WE DON'T NEED YOU

Much like an unwanted stepchild, I have neglected this blog for a little too long but it’s time for another entry, away from wrestling and into the world of raw and dirty hardcore punk.

As with just about anyone with more than just a passing interest in hardcore, I’m really into the Cleveland scene of the 90s. Forget Integrity and Ringworm, I’m talking 9 Shocks Terror, Gordon Solie Motherfuckers, Darvocets, Cider, H-100s, and of course, the Inmates. Just like the people who populate these bands, I’m a wrestling mutant, but out of all of them Inmates have a special place in my heart.

The Inmates take their cue from bands like Chaos UK and the Japanese bands that were influenced by them, playing dirty punk with a somewhat less faux British accent than Cider or Brainwashed Youth. The band consisted of the Melnick Brothers, Paul E.Wog and Wedge on drums. I’m sure I don’t have to give you a rundown of the bands they have been in, but it pretty much everyone of them is killer and worth tracking down.

They have been going for over 15 years, and released three records. Yes, three records but every one of them gold.

First was the “Government Crimes” 7” released way back in 1995 on Bloodclot/Brainwashed Youth records. There are two different sleeves for this, one featured the Japanese punk band Zouo (which I have) and the other version was the more boring “Government Crimes” picture. Since this record is out of print, I have uploaded the tracks at the bottom of this page, but if anyone wants me to take them down, let me know and I will do so. Each song is great, continuing at a frenzy pace until the last track, a killer Chaos UK cover.

Next, with an added guitarist in Keelhaul’s Chris Smith, they recorded their only LP on Human Stench (who have a back catalogue well worth looking for) The LP was limited to 300 (good luck pal) however Painkiller Records re-released it in 2006 with an ugly green cover and finally, a lyric sheet which the printers initially didn’t want to print. Why? Oh just songs about kicking pregnant women in the stomach, living like a bum and rocking shops etc etc etc. If you are normal and don’t give a flying crap about records, Parts Unknown have this on CD which I’m sure is still in print.

In between sporadically playing live, the Inmates finally got back into the studio in late 2007 and finally released something new last year. With a change in bass player, Kangaroo/Even Worse records released “Now We Talkin Hardcore” which is just what you would expect, pissed off obnoxious punk with a great sense of humour and offending those who wish HeartattaCk would come back. Buy now and get yourself acquainted.

Next up – more wrestling, random films and even more random music videos.

-Jamie

INMATES "GOVERNMENT CRIMES" 7" BRAINWASHED YOUTH/BLOODCLOT RECORDS 1995
Tracks side A - RIOT, NO FUTURE, I'M SO SKUMMY, BURNING (KUSO)
Tracks side B - FALLING DOWN DRUNK, I WRECK/PIPE BOMB, VICTIMIZED (CHAOS UK)

DOWNLOAD HERE

KAW KAW KAW

Thanks to the WWF (hello Vince) wrestling was THE big thing in 1999. Even a non fan knows who The Rock and Stone Cold are and this resulted in any old indy having a show on local TV, hell IWA Mid-South had a brief but crappy show but there is one show that has managed to escape attention and that is Memphis’ own Kick Ass Wrestling!

Ran by Terry Golden (who in true wrestler/promoter fashion booked himself as the top guy and was the champion for at least six months), and hosted by the mullet clad David Jett the promotion was formed to give an alternative to the traditional Saturday morning wrestling that had been the staple in Memphis for decades. Gone was Jerry Lawler and Lance Russell, in was The Littles, a tag team right out of Deliverance, the stable WEED with Izzy High, Dr Bud Ganja and Motley Garcia, Bull Pain, senior referee Alkie Holic complete with beer can and Madman Pondo smashing lighttubes over peoples heads – all at 11 in the morning! The show didn’t last long and moved to UPN30 where it stayed until the promotion closed in January 2000.

Thankfully, someone converted all the tapes to DVD so I have been able to witness this epic action. The early days in KAW had near identical matches involving weapons but fortunately they got better as there were some good workers in the mix. The show really started to improve when Bill Dundee came in and chased Golden for the belt, hell they even had Golden go to Dundee’s strip club! Other highlights include a TV taping from a woman’s prison, Chip Diver and his search for a new Muffy, David Jett (always), JC Ice, Todd Morton and SID. Best bit? Brickhouse Brown telling Danny B he was not black enough and he was going to beat the colour off him. Only in Memphis can you get away with crap like that.

KAW closed when they did a deal with the devil (relax, I’m a Lawler mark) and turned into Memphis Championship Wrestling, but sadly Memphis wrestling was all but dead then and is now. Shame, as I’ve always been a mark for this stuff.

-Jamie

The Nutcracker...

not in HD. Welcome to my blog which will be updated sproadically and no doubt abandoned in the near future. Records, wrestling and the world of temping in London will be the order of the day and myself the host. Enjoy.

-Jamie