ESSEX AND EAST LONDON PUNK

Sometimes two days seems like a long time to stay away from UK punk. And then I hear songs like THE ACCUSED's "Live A Lie" and I wonder why I ever left at all. This glorious mix tape starts with four UK82 scorchers from THE ACCUSED, and only gets better from there. POISONED BY ALCOHOL are nothing spectacular, but if you heard it blaring out of a shitty stereo about 2/3 of the way through the party you would likely rush over and try to find out who had made the sounds...and there's something inescapably great about the vocals. THE DREAMS stick out like bikers at a J-Pop show on this tape, but their two tunes are blazing punk rock and roll the likes of which NEW BOMB TURKS perfected a decade later...like NINE POUND HAMMER, M.O.T.O. and EDDIE & THE HOT RODS all getting loaded together, I'm not sure what they are doing on this tape or where/when they are from, but I'm well psyched to hear the tunes. THE SINYX featured a KRONSTADT UPRISING member in a later lineup, but I could give half a shit about that after hearing the brilliantly tinny guitar and snotty vocals that are the focal point for their two songs...great fukkn shit. Flip the tape and get into RIGOR MORTIS (the UK punks, obviously, not the US thrashers); six rippers and an unfortunate cover of "Tequila" (again I ask: why did so many '80s bands insist on adding pointless covers to their demos and live shows?) and STONE THE CROWZ wrap the tape up with five dark pre UK crust numbers. I feel like people who put together mix tapes should sign them so I can give proper credit for an excellent compilation - "Job Well Done!"

ESSEX AND EAST LONDON PUNK