If you only know Amebix as a patch sewn onto some crusty guy's pants then you are sorely missing out. You don't have to live in the gutter to enjoy this. In fact, I'm sure plenty of snooty people who claim not to like punk would get into this band if they just opened up their ear holes. If you like post-punk things, we'll they've got the throbbing bass sounds that people seem to be drawn to. More into metal? There's an overlap between their sound and Motorhead, which is what many have already mentioned. But then there's some other things that make this sound much unlike the stereotypical punk albums. Keyboards, hand claps, attempts at Russian folk? Probably not what you thought I was going to mention, right? See so you can't just dismiss genres so quickly.Link Removed
this brings me right back to senior year of highschool. if I didn't already own a copy of this I'd be snagging it, upload the "who's the enemy?" ep next you fuck!! classic!
ReplyDeletemy fav amebix release for sure, seen them loads around this time at the station squat in newcastle... always a complete blast. laters. xx
ReplyDeleteLink's been removed ...and I really wanted to hear the hand claps! -)
ReplyDeleteErr...sorry but there won't be any reposts. If it's gone it's gone.
ReplyDeleteWD. You're getting pretty mouthy there. Don't tempt me, I might just up and post it.
ReplyDeleteBoth those early 7 inches are worth posting although they are sadly lacking in the hand claps department. I thought that cossack number was the funniest thing when I was a kid. Full of charm. Amebix were a really unique band that ploughed their own furrow. They didn't toe the party line with the anarcho brigade, but gave it an extra dimension instead - musically and lyrically.
ReplyDeleteThere's an interesting docu here if you've got a spare hour and a half:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY5U-lNNP7c&feature=player_embedded#
Great artwork too. More than worthy of a crusty's trousers.
ReplyDeleteMajes,
ReplyDeleteI deduct from your comments that you're overseas. Did you get a chance to see these guys live? If so, what the hell was that like? I can't figure out how their music translates into any type of performance.
I saw them a few times mid 80s rather than really early. They were very proficient by then. I thought they were more powerful live and a lot heavier. Sometimes it sounded like they were barely holding it together which gave the sound a nice edge. As I remember it there was usually at least one vaguely out of it guy shouting 'faster' at the band between songs. But they played pretty fast considering what they were doing. I suppose the motorhead references also come from the bass/vocals with downturned mic position. I thought there were hawkwind influences too which was related to the traveller, biker and free festival scene as well as the punks and whoever else was along. I don't know if amebix played any festivals or if they really played that many times anywhere. It seemed like a rare event at the time. I saw them play in Bath with Smart Pils who are also of that ilk - a really great, memorable gig. S P had a more ethereal sound and a tribal drumming style. He drums in hawkwind nowadays I think. Loads of good bands have come from that Bristol/Bath/west country area. You should post some disorder too, to complement amebix.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I have neither Disorder or Smart Pils. In fact, I've never even heard of SP, though your description leads me to believe that it is something I will love.
ReplyDeleteTry this then as it is representative of their output:
ReplyDeletehttp://terminalescape.blogspot.com/2010/09/smart-pils.html
I've got an lp and demo in digital form if you like them.
I still haven't gotten around to giving this a listen, but thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteWhere the hell does all the time go? Life is supposed to get more leisurely isn't it? That's what they promised when I was young.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, it all appears to be a myth. I can completely relate to that sentiment. Years pass by before I can change a calendar. Leisure seems more like the carrot dangingly off the end of a rather bitter stick. And couple that with the pointlessness of it all...how fun is life?
ReplyDelete