Radiation Reissues Punk | Hardcore 131 Items

Containing the hits that were only deemed misses by the critics that condemned Oi! as some kind of subcultural fad that favoured football and violence way above the bloody good tunes that should by rights occupy the higher rank, 4 Skins, The Unreleased Radio & Studio Sessions encapsulates that energy at its finest. From formidable swarms of police brutality and political injustice, the underlying (and unyielding) socio-political messages experienced from the streets that resonated with every estranged clockwork skinhead of the day are bound to be ticked on every track. After the atmospheric crash of One Law for Them, dropped in amongst the Radio and blistering Bumper Sessions with Evil sitting squarely in its unpolished centre is the ska-inflected gallop of Seems To Me, an unreleased tune reinforcing the notion that there was more to Oi! than meets the laces.

Launched in London in December 1976, punk stalwarts 999 are one of the most successful and long-lasting acts of the upstart movement. Third studio album The Biggest Prize In Sport was their first for Polydor, the band’s competency at a peak, despite the temporary appearance of fanboy drummer Ed Case, drafted in from the Southall Crew supporters when Pablo LaBrittain broke his arm. Often ranked as the greatest album of their entire career, The Biggest Prize In Sport had noticeably smoother edges than their earlier work, yet still holding plenty of bite, the combination pushing it into the Billboard top 200 in the USA. Unmissable!

Great classic UK punk, originally released on Link records in 1992, for the first time on vinyl. Recorded in various locations in 1981. Limited edition on color vinyl, comes complete with a Poster for an exclusive photo by Ray Stevenson and OBI strip. Limited to 500 copies for RSD 2023.

Tenth issue in a series of limited picture discs celebrating Radiation Records’ storefront in Rome, Italy for Record Store Day. For the first time available on a picture disc 7", the legendary So-Cal punk band Agent Orange third single originally released in 1982 on Posh Boy Records. Limited to 500 copies. Licensed from Robbie S. Fields / Posh Boy Records.

Adventurous southern California punk trio Agent Orange was the first band to mix surf rock with punk. The group was formed in 1979 in Placentia, a small town close to Fullerton and Anaheim, by frontman Mike Palm on guitar and lead vocals, Steve Soto on bass and Scott Miller on drums. That early line up recorded the classic version of "Bloodstains" in 1979 as a demo produced by Daniel R. van Patten (of the group Berlin). A year later it was included on the seminal Rodney On The Roq compilation album released by Posh Boy Records. Meanwhile James Levesque had replaced Steve Soto (Adolescents) and the new line up released their own self produced and self released 7" ep in 1980. A year later, the group signed with Robbie Fields' Posh Boy Records for their debut LP Living In Darkness, co-produced by Fields and former Simpletones guitarist Jay Lansford. The album was recorded at Brian Elliott’s store front studio in North Hollywood (a few years before Elliott struck gold writing Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach”).

Adventurous southern California punk trio Agent Orange was the first band to mix surf rock with punk. The group was formed in1l979 in Placentia, a small town close to Fullerton and Anaheim, by frontman Mike Palm on guitar and lead vocals, Steve Soto on bass and Scott Miller on drums. That early line up recorded the classic version of "Bloodstains" in 1979 as a demo produced by Daniel R. van Patten (of the group Berlin). A year later it was included on the seminal Rodney On The Roq compilation album released by Posh Boy Records. Meanwhile James Levesque had replaced Steve Soto (Adolescents) and the new line up released their own self produced and self released 7" ep in 1980. A year later, the group signed with Robbie Fields' Posh Boy Records for their debut LP Living In Darkness, co-produced by Fields and former Simpletones guitarist Jay Lansford. The album was recorded at Brian Elliott’s store front studio in North Hollywood (a few years before Elliott struck gold writing Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach”). A milestone in California Punk Rock history. Limited to 800 handnumbered copies RSD 2020 edition, on Purple Vinyl with 5 bonus tracks, with double sided lyric insert!

Formed in London in 1977 by Mark Perry and Alex Fergusson, then editors of the punk fanzine Sniffin' Glue, Alternative TV was a post-punk group known for incorporating reggae rhythms and pushing the boundaries of the definition of punk toward the experimental and avant-garde. Their first album, The Image Has Cracked, came out originally in 1978 and is a wholly unique piece of British post-punk. Beloved by John Peel, and close confidantes of Throbbing Gristle, Alternative TV is one of the most original and beguiling groups of the era.

Part of the late '70s/early '80s HC/punk explosion out of the Los Angeles area, where bands like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Minutemen, and Bad Religion originated from, ANTI formed in 1979 by a then teenage Danny Phillips, better known as Danny Dean, who was the bassist / guitarist and first original vocalist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member throughout multiple lineup changes during the past 40 years. Their 1982 debut album,I Don't Want To Die In Your War, was recorded and mixed by legendary producer and sound engineer for Black Flag and Descendents, SPOT. It is a major example of California Hardcore from the early 80's. Despite having been completely underrated, ANTI's 1982 debut paved the way for a lot of California punk to come. Available again for the first time after almost four decades on its original format, with its original artwork and complete with insert thanks to Radiation Records.

Probably the first experiment in mixing hardcore attitude with OI! songwriting ever made within the UK punk movement, Attak were born as a four piece in New Mills in l98l, but immediately reversed to a trio when their singer left for school commitments and released two incredible singles on the No Future label in this form, right before recruiting a new guitarist and record “Zombies”, that came out in l983 on the same label. Known for featuring Mackie from BLITZ’s sister on drums, (and sounding a lot like his band!), Attak definitely split up in late 1983. This criminally underrated classic gets reissued on vinyl with his original artwork and fully remastered. Limited to 500 copies on Color Vinyl, complete with big 60x40 cm folded poster!

Formed in the town of New Mills, Derbyshire in 1980, Oi legends Blitz revitalised the UK punk scene of the era, their incendiary debut Voice Of A Generation a massive commercial success, but the 1983 follow-up Time Empire Justice had a different line-up and new wave orientation, pointing to fissures in the group; then, in 1990, guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Nidge Miller teamed up with former Attack frontman Gary Basnett for The Killing Dream, a studio swansong that revived the name with Nidge fully in control. Devotees will love the sterling guitar work on this final piece of the Blitz jigsaw.

Raw, violent and catchy, Blitz's 1982 debut album sounded like a shot of pure rock and roll through the violence of the English working class. Made up by two punks and two skinheads, with a lot to say about violence and football, Blitz appealed to all kinds of lowlifes, who finally had a voice for their generation. This new version of the long out of print classic includes three bonus tracks (2 from the 'Carry On Oi!' comp and one from the 'Total Noise' comp).

At its purest, there is little that can match the visceral thrill and empowering spirit of hardcore. As front-man of New York City hardcore kings Cro-Mags, this is something John Joseph knows very well, and with Up In Arms, he and his Bloodclot compatriots deliver a furious collection that hits hard on every level. "In this band we're doing what each of us have always done: give it our all," he states plainly. "We work hard, and we have a lot to say. Look around the planet - people are fed up with the corrupt ruling class. They destroy the planet and kill millions for profit, and the formula for our response is simple: Anger + applied knowledge = results. Don't just bitch. Change it." The results reflect the roots and passions of the individual members. Danzig/Murphy's Law guitarist Todd Youth was the first piece of the puzzle. "We've always talked about doing this record together, Todd had songs written and I had notebooks full of lyrics. In late September 2015, I went out to LA to do a triathlon and injured my calf muscle, so I couldn't race, and Todd said he could get some studio time. So, we went in and cut the demo. While there are things we may perceive as a negative in our lives, in fact the universe has a bigger plan, and that experience ultimately resulted in the record." Having been friends with Queens Of The Stone Age and Danzig powerhouse drummer Joey Castillo for three decades, the two musicians had long admired each other's work, and their collaboration has been a long time coming. Following Castillo's suggestion of bringing in Nick Oliveri (Queens Of The Stone Age/The Dwarves) to handle bass duties, the lineup was complete. The songs that comprise Up In Arms manifested after the quartet plugged in and let the music speak for them. "We didn't decide to try to play anything, these are the songs that happened when we started jamming, and I love this band because there are no egos involved. Our goal is to make the best music possible, period. I love it when those guys contribute with melodies, etc., and I've even helped with some of the arrangements. Because we all think alike, our lyrics deal with the issues of the day, and that makes for better songs." Every track on Up In Arms lives up to the rallying cry of the album's title - the bursts of high energy hardcore act as the perfect accompaniment to Joseph setting his sights on injustice and the seemingly endless flaws of the contemporary world. The breakneck thrashing of "Slow Kill Genocide" is an anthem for everyone sickened by those responsible for "killing the planet and all its inhabitants through industry and war. They're fucking maniacs and must be stopped." The suitably titled "Manic" attacks with bared fangs, Joseph making it clear that you can only push someone so far before they will react with violence - a call to arms for the disenfranchised who want tomorrow's world to be better than today's. Tracked at NRG in Los Angeles, the raw, old-school production that leaps out from the speaker comes courtesy of producer Zeuss (Hatebreed, Revocation), and the record was mixed by Kyle McAulay at NRG. From the moment the opening title track explodes to life, it's clear that everyone involved is having a blast and playing from the heart, and that this is no frills / no bullshit music at its most passionate - every song evoking mental images of utter chaos in a heaving mosh pit. For anyone approaching the album for the first time, Joseph has only this to say: "Turn the volume way the fuck up!" And with plans to tour everywhere, Bloodclot will be getting in a lot of faces in 2017 and beyond. "We are already writing material and the next album is in the works. But, for now, all we want is to hit the stage to support 'Up in Arms', and every single night leave every ounce of ourselves up there."

Despite strong followings in Holland and Norway, where keyboardist Casino Steel hailed from, London power-pop pioneers the Boys never achieved the British breakthrough they were due, and after three albums failed to chart, Steel quit, making more space for the twin-guitar attack of Matt Dangerfield and frontman Honest John Plain. Final album Boys Only held echoes of the Ronettes’ riveting harmonies, the rock excess of Johnny Thunders and punky pop of the Ramones, ‘Miss You’ a country punk salute to John Wayne and ‘Weekend’ belatedly acknowledged as an edgy pop master- piece. In short, a great Boys swansong!

TRACKLIST

Innovative East LA Chicano punk rockers THE Brat formed in l978 when lead guitarist Rudy Medina and his guitarist nephew Sidney met singer-songwriter Teresa Covarrubias. Together they began penning songs that addressed social inequalities while fusing hardcore sounds with reggae undercurrents and a hint of girl group pop. A gig at the Vex in l98O put them in the orbit of Los Illegals and The Plugz, whose frontman Tito Larriva produced their debut EP Attitudes, making it the first release on his own Fatima Recordz label. A killer set from start to finish, this fully authorized limited edition remastered reissue comes with rare bonus tracks and a printed inner sleeve. Essential!

Innovative East LA Chicano punk rockers THE Brat formed in l978 when lead guitarist Rudy Medina and his guitarist nephew Sidney met singer-songwriter Teresa Covarrubias. Together they began penning songs that addressed social inequalities while fusing hardcore sounds with reggae undercurrents and a hint of girl group pop. A gig at the Vex in l98O put them in the orbit of Los Illegals and The Plugz, whose frontman Tito Larriva produced their debut EP Attitudes, making it the first release on his own Fatima Recordz label. A killer set from start to finish, this fully authorized limited edition remastered reissue comes with rare bonus tracks and a printed inner sleeve. Essential!

Hailing from Britain’s formerly industrial heartland of North Yorkshire, The Burial was a forward-facing ska-punk/Oi band with a strong Left orientation, channelling 2Tone, Northern Soul, punk, and folk influences. Rhythm guitarist Eric ‘Barney’ Barnes made sure the world knew these skinheads were antifascist and the use of a full horn section made their sole LP, A Day On The Town, stand out. Unlike the Redskins, who soon moved to the student circuit, The Burial remained embedded in the working class communities from whence they came; this fine, often overlooked LP will be devoured by all fans of ska-punk and Oi!.

Neo-Mod act the Carpettes began as a Stones-influenced school band, formed in the small northeast Norman town of Houghton-le-Spring in the mid-l97Os, the trio of frontman Neil Thompson, bassist George Maddison, and drummer Kevin Heard shifting to punk before signing to Small Wonder as a Mod revival act. By the time they joined the Beggar’s Banquet roster in 1978, Heard was replaced by Tim Wilder (with Simon Smith of the Merton Parkas briefly in the fold). Sophomore album Fight Amongst Yourselves is arguably their best, the appealing material ranging from the socially-relevant power-pop of the title track and the pop-punk of ‘The Reason I’m Lonely’ to the reggae cadences of ‘The Last Lone Ranger’.

Channel 3, aka CH3, was formed in 1980 in suburban Cerritos, about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, with frontman Mike Magrann, guitarist Kimm Gardener, bassist Larry Kelly and drummer Mike Burton. Signing to Posh Boy in 1981, their eponymous EP had the hit ‘Manzanar,’ which was championed by John Peel on the BBC. Posh Boy founder Robbie Fields was in the producer’s chair for their excellent debut, Fear of Life, a blistering punk assault on American values. Free from the heavy metal leanings of their later work, this no-holds-barred debut is a must for all fans of So-Cal hardcore.

One of the most legendary and longest lasting of English anarcho-punk acts, Chaos UK was formed in the southwest fishing port town of Portishead, near Bristol, in 1979, their lightning-speed protest anthems leading to top-ranking status internationally, most especially in Japan, where they influenced a range of emerging local hardcore bands. This compilation gathers the best of their Japan singles issued in the 1990s and early 2000s, including the ‘King For A Day,’ ‘Kanpai,’ ‘Making Half A Killing’ and ‘The Dangerous Study’ EPs, as well as bonus tracks culled from the Punk’s Not Dead compilation. Absolutely essential Chaos!

Originally released on the small “Children Of The Revolution” label back in 1984, Short Sharp Shock is Chaos UK's own undiscussed masterpiece, and their first 12” recorded with the classic Mower/Chuck/Gabba /Chaos line up. Up there along with Discharge’s Hear Nothing,See Nothing, Say Nothing and Disorder’s 1984 Under the Scalpel Blade, straight out of the holy trinity of British 80's Punk: angry, pissed and out of tune like it always should have sounded.

Before embracing punk through the influence of bands like the Damned, UK Subs frontman Charlie Harper was active in pub rock groups, so when he decided to cut his debut solo album for Flicknife Records in 1981, he returned to classic rock ‘n’ roll and R&B, cutting an enjoyable covers album with fellow Subs Steve Slack and Pete Davies in tow. Tune in to this long lost gem to catch the other side of Charlie, who delivers one-off takes of Hendrix’s ‘Hey Joe,’ the Doors’ Light My Fire, the Velvets’ ‘Femme Fatale’ and Muddy Waters’ ‘Hoochie Coochie Man,’ among others. All UK Subs fans take note: your hero’s alter-ego awaits!

Formed in 1976, legendary punk outfit Chelsea was assembled by the owners of the Acme Attractions boutique with Gene October as frontman; guitarist Billy Idol, bassist Tony James and drummer John Towe soon split to form Generation X, but their loss was Chelsea’s gain, with debut single ‘Right To Work’ rated one of the best punk songs of all time. Though their self-titled debut LP didn’t surface until 1979, when punk was waning, there is plenty to savour in October’s forceful vocals and James Stevenson’s powerful guitar licks, plus a plausible take of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Many Rivers To Cross.’ A punk classic, ripe for rediscovery!

Formed in 1976, legendary punk outfit Chelsea was assembled by the owners of the Acme Attractions boutique with Gene October as frontman; guitarist Billy Idol, bassist Tony James and drummer John Towe soon split to form Generation X, but their loss was Chelsea’s gain, with debut single ‘Right To Work’ rated one of the best punk songs of all time. Though their self-titled debut LP didn’t surface until 1979, when punk was waning, there is plenty to savour in October’s forceful vocals and James Stevenson’s powerful guitar licks, plus a plausible take of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Many Rivers To Cross.’ A punk classic, ripe for rediscovery!

Released in 1983 on London's Legendary Mortarhate label, Conflict's debut broke all rules in punk rock, setting new standards and storming independent charts, reaching and retaining position number 1 for several weeks. Formed in 1981 and led by vocalist Colin Jerwood, who would remain one of the group's few constants throughout its 30 years of existence, and fueled by hatred for the media, the military and the general status quo of late century Thatcher's England, Conflict has been a stainless model for three generation of peace punkers, activists and anarchists from all over the world.

Obscure British punk quartet Court Martial formed in Bristol in 1980, part of the same scene that gave rise to Chaos UK, Vice Squad, The Partisans and Anti-Pasti. This comparative compilation captures the group at their rawest beginnings, surveying the unfiltered demos they cut before signing to Riot City Records, as well as the more professional efforts that resulted in the 12-inch singles “No Solution” and “Gotta Get Out.” The material finds our heroes switching between fast ‘n’ furious diatribes and fuzzy dirges, and alternating the demos with the singles allows us to witness their progression. More great early 80s Brit punk!

Following the differences that saw the original group implode on the road in 1989, Cryptic Slaughter’s guitarist Les Evans moved to Portland, Oregon, where he formed a new band with former Wehrmarkt and Sweaty Nipples drummer Brian Lehfeldt, plus bassist Bret Davis and vocalist Dave Hollingsworth, both formerly in local hardcore band Crud. Now metal was much more prominent and hardcore on the wane, but there are still signature tempo changes, here within longer, more complex song structures, prefacing the industrial and post-thrash crossover acts to follow. An enduring swansong for all lovers of these metalcore innovators.

Formed in Santa Monica in 1984 by guitarist Les Evans, drummer Scott Peterson and bassist Adam Scott—soon replaced by Rob Nicholson, who joined after singer Bill Crooks arrived, metalcore pioneers Cryptic Slaughter gained an early reputation as one of the fastest of all west coast hardcore bands. Following the success of Convicted and Money Talks, Stream Of Consciousness is the last album to feature the original line-up, the band having broken up prior to its release; with multiple tempo changes on each song, this is the group at their inventive peak, prior to the regrouping that brought a more concerted metal direction. A milestone in the history of crossover thrash.

Lesser-known punk band Cyanide formed in the northern cathedral city of York in 1976, the four lads based at the Old Priory Youth Club. After cutting a couple of demos soon after their formation, in time the band’s reputation was such that they were playing the Roxy in London and during their rapid ascent, the quartet managed to score a contract with major label Pye for their self-titled debut album, recorded in December 1976 and produced by Ron O’Shea, who ironically got his start with orchestral easy listening. A fun set of tongue-in-cheek first-wave punk originals, the album also includes a spirited cover version of The Who’s ‘I’m A Boy.’