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1 | 1978 |
Artist: | Nasal Boys |
Title: | Hot Love / Die Wüste Lebt |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | January 20 1978 |
Label & Cat.#: | Periphery Perfume ZVpp0177 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD |
Members: | Leo Remmel-voc, Heinrich Wüstenhagen-guit, Rudolph Dietrich-guit, Konrad Sauber-bass, Päde Schletzer-drums |
Add. Info: | Legendary first Swiss Punk Rock release. |
Review: | This is the first as well as the last Nasal Boys single and Switzerland’s finest Punk Rock record ever! A unique and uncompromising sound that was ahead of its time – completely according to their slogan: “Schneller, Härter, Länger” (Faster, Harder, Longer). “Die Wüste Lebt” is a great song about being alive in the Swiss urban desert, while “Hot Love” is a monster of a Swiss Punk anthem! |
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2 | 1978 |
Artist: | Fresh Color (with Dieter Meier) |
Title: | No Chance/ The Source |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | September 1978 |
Label & Cat.#: | Periphery Perfume PP00278 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD |
Members: | Dieter Meier-voc, Gutze Gautschi-voc/guit, Bruno Graf-bass, Didi Marthaler-drums, |
Add. Info: | The single was sold together with the Nasal Boys 7” in England, Scandinavia and the USA. Dieter Meier was already over 30 years old and an established Swiss performance artist. |
Review: | Recorded at Mountain Studios in Montreux, famous for acts like David Bowie, Queen, etc. So a Swiss Punk band was clearly out of place, but in the end two singles were cut: Dieter Meier’s “Cry For Fame” (with Fresh Color as the backing band) and Fresh Color’s “No Chance” (Dieter Meier-voc). Both are hard-hitting records and true classics, best known for Gutze’s trademark razor-sharp staccato guitars. Dieter Meier later joined Yello on vocals. |
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3 | 1978 |
Artist: | Kleenex |
Title: | Beri-Beri / Aint You / Hedis’ Head / Nice |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | November 1978 |
Label & Cat.#: | 4-track: Sunrise 078-S-1964, later edition 2-track: Rough Trade RT 009 C-1978 |
Style: | (All-female) Art-Punk Rock |
Members: | Regula Sing-voc, Marlene Marder-guit, Klaudia Schiff-bass, Lislot Ha-drums |
Add. Info: | Switzerland: 1st 500 copies with coloured sleeve, 2nd 500 copies with black/white sleeve. UK (Beri-Beri / Aint You): 1st edition coloured sleeve, 2nd edition with black/white sleeve. Cover art by Peter Fischli. |
Review: | Avantgardistic Punk/Wave that still has no comparison and remains unrivalled. This record is an example of pure female power and lust, totally free of any musical norms and conventions. Heavily promoted by John Peel, the famous English Radio DJ and “single of the week” in the UK alternative charts. Four Dadaism-inspired songs that are still classics TODAY! Their 2CD release “LiliPUT” is currently available at www.swisspunk.ch |
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4 | 1979 |
Artist: | Yello |
Title: | I.T.Splash / Gluehead |
Media: | 12“ |
Released: | January 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Periphery Perfume PP 0179 |
Style: | Experimental Electronic Wave |
Members: | Dieter Meier-voc, Chico Hablas-guit, Felix Haug-drums, Boris Blank-keys/electronics, Carlos Peron-effects |
Add. Info: | By mistake the B-side “Gluehead” was cut on to the A-side. |
Review: | Groundbreaking first release by sound genius’ Boris Blank and Carlos Peron, fronted by Dieter Meier on vocals. Clearly, one of the prime experimental underground records of the time, initiating the evolution of a completely new electronic music genre. This Yello 12” is by any standard a must-have and with their move to Ralph Records, home of “The Residents”, began the huge success story that made them one of the best-known Swiss acts worldwide. |
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5 | 1979 |
Artist: | Sperma |
Title: | Züri Punx / Bombs |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | April 12 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Another Swiss Label ASL-1 |
Style: | Minimalist Punk / Melodic Punk |
Members: | Peter Sänger-voc, Päde Komplex-guit, Tommy Bickel-bass, Turi Meier-drums |
Add. Info: | A3-sized, foldout black/white sleeve. Re-released in 1980, adding “Sinnlos” as a third track. |
Review: | The undisputed (hard) Zurich Punks anthem sung in Swiss-German. This record has a very minimalist yet melodic sound and is full of “summer hit” appeal: catchy and slightly tacky. A real party tune and always great for a good laugh! |
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6 | 1979 |
Artist: | Rudolph Dietrich |
Title: | B.O.F,s / No Claim With Bluff and Swindle |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | Mai 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Off Course Records FFC-7903 |
Style: | 1977 Punk |
Members: | Rudolph Dietrich-voc/guit, C. Düggelbach-bass, Henry Thoman-drums, Ras Manti-sax |
Add. Info: | Includes a lyric sheet. Cover art by Peter Fischli and Livio Piatti. |
Review: | With this single Rudolph Dietrich, the guitarist of the Nasal Boys took revenge on the CBS record company for the way that they had effectively destroyed the band – the CBS version of the Nasal Boys had a short-lived existence under the name Expo. To this day, “No C.B.S.” is the most consequent settling of a score between a Punk artist and the mighty music industry! Bombastic! The brand-new and extraordinary 2CD/VD release by Rudolph “Hillary” Dietrich, called “Sheer Hilariousness”, compiles works from 1977 to 1980, including “No C.B.S.” and is available through the Shop at www.swisspunk.ch |
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7 | 1979 |
Artist: | TNT |
Title: | Züri Brännt / 131 / Subwayscene |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | June 5 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Voxpop 3003 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD |
Members: | Sara-voc, Grässle-guit, Smudi-bass, Phil-drums |
Add. Info: | 500 copies, includes a lyric sheet. |
Review: | With lyrics inspired by “London’s Burning” of The Clash, “Züri Brännt” (Zurich’s Burning) became the battle cry for the youth riots in Zurich between 1980 and 1982. The town was burning all over from Molotov Cocktails and this record provided the soundtrack. Sung in Swiss-German and English it is one of the true greats and highly representative of the raw energy that Swiss Punk musicians brought to the fold. For most all of the people in the scene at the time, TNT were always a “ten out of ten”! |
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8 | 1979 |
Artist: | Hertz |
Title: | Der Mond / Das Schicksal |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | June 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | BAHP Records 001 |
Style: | Alpin Punk – later known as NDW or Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) |
Add. Info: | Cover art by Peter Fischli. Lyrics printed on both sides of the record labels. |
Members: | D. Grandjean-voc/keys, Ronny Amsler-guit, Martin Walder-bass, Thomas Wydler-drums |
Review: | The legend of Hertz began with these two songs, inspired by Dadaism and early electronic bands (Kraftwerk), addressing the themes of love and destiny. Their use of clever and ironic lyrics made them by far the most intellectual Swiss Punk & Wave act, coupled with truly formidable musicianship – this was Tomi Wydler’s first band on drums, before later joining Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Not Punk or Wave according to the strictest definition, yet still really, really great! Part of the original 7” production run was never actually distributed and recently resurfaced! These original mint copies are currently available through the Shop at www.swisspunk.ch |
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9 | 1979 |
Artist: | Chaos (A) / The Sick |
Title: | Chaos: Day Doult / Get Out Of My Pocket – The Sick: Never Too Late / Switzerland |
Media: | (Split) 12” |
Released: | June 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Off Course Records FFC-7904/5 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD (both bands) |
Members: | Chaos: Franz-voc/guit, Chy-guit, Slaughter-bass, Galle-drums The Sick: Basil Bättig-voc, Röfe Hobi-guit, Wälle Demuth-bass, Markus Tränkle-drums |
Add. Info: | Produced by Rudolph Dietrich, includes info sheet. |
Review: | Chaos: were a true Fun Punk band and musically strongly influenced by their big heroes, The Dickies and The Undertones, because of the high vocals. Coming from a small Austrian “Heidi town” on the border, they aligned themselves mostly with the Swiss scene. Regarding the songs on this record, the band’s name says it all, melodic, fast, and chaotic – true gems! The Sick: hard-hitting, fast Street Punk from the outskirts of Zurich. A great wall of sound that instantly captivates, because of the “way above standard” song arrangements. Overall, two fantastic tracks full of raw energy and a great introduction for anyone new to Swiss Punk! |
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10 | 1979 |
Artist: | Rebels |
Title: | Artificial Insemination Mayday / Mental Disaster / Sweet Society |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | August 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Musk Projekt MP-7777/8 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD |
Members: | X.Eoz guit/voc, Ree Violence-voc/bass, Major Many-drums/voc |
Add. Info: | The sleeve came in two different colours, a lyric sheet and a “Fuck Disco” sticker. |
Review: | The band formed in London and there’s really not much that needs to be said about this record, inasmuch as you probably won’t find many greater “straight fist in your face” Swiss Punk records than this one – simply one of the best! |
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11 | 1979 |
Artist: | Glueams |
Title: | Mental / 365 |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | November 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Punk Rules Clan PRC002 |
Style: | 1977 Punk |
Members: | Dorette-voc, Pavli-guit, G.T.-bass, Marco Repetto-drums |
Add. Info: | Own release, initially to be on Another Swiss Label (ASL). 500 copies, triple gatefold sleeve. |
Review: | Probably the most underrated Swiss Punk band that only recently gained a wider audience recognizing their amazing quality, mostly because the DVD “Punkcocktail” by René Uhlmann uses one of their tracks. Being their second release it is clearly also their finest. The brilliant songs and great energy suggest that history needs to be re-written to give them their rightful credit! Exceptional Swiss Punk tunes from the band that then became Grauzone. The former drummer Marco Repetto is planning a very limited re-release, so stay tuned for news about dates and availability by regularly visiting www.swisspunk.ch |
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12 | 1979 |
Artist: | Yodler Killers |
Title: | Jacot Masturbette / Sousölrock |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | November 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Zaki Records Zak 1 |
Style: | 1977 Punk |
Members: | Al Poubelle-voc, Fritz Clitocaster-guit, Tony Dilligence-bass, Doctor Mengele-drums |
Add. Info: | 500 copies, very rare! A previous 1978 “release” made by the Yodler Killers is a joke – real sleeves and their own labels simply pasted on to 7”s of other artists. Around 10 copies exist. |
Review: | Cult! Cult! Cult! From Geneva and the musical outlet for front man Poubelle (garbage can). His name was conceived when he chose a Japanese tour bus to piss against. The returning tourists were disgusted and cried out something in Japanese that sounded like “Poo-beeehl”! The Yodler Killers were also the total jokers of Swiss Punk and the songs on the record are truly fantastic, yet probably don’t come close to the power of gig versions. If you can find this record, defend it with your live – it’s a triumph for all that was/is fun about early Punk! |
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13 | 1979 |
Artist: | Jack & the Rippers |
Title: | No Desire / I Feel Like A Tram |
Media: | 7” |
Released: | November 26 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Another Swiss Label ASL-4 |
Style: | Melodic Punk / Power Pop |
Members: | John Seilern-voc, Francis Seilern-voc/guit, Babine-bass, P. Turian-drums |
Add. Info: | Recorded in April 1978, the band had long seized to exist by the time the single came out. |
Review: | Jack & The Rippers from Geneva displayed a musicianship that was clearly above the “dilettante approach” applied by other early Swiss Punk acts. Both tracks on this 7” are therefore brilliantly crafted and superbly arranged. There really was never a catchier melodic Punk tune that emerged from Switzerland than “No Desire”! Simply one of the finest bands and also one of the most short-lived, though blessed with and incredible potential to write more fantastic songs if they would have existed longer. Once you’ve heard these or any other tracks by them, there will be no going back and you will be hooked. Totally addictive stuff! The original 7” single is now very hard to find. However, there was a re-release in 2005 by the German Label Dirty Faces as well as a complete LP of the 1978 recordings – currently available through the Shop at www.swisspunk.ch |
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14 | 1979 |
Artist: | Mother’s Ruin |
Title: | Godzilla / Plastic / Cannibals / Can’t Wait |
Media: | 12” |
Released: | December 16 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Off Course Records FFC 7906 |
Style: | New Wave |
Members: | S. Holenstein-voc, M. Engelberger-guit, R. Ressegatti-guit, F. Stählin-bass, M. Dubach-drums |
Add. Info: | First pressing had a darker purple colour sleeve than the second issue. |
Review: | Following the success of “Dany Hot Dog”, the Mother’s first single, this record brought together four of their absolutely best and truly radiating tunes that instantly became great hits. Especially the title track “Godzilla (A Japanese Love Song)” is a Swiss Wave anthem if there ever was one! It doesn’t surprise therefore that this song is currently having a huge renaissance in form of an exciting remix project launched earlier this year and scheduled to culminate in a new CD/12” to be released on June 28 2007, in Zurich. In addition the band has reunited and will perform a repertoire of their early classics on this evening. No one who had ever seen their amazing live act at the time, thereby also witnessing the powerful and mesmerizing female singer, will be foolish enough to miss out on this. For Mother’s Ruin always was a brilliant combination of superb Wave drive coupled with bucket loads of Pop-sensibility. Pure hot sizzling sounds that really could have made it big internationally!!! For more information on the upcoming “Godzilla” release by Mother’s Ruin or to purchase the remix 12”/CD upon release, visit www.coffindodgersunited.com and www.swisspunk.ch |
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15 | 1979 |
Artist: | Kraft durch Freude |
Title: | Wir Bleiben Kameraden What I Like / You´ve Done It / 68 Zombies / Teenage On Top / I Want Some More / Berlin Wall / If The Women Gonna Rule The World, I´ll Kill Myself |
Media: | 12” EP |
Released: | December 1979 |
Label & Cat.#: | Off Course Records /RDS FFC-7907 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / Melodic Punk |
Members: | Rudolph Dietrich-voc/guit, H. Heinricht-bass, B. Schlatter |
Add. Info: | Includes an info sheet. |
Review: | Fantastic song arrangements, excellent guitar riffs and once again the highest class of Punk musicianship. What else would you expect from Rudolph Dietrich (here with band), being the most famous of all Swiss Punk artists. A compelling collection of songs, setting similar standards for Switzerland’s Punk Rock scene in 1979, as his guitar work for the Nasal Boys nearly three years before. Without a doubt, this one you need to get your hands on!!! The brand-new and extraordinary 2CD/VD release by Rudolph “Hillary” Dietrich, called “Sheer Hilariousness”, compiles works from 1977 to 1980, including the tracks from “Wir Bleiben Kameraden” and is available through the Shop at www.swisspunk.ch |
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16 | 1980 |
Artist: | Crazy |
Title: | No Chance Mensch / Backstreet Boy / No Chance / Hermann Ist Tod / Ech Well Frei Si / Electronic / Chele / Einleitung / Weisser Tod / Freie CH / Dada / Fernes Donnern / Fleisch / Geb Uf |
Media: | LP |
Released: | September 13 1980 |
Label & Cat.#: | Switzerland: Eigenproduktion Crazy 0780 / Germany: Moderne Musik 007 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD |
Members: | Knüsel-voc, Mongi-guit, Tremp-bass, Burri-drums |
Add. Info: | Crazy from Lucerne released the FIRST independent Swiss Punk LP and “No Chance” was recorded in a mere three days at the Sunrise Studios. Includes a booklet. |
Review: | Crazy were the flagship of the second Swiss Punk generation and should be compared with what the Nasal Boys did and represented during the earliest days, when the whole Punk scene started in Switzerland. In other words, the top league of what this country ever managed to produce during that time period! Hard and uncompromising social-critical lyrics, sung mainly in Swiss-German, helped them gain a large following to this day. Their awesome presence, the great straight-forward sound and the subtle political undertone, inspired many others to also form a Punk band in the early 80s. Find it, listen to it and be completely thrilled by the fantastic songs on this record from a band that many perceive to have been Switzerland’s most convincing Punk act ever! Killer!!! |
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17 | 1980 |
Artist: | (Various Artist) |
Title: | Swiss Wave – The Album Grauzone: Eisbär / Raum; The Sick: World War Three; Jack & The Rippers: I Think It’s Over / Down; Liliput: Hitch-Hike / DC-10; Rudolph Dietrich & KDF: Lies / Do What You Want; Ladyshave: Tonight; Mother’s Ruin: Heartbreak / With Us |
Media: | LP |
Released: | September 26 1980 |
Label & Cat.#: | Off Course Records / ASL 3301 |
Style: | 1977 Punk / New Wave / Melodic Punk / Power Pop / Experimental Electronic Wave |
Members: | — |
Add. Info: | The first 1000 Swiss copies were a poor seller. With the song “Eisbär” by Grauzone hitting big worldwide, the record then became a huge success – about 500,000 copies were re-pressed. |
Review: | This was the first compilation of Swiss Punk & Wave artists and it collected Switzerland’s most radiating acts of the time. It also represented the moment where the two biggest independent labels, “Off Course Records” and “Another Swiss Label”, decided to merge into one company, thereby bringing their respective (best) artists together for this release. It is a great reflection of what was then going on within the Swiss scene and some truly outstanding songs appear exclusively only on this record! Beware though, there are probably equally as many bootlegs on the market as there are official copies and, in many ways, this fact is another proof of the quality tunes compiled on this record! |
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18 | 1980 |
Artist: | Stephan Eicher |
Title: | Stephan Eicher Spielt Noise Boys MiniMiniMinijupe / Ping Pong Lied / Noise Boys Song / Sweet Jane / Disco Mania |
Media: | 7“ EP |
Released: | November 1980 |
Label & Cat.#: | Off Course Records / ASL-19 |
Style: | Experimental Electronic Wave |
Members: | Stephan Eicher-voc/all instruments/effects |
Add. Info: | The songs were written during Stephan’s time with the Noise Boys, but recorded solo by him. |
Review: | This is actually Stephan Eicher’s second release, since he previously gave out 25 cassette copies for friends and family, based on a recording session where he simply used a Dictaphone. The tape also included two more tracks: “Hungriges Afrika” and “One Second Too Late”. Overall, this 7” it already shows his talent as a musician that eventually would lead him to international fame and success as a solo artist. The songs on this record are quite raw due to the way they were recorded, but are a truly brilliant example of how early experimental electronic music emerged through the Wave scene – particularly noteworthy the cover version of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane”. A record nothing short of sensational! A re-issue is planned for the near future by the Paris-based “Born Bad” label and any news will be made available as soon as it comes in through www.swisspunk.ch |
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19 | 2006 |
Artist: | The Bastards |
Title: | Schizo Terrorist |
Media: | LP |
Released: | 2006 |
Label & Cat.#: | Feathered Apple ZAK 8 |
Style: | 1977 Punk |
Members: | Marie-Pierre and Sandro Sursock-voc, Ralph Perez and Benjamin Garcia-guit, Jean-Francois Pivat-bass, Didier Dana-drums |
Add. Info: | The original master tapes were used for this record. |
Review: | This new LP includes all three classic cuts from The Bastards super rare and sole 1979 EP on the Zaki label, as well as four previously unreleased cuts from the same May 13th, 1978 T.H.C studio recording session. Furthermore, it contains The Bastards’ sensational and also unpublished second single “Apathy” b/w “Loser,” plus two never available live tracks in top sound quality. This record comes with a bonus band poster and detailed liner notes (in English), written by the lead singer Sandro Sursock. The first edition of 400 copies is unfortunately already sold out, but the second edition can now be ordered through the Shop at www.swisspunk.ch |
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20 | 2006 |
Artist: | Nasal Boys |
Title: | Lost And Found |
Media: | LP |
Released: | November 4 2006 |
Label & Cat.#: | swisspunk |
Style: | 1977 Punk / KBD |
Members: | Leo Remmel-voc, Heinrich Wüstenhagen-guit, Rudolph Dietrich-guit, Konrad Sauber-bass, Päde Schletzer-drums / Live: Rams-bass |
Add. Info: | The original master tapes of the unreleased LP session were found and used for this LP. |
Review: | Includes a complete band biography, both sides of the Nasal Boys’ absolute killer single “Hot Love / Die Wüste Lebt”, plus five hard-hitting and previously unreleased cuts from the same recording session: Manifesto / I Ain’t No Stupid / Jam With Tout La Creme / Stanga / This World. The B-side of this LP captures an awesome early live recording from December 23 1977 and includes the tracks: I Ain’t No Stupid / Eastern News / Die Wüste Lebt / Punk Or Rock / This World / A New Command. Any real fan should listen to this at least once in their lifetime to know what early Punk Rock really sounded like! A brand-new, hand numbered and strictly limited edition of 1000 copies is exclusively available through the Shop at www.swisspunk.ch |