Monday 16 April 2012

UJ3RK5 - UJ3RK5 12" (1980)


Artist(s): UJ3RK5
Title: UJ3RK5
Format: 12"
Year: 1980
Label/Catalog: Quintessence QEP 1207

Another early Vancouver gem and another on Quintessence Records. Pronounced "you jerk" with the '5' being silent, UJ3RK5 were, in their terms, more of an art ensemble than a band. They're really one of those bands that can't be lumped into any genre that isn't called "weirdo-art-punk", or something. Great lyrics. They also had two tracks on the Vancouver Complication. The only incestuity (real word?) in the lineup came from Colin Griffiths. Continuing his run in several bands, from the original lineup of the POINTED STICKS in August of 1978, to FOUR DAY WONDER in November of 1978, Griffiths ended up in UJ3RK5 in December of 1978, and then on to WASTED LIVES in January of 1979. UJ3RK5 disbanded after this EP was released, apparently PolyGram signed them and reissued it, though I have never seen proof of it's existence. Danice MacLeod later went on to BAMFF, which had an LP on Mo Da Mu. Mo Da Mu started putting out stuff from the new wave/more commercial side of the Vancouver scene in the early 80s. Stuff from bands like INSEX, POPULAR FRONT, and the earliest incarnations of 54-40.

Some surface noise throughout but overall a good listen.

"yeah, but is it art?"


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FEMALE HANDS - Female Hands 12" (1980)


Artist(s): Female Hands
Title: Female Hands
Format: 12"
Year: 1980
Label/Catalog: Quintessence QEP 1203

More great power pop/new wave-ish stuff from Vancouver. What I love about the early Vancouver stuff is how inventive and quirky the bands could be. The best band I could compare FEMALE HANDS to is another band from this time and place: NO FUN. Though maybe a little less quirky. The only things I know of this band I learned from http://thepunkmovie.com, which is the website for the early Vancouver punk documentary Bloodied But Unbowed and has a ton of information. On December 7, 1979 D.O.A. and FEMALE HANDS played a show at the UBC SUB Ballroom but, due to conflicts between students and punks, a riot ensues and police are called in to disperse the crowd. Fast forward to late October 1980 this 12" is released, but by this time the band has already broken up. The members of FEMALE HANDS were not in any other notable Vancouver bands, at least not in the seminal 1977-1980 era. Bob Rock, just then getting things rolling with the PAYOLAS, recorded and produced this record, along with several others of the time, 10 years before METALLICA knocks at his door.


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