Cocobat - Return of Grasshopper (1996)

 

                                                  Cocobat - Return of Grasshopper (1996)
I'm not going to lie and say i have a comprehensive discography of this Jap hardcore powerhouse. However, i have a few CDs of theirs knocking about and I'm always searching for more.

For those not already acquainted, Cocobat are a Japanese hardcore band who have been going strong since the early 90s. Their debut, which is HERE, is a great groove-infected hardcore record. Yep, that's what i said. Groove-infected.

Usually when the words Japanese and hardcore are used to describe something, people either think of
A: Hardcore pornography (usually of a disturbing nature)
B: Noisy Discharge-punx with mohicans and studded jackets

Although i'd love to say that Cocobat incorporates both of these things, they simply don't. Instead of ripping fast GAI worship, Cocobat opt for a groovy, metallic edge that was oh-so-new at the time.

No studded jackets or mohicans, say whaaaaat? I thought this was Japanese Hardcore!

That image should speak volumes, Cocobat aren't your typical punk band. While the likes of Confuse are accused of being a prime example of fashion-punks, Cocobat just look like a bunch or norms....by 90s standards at least.

Since Cocobat weren't spending hours patching and studding their apparel they must have spent their time practising their instruments because they are all super competent and water tight.

From what i can gather, after the first record they booted former vocalist Ryuji (Disarray/Bitousha/Dessert), drummer Matsuzaki, and Shinichi Suzuki (Lawshed) and replaced them with Koji on guitar, Kame on drums and Hideki on vocals. Basically, this record features only one member from the original line-up that recorded the self-titled effort - the amazingly named, and skilled, Take-Shit.

You'd think their sound would have changed with this massive overhaul. And while they do sound different, it's still a big mish-mash of heavy chugs, slap-bass, and schizoid guitar parts.You can tell that Take-Shit runs the joint, slapping-popping-taking shits everywhere on this record. Man, he can play. Guitar-wise Koji brings more 90s hardcore conventions to the table: militant chugs, natural harmonics, discordant chords, groove-riffing - the whole shebang. On top of this there are plenty of inventive ideas floating around by all members.

Annotating each song would probably be a big snore for y'all, so i'll just say this: If you didn't like their debut, you probably won't like this.

Take-Shit taking shits for shit and giggles
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/WTRIvJMo/file.html

The Misfits - Horror Business EP (1979)

 

The Misfits - Horror Business EP (1979)

So here we are. Final Halloween post. I was hoping to be a bit more prolific, but what the hell.

Horror Business is simply one the the greatest songs ever written. Any other opinion is bullshit and you should feel bad for not agreeing with me.

On this legendary EP The Misfits rip through three tracks of pure punk rock glory. If Horror Business and Teenagers From Mars don't convince you that The Misfits were one of THE best bands to ever exist, then i have no idea whats wrong with you.

I suppose the only issue with this record is that the former tunes make the final cut Children In Heat seem insignificant. However, don't get me wrong. Children In Heat is a rad tune, it's just up against some hard competition!

The line-up on this masterpiece is the same as Night Of The Living Dead: Danzig, Only, Steele, and Image 

As we all know, The Misfits rotated guitarists frequently in their initial short life span, creating even more punk rock classics with every record they put out. And then Danzig left...we wont get into that here.

A fucking gem. Happy Halloween, you fiends!

Teenagers from mars and we don't care!

The Misfits - Night Of The Living Dead (1979)

 

The Misfits - Night Of The Living Dead (1979)

What would Halloween be without The Misfits. Undoubtably one of the greatest bands ever. Night of the Living Dead is one of the prime Misfits recordings from the classic, or one of the classic, line-ups. On this record Bobby Steele rocks the guitar, while mainstays Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only do their thang. On drums is Joey Image, of whom i have no knowledge of. Apparently he donned the sticks for less than a year in The Misfits and became active in recording in the 00s...as well as having a Youtube Podcast channel. It's true, look it up!

This particular record is pretty interesting in terms of the song choices. Obviosly we have the Romero homage Night of the Living Dead, as well a favourite of mine, Where Eagles Dare. The last cut, Rat Fink, is actually a cover by Allan Sherman who was dead well before the Misfits were on the scene.
 

A true fucking classic.

I ain't no goddamn son of a bitch, you better think about it baby!

GBH - Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne (1981)

 

GBH - Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne (1981)

Probably not the first band that comes to your mind in regards to Halloween or horror themed punk, but GBH had a fair share of Hammer Horror-esque lyrics in their earlier work. Especially here the dark humour shines through in tracks such as Lycanthropy, State Executioner, and my personal favourite,
Necrophilia.

For me, this and the debut LP, City Baby Attacked By Rats, show GBH at their best. Undoubtedly one of the forerunners of UK punk rock during the early eighties, GBH bring the bass heavy power of Motorhead and the senseless aggression of the Sex Pistols to create a unique style that has been much copied...but hardly ever surpassed!

Their later material isn't as potent when compared to the vitriolic power of Leather... and City Baby..., but GBH definitely deserve respect for their contribution to, not only punk, but music in general. And let's not forget to mention their defiant attitude to recording and touring throughout the eras, regardless of how popular (or unpopular) punk is at those specific times. 

Your hair is tied in a spiders web, you're dead!

LDS - On The Cross EP (1985)

LDS - On The Cross (1985) 

A punk record that starts with Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Now what do we expect to follow?
LDS were a punk band that straddled the lines between 77 punk with creepy melodies and hardcore. These Utah miscreants put out this EP and an LP, Nightmare, in the space of two years (1985-1986). Like many, LDS never really developed a large following or cult status, and as such, have become long forgotten.

Maybe it's due to them being from the distant religious hub Utah, or maybe it's just that the songwriting wasn't the best, but LDS never caught on. Both of their records were given fairly negative reviews in Maximum Rock'n'Roll, essentially saying that they aren't anything special. To top it off, nothing much has sprung out of the band in terms of other projects. So LDS are a bit of a mystery band.

Although they were given a rough deal in their heyday, LDS were all very good at their instruments. The drummer in particular shines throughout this record. The vocals let them down slightly, they're not like Danzig, but they're also not nasty and virile like Fear Itself...they're just...standard hardcore yelling. With all this said, the guitars make up for it with some nice macabre melodies and relentless power-chords.

LDS aren't an essential band, but for connoisseurs of punk rock they are definitely worth looking up.

Breeders!

Fear Itself - Till Death Do Us Part (1987)

 

Fear Itself - Till Death Do Us Part 

Fear Itself are, yes, you guessed it...yet another horror themed punk band from the 80s. This time from the unlikely territory of South Carolina, USA. They put out a great demo in in 1986, featured on multiple comp tapes, and released this gem in 1987. Much like the other horror themed bands, Fear Itself were a bit too late to the punk rock picnic. However, their powerful, and sometimes frantic speeds akin to Septic Death, give them an edge over the crossover guck of the time. 

It's obvious that they were all pretty accomplished at their instruments. They swiftly change tempos with frantic grace, staying in time, and spicing up their guitar and drum parts. The guitars and drums are the definite highlights of this record. The drums absolutely blast like a mutha, while the guitars mix up between fastcore, heavy riffs, and slight metal damage! Respect has to be given to the vocal performance here as well. There's a nice snotty bite to the vocals, and some rad sneering, creepy lines to top it off!

This is some dead powerful stuff, and if that album art doesn't convince you to check this out, i don't know what will!

Pray For Death (link from the awesome Brave New World blog)

Tales of Terror LP (1984)

                                                                 Tales of Terror (1984)
One of the better known punk bands of the 80s to flirt with horror imagery was Sacramento's Tales of Terror. Much like 5051, Fear Itself, and the Skulldiggers, Tales stuck to playing punk fucking rock as opposed to crossover or Revolution Summer punk. Not so surprisingly, they were a big deal to the late 80s/early 90s Seattle punk scene. With Mark Arm and Kurt Cobian singing their praises, what more evidence could you want? Maybe the reason Tales resonated with Seattle was their fearless mixing of rockabilly, 70s rock, and macabre melodies into their punk rock frenzy. A sound the grunge bands exploited to much success.




If it wasn't for guitar maestro, Lyon Wong, being killed by a teenager, Tales could have made it big. Read more about that story as well as the history of the band HERE

In typical fashion, when the band split the members went on to other projects. None of which surpassed Tales of Terror in success or acclaim. Unfortunately the punk rock pension plan didn't work out for some of the members with Magner dying of a methadone overdose in 2004 and singer Rat's Ass suffering a series of debilitating strokes recently.

Where did you say you have an Elvis tattoo?

 Link from the great Dr. Drunk blog!