WALTER ELF - Heut’ Oder Nie, Die Angst Des Tormanns Beim Elfmeter {Boss Tuneage} Although I knew the name via the SPERMBIRDS connection (ELF shared four members with the excellent SPERMBIRDS), I never really got to grips with WALTER ELF, so these reissues from the ever reliable BT team are most welcome. ‘Heut...’ acted as a debut album, originally released on We Bite Records back in 1986. It’s comprised of early recordings from ‘83 to ‘86. The band’s sound borrowed heavily from 70s UK Punk with the UK SUBS constantly coming to mind - especially on ‘Provinz’. Elsewhere keyboards and brass filled the sound out. A smattering of slower, textured tracks suggested a VIBRATORS influence (check out ‘Diese Stadt’), if mixed with the dynamics of NEWTOWN NEUROTICS or THE BOYS. As a bonus, this version comes with the two tracks from the band’s debut release (a split with SPERMBIRDS) including one of the best tracks - ‘15 Bier’ - as well as the band’s track from the ultra-rare ‘1-2-3-Fish’ cassette. Gotta say, this was a great introduction and, given the era this was recorded in, sounded ultra fresh.
Unfortunately, 1988’s ‘Die Angst...’ is relatively tame. The spiky edge of the above album is lost here, with a lot of the sounds coming over sterile and lame. The high point is a Punked version of the BOOMTOWN RATS’ ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ while ‘Hertie Bei Nacht’ could fit on the album above with its mix of GENERATION X and BOYS 77isms. The early B-BOY vibe of the ANGRY SAMOANS cover (‘Lights Out’ no less) falls flat though, as does the brass-laced chart rock of ‘Showdown’ and the TOY DOLLS-esque shenanigans of ‘Spatzunder’ while ‘Es Wird Zeit’ is a blatant rip of the DESCENDENTS ‘Bikeage’. A disappointing follow-up and one that will certainly collect the dust when compared with it’s previously released counterpart. (22.06.09)

WITCH HUNT - Burning Bridges To Nowhere {Alternative Tentacles} Following a messy split with Profane Existence, this is the third album from this Philadelphia quartet and first for Alternative Tentacles. It’s a sonic leap forward with a discernible parallel to HUSKER DU ‘Zen Arcade’/ ‘New Day Rising’ era which both ‘Everyday’ and highlight ‘Reflections’ prove. Elsewhere progression is evident in a slowing of pace (‘Void’ could be KILLING JOKE until its cacophonous finale) and dramatic soundscapes (with ‘Silence’ having a near orchestral depth). There’s plenty old style HC still with ‘Treadmill March’, ‘Septa Death’ and the alarmingly effective title track all possessing a kinship to NAKED AGGRESSION and SIGNAL LOST. Lyrically this is a politically aware disc; bleak in parts with ‘Sick Industry’ taking America’s private health care policy to task in a new way. The three-way male/female vocal trade off works well, while the DISCHARGEian, fuzzed bass rumble and galloping drum assault give the guitars a solid grounding to create their flair. A really impressive disc which perfectly fits between BORN/DEAD and POISON GIRLS. (13.07.09)

WOLVES AND THIEVES - s/t {Swagger City} Debut album for this rocking Bay Area band that rose outta the ashes of DISPUTE. It’s a brisk slab too - 12 tracks that clock in at just under 20 minutes - but that’s long enough for these five fellas to make their impression. That classic ‘Bay Area Sound’ is prevalent via an unmistakable nod toward both early AFI and SCREW 32, mixed up with beefed-up DEAD KENNEDYS-esque guitar lines and a hefty helping of raucous rock ‘n’ roll delivered by a formidable rhythm section. Highlights include the edgy, tense ‘Totally Rejected’, the broiling fury of ‘Welcoming Party’ and the flat-out blazing cool of ‘I’m Sorry’. Lyrically this is more personal than political, although ‘1968’ displays a political awareness. Gotta say though - the album cover totally misrepresents the band! It looks like either some love-struck emo tripe or worse, some misogynistic cock rock band! Thankfully, the reality is that WOLVES AND THIEVES play a solid, confident dispensation of archetypal Bay Area Punkage. Increase the bile a little, and this could be something special. (25.09.09)