This 15 track CD 'Pearls Before Swine' by North East streetpunk lads Crashed Out is in my opinion one of the best releases by Captain Oi this year. A much underated band who maybe aren't as well known on the circuit as bands like UK Subs and Angelic Upstarts, this CD shows that musically they are just as good.
From the first track 'Fast 'N' Loose' to the last 'Raise Ya Glasses' this very melodic album is pure quality. Other songs on the CD are 'Fat Punks Don't Pogo', 'I'm The Outcast', 'Murder On Sunset Strip', 'Freakshow', 'One Of The Boys', 'Heroes', 'I Want It', 'For You', 'The Jarrow Song', 'Shout', 'Sink The Ink', 'Reality Punk' and 'Take The Pain'. Packed with plenty of good singalongs and well produced this is an excellent CD. There is also a bonus video of 'The Jarrow Song'.

AHOY CD 260 CRASHED OUT "PEARLS BEFORE SWINE"

'Grin & Bear It' was originally released by The Ruts in 1980 as a 10 track album. This release by Captain Oi has 6 bonus tracks (The 7" version of West One, The Crack, Denial, Stepping Bondage, Lobotomy and Rich Bitch). The album has demos, tracks from a John Peel session, some live stuff and some of their lesser known material. I really like the three live tracks (SUS, Babylon's Burning and Society) which were recorded in 1979, at the height of the bands fame. Although the bands releases only lasted a few years they really packed some great songs into this time, most of which are on this CD. The other tracks on the CD are 'West One (Shine On Me)', 'Staring At The Rude Boys', 'Demolition Dancing', 'Secret Soldiers', 'H Eyes' and 'Love In Vain'. A Great CD

AHOY CD 261 THE RUTS "GRIN N BEAR IT"

Originally released in 1979 as a 12 track album, 'Scared to Dance' by The Skids has got the customary bonus tracks (8) that you get with Captain Oi. The band weren't like the average punk band doing the rounds in the late '70s. Stuart Adamson's instantly recogniseable guitar made the band in a league of their own. One of my favourite bands (I also went on to be a fan of Big Country when Adamson left The Skids) this album is a gem. It has the tracks we all know mixed with some lesser known songs. Track listing: 'Into The Valley', 'Scared To Dance', 'Of One Skin', 'Dossier', 'Melancholy Soldiers' , 'Hope And Glory', The Saints Are Coming', 'Six Times', Calling The Tune', 'Integral Plot', 'Charles', 'Scale', (Bonus Tracks) 'Charles' (7"), 'Reasons', 'Test Tube Babies', 'Sweet Suburbia', 'Open Sound', 'Night & Day', 'Contusion', 'T.V. Stars' (Live).

AHOY CD 262 THE SKIDS "SCARED TO DANCE"

The Professionals were mainly known for Steve Jones and Paul Cook's involvement and you can see the Pistols Influence in most of their songs. I must admit to not having heard much by the band but I was surprised at how good 'The Best Of The Professionals' is.
In 1982 the band turned down a chance to support The Clash on their American Tour, Paul Cook remarking "Why should we support them when they used to support us (Sex Pistols)?". Who knows what the band could have achieved if they had accepted the offer. If you like the 'Pistols' there is a good chance you'll like this CD. Track listing: 'Just Another Dream', '1-2-3', ' Kamikaze', ' Mods Skins punks', 'All The Way', Join The Professionals' 'The Magnificent', 'Payola', 'Little Boys In Blue', 'Northern Slide', Kick Down The Doors', 'Crescendo','Madhouse', 'Too Far To Fall'.

AHOY CD 263 THE PROFESSIONALS "THE BEST OF"