Unlucky for some this compilation has thirteen unreleased tracks from Swiss underground punk and garage rock bands.  If you’re hip and on it, most of these bands will be familiar to you or if you’re an avid reader of RPM Online there will be some familiar names but in the time-honoured tradition of compilations, there are always unpacked gems lurking that will (hopefully) set off a wormhole of discovery into a band or labels catalogue of releases some of which are quite expensive.

Right, that’s that but what about the tunes? A lot of these bands will be known internationally which is often the case that they do well outside of their own country and might have a cult underground following back home so to speak but the beauty of a compilation is the voyage of discovery or the bonus of that exclusive unreleased gem from a band you love this album offers all that and more.  up first are Nasty Rumours a band we’ve reviewed before offering up a rapid Ramones inspired sound that will indeed drive you insane.  It’s pogo punk rock – something they do rather well it has to be said.  Fans of The Briefs, The Boys and obviously The Ramones need to hear these chaps and a great way to kick off this album its sharp, quick, melodic and a lot of fun!

A band that should need no introductions on RPM is Bitch Queens who’ve long been championed around here a band who just seem to get better with every record are up next with ‘The Apocalypse’.  An anthemic slice of hard Rockin, rifftastic Rock n Roll that benefits from being played loud with the big gang vocals on the chorus its a welcome addition to the bands superb catalogue of records worth it for the opening two tracks alone.

Hang on make that opening three tracks as Bad Mojos come steaming in with ‘Weekend Warrior’ which sounds like a fuckin’ runaway train steaming towards a bunch of fluffy kittens and if you blink it’s over you missed it.  Top top tune!

With some genres I’ve never even heard of these Punks and Garagerockers turn in a very impressive collection. The Delilahs ‘Wheels’ is polished and anthemic as you hit the chorus and another really impressive song is unfolding. I’d only previously heard them when they did a split with Bitch Queens and I loved their contribution to that as well.

Its fair to say that when you scratch the surface there are a whole bunch of excellent bands all over this spinning ball and this compilation shines a light on what Switzerland has to offer.  Tight Finks remind me of a punky Levellers whereas my first introduction to Uberyou sees them as a competent mob of punk rockers as they knock out ‘How Lonely’.

The Monsters go hell for leather on ‘Gimme Germs’ creating their own circle pit and helping spread the disease at great volume – get fit and jump in as they blast their way through one and a half minutes of sweet noise. Lombego Surfers have a crisp overdriven guitar sound that’s swirling around and around towards their homage to Jimmy Page for the solo and it’s a two-fingered salute and off they go.

Here Hare Here go for the early 70s garage thump of ‘Chez Liam’ and deliver it really well a band who’ve so far alluded my ears but not anymore.  Great stuff.  It seems fitting that Monofones are up next with their hypnotic ‘Rich Bitch’ that thunders along at a frantic pace – kicking and screaming into the quirky Wolf Wolf who get groovy with ‘Black Hole’.

With only a couple of bangers left we receive The Lovers and their ‘Punjab Punk Rock’ which is a more reckless punk n roll building up to an exquisite solo before falling off the edge of a cliff with its abrupt ending which is a shame as I was really enjoying it.  With the whole shebang being wound up by Uristier and ‘Influencer’ being sung in their native tongue its another variant on the rock and roll disease spreading across borders with compilations as good as this one.

Getting jabbed can wait stay in and get your rocks off to this sweet record with something for everyone it’s well worth locking yourself down for.

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Author: Dom Daley