bahnhof - February 82 EP

Label: No Plan Records; Year: 2015; Format: 7" EP

Thanks to No Plan Records the world gets to hear the vinyl version of these extremely rare recordings of Italian band bahnhof, whom if I am not mistaken hailed from the Northern Metropolis of Milan. This 4-song EP was originally released as a tape back in 1982 and at some point in the '90s I actually heard it for the first time as a friend of mine had or hopefully still has the original tape. Funny enough those four songs were recorded at Vimodrone in Milan on September 16 of 1982, almost exactly forty years ago to this day and they definitely hold up well. Not all that much information exists about the band except that they started out in 1979 and disbanded in 1984 after their singer Carlo had a terrible motorcycle accident unable to continue with music. Musically all four songs are killer and well produced. The band drew heavily from 77-79 UK punk acts such as Angelic Upstarts, The Clash or Ruts to name a few hence what you get is anthemic and melodic yet powerful in your face punk rock at its best. Stand out track for me is 'February 82' about a girl the band knew that committed suicide after dabbling with heroin, but there is no track on this that will let you down. Punk fantastico!