28 Inches of Punk Rock Part 1 (4x 7” vinyl)

12-12-2024: Originally these four 7” EPs or Singles were posted separately on the same day back in late August of 2014. While updating the entries from my original blogspot I thought it would make much more sense to combine them into one entry and call it 28 Inches of Punk Rock, something I shall continue in the future.

Disorder - Air Raid/Law and Disorder 7"

Label: Punk Rock (Fan Club); Year: ?; Format: Vinyl 7" Single

This little platter was originally released in 1980 on Ace Records, and the band was hailing from Sunderland and should not be confused with the certainly better known act going by the same name from Bristol. This fan club press from about 2000 does the job though as who would want to shell out big bucks for an original. Both tracks found on this scorcher are absolute winners, with Air Raid being the faster and louder while Law and Disorder is being equally good, just slower but somehow meaner and growing on you very quickly. Not much else really needs to be said except that everyone who is into early UK punk rock needs to own this, one way or another. In his excellent “no more heroes - A Complete History of UK Punk from ‘76 to ‘80” author Alex Ogg writes the following:

They put two singles out, the first on Ace, ‘Air Raid’, written by Halstead (guitar), is something of a minor classic. Finances were provided by O’Leary (bass guitar) after he was awarded compensation from the Criminal Injuries Board after a pellet became lodged in his right eye during a game of cowboys and indians. Only being Sunderland, they were using air rifles. The single was recorded in February 1980 with Michael Sweeney as producer and released in April. All 750 copies sold out quickly, with 100 coming in an improvised ‘picture sleeve’, which Comb (drums) manufactured using a page photocopied out of a page ripped from his grandad’s World War II reference book, who was predictably displeased by both the record and the act of vandalism. Further to that the band also had a support slot to the Revillos, but they got subsequently banned from colleges throughout the north east when bass player O’Leary left Fay Fife a love token in her dressing room sink.

UK Decay - The Black 45 EP

Label: Plastic Records; Year: 1980; Format: Vinyl EP

UK Decay are one of the best examples for a band that managed to cross from one genre to another one as they were spearheading a movement that would become to be known as goth in the early '80s. This outstanding 4-song EP released in January 1980 is still steeped deeply in their punk rock roots, but each song already hints at what was to come and is proof of the immense talent this band has on offer. The song arrangements are intelligent, well thought through and executed with such craftsmanship that even though over 30 years have passed since the release of this EP, these tracks stand the test of the time and have become timeless hits. This is definitely a classic, and one that can still easily be obtained so no reason to miss out here!

Paranoia - Dead Man's Dreams/Man in Black 7"

Label: Rot Records; Year: 1984; Format: Vinyl 7"

Hard to imagine how this band from Stoke-On-Trent ended up on Rot Records in the riotous early '80s, as it certainly did not fit into a roster of bands such as Riot Squad, English Dogs or the Varukers. Paranoia stand out as they sounded nothing like the aforementioned bands at all, and quite frankly could have probably become a well known act had they signed to a label that was catering to goth bands in those days. The two songs on this 7" are both outstanding goth-punk with female vocals, and anybody that is seeking out a truly underrated band should get their hands on a copy of this 7-incher. Both songs are mid-tempo with lots of hooks and melodies appealing to both, punks and goths, and I remember hearing one of the songs for the first time when I bought a copy of Rot Records' - End of an Era 2-LP compilation as the label was folding. Even in my much younger years yearning for fast and furious music I dug the wonderful sounds of Paranoia. A true gem!

Victimize - Where did the money go? EP

Label: Last Year's Youth; Year: 2004; Format: Vinyl 7"

Victimize were one of the very few early Welsh punk acts and this EP released a decade ago packs in both of the two official releases from '79 and '80. This reissue comes in a nice 8-page booklet summing up an interesting band history, and some nice old flyers and posters are reprinted therein too. As for the music I for one conclude that only the second single, here on the B-Side, is really worth a listen. 'Where did the money go?' and 'Innocence', an adaptation of John Cooper Clarke's 'Innocent' are great KBD smashers, underproduced but delivered with high energy, anger and conviction. The funny thing about both of those tracks is that none of the original band members recorded these, but some local musicians posed as the original members. The story goes that after the original band had split up their former manager was pissed off and tried to make “lost money” back. Go figure....As for the first single, which makes up the A-Side on this EP, I must say I am not convinced at all. Both songs are drawn out, and even though they are not horrible per se, it seems like at the time the band didn't know whether they wanted to be a punk rock band, or play early '70s rock. Do yourselves a favor and don't spend a fortune on an original copy of Baby Buyer/Hi-Rising Failure as it's not worth it, at least me thinks so. Get this one cheap, especially worth for the B-Side!