TURNING POINT - ITS ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN LP (1st PRESS) COKE BOTTLE CLEAR

Who would have thought that slap bass would ever be a hit on a hardcore record and I'm not talking about hardcore bands with a funk element in their sound but rather straight up slap bass on a hardcore record. Anyway this Lp has that in abundance and is used to perfection, there you go I said it! Turning Point were a classic example of a band that started out as a full on Youth Of Today worship but over time evolved into an excellent melodic hardcore outfit.

The evolution from the demo to the bands last releases was significant and produced a plethora of like minded/sounding bands thereafter. I ordered this Lp straight from New Age when it came out along with the hand print shirt back before the internet was a major ordering tool and before labels sent out your order promptly! Anyway eagerly wanting to hear this was the only thing on my mind when I sent the cash to Mike Hartsfield and his label. Fast forward 6 months later and finally my LP arrived along with my shirt, obviously by that time I had written my $25 off as being lost in transition and had planned a boycott of everything New Age! Well that was all forgotten as I realised that I had a "rare" version of the Lp. I always wondered if I had been forgotten about and that I was sent this variation as a sorry and thanks for being patient, who knows but I got lucky thats for sure! Everything about this record is immense, aggression, melody, fast tunes, great packaging and that coke bottle clear vinyl that always looks a treat!

SLIPKNOT - SELF TITLED EP, CLEAR RED

How unfortunate that this bands legacy will be forever tarnished by the nu metal band of the same name! I got this ep back in the day when most kids were totally gung ho youth crew and lapped pretty much everything that Revelation Records did without question. On hearing this for the first time I was gutted that it didn't fit the Youth of today, GB, Bold, Chain mold. Hey its on Rev so it must be youth crew!! Anyway fast forward to say 5 years ago and after criminally overlooking this I decided to give it another chance. Very akin to early Corrosion Of Conformity and very thrashy to boot. Infact not a bad release, not outstanding but maybe not as bad to overlook it for some 15 years! Nice glossy packaging and a throughly "professional" looking record.

SEARCH AND DESTROY - ENGLISH TERROR BOYS EP TEST, BLUE, CLEAR RED, BLACK

See this is what happens when you get a fellow record collector who puts out a record of a band he likes. Each seperate variant is put together and produced superbly. From the vinyl, to the artwork and even the dust sheets an excellent job done by Marcus Andrews and his Endless Quest Records label. Search and Destroy pretty much shook up the UK hardcore scene to such an extent that some people loved them and some hated them. They mixed an attitude and musical ability something akin to what Neg Approach did in the early 80s, raw, simple and in your face with a definate english feel throughout. I'm not going to go through each variant myself but have lifted the following straight from Endless Quests pressing info, read on and a big thanks to Marcus for my test press!

There were only supposed to be two versions of this one - red vinyl and black vinyl, all with identical sleeves. However, there turned out to be a few more variations, each due to unforeseen problems. Firstly, there were supposed to be 100 red vinyl, for which we had bought 100 yellow dust sleeves. When the records came back from the pressing plant, there were 117 red vinyl, meaning that we were short by 17 yellow dust sleeves, so the final 17 were given green dust sleeves (like the tests). Secondly, there were sleeve problems. The sleeves themselves came back from the printer as flat, scored prints that each then had to be cut out, folded and then glued. Making them was time consuming, so they were being made to order. Two problems were then discovered

i) There were about 50 covers less than there should have been

ii) Some of the covers were scored so heavily that the scores were actually cuts through the card, meaning that the tabs (which were supposed to glue the sleeves together) actually fell off completely.

Unfortunately, the problems with the printing weren’t realised until about four months after the printer had been paid, so it wasn’t like we could go back to the printer & tell him we weren’t happy with his work and demand more sleeves. So instead, sleeve variations were made up.The Negative Approach sleeves were made specially for the Negative Approach show that took place in London Town on 7 December 2006. Beautiful Steve used his rock star credentials to get Search & Destroy on the bill, and this cover was made as a souvenir. It also conveniently solved the problem of what to do with the 50 records that didn’t have covers. The sleeve was made to parody the Negative Approach 7″, and the 4 different flyers for the show were printed on the inside. Considering that the artwork was put together using Photoshop (which had to be figured out on the spot, since we’d had never used it before) and the covers were hastily made on the photocopier at work, they look pretty damn good. At least, John Brannon thought so

VOORHEES/KILL YOUR IDOLS SPLIT, CLEAR PURPLE

Voorhees/Kill Your Idols split brought together two bands that shared their love of all things Negative Approach. I have a real soft spot for both of these bands for different reasons, Voorhees were a stable part of the non metallic hardcore scene from the early to late 90s and basically kept it real for a lot of folk that were sick of the former, they are also friends and a great band to. KYI on the other hand will always remind me of my first trip to the USA and my first gig there. Me and a friend had flown 7 1/2 hours and hadn't slept in god knows how many, when on arriving at Newark airport we were picked up by our host Chris Zusi (Floorpunch, Release etc) who then proceeded to take us straight to a gig in New Jersey at the melody Inn, New Bruswick. On the bill were Breakdown, One Sided War and KYI. They were the first band we got to see on arrival in the US and left a mark on both of us for being excellent. I think at that particular time they had only released a demo. Anyway back to this record, Indecison Records have excelled with this release, an all round great looking item. The cover is a fold apart that has one side of the Voorhees mask and the other the KYI face and splits down the middle. The vinyl is a light clear purple and the dust sleeve has been decorated with halloweenesque stamps. Another notable bit of info is that both bands cover a couple of each others songs.

WRECKING CREW - SELF TITLED EP

On hearing Wrecking Crew I always thought that they were a poor mans Agnostic Front, but over the years my feelings towards them has changed and I can now listen to them on their own merits rather than thinking that they are a rip of another band. This debut ep released on the defunct Vortex Records out of Boston ( was this the only Vortex release?) was the epitomy of DIY records. Small label, silk screened and numbered cover, typed lyric sheet and pressed in small numbers. A nice looking effort that was basic in design but still looked great. I got number 74 and according to the Flex site, 500 made altogether, also some copies on green vinyl in green sleeve. 300 made in special grey sleeve, hand numbered.

STALAG 13.....SKATE AND DESTROY!

Originally released in 1984 on Upstart Records, Stalag 13's In Control Lp is a fast Nardcore/skatecore rager. The first track Conditioned is one that really sets the tone for the rest of this record and to be honest there is no letting up all the way through it. This reissue done by Dr Strange records is a grade A job, nice thick silk screened cover, which is numbered on the back, great looking vinyl and a sticker included to. Only draw back for me was that there wasn't a lyric sheet included in my copy, not sure if that is the case with all of these or whether I had lucked out!

BLACK FLAG - DAMAGED LP

This variant of Damaged is the true 1st press issued on Unicorn/MCA records and comes with the infamous "As a parent I found it an anti - parent record". I guess as far as wanting your record to be disliked by the mainstream then that sticker did a good job, but for us punk rock degenerates it made buying this record even more of a definate choice! This press isn't really that rare numbers wise but a must if you dig the Flag! I always prefer the colour cover to the black and white later reissues on SST.

BLACK FLAG - DAMAGED LP, PURPLE MARBLE

The seminal Rollins Flag record and one that has stood the test of time. I remember first buying this and thinking to myself that the "guy" on the front cover looked so tough, shaved head, cracked mirror, blood. Not one to try at home but then later on I found that the album cover, shot by punk photographer Ed Colver, that featured Rollins putting his fist through a mirror. The effect was made by cracking the mirror with a hammer, while the "blood" on Rollins' wrist is a mixture of red ink and coffee! What a let down hahaha. This variant of the Lp is one of the later SST reissues and is on a purple marble. Still kinda wish that SST had kept the full colour cover rather than use a black and white of the orignal but I guess their reasoning was to make it easier to differentiate between the two.

S.O.A. - NO POLICY EP

Henry Garfield...what a guy and heres where it all started. The thing I love about this ep is how straight up raw and unpolished it is. Almost like a fuck you we'll do it our way attitude coming straight through your speakers. I got this off ebay a while back and to this day still think it was a bargain price. You know the auctions that aren't worded well, here is proof of one of them! I know its not a clear green 1st press which hopefully I'll get sometime in the near future, but its still an S.O.A. ep! This is the second press variant that does not have the Black Flag bars on Henrys arm, which came on the 3rd and final press to signify his switch to the Flag camp. Gaaaaaaannnng Fighhhhhtttt!

BLACK FLAG - LICORICE PIZZA GIVEAWAY EP

Basically this record was pressed and given away at a Black Flag gig in 1981. Not too sure of the venue, place or date but it was a thank you to fans of the band. The songs are Thirsty and Miserable (a rougher mix of the Lp version) and Life Of Pain (recorded live). I'm really unsure of the numbers pressed and have seen this sell on ebay for non consistent amounts. I guess one for the die hard flag fans.

MEATMEN - CRIPPLED CHILDREN SUCK EP

Another Touch and Go classic here, not really a super rare record but interesting nonetheless. I still laugh out loud when I read the song titles like orgy of one etc. Anyway the thing that is most interesting about this ep is the writing on the inside top of the sleeve. "Annandale Ramp Rules", not having a clue what the hell this is a reference to I did a bit of investigative work and found that it is actually a reference to Wakefield skate park in Annandale, Virginia which I can only assume Mr Vee had frequented on numerous occasions. I love stuff like this because it's like holding a piece of history, maybe not your own but someone elses.

CITIZENS PATROL - SICK ROUTINE EP, CLEAR YELLOW/LIGHT BLUE

Kickass debut release by this Dutch 4 piece. Again No Way Records comes up trumps with another early 80s influenced platter. I have to say I totally love the artwork on the front cover and the lyric sheet looks great to. I have two variants of this release, the first being a clear yellow which was released dutch label Crucial Attack in conjunction with No Way for European release. The other is the No Way release which is on a lovely light blue. Again the big hole is a drawback if you don't own a middle piece, luckily I do!

SOCIAL CIRCKLE - STATIC EYES EP, WHITE

Social Circkle are one of my favourite bands that are active. I love the songs they write because they are so god damn catchy and they can pull of that early 80s vibe very well to. Funnily enough this release is also on my current favourite record label, no coincidence there. And lets face it any band that adds a K to circle is worthy of a listen! Pretty straight forward cover art and lyric sheet, with a nice thick white vinyl. I guess my only gripe is that the production on this release is a little flat and although the big hole in the middle of the record looks good and gives the record that 80s authenticity its a nightmare to play if you don't have a plastic middle piece handy.

DOUBLE NEGATIVE - RAW ENERGY EP, CLEAR

Very similar to Corrosion Of Conformity in sound and featuring drummer Brian Walseby who produced artwork for a slew of bands including 7 Seconds - Walk Together, Rock Together Lp. I think the average age of this outfit must be 40, and it totally rules. Anyway the record cover is a huge 4 panel fold out and has an almost metallic feel due to the predominate silver colour. Also the front cover is perforated and can actually be used as a stencil for spray painting the bands logo wherever you would want to! The record itself has no labels which I think works with the artwork and colours used.

THE CLITBOYS - WE DON'T PLAY THE GAMES EP, ALTERNATE COVER

Very underated early 80s hardcore band, I love this ep, the songs are great, very stop and start ! Not too sure about the pressing info and to be honest when this arrived I was quite concerned that it had a photocopied cover as all of the sites with info on this ep stated that the the cover was two pieces of card!! Anyway after a little more research I found that these photocopied covers were done for a show the band played way back and I can only presume that was because they had ran out of regular covers. An educated guess so I'm sticking with it until someone else can tell me otherwise.

KORO - SELF TITLED EP REPRESS, ORANGE/YELLOW, BLUE/WHITE

Heres a repress of the classic Koro ep that was released originally in the early 80s. The cover is exactly the same as is the lyric sleeve. Sorry State have done an excellent job on this and have even notched up the production mix by getting Carl Snow (Koro) to re jig it. The vinyl is amazing as you can see on the 2nd press variant the A side which has a right sided sleeve opening is mostly yellow with a slight bit of orange seeping over the edge, then flip it over and the record is mostly orange, it just looks great. The first press is a light blue and white "sky" mix with the sleeve opening on the left. So I guess if you don't want to fork out $500+ for an original you may aswell hunt one of these out.

BROTHERHOOD - NO TOLERANCE FOR IGNORANCE EP, CLEAR RED

Seattles Brotherhood are probably more well known these days due to their non edge links than their actual music. Brotherhood where one of the later 80s straight Edge bands and formed from the ashes of False Liberty but nowadays the link is to their once guitarist Gregg Anderson, supremo of Southern Lord Records and guitarist and collaborator in evertything none edge like Sunn 0)), Goatsnake and more. This is a pretty decent record with unique vocals that has stood the test of time. The packaging and record as can be seen is of the red variety, infact maybe too much red going on in this. One variant of this record I'd like to get hold of at some stage would be the F**k Racism ltd cover on blue vinyl. I know that there are other variants of this release and that the one I have is the most common. I'll update the blog as and when I manage to score any of them.

BREAKDOWN - DEMO 87 EP, YELLOW

I love the 87 Breakdown demo and if it were not for a certain Raw Deal demo I'd say this was the best NYHC demo. Breakdown were one of the bands that made me want to start a band! Infact my first notable hc band was named after their song "Kickback". Pity that a bunch of French guys had exactly the same idea so much so that we had to change our name!!! For those unlucky enough not to have an original demo tape, Blackout Records did the honourable thing and released this on vinyl. 2000 copies in total, with a split of black and yellow copies. Nice thick card cover and thick yellow vinyl to match.

CRIPPLED YOUTH - JOIN THE FIGHT EP, CLEAR

Was this the best Bold release? I guess its what hardcore is all about, kids thrashing around on their instruments with the most basic of song writing and playing skills. I love the youthfulness of this release but I prefer "Speak Out" as the best release. Anyway saying that still a great record and I was so happy to score it on clear. So much so that I had to replicate the cover for a Break It Up "Ninja Fest" version of our demo ep!!!!

BOLD - ORANGE/PINK MIX

Here is Bolds third release (one as Crippled Youth) and boy what a change a guitarist makes! Much more erm techinical in the song writing capacity. I guess the words more mature spring to mind. I always preferred the earlier Bold material because it had a youthful energy, albeit a really crappy production. Now if only Speak Out had the recording that this ep had!! As far as this copy goes it is definately an orange and pink mix of the darker variety. Check the Revelation Records pressing info for comparison pics and you can see that the vinyl is way lighter than that of the pure orange press. This is from the Rev site - The colour vinyl was suppose to be maroon, to match the cover, but the pressing plant couldn't mix the colour properly and came up with pink. After pressing a number of the pink they stopped and tried remixing the color, this time coming up with orange. To make life easier Jordan just had them do the 1000 on orange so the mix was created when changing from pink to orange without cleaning the presses. The actual invoice states 60 on pink and makes no mention of the mix, so how many of the pure pink versus how many of the orange pink mix exist is not known, but it is safe to say that that there are more than 10 of the mix as was originally believed. What is more, did the mix of colours count as orange or pink on the invoice? So are there 60 pure pink and a number of the mix colour, or are there a even fewer pure pink and a large number of mixed? To add insult to injury, the mix as been referred to as swirl when actually the pure pink, mix, and orange are all technically swirls. The only way to tell is by comparing colours.