Formed in 1979, Germany’s NIKOTEENS released this 7″ on their own. The songs were originally intended to be included on the now legendary «Soundtracks zum Untergang» compilation album, but got rejected by label owner Karl Walterbach (who founded “Noise Rerords” out of the ashes of “Aggressive Rockproduktionen”, when Metal was the new thing and Punk in a general decline in 1983). Reason for the downturn was the song «Bomben über Russland» («Bombs over Russia»).
In 1983, the NIKOTEENS released «Aleah-Oehh», an LP with 19 songs. Unfortunately, the LP contains a number of pretty miserable “fun songs”. If only it had been edited a bit more carefully and the tracklist reduced to the thrash-songs. The following LP from 1986, «Hardcore Holocaust», suffered more or less the same bad editing, again showing great potential, but at the same time ruining it with some really shitty tracks and terrible lyrics.
So what you really have to look up on the internet, are the two tapes they released in between the albums: The legendary «Skateboard Tape» and a live in the rehearsal room recording, called «Hopfenland Tape» (you can easily google them up). Especially the first one is a scorcher and easily among the very fastest bands of the time (1984), with superb vocals, a great rough production and ripping songs.
500 copies were made of this (it was re-released a few years ago, with three bonus tracks – the three fastest songs off the first LP). I could have done without the “Kufsteinlied” and the lyrics …. well.
If this is your first introduction to the NIKOTEENS, do yourself a favor and see what else you can find by them!
Thanks to Tomasso for contribution!
The End.mp3
Bomben über Russland.mp3
Die Mauer.mp3
Kamikaze Heroe.mp3
Kufsteinlied.mp3
PS 1: Looks like the label was supposed to be called “Kein Zurück Label”, as that’s what the hand-stamped innersleeve says.
PS 2: This is one of the greatest songs from the first LP (and not from the EP, as the description says):
9 Comments
great name for a band.
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Why didn’t you mention what a scam artist Karl Walterbach was ripping off every band he ever worked with and making a fortune?
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Admin Reply:
September 2nd, 2012 at 18:45
You might want to send me a list of all things I need to mention. Thank you.
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justin Reply:
September 3rd, 2012 at 03:45
Half a world away and you still can get me rolling.
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Nice post,thanks!…had no luck googling the skateboard tape,all links dead.
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Back with a bang herr Keller…remember getting turned onto these guys back in the tape trading days. Posted the Hardcore Holocaust thing a while back and you saying these guys were looking to get their doctorates or anything.
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You did it! Great. One small correction, if I may. “Kein Zurück” was the name of a small mail order from Munich – don’t remember the guy’s name (Alois? – nah, don’t have the slightest). I ordered a bunch of records from him in 82 – ZSD-LP, Tollwut 7″, 2nd Bellevue 7″, Condom 7″ and Nikoteens. He stamped all the records he sent out with his stamp – so it’s not the label’s name.
He was a friend of a girl, who was at the same tennis club as I at the time (DO NOT ASK!!!). She had a car and took me to my first shows in Ampermoching, where all the local shows were happening. The guy was driving with us on one our trips (probably Normahl, Dead Nittels, Sittentäter and Condom in August 82), and that’s when he passed his little list of records along to me.
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Admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2012 at 10:20
Tennis, huh. I had taken you for a golfer or a Polo player.
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Tomasso Reply:
September 3rd, 2012 at 10:24
Nah, it was tennis. Always was hoping to establish tennis punk along the lines of Part-Time Christians and their obsession with bowling, but it never caught on.
There’s one really funny photo of me from 85 when we were driving to Bielefeld to see Subhumans, where I’m reading a newspaper with Boris Becker winning Wimbledon in the headlines.
In the end hardcore won out against tennis, btw. Haven’t played in many years.
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Admin Reply:
September 3rd, 2012 at 10:28
After all, a strong tennis fraction within hardcore might have given the whole thing a bit of dignity.
Boris Becker. Matthias Rust. I miss the 80s.
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Robbie Fields Reply:
September 4th, 2012 at 18:43
Jay Lansford and I used to play tennis together.
My last tournament was in Graz in 2002, the same week that Boris was playing a Seniors’ event at the same facility. The organizers banned me from the players’ lounge, I think for being too old and fat!
As I had played and lost in the qualifying tournament I was entitled to sign in each day for a “Lucky Loser” spot until the first round of the main draw was completed. So I had to be escorted in to sign the list located in the lounge and escorted right out again.
As a contrast, the same type of tournament in Naples made me a VIP and invited me to play in an exhibition match with Italian greats like Omar Camporese and Panatta’s bro.
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Admin Reply:
September 4th, 2012 at 18:59
Punk’s forgotten tennis-history. Little did I know.
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Robbie Fields Reply:
September 4th, 2012 at 19:05
I can just see Egon playing “push” tennis.
I first met the Stern brothers playing fussball in a Beverly Hills park in 1977. I think they were always embarrassed at my knowing them pre-hardcore.
I like the song kamikaze heroes. but there’s something about early german hc that makes it kinda hard to really appreciate it for me. is it the language which I don’t understand? I don’t know.
one thing I know: glad to see you back. you should post more often. how about reviewing newer releases? of just generally writing stuff? doesn’t always have to come with a rare record (how many can there be left??). I just love to read your stuff man.
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Great to see that you’re back Erich, and a great post as well! I’m getting more and more into german punk for each new band I hear. Yet another record to add to the wantlist.
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Great stuff! Been looking for the Skateboard Tape for a long time, so if anyone here has a link to it, share it please!
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Thats so really awesome post. I enjoy to read your blog.. this is my first time I visit your blog, I ll ack later
Thanks for share
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