VA - Bande de France Vol. 1

VA  Bande De France Vol. 1 lp  1981
TICKET (Nantes): Howard Hughes /  LES STANDARDS (Bordeaux): Les Avions Pirates / VINYL STREET (Le Havre): (Live On) Fire / PATRICK EUDELINE (Paris): Dernière Danse / ROBERTO & THE PAPARAZZI (Le Havre): She's Heartbreaker/ ROUGE BAISER: Folie Robotique / JEROME SOLIGNY (Le Havre): A Song For Ziggy / PRIVATE JOKES (Nantes): Flux / LES STAGIAIRES (Bordeaux): Conduite Intérieure / ROCK CRITIC ON FLAME WITH R'n'R / LES TRICHEURS (Juvisy): Repose Beethoven.
"Bande (s?) de France Vol. 1" est une compilation de groupes de rock français sortie en 1981. Le punk et son "Do It Yourself" ont fait des émules et de nombreux groupes s'activent en France à cette époque-là. Les compilations s'enchaînent plus ou moins bonnes: "Weekend à Nice", "Rock'n'Rennes", "Fireball","Studios W.W. - 91 quai de la gare" etc.
"Bande de France Vol.1" (il n'y eu pas de Vol. 2 à ma connaissance) propose des groupes de différentes villes. De Nantes, nous viennent Ticket avec un "Howard Hughes" tranchant que n'auraient pas renié les Stilettos. Patrick Eudeline malgré toute l'admiration que je lui porte, nous titube une "Dernière Danse" pas très convaincante. Les Standards et les Stagiaires portent haut les couleurs de Bordeaux mais je suis souvent peu objectif avec les goupes en "St". Jérôme Soligny, plus connu comme journaliste et écrivain propose son premier titre en solo "A song for Ziggy": une chanson pour Ziggy , normal de la part de Soligny grand fan de Bowie devant l'éternel mais à laquelle on préfèrera n'importe quel titre de "Two Years Old" son premier long jeu sorti chez Closer en 1985. Je préfère ne rien dire de Private Jokes et encore moins de Rouge Baiser sinon que ce n'est pas ma tasse de thé !
En fait les chansons de "Bande de France" enregistrées ou mixées "dans les meilleures conditions précaires possibles" souffrent d'un son plutôt léger voire limite !
Oui mais voilà, à l'époque les fans complétistes de Bijou et de Little Bob ne pouvaient pas laisser passer l'objet sans l'acheter. Pour des raisons contractuelles, leurs groupes préférés avançaient masqués...

Les Tricheurs balancent un fougueux "Repose Beethoven" adaptation  française de "Roll Over Beethoven" que n'aurait pas reniée Eddy lui-même! Ces Tricheurs trichant sur leur nom c'est BIJOU accompagné de Chris Spedding et enregistré live au Palais des Sports de Paris, en Juin 1979. Roberto & The Paparazzi  vient du Havre où il est plus connu sous le nom de Little Bob. Little Bob dont Guy Georges Gremy fut le fulgurant guitariste! On le retrouve ici dans Vinyl Street dont "(Live On) Fire" est le seul témoignage d'un groupe éphémère.
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TEENAGE KNOCKOUTS - Japanese, Murdercycles, Guitar's and Gun's

TEENAGE KNOCKOUTS  Japanese, Murdercycles, Guitar's and Gun's 10'' 1999
Flip, Twist And Shout / South Side Shuffle / Don't Get Close To Me / Blvd. / School Girl Desire / Time + Time Again / Too Far Gone / Chainsaw Love.
Produced by Teenage Knockouts.
Teenage Knockouts: Buddy Boy: lead guitar, vox / Chic Dagger: vox / Michael Amour: bass, vox / Kevin Kamikaze: drums / Flip Jaguar: guitar, vox.
The TKO's (or the Teenage Knockouts) were a 90's punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio like The Dead Boys. And like them they know how to do it ! Pure punk with a big touch of rock'n'roll !!!

Buy It HERE!
Thanks to Franck.

TICKET - Coup de Bol à Marrakech

TICKET Coup de bol à Marrakech LP 1985
Ramdam des tam-tams / Toutes les filles / Top models / Candy Annie / Jamais pour toujours / Les monte-en-l'air / New York à Shangaï / Coup de bol à Marrakech.
Produced by Jean-William Thoury.
"...Les pop modèles… (1979-1986)
Chez eux, pas de cuirs, pas de jeans, pas de "tiags" mais des costards bien propres, des Creepers, des coupes de cheveux trop "nickel" et des gueules trop polies pour être honnêtes… Pas non plus d’histoires de galères, de voitures ou de pessimisme politique mais des textes graves, cyniques, optimistes et parfois drôles…
Aujourd’hui encore, de nombreux musiciens nantais avouent avoir eu envie de monter sur scène grâce à Ticket, à leur rock-pop différente, leurs mélodies imparables et les chœurs et refrains qui tuent… C’est le cas notamment des Elmer Food Beat qui vouaient un culte sans faille à Ticket.
Leur rock moderne, qu’ils situent "Entre Starshooter, Bob Marley et le rock anglais…" est inspiré des Graham Parker, Costello, Clash ou XTC.
Le groupe séduit Patrice Blanc Francard qui passe leur concert de mai 1981 à Rennes en direct sur France Inter, dans son émission "Loup-garou".
La formation comprend à l'époque Kelu, Yves Le Rolland, Cyril Wiet et Jean-Michel Daniau.
Ces trois derniers sont alors sollicités par Kent qui vient de quitter Starshooter pour participer à un album et une tournée. Le groupe suit, part vivre à Paris, affirmant ne pas être séparé mais juste en stand-by pour quelques mois.
En 1985 sort l’album "Coup de bol à Marrakech" produit par Jean-William Thoury (Bijou) sur le label Surfin‘bird.
Ticket fera ses adieux lors d'un concert à Rezé en 1986.
On retrouvera à de très nombreuses reprises les membres de Ticket dans d’autres aventures musicales au fil des années 80 et 90 : Kelu avec Elmer Food Beat et Ternil, Jean-Michel aux côtés de Gilles Tandy… Quant à Yves Le Rolland, il est, depuis pas mal d'années maintenant, producteur de l’émission des Guignols sur Canal plus..." Source
A noter qu'on trouve sur You Tube certaines videos dans lesquelles on peut constater le potentiel de Ticket en concert.

"C'est en 1977 que le groupe se forme, et c'est courant 1979 qu'ils optent pour Ticket, en hommage au "Ticket To Ride" des Beatles.Cette même année sort le premier titre "Howard Hugues" sur la compilation "Bande de France. vol 1". Originaires de Nantes, le groupe fait de nombreux concerts, courant 1980, joue au Globe, aux Transmusicales à Rennes. En 1981, ils jouent à Bobino avec Les Stagiares et Valérie Lagrange, puis enregistrent sur la compilation"Rock'n'Rennes" le titre "Nettoyage". En 1982, parait leur premier 45 tours "Funanbule/Pourquoi moi?" un auto produit tiré à 2000 exemplaires. Pendant l'année 1984, la formation se compose de Luc Boisseau "Kelu", Yves Le Roland, Cyril Wiet et de Jean-Michel Daniau. Ils partent à la conquête de Paris et jouent au Rose Bonbon où ils font de belles rencontres puisque ce soir là Kent, Vincent Palmer et Olive sont dans la salle. De retour à Nantes, ils participent à la comédie musicale "Wouap dou Wouap" crée par le Théatre de Nuit. Yves, Cyril et Jean-Michel sont sollicités par Kent (qui vient de quitter Starshooter) pour participer à son premier album "Amours Propres" puis à la tournée qui suit la sortie du lp. Yves Le Rolland (batteur et futur producteur des Guignols sur Canal +) quitte le combo pour rentrer à Radio France, et c'est Patrice Lequesne qui le remplace.
C'est cette formation qui enregistre en 1985, sur le label parisien Surfin'Bird, l'excellent album "Coup de bol à Marrakech". Produit par Jean-William Thoury qui lui concocte un son clair mais puissant qui s'apparente parfois à celui des Valentinos, ce mini lp de huit titres propose quelques perles powerpop dont l'imparable "Toutes les filles" qui a tout du hit instantané.Ticket fait partie de ces groupes français à guitares des années 80 (Valentinos, Snipers, Surrenders, Stilettos...) adeptes d'une "ligne claire" en provenance directe des Groovies de "Shake Some Action", des Barracudas de "Mean Time" et plus loin des Byrds. Pour ne rien gâcher le groupe sait trousser de véritables chansons dotées de bons textes (Les monte-en-l'air).
La promotion restera trop confidentielle par manque de moyens et devant le peu de succès, le groupe se séparera en 1986. Un véritable gâchis !  Source
Ticket was a french powerpop band from Nantes. If you like other french bands like les Valentinos, The Snipers, Les Calamités or les Stilettos check this one,  you will not be disappointed !
Thanks to Mr D. & Fabien !
Buy it HERE or HERE !

THE POP MODELS - King Of Love

THE POP MODELS  King Of Love / Listen To Him (Baby She Loves You)  7'' 1984
The Pop Models: Luc Ovlof: vocals, whistles / John Stid: bass / Dr Broc: guitars / Les Gaufrettes: backing vocals / Bert Darin: keyboards / Charles Benaroch: drums, percussions.
It seems that under the name of The Pop Models were some members of  the band Ticket !
Buy It HERE!

TICKET - Funambule

TICKET  Funambule / Pourquoi moi  7'' 1982
Produced by Ticket & J.P. Boyer.

plus "Howard Hughes" from the lp "Bande de France Vol. 1" and "Nettoyage" from the lp "Rock 'N' Rennes"

Ticket: Jean-Michel Daniau: guitar, vocals / Cyril Wiet: bass / Yves Le Roland: drums.

Ticket was a good french power pop band from Nantes...
Buy it HERE, HERE & HERE!

DIG IT! N° 56

DIG IT! N° 56 out NOW!

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THE LAZY COWGIRLS - Here And Now (live)

THE LAZY COWGIRLS  Here And Now (live)  cd  2001
The Magnificent Seven / Route 66 / Don't Count Me Out / Goodbye To Yesterday / Your Charmed Life's Fadin' Fast / Live In The Past / Somewhere Down The Line / When It Comes To You I've Got No Dreams To Lose / Second Cousin* / Route 90 / You / Rock Of Gibraltar / Bought Your Lies.
Produced by The Lazy Cowgirls & Earle Mankey.
The Lazy Cowgirls: Pat Todd: vocals & acoustic guitar / Michael Leigh: electric & acoustic guitar, vocals & lead vocals on* / Leonard Keringer: bass & vocals / Bob Deagle: drums & percussion.
The Lazy Cowgirls were extraordinarily prolific at the turn of the century, releasing two full-length albums within six months of each other that both boast songs that rival the quality of anything they've done in their lengthy career. This live-in-studio collection finds the band at a turning point, surveying a healthy portion of recent compositions, covers of favored influences and forgotten Cowgirl classics. While Rank Outsider and Somewhere Down the Line both featured acoustic tracks, the inclusion of non-electric selections on this live document seems to herald a serious interest in pursuing a more rural tone than the no-holds-barred punk rock that the band is known for. It's an appropriate direction, since leader Pat Todd's songs have always been informed as much by Hank Williams as the Ramones, and while the acoustic numbers don't match up to their original sources (two are slowed-down versions of harder-edged songs from earlier albums, plus a reading of Bill Monroe's "Live in the Past"), they do pave the way for future country-flavored material that would serve the band well. "When It Comes to You I've Got No Dreams to Lose" is one of two new songs written for this project, and it's the highlight of the album, a tough-hearted number with a far rootsier approach than the crash-and-burn of Cowgirls past. Even at a slower speed, though, the band expresses all of the reckless sentiment and hoarse honesty that fans have come to expect. The electric set doesn't live up to The Lazy Cowgirls' full potential as a live band; the invited audience politely acknowledges each tune but the vibe is strangely sterile. The band does generate serious heat on their version of Billy Joe Shaver's "Goodbye to Yesterday," and the Todd original "Don't Count Me Out" (previously available only as a vinyl single) rocks with venom. Here and Now (Live!) is best appreciated by longtime fans who will be excited to hear the reworked versions of older tunes and the spirited covers that pepper the set. Anyone else with a passing interest in solid American rock & roll is encouraged to first obtain any of their more assured studio albums or witness firsthand one of The Lazy Cowgirls' incendiary live performances to fully understand this unsung quartet's importance. Source+
Buy It HERE!

THE RAINMAKERS - The Rainmakers

THE RAINMAKERS  The Rainmakers lp 1986 cd 2006

Rockin' At The T-Dance / Downstream / Let My People Go-Go / Doomsville / Big Fat Blonde / Long Gone Long / The One That Got Away / Government Cheese / Drinkin' On The Job / Nobody Knows / Information /Carpenter's son / Rockabilly Standard / Long Gone Long (acoustic version) / Doomsville (live).

Produced by Terry Manning .

The Rainmakers: B. Walkenhorst: lead vocals, accoustic guitar / S. Phillips: electric guitar, vocals / R. Ruth: bass, vocals / P. Tomek: drums.

Prototypical Midwestern roots-rockers, the Rainmakers ironically achieved their greatest commercial success overseas, despite generally good reviews in their homeland. Chief songwriter Bob Walkenhorst's playful wit and topical lyrics set the Rainmakers apart from their Heartland bar band peers, though musically they drew from the expected roots rock influences (Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, etc.). The band was originally formed in 1983 in Kansas City, MO, as a trio called Steve, Bob, and Rich; naturally, the lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Steve Phillips, guitarist/vocalist Bob Walkenhorst, and bassist Rich Ruth. This group recorded an independently released album (titled "Balls") that helped get them signed to Polygram, upon which point they added drummer Pat Tomek and changed their name to the less specific Rainmakers. Their self-titled official debut was released in 1986, producing the British Top 20 hit "Let My People Go-Go" and quite a bit of good press both at home and abroad. The band embarked on a relentless touring schedule and found an unlikely fan in horror writer Stephen King, who quoted the band's lyrics in two of his books. The 1988 follow-up "Tornado" didn't attract as much critical attention in the U.S., but the Rainmakers' European audience continued to grow; by the time of 1989's "The Good News and the Bad News", the band was concentrating mostly on that area, recording the concert album "Oslo-Wichita Live" solely for its Scandinavian fans. In 1990, tired of the road life, the Rainmakers disbanded, ostensibly for good. However, Scandinavian interest in their music held strong, and Polygram's Norwegian division requested a new Rainmakers album in 1994. The band obliged and recorded "Flirting With the Universe" on their own in Steve Phillips' basement. The album was a smash in Norway, achieving that country's equivalent of gold sales within two months, and the band was encouraged enough to stage a full-fledged reunion. They signed with the independent Kansas label V&R, and Walkenhorst wrote a concept album about pornography and its effects on human sexuality. Ruth left the band during the recording sessions, with accounts divided as to whether it was due to the lyrical content or the fact that he had moved from Kansas City to Nashville; regardless, he was replaced by Michael Bliss. The resulting album, "Skin", was released in 1996 to mostly good reviews. The band issued one further track in 1998, a collaboration with Brewer & Shipley in a new version of "One Toke Over The Line", before they broke up again.

In 2011, the Rainmakers reformed, with bassist Rich Ruth returning to the group in place of Bliss, while long-time guitarist Steve Phillips was replaced by Jeff Porter. On March 5, the band was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame with a ceremony and concert at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas. The following week, March 14, the last band's album, "25 On" (Buy It HERE!), was released. At the end of March, the band returned to Norway for a two-week tour. The band played two shows in Kansas City, MO on May 14, 2011 and May 15, 2011 at Knuckleheads Saloon. The second show was scheduled after the first show sold out very quickly. Source

Cross a more literate John Mellencamp with Webb Wilder and you have this Kansas City band sized up. The debut release sets the bar high with cutting social commentary and memorable tunes that include "Downstream" and the unapologetic "Big Fat Blonde." In the former tune alone, bandleader and songwriter Bob Walkenhorst mentions Mark Twain, Harry Truman, and Chuck Berry. From "Drinkin' on the Job" comes the classic line, "The generation that would change the world is still looking for its car keys." Source
Buy It HERE !

PARANOIACS - Bananas

PARANOIACS Bananas CD 1990
I've Been Waiting / Being With You / I Wanna Be Loved / Crazy / I Want You / Wendy James (Transvision Vamp) / Chained For Life / Don't Wanna Waste My Time / I Think I Love You / When Times Get Rough / Come Back And Stay* / You'll Never Be My Girl*. (* cd bonus tracks)
Produced by Thé Lau.
Paranoiacs: H. Stevens: vocals, lead guitar / R. Stevens: keyboards, backing vocals / P. Vermeulen: drums / J. Maes: guitar / E. Van Biesen: bass, backing vocals.
"There’s little need to introduce The Paranoaics. Simply no other contemporary band has left its mark so prominently on the Belgian scene over the last 25 years. Soon after they blew everybody away at the local clubs with their powerful collision of punk, garage and rock ‘n roll, they released their first mini-LP, "We’re the Teenage Lovers". By the time its follow-up album, the highly acclaimed , "Sometimes Teenage Is Spelt T.N.T". and their first full-length album,"Bananas" hit the stores, these guys had already established themselves as the true kings of rock ‘n’ roll in the sonic wasteland that we now refer to as the late eighties. What Mötley Crüe did to the LA rock scene, The Paranoiacs did for Belgian rock. Except these guys didn’t have to dress like old tarts. The next decade brought more highs (Pukkelpop 1990 with Faith No More, Nick Cave and The Cramps - new albums, "Thirteen" and "7 Day Weekend"). Meanwhile, The Paranoiacs showed their evolution in the new millennium through the rare six track mini-album, "Mini Countryhead: Paranoiacs Go Country", including their celebrated version of Johnny Cash’s (Ghost)Rider in the Sky that was also released in Japan. "Love Junks" is the band's lament for their unbridled love for women, but simultaneously for their respect and true devotion for their sonic masters who showed them the way throughout all those years in the rock 'n roll jungle. The band succeeds to blend these two totally different, yet at the same time, very similarly powerful driving forces into a spectacular new and last masterpiece. Think of one hell of a party with blonds, redheads and brunettes entangled with Cash, Ramones and Masters of Reality and you're not even close. Bring 50's blues ’n roll, 60’s garage rock, 70’s punk, 80's hard rock, 90's punk rock and zero bullshit into one room and the result is raw, wet and exhilarating. The Paranoiacs' love odyssey that started with "We’re the Teenage Lovers" will be sealed off with the appropriately titled "Love Junks". Raf & Hans have been suckers for love for the last 25 years and celebrate their silver wedding in style: with one last surge from their inner volcano of rock that will never be silenced. Twenty-five years of brotherly love. The secret? The teenager in these guys just never died." Source
 The cd (only) bonus track "Come Back and Stay" is a cover of Jack Lee (Nerves) that you can find on his first (and excellent) album, "Jack Lee's Greatest Hits".
Buy It HERE!

LES GO-GO PIGALLES - Côté Coeur

LES GO-GO PIGALLES Côté Coeur LP 1979
Jingle Jive / L'amour Toujours / Tout Va Bien / You / Je Les Veux Toutes / Strip Tease / A Fleur De Peau / Avec Toi / Juste Une Autre Soirée / Macao /  Dis-moi Combien de Jours / Souvenirs De Paris / Avec Toi (live)*.
Produced by Go-Go Pigalles.
Les Go-Go Pigalles: Hugo Beaulieu: vocals, guitar / Coco Charnel: guitar / Nick Lamour: bass / Ray Deauville: sax, keyboards / Lindo Vegas: drums + Steve Shehan: percussions / X: keyboards / Flora Von B., Valérie: backing vocals.

1979... la première vague du punk parisien se meurt ou presque. On cherche de nouvelles directions...pas toujours très heureuses d'autant que souvent les musiciens se heurtent à leurs propres limites techniques.
Les Go-Go Pigalles nous servent un "latin rock" sorti droit des 50's plus cérébral que sanguin. Il se rêvent avec un cocktail dans une main au bras d'une exotique beauté dans un Macao fantasmé !
Phillips signe le groupe qui sort directement un lp en 1979. On les retrouve pour deux titres live ("Avec Toi" sur le LP et "Tout Va Bien" sur le 7", 6 titres) joués le 9 juin 1979 au Palais des Sports de Paris dans le cadre de la soirée "French Rock Mania".
J'ai toujours eu beaucoup de mal à écouter cet album en entier et 33 ans après rien n'a changé! "Côté Coeur" n'a jamais connu de sortie cd , le voici donc témoin d'une époque déjà lointaine où régnait l' innocence d'une certaine jeunesse! Un pan d'histoire...
Les Go-Go Pigalles were a post punk band from Paris. They recorded their only lp in 1979 on a major label. They played a latin rock in a 50's spirit.
Buy It HERE!