Jakkpot - "Just One Fix", "You Ain't Shit" and "3,2,1 Go" 7" Singles

Label: American Punk Records; Year: 1995; Format: 7" 45 RPM Single

Many years ago I parted with most of my '90s records and included were some of the Jakkpot 7"s. Luckily a few years ago on a trip to the West Coast I found the first three of their total of six singles at a store in Orange County and spent a whole twelve bucks on them. The funny thing is that with the knowledge of hindsight the '90s produced some excellent records, especially on 45s. There sure as hell was an abundance of releases coming out during that decade including a million and one horrible pop punk, emo or crust records, but buried underneath all that garbage were releases by bands like Jakkpot from Baltimore, Maryland. The first single was put out by the band themselves on their American Punk Records label and both tracks are equally strong with "Insomnia" being the winner for me. The band started out in '91 and was according to an interview in Germany's 3rd Generation Nation fanzine somewhat of an 'All Star' line-up of Baltimore's who's who when it comes to old school punk rock. A winner!

Label: American Punk Records; Year: 1996; Format: 7" 45RPM Single

On their second single Jakkpot continue where they left off and deliver yet again a mean and in your face punk rock smasher in the form of "You Ain't Shit". On the B-Side they top it off with a great cover version of DC's Black Market Baby hit "Nobody Wanted Us". I have the slight suspicion that Jakkpot chose that song for a reason and interestingly enough Keith Campbell of Black Market Baby joined Jakkpot for their later singles. A match made in heaven me thinks! 

Label: Junk Records; Year: 1996; Format: 7" 45RPM Single

Out of the three singles I currently have this is probably their best even though they are all fantastic and worth having. "3,2,1 Go" and "Burnin' in 77" are just two perfect songs where the band delivers their brand of high octane punk'n'roll influenced equally by 77 Punk, Garage Punk and 'Feel The Darkness' era Poison Idea. While the songs are fast and furious they never lack melody and it must be said that these guys must have listened to a lot of good records throughout their young years as I can hear AC/DC, Motorhead, Dead Boys and Candy Snatchers to name just a few influences. The funny thing about records is that people are often after the super rare and expensive ones while the gems are sitting in the bins to be had for a few bucks. Do yourself a favor and pick up anything by Jakkpot as you won't regret it. I for one will make sure I get the three remaining singles for myself and shall review them at some point in the future. 

Rude A, Singer of Jakkpot on the Cover of Germany's excellent 3rd Generation Nation Fanzine from 2000

V/A - Intensified! LP

Label: Mango Records (Division of Island Rec.); Year: 1979; Format: Vinyl LP

In all fairness today I was planning on posting a totally different record but even the best-laid plan of mice and men often go awry as you will surely know. I took a little stroll to the local shoemaker and afterwards stopped at my local record store and found this beauty looking at me like it needs a new permanent home which it has found. In a world full of bad news of mass shootings or police killings I just was not in the mood for hardcore punk today so why not putting on the record I had just bought and enjoy some original Ska from the '60s. If you have stumbled on to this blog before you might be in the known that I like compilation records, especially the old ones. It's always a great way to discover more about a genre I may not be as familiar with. As for Ska it's a tricky one with me as I do enjoy some of the late '70s Two-Tone stuff, but anything beyond that has never gotten my attention. But as with most genres of music the origins are where the true gems are to be found and that is certainly no different with Ska. Intensified! is a wonderful compilation of '60s Ska from Kingston, Jamaica where it all started. The minute you put this record on you either start skanking around your house, as in my case, or you wander to your fridge and grab a Red Stripe picturing yourself on the beach on some Caribbean Island instead of looking at piles of ice and snow outside your window. The sixteen songs on the record will not only put you instantly in a much better mood, but you will also come to appreciate an explosion of a different kind to Beatles-Mania when it comes to sounds from the '60s. Derrick & Patsy deliver their big hit "Housewifes Choice" while Shenley Duffus makes you dance to "Rukumbine" and the list goes on. The sixteen tracks on the record will have you shake your bones to the driving horns, and that's all you can ask for on a dreary Saturday afternoon. While so much garbage is being wasted for reissues these days, it sure as hell surprises me that this one has not seen the light on vinyl in recent years. I highly recommend this should you find a copy out there in the wild.