The Magits- ‘Fully Coherent’ (1979)

Probably the shortest album I’ll ever link to, this eerie, spooky, claustrophobic release from The Magits runs at about 4 mins long. ‘Fully Coherent’ was the only thing ever put out by this UK band, featuring future members of Rudimentary Peni. It’s some weird, discordant, avant-garde synth punk, back when that kind of thing was unheard of, with spoken word style vocals, and pretty much anything other than ‘proper’ instruments making the music. Here’s some more info, from their site:

“The Magits formed in late 77 as a result of the punk rock phenomenon reaching into every home in Britian via the likes of the Sex Pistols and the Clash, among others. A young Nick Blinko, afflicted with a morose disposition and the burning urge for non conformity gathered 4 friends and formed his first ‘band’, The Magits. Their goal was to take the urgency and intent of punk and carry it on where it seemed to have presuambly ‘died’ at the hands of the media and its own chaotic implosion.

Speaking of chaotic implosions, the band soon found that as a four peice, each members individuality could not be expressed equally, leaving it a two peice consisting of Nick Blinko and Martin Cooper. Jon Greville, whom Nick would work with later in Rudimentary Peni, left the band. Even more detrimintal to their vision of individuality, the band shunned the defacto instruments of the typical rock band – drums, bass, guitar, etc. They proceded to use virtually every sound available to them other than thouse sources by banging and beating whatever came their way – from toys to floors.

Nick Blinko left Art College to work in a mental hospital. The third remaining member at this point split to pursue making music with synthesizers (which weren’t punk, maan). Througout the loss of members, the Magits were now convinced of just how many interesting and dedicated people there really were…

Their sole release, fully coherent, was recorded in several sessions at two studios with two instuments, based on a set they were preparing for a gig with Adam and the Ants, which never happened. Out of all the material recorded, just the 4 songs were chosen for the release based on atmosphere and effect.”

The Magits- ‘Fully Coherent’ (1979) (via Mediafire)

Burnt Cross- ‘Carcass of Humanity’ (2007)

I don’t know about you, but I was always more into the punk bands that came out of England than the ones from the US… not that there’s a competition or anything, but I was personally more influenced by bands like Discharge, Crass, Rudimentary Peni, Amebix, and Flux of Pink Indians than yer Black Flags and Minor Threats.

I also have a soft spot for two piece bands that use drum machines. So given all that, I almost exploded when I heard this Burnt Cross album from last year. For me this is a pretty much a classic anarcho-punk release from the Marriot brothers, Paul and Rob, who mix some catchy and infectious tunes with amazing political lyrics… the kind that leave no doubt that these guys aren’t just armchair anarchists, but write from their experience in the streets. Definitely check this one out if you like your punk music pissed off and political.

The download I’m linking to is via Moshpit Tragedy Records, which is an amazing online label that lets you download for free, but gives you the option of contributing to the artists if you like the album and support their work. They’re a great label and this is a great band, so do it!

Burnt Cross- ‘Carcass of Humanity’ (via Moshpit Tragedy)