I.D.K. - 1994 Demonstration Demo

I.D.K. was a staple in the New Jersey punk and hardcore scenes from the early to late 90's. They split up in 1998 and reformed 10 years later in January of 2008.

I picked up this 3 song demo tape of theirs at Vintage Vinyl Records in Fords, NJ back in 1994. I had never heard of them before but as always, I figured the $3 they were asking for the tape (which the band maybe saw a dollar of) wasn't going to hurt my wallet and would support a local act. I wouldn't necessarily call the songs on this demo pop/punk, but rather melodic punk with both a tinge of pop/punk and a hardcore or rock edge.

A year or two later the band exploded in the North East with their "Taking on the Monster," EP, followed by their full length "Til' Death Do Us Part."

These 3 early cuts ripped rather nicely despite being from a 14 year old cassette. Only 1 of the songs, "Adjustment", was later re-recorded and appears on the "Til' Death Do Us Part" full length. The other 2 songs to the best of my knowledge, are exclusive to this demo.

1) Adjustment
2) Right Or Wrong
3) Mingwatt

Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?6p63xa6yn1drnil

The Leftovers (Florida)

No, this is NOT the same The Leftovers from the North East, that play Ramones inspired pop/punk. This is however, the Florida ska/punk band The Leftovers, that time has seemed to forget.

I picked up this 7" of theirs titled "A Few Days Difference" at the old Far Out Records store in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1995. Unfortunately I know nothing of what became of the band or if they had any other releases.



In this 7" you will hear high school aged members stirring up some catchy ska/punk hooks and jabs with somewhat amusing lyrics. Be forewarned that the vocals are very whiney, pre-pubescent sounding and honestly, kind of annoying. That may however be your cup of tea.

Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3294mgx09hjxare

Bernies' Fixxx - Tragedy 7" (NJ)

Bernies' Fixxx was a Pop/Punk outfit from North Jersey, circa mid 90's. To my knowledge they only put out this one 3 song 7" titled "Tragedy", but I may be mistaken.


Unfortunately I never got to see these guys live. Shortly after I purchased this record around 1995, I saw a flyer posted for a show to benefit the family of one of the singers of Bernies' Fixxx, as he had just passed away. The band, for obvious reasons, split up after that. I'll always wonder how many other great songs they could've written. Long live their music.

Recommended pick: Trendy Wendy

http://www.mediafire.com/?xbgr4b2qdbstlp2

Luis Cardenas - Runaway 7" (80's Rock??)

80's rock in a punk blog?! P-Shaw! This single is from the REAL Steve Neurotic archives.

When I was about 4 years old, my parents let me hear "Runaway" by the late Del Shannon. That was when I knew I wanted to be a singer. I used to run around singing that song at the top of my lungs as a little kid. I was 4 years old and knew all of the lyrics to that song.

So in 1986 when the drummer of the rock band "Renegade", Luis Cardenas went solo and recorded a record including a loud remake of my favorite childhood song, I had to have the single for it. I still have that 7" record by the way, but have spared you by not ripping the songs from that because as a 9 year old kid... I didn't take very good care of my vinyl. Hee.

Some of you may remember the video for the Runaway cover as it featured a bunch of dinosaurs with mohawks and even included a cameo appearance toward the end of Del Shannon himself.

If not, here it is:




The B side to the single called "Still Waiting" was also a favorite of mine. Behold... here is a nice digital rip of both tracks.

http://www.mediafire.com/?696ge6pwh0ipbpg

Missing Children (Pre - Degenerics) NJ

Missing Children were around approx between 1994 and 1996, and hailed from Jameburg, New Jersey. Their influences ran all over the place anywhere from ALL and Operation Ivy to old Calif. hardcore, to angry '77 style punk rock. That may sound like a mess... but they pulled it all together rather sweetly.


Missing Children Vocalist Frank P. is better known as the guitarist of "The Degenerics". Degenerics Vocalist Craig, was also a member of Missing Children, towards the end of the band. In a nutshell... Missing Children became The Degenerics in some weird way. I had some good times hanging out and playing shows with my band with these guys, in my late teens. Check out the photo collage above of Missing Children, taken by yours truly at a show of theirs at a punk house on Handy St. in New Brunswick, NJ around Sept 1994.


Included in the megaupload zip file linked below, is their only official release from 1995, (a self titled, self-released 7 song 7" record) and ALSO!!!.... their UNRELEASED 4 song demo tape from 1994 that features earlier recordings of 3 songs from the 7", and one song that was never released anywhere else called "Going Nowhere".


To the Missing Children virgins: Listen to "Sometimes", "Instant Pop Song", and "Suckcess Story", as they are highly addictive to the ears. Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?9hynkihw28w6ydq

Fiendz - Havin Fun 7" - (New Jersey)

The Fiendz are perhaps the innovators of New Jersey Pop Punk. They blasted onto the NJ Scene over 20 years ago in 1987, and to this day, are still kicking ass live and putting out records. My personal favorite of their releases is their 2nd 7" record titled "Havin' Fun", circa 1988. "I Don't Love You" and "Never Wanted Her To Go" still get me to bop around like I did the first time I saw "The Ramones" live as a kid.

While this 7" is included as bonus material on the CD version of their first full length "We're The Fiendz", the mp3s are ripped straight from the original vinyl, so you can enjoy this classic masterpiece the way it was originally intended.

http://www.mediafire.com/?cg3g60x8vj1gp00