Freefall - 7" (1993)

Redemption Records / red-013-7 / White Vinyl

1: On and On
2: Never Had

Like Engage I first heard these on Lookout's 'Can of Pork' compilation. They had a great track on there called 'Other Day'. Apart from that track and the two on this 7" I don't know if they released anything else which is a shame as they were a great power pop punk band with that definate rough-round-the-edges early 90's Berkeley sound (if anyone knows more info on the band - feel free to leave comments). It's uncomplicated, innocent and catchy as hell with great vocals. Label mates with Engage on Redemption, Freefall were yet another one of those inconspicuous bands that faded away without gaining the popularity they deserved. This record came on a nice white vinyl which is always a nice bonus...If you like your pop punk uplifting without the cheese then grab a slice of this - you won't be disappointed...enjoy.

Dave Heroes Says: If you like these check out Brody which features vocalist Keith Cucuzza after Freefall disbanded.

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?oaodqrlli8524lt

Engage - Empowerment (1993)

Redemption Records RED012-1 / Red Vinyl / US

1: Hard
2: Division
3: Inward
4: Final Paradox
5: Fingers of Fear
6: Success
7: Defence
8: Song Zero

First heard these on Lookout's legendary 'Can of Pork' compilation LP and really got into their epic tune 'Evolution'. When I saw they'd released an album a year later I snapped it up straight away. This LP is so underrated it's not even funny. You look on the net to try and find any info and it's impossible, seriously - no reviews, no pics, no nothing - it's almost as though it didn't exist! Ok, so this elusive band release 8 solid tracks clocking in at a little over 40 mins - the longest track being 8 minutes long! But that's what they do and they do it extremely well. It's an eclectic mix of gruff vocals and soaring sugar-coated backing harmonies which musically is sometimes slow, sometimes fast, has intricate guitar riffage, and even has some ska thrown in for good measure (Final Paradox). The album finishes with 'Song Zero' - an oh so nice instrumental totally different from all the previous tracks and makes you feel all sentimental and gooey inside. Empowerment is original, it's epic, it's mega political, it's thought provoking, it's awesome, it's here to download for you to judge yourself! Why this band didn't receive credit they deserved I'll never know! Oh yeah, great cover and was released on a nice slab of red wax...

Dave Heroes Says: A great album you've never heard...until now...

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?5t2via1h553ox39

Blaggers ITA - United Colors Of Blaggers ITA (1993)

1: When The Gun Is Cocked
2: Its Up To You Part 2 (the Battle Of Waterloo)
3: Search & Destroy
4: Wild Side (Ram Ravers Mix)
5: Thats Where It Ends
6: The Way We Operate (X-Tactic Mix)
7: Here's Johnny (Post Election Mix)
8: Before I Hang (Double Decker Mix)
9: The Way To Die
10: United States Of Devastation
11: Young Blaggers
12: PitBull Mentality
13: Ten Men Dead
14: Bastard Chillin
15: Emergency

This right here is one of my favourite ever albums, ever. If you've not heard The Blaggers before, they mixed up street/oi style punk, but with the added elements of rap vocals, samples, dance beats, and ska horns. Well ahead of their time, and a very unique band. Lyrically they cover politics of the time, and have a very heavy anti-fascist message behind most songs. A huge influence on me, and I only ever got to see them live once. This was their greatest moment tho, raw, rough, street wise, and still sounds fresh nearly 20 years later...

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?3j04j80re4jxfyk

Erase Today - The Economic Prison LP (1993)

Just Say No To Government Music

1: Sun Burns Cold
2: Terminal Recess
3: Miles Away
4: Got A Revolution
5: Melting

I think my first memory of this Blackpool based band wasn't their music. It was their stickers. The little yellow stickers that seemed to be plastered in every city you went to, and every record shop you visited. An oldie is this mini-LP, but its a goodie non-the-less. All 5 tracks on this here self-released record are great, melodic punk rock, great vocals, great lyrics, and just catchy as hell. Fans of Snuff, Husker Du and that vein of punk rock would do well to check out this classic, and often forgotten band.

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?363tnkdz692w8n6