HABEAS PORCUS

G'day ya mongrels, welcome to another smorgasbord of sonic relics on the wrong side of the tracks of the dim and distant past.
Lots of nice stuff to get stuck into this time around, without further ado let's get to it.
For starters, VENDETTA were a Hard Rock power trio put together in Detroit in 1980 by the excellently named Niki Buzz aka Darrell Young. Buzz’s involvement in Rock'n’roll stretches all the way back to the mid ‘70s, when he fronted a proto-Punk band in New York City called SUN whose juiced-up sonic fury was featured on the semi-legendary "Live At CBGB’s" compilation LP from 1976.
After a couple of years spent honing their sound, gigging and demoing material, the band were signed up by Epic Records.
Vendetta's sole self-titled 1982 album was produced by veteran studio guru Max Norman, who also worked with the likes of Y&T, BAD COMPANY, GRIM REAPER, IAN HUNTER & CONEY HATCH.
The album successfully showcased Vendetta's fiery brand of tough but melodic Hard Rock with a seriously tight rhythm section, some killer riffs and catchy hooks, all topped off with Buzz's soulful soaring vocals.
At it's best, "Vendetta", runs rampant with songs that harken back to the glorious Hard Rock of the 1970's, with a number of the cuts recalling prime AEROSMITH or early RIOT.
For the next two years Vendetta toured with the likes of BILLY SQUIER, JOAN JETT, SEDUCE and HUMBLE PIE, but poor sales led to Epic Records dropping the band.
Eric McDonald and Jeff Traudt replaced Klyph Black and Terry Fox at this point, but this line up was short-lived and Nikki Buzz soon laid the Vendetta name to rest.
Buzz then formed M-80 with ex-OZZY OSBOURNE & GREAT WHITE bassist Don Costa, releasing a self-titled 1984 Mini LP, before recruiting a whole new line up for 1985's full length "Maniac's Revenge" LP..
Klyph Black resurfaced in 1985 in the New York based AOR act URGENT, recording two albums with them, and was then briefly a member of URGENT guitarist Yul Vasquez's later group DIVING FOR PEARLS.
Black also played bass on ex-HANOI ROCKS vocalist MICHAEL MONROE's first solo album, 1987's "Nights Are So Long". He now fronts a band called KLYPH BLACK AND RUMOR HAS IT which initially also featured fellow ex-Vendetta member Terry Fox.
After a four year stint as guitarist with former JIMI HENDRIX cohort CURTIS KNIGHT, Niki Buzz settled in Amsterdam, Holland and opened his own successful Helping Hands recording studio.
As well as producing other acts, Buzz has played with the heavy Rap project THE ALARM and many other bands including HENDRIX Tribute group MIDNIGHT GYPSIES and LONE WOLF.
His own NIKI BUZZ BAND have released two albums, the jazz influenced "Forever" & the self explanatory "The Blues".
This rip of Vendetta's lone album adds, as a bonus track, a demo of the unreleased non-album song "Heroes".
Enjoy.

VENDETTA - Vendetta (1982) USA

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=II4F5MFJ

Nextly, formed in 1980, INCUBUS first came to attention with a brace of tracks, "Ain't Runnin' For You" and "Caught Red Handed", on the 1983 Guardian Records NWOBHM compilation "Pure Overkill", where they appeared alongside MILLENIUM, SPARTAN WARRIOR, RISK and TOKYO ROSE.
The band's lone album arrived a year later, the Terry Gavaghan produced "To The Devil A Daughter", was recorded at Guardian Studios in Durham, and again, released by the Guardian label.
Although it failed to generate much attention at the time, it has, in the years since it's release, become very well regarded amongst the NWOBHM collecting cognoscenti.
Well written, tightly played Melodic Metal is the order of the day, all topped off with Dave Crawford's fine vocals. With the exception of the insipid ballad, "You've Taken My Love", this is really good stuff, and all wrapped up in one of those "so bad it's good" occult themed sleeves we love so much!
Now expanded to include the two songs from "Pure Overkill" as bonus tracks, this is one mighty tasty package!

INCUBUS - To The Devil A Daughter (1984) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OTK0YXYD

We'll let the man behind this next release tell you the story behind it himself, "In 1979 I auditioned for SILVERWING and became their guitarist.
Highlights included being in the very first issue of Kerrang! magazine, having a centre page spread in Sounds magazine and playing a major tour with DIAMOND HEAD (watched by Lars Ulrich).
Then i left.
I recorded MACAXE's "Attack", cassette album in 1981, which was reviewed in Sounds by Geoff Barton.
Sold all 500 copies.
I went to London then and recorded with BIG AMONGST SHEEP and did several gigs with them.
Then i left.
Rejoining SILVERWING, we played the 1983 Salford Glam Festival with my brother Al having also joined on guitar and vocals.
The gig was recorded and became the "Alive And Kicking" LP.
We then recorded the LP "The Bride Wore Red", during which time we became PET HATE and signed a record deal with Heavy Metal Records.
The single from the album was a cover of MOTT THE HOOPLE's "Roll Away The Stone".
Then followed a tour supporting HANOI ROCKS.
After that, we recorded "Bad Publicity" which was produced by Eddie Leonetti, who also produced ANGEL and LEGS DIAMOND, who were favorites of ours.
After recording the album, I departed for the final time and decided to have a rest." : Stu MacFarlane.

MACAXE - Attack (1981) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=44O0MYA0

Up next, a gift from regular visitor Feral, this is his rip & upload of a rare item from a band i remember with fond nostalgia, many thanks mate! LAWNMOWER DETH were a five piece tongue-in-cheek UK Thrash band formed in Mansfield in 1986 as SCRAWN.
The following year saw the band change their name to Lawnmower Deth and release their first S.O.D. inspired demo tape, the seven song "It's A Lot Less Bover Than A Hover", cassette.
They followed this in 1988 with the far superior eight song "Mowdeer" demo, which brought them some acclaim/infamy in the pages of the underground Metal fanzines.
As a result of this, and their growing reputation as a great live band, RKT Records released a Lawnmower Deth split album, which they shared with the similarly comedic METAL DUCK. The Deth contributed 14 songs to the album, (their side dubbed "Mower Liberation Front"), with a further 7 "tunes" appearing as bonus tracks on the CD issue.
The band then secured a deal with Nottingham's Earache Records and released their debut full length album in 1990. The 26 song album, (32 on CD!), "Ooh Crikey! It's Lawnmower Deth!", brought the band to the attention of the more mainstream Metal press, although they were pretty much unstinting in their condemnation of the band. However, as the old adage goes, "no publicity is bad publicity", and the album sold pretty well, allowing the band to stay on the road and helping them build up a loyal fan base.
1991 saw the band release a cover of KIM WILDE's "Kids In America", as a four song single, which apparently just missed out on making it into the UK charts!
Former ACID REIGN guitarist Kev joined the band at this point (under the pseudonym "Baron Kev Von Thresh Meister Silo Stench Chisel Marbels"), replacing the outgoing "Schitzophrenic Rotary Sprintmaster", aka Gavin O'Malley.
Second album, "Return of the Fabulous Metal Bozo Clowns", was released in 1992, and sales remained strong, keeping the band out on the road as a formidible live act, but the musical tide was beginning to turn against them with Grunge taking over.
As the times were a-changin', Lawnmower Deth decided to diversify their sound for their third album, 1993's "Billy", with most of their Thrash roots left behind in favour of a polished Pop-Punk style. The songs were longer, less humourous and the album contained no less than three cover versions, (JIMI HENDRIX, SQUEEZE & "Kids In America" again!).
Unfortunately, the band's fanbase were less than impressed by this new direction and as well as not buying the record they stopped attending the live shows too. This wouldn't have been too much of a problem for the Deth if they'd been adopted by the burgeoning Pop Punk audience, (this was the year of GREEN DAY, THE OFFSPRING et al), but they were unable to cross over and make themselves heard by them.
This proved to be the end of the road for Lawnmower Deth and they split up at the arse end of the year.
After a 15 year absence, Lawnmower Deth announced in 2008 that they would be reuniting to support Welsh Metalcore band BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE for a (supposedly) one off gig at The Alexandra Palace in London.
The band then played at the 2009 Download Festival at Donington Park. Their current plans are unknown.

LAWNMOWER DETH - Mowdeer Demo (1988) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/341397123/Lawnmower_Deth_-_Mowdeer.rar.html

The Birmingham based Hard Rock/NWOBHM band STARFIGHTERS, signed to Jive Records, in 1980. The band's debut line-up consisted of vocalist Steve Burton, guitarist Stevie Young, a nephew of AC/DC's Angus and Malcolm, guitarist Pat Hambley, bassist Doug Dennis and ex-FLYING HAT BAND drummer Barry 'Spence' Scrannage. The latter was soon replaced by former HOLLY AND THE ITALIANS drummer Steve Bailey, Scrannage going on to create THE ALLIANCE. Prior to the formation of the STARFIGHTERS, Steve Burton was previously vocalist with THE SUBURBAN STUDS, and very briefly a member of GLENN TIPTON's FLYING HAT BAND and Hard Rock outfit CRYER.
After debuting with the independently released 'I'm Falling' 7" single, on the Motorcity Rhythm label, the band was thrown straight in at the deep end supporting AC/DC in 1980. Subsequent rumours suggested that Burton had been offered the job of replacing the late Bon Scott in AC/DC, but had turned the opportunity down on the grounds of health, fearing his own vices would lead towards a similar fate.
Following the release of the well received debut Tony Platt produced album for Jive in 1981, the STARFIGHTERS opened for MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP on a British tour, TRUST on a French tour and then landed the honour of opening for OZZY OSBOURNE in North America.
The band hooked up with KROKUS manager Butch Stone and released 'In Flight Movie' in 1983, again produced by Tony Platt, as a creditable follow up to the debut, but inexplicably they were then dropped by Jive. There followed a lengthy hiatus before the STARFIGHTERS reformed in the late '80's and the group were quick to build up their local following in the Birmingham area, but despite some notorious live performances the STARFIGHTERS failed to gain label attention.
The AC/DC connection would crop up once more in the STARFIGHTERS story as Stevie Young was asked to deputise for Malcolm Young for dates on the 'Blow Up Your Video' World tour in 1988. Stevie's first payment for this job was a new front tooth he had previously lost to a baseball bat in a brawl with a night club doorman.
After the final STARFIGHTERS split, Young went on to form WORLD WAR III with Steve Redvers, guitarist Nick Slater and erstwhile BAJJON vocalist Ivan Norris. The outfit soon adopted the name LITTLE BIG HORN and signed to AC/DC's management. Live work was undertaken and demos recorded, but this band failed to issue commercial product.

STARFIGHTERS - Alley Cat Blues EP (1981) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GZQQY885

SPITFIRE released a lone single in 1984 at the height of the NWOBHM, but it met with complete indifference from the press & punters alike. Perhaps if the record buying public and the scribes of the day had known who played on it, it may have met with a better response.
Spitfire were in fact the Liverpudlian Hard Rock band RAGE, who had begun life as NUTZ back in the early 1970's.
As Nutz, the band released four albums between 1974 and 1978, toured with BLACK SABBATH, BUDGIE and UFO, and played at the 1976 Reading Festival.
Having lost their deal with A&M Records, the band circled the drain, before the inclusion of their track "Bootliggers" on the "Metal For Muthas", compilation album in 1980 brought them a new deal with Carrere Records.
Changing their name to RAGE, the group recorded 3 albums between 1980 and 1983, and toured with the likes of RORY GALLAGHER, MEAT LOAF and URIAH HEEP.
Despite their quality and the band's long history, sales of their albums weren't great, following the release of 1983's "Run For Cover" LP, Carrere Records dropped the band and they split up after the recording of a curious 7" single release, "So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star".
The single featured ex-THIN END OF THE WEDGE guitarist Terry Steers as lone guitarist following the departure of Mick Devenport, and eventually emerged under the band name Spitfire in 1984, curiously on Carrere, the label who had just dropped them!
Tragically, drummer John Mylett was killed the same year in a car accident whilst holidaying in Spain.
Following the band's split, singer Dave Lloyd demoed material with ex-DIAMOND HEAD bassist Mervyn Goldsworthy, ex-720/SAMSON guitarist Dave Colwell and drummer Pete Jupp, prior to forming the more AOR orientated 2 AM who released the 1987 album "Every Second Counts".
He also found the time to replace ex-SAMSON man, Nicky Moore as vocalist on ULI JON ROTH's 1985 American tour. The singer later operated in a band entitled SLICED BREAD with future GILLAN guitarist Steve Morris.
Bassist Keith Mullholland also had Gillan connections, he played with the great man in his side project, GARTH ROCKETT AND THE MOONSHINERS, and eventually would go on to join veteran Staffordshire NWOBHM/Prog/AOR act DEMON.

SPITFIRE - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star 7" (1984) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6M7G8PY0

Last, but by no means least, FLAME, a Swedish Heavy Metal quartet hailing from the Stockholm suburb of Märsta, was initially founded as THE SHINING during 1979.
The group adopted the Flame monicker in time for a 1982 7" single, "No Road to Heaven", released through Pang Records.
The track "No Road To Heaven", is pretty memorable, although it has more of a '70's sound than i'd expected.
In The Corroseum's write up of the single, reviewer DaN notes the singer's vocal similarity to SPARKS' Russell Mael, which hadn't occured to me, but i hear it every time i play it now.
This was to prove to be the band's only release, although another name switch to TAROC occurred before the band dissolved in 1985.
Now DaN doesn't rate this one too highly, and admittedly, it doesn't rawk as hard as many of the other classic Pang Records releases of the same era, but to these ears the band have something pretty individual within their sound.
Repeated listenings just make me want to hear more of their material, as the single is now well and truly buried in my subconscious.
It's a shame there were no further releases from Flame, as i would have liked to have heard how their sound progressed and diversified as time went on.
Unless anyone knows different however, (and i'd love to be proven wrong here), there is nothing more out there from the band in any of their three guises, so you'll need to make do with the two tracks presented here.
Not the rarest, not the hardest, not the most expensive, but a damn fine listen nonetheless, go on, you know you want to!

FLAME - No Road To Heaven 7" (1982) Sweden

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2TYJDKTY

Hope you find something amongst tonight's offerings to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
My apoligies for my tardiness in bringing you tonight's selection, my intentions are good, but life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.
Oh, alright, often.
My many thanks as usual to all of you who took the time to share their recollections, thoughts, wants, information or whatever. And again to Feral, my gratitude for sharing your Lawnmower Deth demo, if you, (or anyone else), wants to contribute anything that would fit in with the stuff i post here, feel free.
Just use the comments feature.
See you back here in approximately a fortnight's time for much more of the same, but more so.