The Prats - 1990's Pop EP

On this date in 1980, The Prats released their debut record, an four track EP called 1990's Pop EP. It contained the tracks, "Disco Pope", "Nothing", "TV Set" and "Nobody Noticed". None of the tracks appeared on an album. In fact, the Edinburgh, Scotland teenage punk band did not release an album before they disbanded in 1981. A later posthumous album eventually was released years later.



Wikipedia: The Prats

Unofficial Website: homepage.mac.com/emclaug1/theprats

Blogload: The Prats - 1990's Pop EP - isksp.blogspot.com

The Offs - You Fascinate Me

On this date in 1980, The Offs released their second single, "You Fascinate me". It was backed by "My World". The A side appeared on their debut album, First Record. The San Francisco, California punk/ska band released a few singles but only one studio album.



Blogload: The Offs - You Fascinate Me - 7 inch (both sides) - and more - lastdaysofmanonearth.com

Welcome Plastics

On this date in 1980, Plastics released their debut album, Welcome Plastics. It was only released in Japan. It contained the single, "Copy". The Japanese new wave band released three albums, an EP and several singles before disbanding in the early 80's.



Wikipedia: Plastics

A good Plastics Website: rockofjapan.com

Not Welcome Plastics but their third album which included many re-worked versions of songs from their debut...
Blogload: Plastics - Welcome Back - 53rdand3rd.wordpress.com

Subterranean Modern

On this date in 1980, Ralph Records released an album of west coast punk/avante garde bands. It contained tracks by Chrome, The Residents, MX-80 and Tuxedomoon. The release was called Subterranean Modern.



Blogload: Subterranean Modern - compilation - mutant-sounds.blogspot.com

Department S - Is Vic There?

On this date in 1980, Department S released their debut single, "Is Vic There?". It was backed by "Solid Gold Easy Action" in the U.K. The single was released in 1981 in the U.S. with a different B side, "Put All The Crosses In The Right Boxes". The single reached the #22 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The London new wave band, during its short lived career released three singles and no albums until a 2003 compilation, Sub-Stance, was released. The department was closed in 1981. They released new material in 2007 without, of course, lead singer Vaughan Toulouse who died in 1991 of complications from AIDS.



Wikipedia: Department S

Myspace: www.myspace.com/departments

Video: Department S - Is Vic There? - on Top Of The Pops - 1981 - youtube

Blogload: Department S - Is Vic There? - a compilation - commercialzone.blogspot.com

The Boomtown Rats - Mondo Bongo

On this date in 1980, The Boomtown Rats released their fourth album, Mondo Bongo. It contained the singles, "Banana Republic" (#3 U.K), "Up All Night" and "The Elephant's Graveyard" (#26 U.K.). "Banana Republic" was a different version than the single version. The album reached the #6 spot on the U.K. albums chart. The Dublin, Ireland punk/new wave band disbanded in 1986 after six albums.



Wikipedia: The Boomtown Rats

Official Website: boomtownrats.co.uk

Blogload: The Boomtown Rats - Mondo Bongo - digitalneedle.blogspot.com

S.F. Underground 2

On this date in 1980, Subterranean Records released an EP of San Francisco punk bands. It contained four tracks, one each by Spikes, Lewd, Society Dog and Undead. The release was called S.F. Underground 2.



Blogload: S.F. Underground 2 - compilation - 7inchpunk.com

The Blackouts - Men In Motion

On this date in 1980, The Blackouts released their debut EP, Men In Motion. The 12 inch, four track EP contained "Dead Man's Curve", "Probabilities", "Being Be" and "Five Is 5". None of the tracks were released as singles. The Seattle, Washington punk/pop band released three singles and this EP before disbanding. The members of this band had formerly been in Seattle punk band, The Telepaths. Bill Rieflin and Paul Barker later joined Ministry.



Wikipedia: The Blackouts

Blogload: The Blackouts - History In Reverse - a compilation - musistenz.blogspot.com

From Brussels With Love

On this date in 1980, Les Disques Du Crepuscule released cassette compilation of various tracks from new wave/post punk and avant garde artists. Among those featured were The Durutti Column, John Foxx, A Certain Ratio and Richard Jobson. The cassette release was called From Brussels With Love.



Blogload: From Brussels With Love - compilation - simplygoodmusic.blogspot.com

Basement 5 - Last White Christmas

On this date in 1980, Basement 5 released their second single, "Last White Christmas". It was backed by "Traffic Dub". The A side appeared on their debut album, 1965-1980. The B side did not. The London punk reggae band lasted until 1980, packing it in after one album, one EP and two singles. The band had once included Don Letts, legendary film director and DJ, but he left the band prior to this recording.



Wikipedia: Basement 5

Myspace: myspace.com/therealbasements

Blogload: Basement 5 - 1965-1980 - toneandwave.blogspot.com

The Vibrators - Disco In Mosco

On this date in 1980, The Vibrators released their eighth single, "Disco In Mosco". It was backed by "Take A Chance". Neither track appeared on an album. The London punk bank is still active with original lead singer, Knox, back with the band and drummer, Eddie, who has been a constant.



Wikipedia: The Vibrators

Official Website: thevibrators.com

Blogload: The Best Of The Vibrators - industrialispunk.blogspot.com

The Carpettes - The Last Lone Ranger

On this date in 1980, The Carpettes released their fifth and final single, "The Last Lone Ranger". It was backed by "Love So Strong" and "Fan Club". The A side appeared on their second and final album, Fight Amongst Yourselves. The two B sides were non-LP tracks. The Tyne and Wear, England punk/power pop band released two albums before disbanding in 1980. They have recently reunited.



Wikipedia: The Carpettes

Official Site: www.thecarpettes.com

Myspace: myspace.com/thecarpettes

Blogload: The Carpettes - Small Wonders - The Complete Singles 1977-1980 - 277clash.blogspot.com

The Gist - This Is Love

On this date in 1980, The Gist released their debut single, "This Is Love". It was backed by "Yanks". Neither track appeared on an album. The Caerdydd, Wales post punk band was formed by ex-Young Marble Giants' guitarist Stuart Moxham. They released three singles and one album before disbanding in 1983.



Blogload: The Gist - This Is Love - 7 inch - and more - pukekos.org

The Decline Of Western Civilization

On this date in 1980, the soundtrack to the movie The Decline Of Western Civilization was released. The debut of the movie, itself, was April 2, 1981. The punk rock movie featured live performances from Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, Fear, Alice Bag Band, X, Catholic Discipline and The Germs.



Wikipedia: The Decline Of Western Civilization

Blogload: The Decline Of Western Civilization - soundtrack - scumfactor.blogspot.com

Modern English - Gathering Dust

On this date in 1980, Modern English released their third single, "Gathering Dust". It was backed by "Tranquility Of A Summer Moment (Vice Versa) ". Neither track appeared on an album, though the A side was the lead track on a 1983 five song EP called Gathering Dust, and both tracks were added to their debut, Mesh & Lace, when it was re-released on CD. The Colchester, England post punk/new wave band first disbanded in 1986. They have reunited to record and perform a few times since.



Wikipedia: Modern English

Blogload: Modern English - Mesh & Lace - gothicrock2009.blogspot.com

The Weirdos - Action Design EP

On this date in 1980, The Weirdos released their second EP, Action Design. It was a four track EP that included "The Hideout", "I Feel", "Break on Through" and "Helium Bar". The Los Angeles punk band disbanded in 1981 before they released an album. They have occasionally reunited to perform and record.



Wikipedia: The Weirdos

Myspace: myspace.com/weirdos

Blogload: The Weirdos - Action Design EP - auraldamage.blogspot.com

Mass - You And I

On this date in 1980, Mass released their debut single, "You And I". It was backed by "Cabbage". Neither track appeared on an album though both were added as bonuses to their debut, Labour Of Love, when it was re-released on CD. The London post punk was formed by Gary Asquith, Mick Allen, and Mark Cox when Rema-Rema disbanded. They released one album and one single before disbanding in 1981.



Blogload: Mass - Labour Of Love - totalwire.blogspot.com

Suburban Lawns - Janitor

On this date in 1980, Suburban Lawns released their second single,
"Janitor". It was backed by "Protection". Both tracks appeared on their self-titled debut album. The Long Beach, California new wave band disbanded in 1985 with one album, one EP and a couple of singles to their credit. The vocals for the band were handled by Su Tissue, though drummer Chuck Roast occasionally got some vocal assignments.



Wikipedia: Suburban Lawns

Video: Suburban Lawns - Janitor - youtube

Blogload: Suburban Lawns - debut album - fauxhemiantrust.blogspot.com

Josef K - It's Kinda Funny

On this date in 1980, Josef K released their third single, "It's Kinda Funny". It was backed by "Final Request". The A side appeared on their debut album, The Only Fun In Town. The B side was a non-LP track. The A side reached the #12 spot on the U.K. indie singles chart. The Only Fun In Town was their debut release but not the first album they recorded. Due to the band's dissatisfaction with the results of their first recording, Sorry For Laughing, recorded in 1980, it was not released until 1990. The Edinburgh, Scotland post-punk band disbanded in 1982 with just one album though posthumous releases would come out, including Sorry For Laughing. Guitarist Malcolm Ross joined Orange Juice and then Aztec Camera. Drummer Ronnie Torrance joined Boots For Dancing. Vocalist Paul Haig went on to a moderately successful solo career.



Wikipedia: Josef K

Unofficial Website: josefk.net

Blogload: Josef K - It's Kinda Funny - 7 inch (both sides) - and more - dormouseteapot.blogspot.com

1980's L.A. Punk Rock

I found this great piece of history. The site contains a lot of pix, vids and some music in crappy "Real media player" format. (hint: just come back to The P5 and search for the bands).

Read This: 1980s L.A. Punk Rock - www.tvparty.com:

"TVparty presents found articles circa 1980-85 written by Billy Eye and Judy Zee from Data-Boy, a gay entertainment magazine published in Hollywood.

These articles chronicle the avante garde bands coming up through the Los Angeles Punk and New Wave club scene during that key period. They read like a diary in the lives of these young clubgoers and the burgeoning scene they covered."

Bands mentioned include:
Fear, The Germs, Go-Go's, Motley Crue, TSOL, Missing Persons, Wall of Voodoo and more.