Title: Southend Punk Volume One
Format: CD
Label: Angels in Exile
Catalogue Number: AIECD 004
Release Date: Friday December 4th, 2020
#122: May 2021
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Sean Koepenick
"...Most of these bands only lasted a couple years so although the energy is full tilt, the time for songwriting precision did not really happen. But the anger punches through like a sledgehammer, so it’s still an enjoyable listent ..."
Sean Koepenick, Razorcake
28.03.21
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Peter Don't Care
"...The short lived Deciballs give us a banged up 'Solitary' from '79 and captured the sounds and energy of the times perfectly with this low fi but good trashy number. They remind me of bands like the Epileptics...."
"...‘the anti goes up even further as the impressive but highly underrated Kronstadt Uprising offer us the snot drenched defiance of 'Blind People', which exemplifys the Anarcho protest well in vogue down Southend way...."
and
'‘...To add to the package it comes dressed in a very impressive and informative sleeve which includes a 16 page booklet that gives us all the band info and history plus lineups in this slick design..."
Peter Don't Care, Punk Rocker
08.02.21
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Gabor
"...Punkrock all the way can be heard on the song of the band THE DECIBALLS, while the following THE PSYCHPATHS is also pure Punkrock with an obvious SEX PISTOLS similarity..."
"...‘THE KRONSTADT UPRISING is a real raw almost Oi! Punk sounding band in the style of classic BLITZ and a touch of SHAM 69...."
and
'‘...The additional booklet tells the stories of each and every band, so you have something to read while singing-a-long to these underground classic late 70s/early 80s punkrockbands from the small town of Southend!..."
Gabor, Strutter 'Zine
06.02.21
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
News Item by Peter Don't Care
"...The album includes a 16 Page colour booklet containing detailed text on the bands as well as rare photos and memorabilia, designed by Viki Vortex ..."
Peter Don't Care, Punk Rocker
January - June 2021 Reviews
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Andy P
"...Particular highlights ? The Machines, perhaps the first punk band in the area, who went on to play at legendary London clubs like The Roxy and The Vortex, as well as releasing a now highly-collectable EP..."
"...‘Bands like The Psychopaths and The Shocks deliver some great punk rock, whilst others like The Deciballs play a style that wouldn’t have been out of place on the ‘Farewell to the Roxy’ LP...."
and
'‘...This is a great overview of the original Southend punk scene and there may even be a second volume to come… If you think you know all about punk rock, this album will give you something new to consider. Don’t miss it!..."
Andy P, Fear and Loathing
#153: December 2020 / January 2021
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Kay
"...there is a lot to discover, such as the STEVE HOOKER BAND with “How did you know?”, 77 punk meets pub rock with harmonica..."
and
'‘...The accompanying 16-page booklet has beautiful pictures and plenty of information about the bands...."
Kay, Ox
#451: December 2020
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Allan McNaughton
"...from the gothic post-punk of AFTERMATH to the NEUROTICS-sounding progressive punk of the PREY..."
and
'...There’s honestly not a dud on this whole record. A great collection, lovingly compiled...."
Allan McNaughton, Maximum Rock'n'Roll
#451: December 20218.12.20
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Steve Worrall
"... It’s also interesting to hear The Prey as here they sound more akin to The Chords and The Jam..."
and
'...The compilation itself emerged as an idea after the success of the Southend Punk Rock History website, with many people asking to hear these bands whom hadn't had a voice for a long time...."
Steve Worrall, Retro Man Blog
#327: February 2021
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Aryl Easlea
"... Of the 14 tracks recorded between 1978 - '86 the most well known is that of Alison Moyet's here as vocalist of The Vicars, giving it full Siouxsie on Radio Roy. The Steve Hooker Band's How Did You Know? is a perfect example of his 'New York Punk and British Beat' combination..."
and
'...Southend Punk Volume One stands as a testament to all those bands who, emboldened by the era's DIY etic, had their go...."
Daryl Easlea, Mojo
#78: Best of 2020!
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Shane Baldwin
"... The Machines, who formed in 1977, weigh in the frantic 'You Better Hear', The Vicars had Alison Moyet on vocals, sounding more like Siouxsie Sue..."
and
'... The clattering 'Animal' by The Sinyx was included on Crass' 'Bullshit Detector Volume One', The Kronstadt Uprising's 'Blind People' is punchy, tumbling gem, and The Prey's Sleepless Nights' has The Jam written all over it....."
Shane Baldwin, Vive Le Rock!
05.12.20
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Ged Babey
"... For archive recordings the sound quality is very good indeed. The packaging is info-packed and old photos are superb..."
and
'... I can honestly say there’s not a bad track on the album – the best track to represent each band seemingly being chosen......"
Ged Babey, Louder Than War
01.12.20
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Dave
"... Blind People' by The Kronstadt Uprising'. This is a heavily minced tune done with a certain colliding clockwork effect that is pushed along through a quagmire of pushing and pressing application that in part has a militarised roll, a regimentation beneath the upper scuzzbowl. The essence is slightly rabid, has a good urgency and to be fair this is bread and butter punk many of us got wonderfully fat-headed upon ..."
and
'... Youthful hunger, sonic chancing and just having a go are all recaptured in this quite dazzling example of good vibrations that have been but should never be forgotten. The only thing I can say in summing up is that I am gagging for Volume 2 – I think that indicates how I feel about this great collection......"
Dave, Fungal Punk
20.11.20
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
Review by Dom Daley
"... The Bullies go for a more sophisticated sound and build into the song with some skank on the verse ‘The Fighting Continues’ is a decent song and might have been riding the curve from Strummer and his mob. with a decent arrangement and quite an intricate solo for its time. short-lived as were most of the bands at this furtive time ..."
and
'... You have to love the energy of Burning Idols who clearly had a lot of love for The Clash with ‘Give Me A Chance’. By now we’re well into the ’80s and production clearly has improved from the DIY demos of the late ’70s. The Prey had ‘Sleepless Nights’ which has a familiar melody and I like it. They’d had time to absorb all that had gone on in the previous decade and make use of what they’d taken on board and clearly penned a decent song......."
Dom Daley, RPM Online
18.11.20
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
News Item by Gerry Ranson
"... Southend Punk Volume One brings together 14 bands from the town and its environs, including THE MACHINES, THE STEVE HOOKER BAND, THE KRONSTADT UPRISING, THE VICARS (featuring Alison Moyet, pictured), THE DECIBALLS, THE PSYCHOPATHS, THE SYNYX, THE BURNING IDOLS and THE BULLIES featuring future Cure member Perry Bamonte. ..."
Gerry Ranson, Vive Lee Rock!
15.11.20
Southend Punk Volume One - CD
News Item by John Esplen
"... Key ‘Southend Punk Volume One’ CD features include: 14 songs, all original compositions, plus 16 Page colour booklet designed by Viki Vortex, featuring rare photographs and memorabilia. ..."
John Esplen, Vinyl on the Net