 Ultimate Spinach was one of the most well-known, and perhaps the most notorious, of the groups to be hyped as part of the "Bosstown Sound" in 1968. The name itself guaranteed attention, as one of the most ludicrous and heavy-handed "far out" monikers of the psychedelic era, even outdoing formidable competition such as the Peanut Butter Conspiracy.                                                                    


They formed in 1967. In terms of style and national recognition, the band was one of the most prominent musical acts to emerge from the "Bosstown Sound", which was a regional attempt to

compete with the San Francisco Sound. They recorded their first record for MGM, produced by the ambitious Alan Lorber. Lorber created together with MGM the marketing concept of the 'Boston Sound' (later 'Bosstown' sound) to propose (and sell) an alternative to the West-Coast bands. The three Boston bands starting that "movement" were 'Ultimate Spinach', 'Orpheus' and 'The Beacon Street Union'. These bands, all produced by Alan Lorber, had musically not much in common and 'Ultimate Spinach' was the most interesting band to come out of this hype. 



The band originated as a group called the Underground Cinema, with a line-up consisting of Ian Bruce-


Douglas as a multi-instrumentalist, Barbara Hudson as vocalist, Keith Lahtenein on drums, Geoff Winthrop on rhythm guitar, and Richard Nese on bass guitar. As Underground Cinema, the group served as house band in a club called the Unicorn and recorded demos which later appeared on New England Teen Scene.
                                                      

The name of the band was changed to Ultimate Spinach when they signed with Boston impresario Alan

Lorber (Lorber produced all three of their albums.) Bruce-Douglas says that he named the band based on experiences in an acid trip: "One day, in 1967, I was in my room, tripping on some really pure LSD. I started looking at myself in the mirror and my face was doing funny things. I had a bunch of colored markers I used to draw with. I grabbed a green one and started drawing all these psychedelic designs on my face. When I was done, I looked at myself and said “Whoa! I am ultimate spinach. Ultimate spinach is me!”"
                                                       

Douglas was the self-designated leader of the band. He, alone, played several instruments including guitar, keyboards, harmonica, and sang lead for most of the group's songs. In addition to his

instrumental responsibilities, Douglas also was the primary songwriter and liner note writer for their first two albums. As the band and its contemporaries were emerging on the scene, the band released their debut album, Ultimate Spinach, on January 6, 1968. The album, like the other bands' debuts, was distributed by MGM Records. A concept album based on anti-war sentiment, the album was Ultimate Spinach's most successful when it peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200.
                                                           

Later in 1968, the band released their second album, Behold & See, which again was conceived as a concept piece. Prior to recording, more personnel changes took place with Jeff Baxter taking Winthrop's position, and DiDonato was replaced by Caryl Lee Britt. At the end of 1968 the band was reformed

with Bruce-Douglas keeping only singer Barbara Hudson, but finally he left the band prior to the recording of the third self-titled 'Ultimate Spinach' record, leaving Barbara Hudson as the only original member. The record moved away from the psychedelic sound of the first two records and consisted of mainstream rock songs. 'Ultimate Spinach' recorded some of the most original psychedelic rock records. Ultimate Spinach III, was released, but it failed to chart. After Douglas departed, the band did not have a primary songwriter so the album was misguided and contained multiple styles from each band member. The band broke up soon after.

In the 1990s, Big Beat Records reissued all three of the band's albums in the UK.

MEMBERS

 


Ian Bruce-Douglas – lead vocals, electric piano, organ, vibraphone, lead guitar, recorder (1967–1968)
Barbara Jean Hudson – vocals, acoustic guitar (1967–1969)
Ted Myers – lead vocals, lead guitar (1967, 1969)
Jeff Baxter – lead guitar, steel guitar, vibraphone, vocals (1968–1969)
Tony Scheuren – organ, piano, acoustic guitar, vocals (1968–1969)
Mike Levine – bass guitar (1968–1969)
Russell Levine – drums, percussion (1968–1969)
Richard Nese – bass (acoustic and electric), feedback (1967–1968)
Geoffrey Winthrop – rhythm guitar (1967–1968)
Keith Lahteinen – drums, percussion, vocals (1967)

DISCOGRAPHY

Ultimate Spinach (1968)
Behold & See (1968)
Ultimate Spinach III (1969)

Ultimate Spinach interview with Ian Bruce-Douglas



ULTIMATE SPINACH: ULTIMATE SPINACH 1968

                                                 


Upon its release in early 1968, Ultimate Spinach's self-titled debut was derided by some as second-rate psychedelia, selling reasonably well only by virtue of its hype as part of the "Bosstown Sound." So how

does it sound decades later, removed from that hype and standing on the music alone? It still sounds like bush league, bandwagon-riding psychedelia. Ian Bruce-Douglas dominates the record as lead singer, composer of all the songs, and multi-instrumentalist, and while he espoused a darker vision than many psychedelic songsmiths, he wasn't in remotely the same league as Jim Morrison, Grace Slick, or Country Joe McDonald. The album was Ultimate Spinach's most successful when it peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200.

In 2008, the album still retained its presence as a psychedelic classic when it was listed at number 36 on Classic Rock magazine's "42 Greatest Psychedelic Albums".

Label: Big Beat Records ‎– CDWIKD 142
Series: The Best Of Bosstown Sound™ –
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Country: UK
Released: 1995
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock


TRACKS



01. Ego Trip     3:14
02. Sacrifice Of The Moon (In Four Parts)     3:46
03. Plastic Raincoating / Hung Up Minds     2:56
04. (Ballad Of) The Hip Death Goddess     8:14
05. Your Head Is Reeling     3:40
06. Dove In Hawk's Clothing     3:54
07. Baroque #1     4:48
08. Funny Freak Parade     2:35
09. Pamela     3:09


BALLAD OF THE HIP DEATH GODDESS  LYRICS

 




See the glazed eyes, Touch the dead skin
Feel the cold lips, and know the word of the hip death goddess

Touch my hand and you will know
Touch my hand your heart will cold
Come let me take you in my arms
I will keep you safe from all harm

Kiss my lips for they are very nice
Kiss my lips and you will turn to ice
Look at me and I will turn you on
Don't try and think because your mind is gone

Come and look into my frozen eyes
Come and let me free you from my story
I am the hip death goddess of your dreams
Life isn't all that it seems

MP3 @ 320 Size: 86 MB
Flac  Size: 215 MB

ULTIMATE SPINACH: BEHOLD AND SEE 1968

 



Ultimate Spinach's second album The Penultimate Spinach (as they would make only one more LP) is a slightly more subdued continuation of the derivative psychedelia in their debut. Again, it's like a hack take on West Coast groups.
The album was released in August 1968, and stalled at number 198 on the Billboard 200. Shortly after Behold & See was distributed, Bruce-Douglas departed Ultimate Spinach, and essentially disbanded the group, although an almost entirely new lineup would release one final album in 1969.

Label: Big Beat Records ‎– CDWIKD 148
Series: The Best Of Bosstown Sound™ –
Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: UK
Released: 1995
Genre: Rock
Style:Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

 




01.  Behold & See (Gilded Lamp Of The Cosmos)     3:04
02.  Mind Flowers     8:30
03.  Where You're At     3:12
04.  What You're Thinking Of (Jazz Thing)     6:40
05.  Fragmentary March Of Green     6:03
06.  Genesis Of Beauty (In Four Parts)     9:45
07.  Fifth Horseman Of The Apocalypse     5:56

MP3 @ 320 Size: 103 MB
Flac  Size: 265 MB

ULTIMATE SPINACH: ULTIMATE SPINACH III  1969

 

The Ultimate Spinach were originally a psychedelic/underground band, but by the time of their third


and last album, the group had changed personnel so much that their connection with the original lineup was tenuous in both sound and body. (Actually, the original band had broken up after their second album; the Ultimate Spinach heard on III included a couple of musicians that had recorded on the first two records, but was essentially an entirely different outfit.)

Label: Big Beat Records ‎– CDWIKD 165
Series: The Best Of Bosstown Sound™ –
Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: UK
Released: 1996
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS



01. (Just Like) Romeo & Juliet  (Written-By – R. Wylie, T. Williams)  2:33
02. Some-Days You Just Can't Win  (Written-By – Ted Myers, Tony Scheuren)  3:22
03. Daisy  (Written-By – Jeff Baxter)  2:21
04. Reasons  (Written-By – Ted Myers, Tony Scheuren)  3:51
05. Eddie's Rush     6:52
06. Happiness Child  (Written-By – Ted Myers)  4:42
07. Strange-Life Tragicomedy     4:13
08. Back Door Blues  (Written-By – Ted Myers)  2:56
09. The World Has Just Begun  (Written-By – Ted Myers, Tony Scheuren)  3:19

MP3 @ 320 Size: 81.2 MB
Flac  Size: 202 MB