V/A “LJUD FRAN
FRIBERGA” LP (BRODERNA SURF- SWEDEN, 1978)
Here’s a great
obscure compilation from the fantastic late 70’s Swedish punk scene, and
another reason why you should ALWAYS be searching for old Swedish stuff- ‘cuz
obscurities from there just keep turning up as the years keep going by. Thanks to Swe-based sites like Killed By Death Records I am treated to Swedish rekkords almost 30 years old that I’ve
never heard before. But I think the term “obscure” is kind of relative sometimes, because I have been acquainted with
this Ljud fran friberga (“Sounds from Friberg”) LP for 10 years now so it’s not
obscure to me. But perhaps you have
never even heard of it, let alone heard any songs from it(?). There are some other late 70’s/early 80’s
records which I have been enjoying for 10-15 years that, in present day 2009,
others have never heard of. And vice
versa- I get turned onto stuff that others have had in their collection for
years, and they probably think “Jesus, he’s never heard this one?! I’ve had a copy for almost 20 years!”. I guess one man’s obscurity is another man’s
common platter that he takes for granted.
In any event, in the
1999 issue of the great Ugly Things ‘zine, the one and only Mr. Johan “KBD 1-4”
Kugelberg made a very brief mention of the Ljud fran friberga comp that got my
nose open. Six months later, P.R. taped me a copy and finally 6 years later in
January 2006 I happened upon someone online was selling a copy (not through eBay) and I
couldn’t pass it up ‘cuz I don’t think copies turn up that often. The one I bought (and, er, not for $5 or
something) also came with an insert booklet which I didn’t know that it
did. The pocket sleeve is printed on
thin paper and is somewhat fragile so good luck finding a NM copy of this 31
year old record, Chachi.
And check out the
photos of the bands on the front- no one looks like they’re over 18! The kid on the far right looks like he’s 14
or somethin. So I guess this LP can be
considered true “Swe teen punk” (a popular catch phrase sometimes). The production has a very cool, garage-y
feel, and much of the playing is crude, raw, unpolished bashing which makes it
a winner in my book. Not to say there
aren’t any clunkers- for my ears, the two Santa Luzia with prominent keyboards
are rather boring. But most tracks are so great, especially ones like “The King
and The Queen”, “They Are Gone” and “Mrs. Blue”. Dig that growling guitar noise on “Mrs. Blue”
that, dare I say, slightly reminds me of Nervous Breakdown-era Black Flag. The High Voltage track “I’m A Fool” was on
KBD #50 back in 2003 but, while good, I don’t think it’s the best track. But, as well as know, taste is a very
personal thing. I don’t think any of
these bands released their own records or appeared anywhere else- if you know something
to the contrary (or have the discs!) please post some comments.
SIDE 1
Chilly Chimes- The
King and The Queen
Fifth Avenue- Night
Overdoze- They Are
Gone
High Voltage- I’m A
Fool
Superstition- Mrs.
Blue
Santa Luzia- Saj,
alskar du maj
SIDE 2
Santa Luzia- Tysta
gatan
Superstition- Real
Cardiac
High Voltage- I Saw
Her
Overdoze- Run
Through The Desert