Here’s the Testors. They rule.

Country: USA
Year: 1976/1977
Label: Incognito
Format: 10″
Songs:
Lets Get Zoed Out.mp3
I See.mp3
Madras Prison.mp3
Primitive.mp3
Detention.mp3
M.K. Ultra.mp3

What a perfect transition. From Olho Seco to some of the best powerpop platters ever released. If you haven’t heard Hanging On The Telephone by Blondie you’ve probably been without a radio the past 25 years or so. It took me a looooonngg time till I get to know that their mega hit was actually done by The Nerves and was way better rendered in it’s original form. Totally stripped down and super thin powerpop. Goose bumps every time. Rest of the tracks are hooked laden and highly 60s influenced pop songs that will make every punker cry and longing for their studs and glue bags. I can hear you scream “play faster”. This is more punk then any and all of the dis-clones out there. 

And now you fill in all the blanks about how important The Nerves where to the early L.A. punk scene and especially Peter Case.

Country: USA
Year: 1976
Label: Nerves
Format: 7″
Songs:
Hangin On The Telephone.mp3
When You Find Out.mp3
Give Me Sometime.mp3
Working Too Hard.mp3

In my world the Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop was the first punk 7inch released in June(?) 1976. Then these sleazy aussie guys hit the world in August 1976 with this. One of my all time faves. Can’t listen to I’m Stranded enough. 500 pressed on their own Fatal label before Harvest signed them and quickly released it again with a sleeve. My copy is scratchy and nice.

By the way I haven’t figured out who’ve written the stuff on the b-side. Anyone?

Now over to some real content:
Like a snake calling on the phone
I’ve got no time to be alone
there is some one coming at me all the time
babe I think I’ll lose my mind
’cause I’m stranded on my own
stranded far from home
I’m riding on a midnight train
& everybody looks just the same
a subway light it’s dirty reflection
I’m lost I don’t have a direction
I’m stranded etc etc
Look at me looking at you
there ain’t a thing that I can do
you are lost your mind is a whirl
baby such a stupid girl
I’m stranded etc etc
Livin’ in a world insane
they cut out some heart & some brain
‘been filling it up with dirt
do you know how much it hurts…
to be…stranded etc….

Stranded I’m so far from home
Stranded yeah I am on my own
Stranded why don’t you leave me alone

Country: Australia
Year: 1976
Label: Fatal
Format: 7″
Songs:
I’m Stranded.mp3
No Time.mp3