Sweet Sixteen – #Mixtapemit16

Well well well, where has all the time gone. It’s been quite some time since I last posted something on this page. Thing is, I found something on twitter which motivated me to grab my keyboard and hack away. Turns out that guy was asking people to post a mixtape of their respective muscal tastes when they were 16.The hashtag this goes with is #Mixtapemit16.

https://twitter.com/nurdertim/status/630773935433482240

Now this sounds a lot like fun and, I have to admit, I had to dig deep to unearth some gems which I lost track of.

I should say that I didn’t pay any attention to the length of the tracks, so they might not fit on a 90 minute cassette.

Oh, and, don’t hate me for writing in crappy English, but since I started this blog in English I though I might just stick with it.

But, without further ado, here’s mine.

Side A

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Inferno – Tod und Zerstörung

Back then I was fortunate enough to have a childhood friend whose brothers were heavily involved in the punk/hc/squat scene in Cologne, so he always copied his brothers’ records and gave the tapes to me. Inferno have stuck with me ever since. I first heard this on the infamous “Kampftrinker Stimmungshits” compilation and I was hooked instantly.

Slime – Demokratie

I first took notice of Slime on the “Die Letzten” compilation and and I was lucky enough to watch the live on their reunion tour in 1993. This song will always stay with me, especially because of the catchy bass riff at the start. And the chorus, of course. Something you can sing along to, whether you’re 16 or 40.

Daily Terror – Bundeswehr

The full length on which this song is included was being played over and over again. There were a lot songs about the German army back then and being 16 and facing the draft (back then every German male had to enroll with the army or serve a social service) this song made a lot of sense.

Die Ärzte – Zu spät

If there was ever one band to piss off your parents it had to have been Die Ärzte. Their infamous songs were banned in Germany for some time. Although they were always considered a punk band (which they still are) they were, I think, one of the few bands I listened to back then who had decent love songs. This is their best one.

Die Toten Hosen – Liebeslied

I have to admit Die Toten Hosen were the first punk band I listened to when I was in 6th grade. The lyrics of this song always stuck with me because it always felt like we were always marching on a demonstration to overthrow the government.

Abstürzende Brieftauben – Lovesong

Neonazism was on the rise and a lot of bands were writing antifascist songs, but I always liked this one best, because it tackled the problem with humour. The song is a covertune of an early 1980s Neue Deutsche Welle song, they just changed the lyrics.

Normahl – Fraggles

While politics and discussions dominated our lives a cold beer every now and then (or maybe even more often) was fine as well. And this was one of our anthems while passing out.

Die Goldenen Zitronen – Porsche, Genscher, HSV

Only with time I found out about the versatility and complexity of Die Goldenen Zitronen. Back then they were just another fun-punk band with the weirdest title of a record ever.

Heiter Bis Wolkig – Hey Rote Zora

Speaking of fun, Heiter Bis Wolkig were the stand up comedy of Colonian punkrock. Their annual christmas show at the Rhenania was legendary. And although there were some strange rumours when they split up this song is yet another example that you have to be able to laugh about yourself and what you’re doing in order to achieve something.

The Clash – Safe European Home

Ever since I got my hands on the “The Story Of The Clash” compilation this has been one of my favourite songs. And only with time I understood what it’s all about. And by doing so I like it even better.

Nirvana – Breed

My age group has to have a song from “Nevermind” on a mixtape, hasn’t it? This record was a revelation and it paved the way for everything we see and hear today. Without them there would still be no guitar music on the radio. Face it, when this record came out the world changed. Drastically.

Side B

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Dead Kennedys – Holiday In Cambodia

One of the first foreign punkbands I was introduced to and I could have chosen any song from the “Fresh Fruit For Rotten Vegetables” album, but the groove and the drive of this one is unrivaled.

Bad Religion – Heaven Is Falling

I first saw the Bad Religion sign on Mille Petrozza’s guitar but “Generator” was the first album I listened to. The other one’s followed suit rather quickly. Granted, the band has fallen off my radar for quite some time now, but all the records up until “Generator” are on my all time favourite list.

Pennywise – Wouldn’t It Be Nice

A friend at school gave me a tape with the first Pennywise full length on it and right from the first song I was into it. Energy, pure force, with catchy melodies.

Gang Green – Alcohol

I think the flipside of that aforementioned tape had Gang Green on it and, well, it’s a classic. Hey, they’re going to be on tour in Europe.

Fugazi – Merchandise

I had the fortune to see Fugazi play live at the Rhenania (Entrance was 14,- DM), but I also have to admit that I was pretty disappointed because the band was lacking action and forbid people to stage-dive. Only with time was I able to appreciate them.

House Of Suffering – Nicht Die Spur Einer Chance

House Of Suffering were the local support act for that Fugazi show and back then I was so proud to find out there were punk bands in Cologne as well.

Ramones – Bonzo Goes To Bitburg

Seriously, I could have chosen any Ramones song, but this one is my favourite. It could be because I remember the uproar when Reagan and Kohl went to Bitburg. It could also be the bells in the background. It could also be because it’s one of the few very politically outspoken Ramones songs I remember.

Negu Gorriak – Gora Herria

If you’re talking about crossover, you have to talk about Negu Gorriak. Saw them live twice and both shows were an absolute blast. Add their political stance to it and you had a fascinating brew. My guess is were they still around today they’d be the topic of a lot of discussions.

Obituary – The End Complete

Obituary, Napalm Death and Dismember were the second show ever I went to. And not having any lyrics was pretty cool at the time.

Sodom – Ausgebombt

Sodom will stick with me until the end. As for punk metal it can’t get any better than this.

Metallica – Disposable Heroes

It had to be “Master of Puppets“, and it had to be this song. Theme, melody, riffing, breaks, it’s perfect as it is.

Megadeth – Holy Wars

…and if you mention Metallica, you have to throw in Megadeth as well. Hey, you should search for what Marty Friedman is doing today. You’ll be slightly surprised.

Sepultura – Arise

To close things out probably the best death thrash record ever recorded.

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So, this was it. This was mine. There are uncountable bands I did not include, but you can’t have ’em all.

What’s your’s?

A Day At The Recordstore (XII)

A few words on some records I purchased the other day.

The urge to pick up an instrument – Kill Everyone and Arktika

I quit Arktika in 2010 and, although we never officially announced our disbandment,  amodestproposal played their last show in 2009. And ever since that time, not counting one very brief stay in Mannheim, I have not picked up my instrument again. Things happen and it just wasn’t meant to be, it seems. Do I miss it? Not really, at least not on a constant basis. It’s not that I feel bad about things. But in flashes, in short moments, the urge to pick up my bass and play some patterns and chords, returns. Those short flashes usually come from a record I’ve been listening to. Or maybe a movie I’ve been watching. Both happened it the past few weeks.

“Don’t miss the train” – Goodbye, Tony Sly

It’s always a strange feeling when somebody passes away. It’s terrible, when it’s a person close to you. It’s kind of weird, when it’s someone you only knew through records or as a performer on stage. Yesterday evening I stumbled across a terrifying tweet by Fat Mike of No FX, which was followed by another one by Fat Wreck Chords verifying the terrible news that Tony Sly, lead vocalist and guitarist of No Use For A Name and solo artist, had died.

John K. Samson @ Gebäude 9 / Greg McPherson @ Rubinrot – Canadian Weeks in May

I haven’t written anything in a long time. Somehow everytime I tried, something else got in the way. Well, things happen, so this will be yet another story which already feels a bit old. Way back in May the great John K. Samson (of The Weakerthans fame) came to Cologne to promote his new solo album. I had to check this one out, not only because I know John since I interviewed him in 1996 while he was still with Propaghandi. And to make things even better, a few days later fellow Canadian Greg McPherson came around for a visit. Which, as you can tell by the title of this post, were the Canadian Weeks in May.

A Day At The Recordstore (XI)

There’s records you have been waiting for since the day their release date was announced. And then there’s records you just stumble on. They happen to cross your path while you flip through some letter or the new arrivals. And then there’s records that give you the feeling like, after all those years, you met a friend again. Not a close one, but someone you always liked when he or she was around. Back in the days. Those memories feel good, even today. And the two records I bought last weekend represent all those things.

Dead Swans + Horror Show + Hangin’ Tough @ Underground, Cologne

It seems to have been about six months since I last went to a show, but it definetely feels longer. I hadn’t heard about this one and if a friend of mine hadn’t pointed my attention to it I might have just stayed at home for yet another weekend. Turns out the show itself wasn’t that great, but meeting up with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time was worth the trip. The “Underground” might have played a part in my overall impression as it was as horrible as always. Still some things never change. Especially at hardcore shows.

A Day At The Recordstore (X)

The last time I posted an article in this section … heck, that was almost 2 years ago. Lots has changed since then. One thing that’s very important is that I moved into a new flat and now I finally have space for new records again! Which is why I went on a shopping spree the other day and this is what I found:

There’s magic in the final seconds of a game…

…or in the final outs, for that matter. Boy oh boy, what a night. The Tampa Bay Rays took the final American league playoff berth in a fascinating way. Now I have witnessed quite a few last minute comebacks in football, but this was simply ridiculous.

Another Summer Koushien in the books

Another Koushien tournameent ended last weekend and all I got to watch was one first round game on a Sunday morning. Ever since my company abandoned the nightshift there is simply no way I am able to get a look at the games from Japan. I might get a chance to watch a NPB game every now and then when I am on the late shift, buut apart from that it is just impossible. Luckily there are some people who always kept me posted on what was going on. So as I congratulate Nichidai-san for their victory here are a few links for your pleasure.