Carlsberg (Netherlands, 1980)

Prolific Dutch outfit that released at least 4 7"s and 4 LPs. Most of it is mediocre pop-rock but the B side of this, their 1st 7", stands out. Both songs are also available on the No Credit Cards LP. Their releases should be pretty easy and cheap to find if you are interested.

Carlsberg - All The President's Men / Silly Lilly 7" (GIP 4051, 1979)

unknown (Thailand, 1991)

Something a little different this time ... this record is a complete mystery to me since almost everything except the date (I assume the big "1991" written in blue marker is the date) is written in Thai. The seller said it was "heavy metal", no doubt based on the photo of the dudes on the cover. No heavy or metal here, the sound is really more like Thai pop music for the most part. Just one of the offbeat things I pull out of my collection every so often.

unknown Thai LP - 8 songs (1991)

Wild Boys (UK, 1980)

Here's one that drives powerpop collectors crazy. Prices of £400 - 500+ are not unusual when it does infrequently come up for sale. It was sort of posted over at the excellent Deadbeats & No Ones blog a while back. Here it is again, along with a little bonus. Their only other appearance on vinyl was the Sent From Coventry compilation LP, also in 1980. There were also 2 songs released as a cassette single, mentioned in this article, that were done for a theatre production.

Wild Boys - Last One Of The Boys / We're Only Monsters 7" (Ring Piece S/80/CUS886, 1980)

Brontophobia (Sweden, 1979)

Swedish garage/punk from a Sollentuna band that started in 1976. 500 copies of their only record were released in 1979, one of which recently managed to sell for $200.

Brontophobia - Hey / Motorcar 7" (Bronto BFS 179, 1979)

Oswalda Murph Band (USA, 1980)

San Francisco record that includes Jane Weems from The Maggots playing drums on the A side. There are probably other connections to the San Francisco punk scene as well. Two different versions of the song "74" written by Dennis Lee with lyrics amended by O. Murph.

Oswalda Murph Band - 74-1 / 74-2 7" (no label, 1980)

Brave New Works (Australia, 1982)

Obscure indie release. The 2 songs on the B side were recorded live and are energetic with a bit of a punky edge. Side A was recorded at M Squared Studios, Sydney.

Brave New Works - Wasteland // Mixed Up Feelings / Radiate EP (Local Label LOCAL 6, 1982)

Baby Dolls (Austria, 1985)

OK, I admit it. I bought this one mostly because of the cover. Especially the one standing at the front. The music? Some cheesy 80s synth disco pop. If you can't get enough of the A side, the B side is an instrumental version. 

Baby Dolls - Like A Shadow / In The Night 7" (Lion Baby 10 113 581, 1985)

Gents (South Africa, 1982)

I had previously posted The Gents 7" and at the time I was still looking for their LP. I've since found it and as there were a few requests for it, here it is. Luckily I didn't pay much for it since I found it somewhat disappointing after reading about it here where it is described as "measured rock with more than a hint of punk". I don't even hear a hint of punk but maybe that's just me. Side A has a few decent melodic songs but overall I find it lacking in energy. The aforementioned review goes on further to state: "Despite the album being a controlled and well produced affair, judging by the pictures on the sleeve, The Gents look like they were a colourful, energetic and probably quite loud live act with a fair following."

Gents - s/t LP (RAP SRLP C/15, 1982)
(Out Of Tone / Modern Girls / Don't Let Me / Don't Ask Me / You're So Young // Picnic In Paris / Deaf Speech / Nobody Nobody / Roxy Bar / So Messed Up / Passing Days)

Ascensions (Canada, 1980)

More of a hippy rock outfit than a punk band these guys from Sooke, British Columbia (not far from Victoria) managed to record this one 7" in December, 1980 in an attempt to get more shows from local establishments. The A side ("The Stud") was included on the excellent 2CD compilation called "All Your Ears Can Hear - Underground Music in Victoria, BC 1978 - 1984" along with an unreleased song called "She's Weird". 500 were pressed but only around 50 were distributed at the time. The rest were dumped or ended up in thrift shops years later. It doesn't turn up too often, fetching around $150 at times. More recently a copy sold for around 1/5 of the earlier eBay auction. Being patient can sometimes pay off.

Ascensions - The Stud / Need Some Lovin Times 7" (TA 1381-45, 1981)

Dreamz / Lefty (USA, 1978 / 1981)

Nothing connects these records (that I'm aware of) except that both have in the past appeared on eBay with the ubiquitous "powerpop" description. While the A sides of each may fleetingly veer into what might be considered "powerpop" I think both remain firmly planted in rock/AOR territory. That said, I don't mind both "You're A Special Girl" and "Lay It On The Line". As for the B sides, my mother always told me that if you can't say anything nice ...

Dreamz - You're A Special Girl / The Flame In My Eyes 7" (Peppermint Presents PP1150, 1978)
Lefty - Lay It On The Line / Anywhere But Home 7" (Sandlot 0001, 1981)

Passage Clouté (Belgium, 198x)

Mystery (at least to me) record from Tournai, Belgium on the Gamm label. My best guess at the year would be around 1980. Anyone know more or have info on other interesting releases from this label? This one is #0017 so presumably there were 16 that came before this. Are any of them of interest to punk/powerpop/new wave nerds like me?

Passage Clouté - Cette musique / Trop de fric 7" (Gamm GAMM 0017, 198?)

Poison Ivy (Sweden, 19??)

Swedish mystery record. No info at all except both songs are credited to T. Rhodin and produced by B. Holgersson. Maybe from around 1980 but your guess is as good as mine.

Poison Ivy - Turn Me Loose / Party 7" (JOC-001, 19??)

Thought Police (Canada, 1979)

I don't know much about this one. It was recorded in Hamilton, Ontario and that is all I can tell you. Not really punk but still an interesting record. The Jr. Anti-Sex League provide vocals on 1984.

Thought Police - 1984 / Victory Square 7" (VC (Video Cabaret) Records, 1979)

Wavis O'Shave EP (UK, 1979)

Following an earlier post of the LP, there were several requests for the 7" EP, so here you go. Also released in 1979, this one is similar in style to the LP.

Wavis O'Shave - Denis Smokes Tabs (John Is A Figroll) EP (Company CR003, 1979)
(Denis Smokes Tabs / Mauve Shoes Are Awful / You Think You're A Woman Because You Don't Eat Fishcakes // Don't Crush Bees To Death With The End Of Your Walking Stick / The Figroll Song / Oh Peter Oh Steven)

Steroids (New Zealand, 1981)

One of three 7"s released from 1980 - 1981.They also had 3 tracks on the Wellingtonzone compilation LP in 1981. More here.

Steroids - Credit Card / Destination Tokyo 7" (BUNK Bunk 005, 1981)

The link for this has been removed ... all 3 singles are being remastered and will be available from iTunes. Since I don't use iTunes and don't plan on starting any time soon, maybe someone could let me know when these songs are available there? A CD (or even vinyl) release would be nice too.

[June 2014 update - still no idea if these are on iTunes or not. I also haven't seen anything of a CD or vinyl release.]