Sadly, Roland S Howard, guitarist for The Birthday Party passed away this morning at the age of 50 from liver cancer. 
The Birthday Party, left to right:
Mick Harvey, Nick Cave, Phill Calvert, Tracy Pew and Rowland S Howard
The Life And Times Of Roland S. Howard
Wikipedia: Rowland S. Howard
Official Website: thebirthdayparty.com.au
Video: The Birthday Party - Release The Bats - live - 1982 - youtube
Blogload: The Birthday Party - debut album - borboletasdolotoazul.blogspot.com
We're slackers...
Jim Reid of The Jesus And Mary Chain turns 48 today!
The Jesus And Mary Chain, left to right:
Steve Monti, William Reid and Jim Reid.
Wikipedia: The Jesus And Mary Chain
Video: The Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey - 1985 - youtube
Blogload: The Jesus And Mary Chain - 21 Singles - a compilation - musicalmente.info
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
On this date in 1979, Scritti Politti released their second EP, Work In Progress. It was a four song offering of recordings from Peel Sessions. The tracks were "Messthetics", "Hegemony", "Scritlocks Door" and "OPEC-Immac". The Leeds, England post-punk band was founded by Welsh-born Green Gartside. He was its only permanent member. The band continues on. The Leeds, England post-punk band was founded by Welsh-born Green Gartside. He was its only permanent member. The band continues on.
Wikipedia: Scritti Politti
Blogload: Scritti Politti - Work In Progress - and more - anniesanimal.blogspot.com
On this date in 1977, The Dils released their second single. They called it 198 Seconds Of The Dils. The A side was "Class War". The B side was "Mr. Big". The Carlsbad, California punk band was led by brothers Tony and Chip Kinman and a number of different drummers. They were extremely influential on the Los Angeles punk scene. While neither song appeared on an album by their breakup in 1980, the songs have appeared on a couple of Dils compilations since then. Brothers Chip and Tony Kinman went on to form cowpunk band Rank & File.
Wikipedia: The Dils
Blogload: The Dils - 198 Seconds Of The Dils - 7 inch (both tracks) - kbdrecords.com
On this date in 1977, The Last released their debut single, "She Don't Know Why I'm Here". It was backed by "Bombing Of London". Both tracks appeared on their debut album, L.A. Explosion!, though they were re-worked. The Los Angeles power pop is still performing and recording.
Wikipedia: The Last
Blogload: The Last - L.A. Explosion! - powerpopoverdose.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, Fad Gadget released their eighth single, "For Whom The Bells Toll". It was backed by "Love Parasite". Both tracks appeared on their third album, Under The Flag, though the A side was a re-mixed version of the song. The London, England avant-garde band was actually Frank Tovey and an ever-changing group of musicians. Fad Gadget broke up in 1984. Frank Tovey passed away April 3, 2002.
Wikipedia: Fad Gadget
Official Website: fadgadget.co.uk
Video: Fad Gadget - For Whom The Bells Toll - live - 1982 - youtube
Blogload: Fad Gadget - Under The Flag - and more - lunchmeataphobia.blogspot.com
On this date in 1981, Rhoda and The Special A.K.A. released a single, The Specials' first single after the split of the band (when Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Neville Staples left to form Fun Boy Three). The A side was "The Boiler". The B side was an instrumental version called "Theme From The Boiler". Rhoda was Rhoda Dakar, ex-member of The Bodysnatchers. This was not the first release under the name Special A.K.A. The band that was to become The Specials released their first record, "Gangsters" (a split 45 with The Selecter), under the name The Special A.K.A. back in 1979 as well as a few other releases under that name. Neither side of "The Boiler" single appeared on an album. The single reached the #35 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The ska band formed in Coventry, England. The Specials re-formed recently and did some touring. Jerry Dammers did not join them.
Wikipedia: The Specials
Official Website: thespecials.com
Blogload: The Specials - Stero-Typical - A's, B's & Rarities - marcoonthebass.blogspot.com
On this date in 1979, Crass released their second album, Stations Of The Crass. It was a double album consisting of three studio sides and one live side. No singles were released from the album. The album reached the #1 spot on the U.K. indie albums chart. The Essex, England punk band released five albums and several EP's and singles before disbanding in 1984.
Wikipedia: Crass
Unofficial Website: southern.com/southern/label/CRC
Blogload: Crass - Stations Of The Crass - ferryconnor.blogspot.com
On this date in 1979, The Pork Dukes released their second album, Pink Pork. It contained the singles, "Bend & Flush" and "Telephone Masturbator". The London punk band's lyrical content made Sex Pistols look tame in comparison. They disbanded in 1979 after two albums and several singles. The drummer, Bonk, went on to join The Rezillos (as Rocky Rhythm). They re-formed in 2002
Wikipedia: The Pork Dukes
Official Website: porkdukes.com
Not Pink Pork but...
Blogload: The Pork Dukes - Telephone Masturbator - 7 inch (both sides) - shortsharpkickintheteeth.blogspot.com
On this date in 1982, The Cleaners From Venus offered their third long play release, Midnight Cleaners. As was their normal routine, this was a cassette-only release. There were no singles released from the cassette. The Colchester, England post punk/pop band has not released any new material since 1993 but guitarist/vocalist Martin Newell is still active.
Blogload: The Cleaners From Venus - Midnight Cleaners - barfoutdolls.blogspot.com
Youth (born Martin Glover) of Killing Joke turns 49 today!
Killing Joke, left to right:
Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson, Geordie Walker and Youth Glover.
Wikipedia: Killing Joke
Official Website: killingjoke.com
Video: Killing Jokes - Follow The Leaders - live - 1981 - youtube
Blogload: Killing Joke - The Peel Sessions - 1979-1981 - mondo-de-muebles.blogspot.com

