"Action Time Vision: A Story of Independent UK Punk 1976-1979" BY VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Alternative TV, The Damned, Maniac, 999, The Radiators From Space, Eater, The Rezillos, Johnny Moped, The Outcasts, Subs, The Fall, Sham 69, Peter and The Test Tube Babies, Tubeway Army, Swell Maps, The Only Ones, The Members, Stiff Little Fingers, Joy Division, Leyton Buzzards, Chelsea, Poison Girls, Vice Squad and more (December 2016 Cherry Red Records 4CD Book Set – Simon Murphy Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

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"...I'm Alive..."

Well kick me in the Rezillos with a Radiator From Space but I love a box set like this. A huge array of tracks across 4-CDs (not all familiar either – many first time on CD and two previously unreleased), a booklet crammed with knowledgeable liner notes and staggering amounts of period memorabilia, best-yet audio remasters from Simon Murphy - and the whole safety-pin packet put together by men who should know better but still care passionately - four decades after the snotty event.

Speaking of 40 years - Cherry Red Records themselves even have their own contribution to this four-disc project in Worchester's 'The Tights' - a West Midlands band that had their first two 45s released on CHERRY 1 and 2 in June and September of 1978. There's a lot erect nipples, Molotov cocktails and snivelling dollops on the pavement to get through here kids, so let's get exploited...

UK released Friday, 1 December 2016 (January 2017 in the USA) - "Action Time Vision: A Story Of Independent UK Punk 1976-1979" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Cherry Red Records CRCDBOX27 (Barcode 5013929102705) is a 4CD 'Book Set' with 111-Tracks and a 64-Page Attached Booklet that plays out as follows (all catalogue numbers and release dates are UK 7" singles A-sides unless otherwise stated):

Disc 1 (77:15 minutes):

1. New Rose - THE DAMNED (October 1976, Stiff BUY 6)

2. Outside View - EATER (March 1977, The Label TLR 001)

3. Television Screen - THE RADIATORS FROM SPACE (April 1977, Chiswick S 10)

4. Fascist Dictator - THE CORTINAS (June 1977, Step Forward SF 1)

5. Lookalikes - THE DRONES (July 1977, O.H.M...S GOODMIX 1)

6. Shadow - THE LURKERS (July 1977, Beggars Banquet BEG 1)

7. I Can't Stand My Baby - THE REZILLOS (August 1977, Sensible FAB 1)

8. I'm Alive - 999 (August 1977, Labritain LAB 999)

9. No One - JOHNNY MOPED (August 1977, Chiswick S 15)

10. I Don't Wanna - SHAM 69 (September 1977, Step Forward SF 4)

11. Mucky Pup - PUNCTURE (September 1977, Small Wonder SMALL 1)

12. Terminal Stupid – THE SNIVELLING SHITS (September 1977, Ghetto Rockers PRE 2)

13. Worthless Trash - THE VACANTS (September 1977, Disque Festival FLD 680)

14. Hungry - THE ZEROS (October 1977, Small Wonder SMALL 2)

15. Chelsea 77 - MANIACS (November 1977, United Artists UP 36327)

16. One To Infinity - THE OUTSIDERS (November 1977, Raw Edge RE 002)

17. Johnny Won't Get To Heaven - THE KILLJOYS (November 1977, Raw RAW 3)

18. Saints And Sinners - JOHNNY & THE SELF ABUSERS (November 1977, Chiswick NS 22)

19. Withdrawal - THE UNWANTED (November 1977, Raw RAW 6)

20. Teenage Treats - THE WASPS (November 1977, Four Play FOUR 001)

21. Youthanasia - THE PIGS (November 1977, New Bristol NBR 01)

22. Radio Call Sign - LOCKJAW (November 1977, Raw RAW 8)

23. Venus Eccentric - NEON HEARTS (November 1977, Neon Hearts NEON 1)

24. Get Your Woofing Dog Off Me - JERKS (November 1977, Underground URA 1)

25. Modern Politics - THE PANIK (November 1977, Rainy City SHOT 1)

26. New Religion - SOME CHICKEN (November 1977, Raw RAW 11)

27. Radio Wunderbar - THE CARPETTES (December 1977, Small Wonder SMALL 3)

28. Love And A Molotov Cocktail - THE FLYS (December 1977, Zama ZA 10EP)

29. Gobbing On Life - ALBERTO Y LOST TRIOS PARANOIAS (September 1977, Stiff LAST 2)

30. Lovers Of Today - THE ONLY ONES (June 1977, Vengeance VEN 001)

31. Nothing To Declare (Live) - SUSPECTS (December 1977, from the Various Artists LP "Vortex Live Volume One" on NEMS NEL 6013)

Disc 2 (78:49 minutes):

1. Read About Seymour - THE SWELL MAPS (January 1978, Rather GEAR ONE)

2. Safety-Pin Stuck In Heart - PATRIK FITZGERALD January 1978, Small Wonder SMALL 4)

3. No Leaders (Demo) - THE BOYS (1977, Previously Unreleased)

4. Office Girl - THE STOAT (1977, City NIK 1)

5. I Don't Need You - ACME SEWAGE CO. (from the 1977 Various Artists LP compilation "Raw Deal!" on Raw Deal RWLP 1)

6. Speed Freak - V2 (January 1978, Bent SMALL BENT ONE)

7. Give It All To Me - BAZOOMIS (1977, Originally Unreleased)

8. Moving Target - RAPED (January 1978, Parole KNIT 1)

9. I Hate The Whole Human Race - BIG G (1977, Originally Unreleased)

10. Gimme Your Heart - SUBS (February 1978, Stiff OFF 1)

11. That's Too Bad - TUBEWAY ARMY (February 1978, Beggars Banquet BEG 5)

12. Blank Generation - XTRAVERTS (February 1978, Spike SRT/SP 001)

13. Door In My Face - FRUIT EATING BEARS (February 1978, DJM Records DJS 10857)

14. System - FRONT (February 1978, The Label TLR 005)

15. You Make Me Sick - SATAN'S RATS (March 1978, DJM Records DJS 10840)

16. Suspect Device - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS (March 1978, Rigid Digits SRD 1)

17. G.L.C. - MENACE (March 1978, Small Wonder SMALL 5)

18. Gutter Kids - THE DYAKS (March 1978, Bonaparte BONE 2)

19. Reasons - SKIDS (April 1978, No Bad NB 1)

20. Big Time - RUDI (April 1978, Good Vibrations GOT 1)

21. I Am A Dalek - THE ART ATTACKS (May 1978, Albatross TIT 1)

22. On Me - BEARS (May 1978, Waldo's Jazz Series 001)

23. Pseudo Punk - 'O' LEVEL (May 1978, Psycho PSYCHO 1)

24. Solitary Confinement - THE MEMBERS (May 1978, Stiff OFF 3)

25. King Of The Bop - NIPPLE ERECTORS (May 1978, Soho SH 1/2)

26. The Murder Of Liddle Towers - ANGELIC UPSTARTS (May 1978, Own Label IS/AU/1024)

27. Bunch Of Stiffs (Live) - MEAN CITY (December 1977, from the Various Artists LP "Vortex Live Volume One" on NEMS NEL 6013)

Disc 3 (79:06 minutes):

1. Action Time Vision - ALTERNATIVE TV (June 1978, Deptford Fun City DFC 07)

2. I Don't Want My Heart To Rule My Head - SOCIAL SECURITY (May 1978, Heartbeat PULSE 1)

3. Bad Hearts - THE TIGHTS (June 1978, Cherry Red CHERRY 1)

4. Cosmonaut - RIFF RAFF (June 1978, Chiswick SW 34)

5. New Wave Love - THE DOLE (June 1978, ULT 402)

6. Failures - JOY DIVISION (June 1978, Enigma PSS 139)

7. 19 And Mad - LEYTON BUZZARDS (June 1978, Small Wonder SMALL 7)

8. Little Miss Perfect - DEMON PREACHER (1978, Small Wonder SMALL 10)

9. Just Another Teenage Rebel - THE OUTCASTS (August 1978, Good Vibrations GOT 3)

10. Psycho Mafia - THE FALL (August 1978, Step Forward SF 7)

11. Urban Kids - CHELSEA (September 1978, Step Forward SF 8)

12. Don't Ring Me Up - PROTEX (September 1978, Good Vibrations GOT 6)

13. Gordon - THE CRAVATS (September 1978, Small Wonder CH 004)

14. England '77 - HORRORCOMIC (September 1978, Lightning GIL 512)

15. C.I.D. - U.K. SUBS (September 1978, City NIK 5)

16. 6,000 Crazy - SPIZZOIL (October 1978, Rough Trade RSTO 1)

17. I Don't Care [Full Version]  - THE DODGEMS (from the 1978 Various Artists compilation UK LP "Vaultage 78 - Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/03)

18. Kicks In Style - THE USERS (December 1978, Warped WARPED 1)

19. Elvis Is Dead - PETER and TEST TUBE BABIES (from the 1978 Various Artists compilation UK LP "Vaultage 78 - Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/03)

20. In A Rut - THE RUTS (May 1978, People Unite SJP 795)

21. Drums Over London - DISCO ZOMBIES (Mach 1979, South Circular SGS 106)

22. Never Been So Stuck - NICKY & THE DOTS (March 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 12)

23. Wot's For Lunch Mum? (Not B****s Again!) - THE SHAPES (March 1979, Sofa SEAT 1)

24. Breaking Point - NO WAY (April 1979, Our Own IS/NW/1035)

25. New Way - THE WALL (April 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 13)

26. Sick On You - HOLLYWOOD BRATS (Cherry Red CHERRY 6)

Disc 4 (78:29 minutes):

1. Zerox - ADAM and THE ANTS (July 1979, Do It DUN 7)

2. Death To Disco - NOTSENSIBLES (April 1979, Big Bent SMALL BENT 5)

3. Danger Love - THE VICE CREEMS (June 1979, Zigzag ZZ 22001)

4. D.N.A. - MURDER THE DISTURBED (July 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 17)

5. Flares 'N' Slippers - COCKNEY REJECTS (August 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 19)

6. Totally Useless - PSYKIK VOLTS (July 1979, Ellie Jay EJSP 9262)

7. The End Of Civilisation - THE MOLESTERS (July 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 28)

8. Hypocrite - THE NEWTOWN NEUROTICS (July 1979, No Wonder NOW 1)

9. These Boots Are Made For Walking - PURE HELL (August 1979, Golden Sphinx GSX 002)

10. Time Wall - FIRE EXIT (August 1979, Timebomb TBE 1)

11. King Of Kings - THE PACK (September 1979, Rough Trade RT 025)

12. Dumb Dumb - STEROID KIDS (September 1979, Grundinga SK 001

13. Time Tunnel - ENGLISH SUBTITLES (October 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 22)

14. Soft Ground - THE PROLES (October 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 23)

15. Easy Way Out - THE ADICTS (November 1979, Dining Out TUX 1)

16. My Friends - THE DARK (November 1979, Fresh FRESH 1)

17. I Must Be Mad - WOODY & THE SPLINTERS (from the November 1979 UK Various Artists compilation LP "Vaultage 79 - Another Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/08)

18. Why Are Fire Engines Red - VICTIM (December 1979, TJM Records TJM 14)

19. Anthem - THE X-CERTS (from the 1979 UK LP compilation "Avon Calling - The Bristol Compilation" on Heartbeat HB 1)

20. Slag - F-X (1979, from the "Souths Gonna Rise Again" EP on Southern Rock SRO 451)

21. Future Rights - THE RIVALS (November 1979, Ace Records ACE 007)

22. I've Been Hurt (So Many Times Before) - SILENT NOISE (1979, Easy ER 02)

23. Nothing - VICE SQUAD (from the 1979 UK LP compilation "Avon Calling - The Bristol Compilation" on Heartbeat HB 1)

24. Things In General - THE PREFECTS (June 1980, Vindaloo UGH 2/Rough Trade RT 040)

25. 1970's Have Been Made In Hong Kong - THE LICKS (November 1979, Stortbeat BEAT 8)

26. Violence Grows - 'FATAL' MICROBES (May 1979, Small Wonder/Xntrix SMALL TWENTY)

27. Under The Doctor - POISON GIRLS (1979, Small Wonder/Xntrix WEENY 4)

When you get the shrink-wrap off the first thing that hits you is the booklet which is frankly a work-of-art. Compiled by the mighty JOHN REED - a man I humbly admit knows more than I do - and featuring Band Biographies by ANDY DAVIS - page after page of detail comes at in a hurricane of info. After each song discussion and at the end of each disc is a two-page fan-fest of pictured memorabilia that must have taken decades to accumulate. Each CD roughly deals with a year and as you can see from Disc 1 although Punk Rock proper started in 1976 with The Damned and their stunning "New Rose" - it was 1977 (November to be exact) that felt like Ground Zero - the explosion of all things Indie, Gobbing and Angry. What you also get from this retrospective is the vast shadow cast by Indie labels - Northern Ireland's 'Good Vibrations', London's 'Step Forward', 'Chiswick', 'Stiff', 'Small Wonder' and 'Rough Trade' to name but a few (Cherry Red too) and only occasionally do we see a Major Label poke its nose into the social welfare queues (United Artists to be exact). Small Wonder alone get a whopping 17+ entries. SIMON MURPHY of Another Planet has handled the Remasters and they Rock from the get-go to the finish.

Sequencing is the key with these things and John cleverly keeps the blister going on CD1 with three initial hammerings from The Damned, Eater and Ireland’s Radiators From Space (how bloody good were they). The minimalist riffage continues in fantastic speedos from The Cortinas (Step Forward's debut 45) and the I-don't-wanna-be-like-you thrashing of Manchester's The Drones. Some of Dr. Feelgood's Wilko Johnson energy infuses the fab "I Can't Stand My Baby" from Edinburgh's Rezillos (sit dune) and the watch-out-Friday-night of 999's "I’m Alive" – while other highlights include The Stooges power of "One To Infinity" from The Outsiders and the snotty upstart attitude of the Jerks who woof-woof through their homemade moment of anarchy like they want to wee-wee on a wall.

Rarities include the behind-the-scenes Punk super-session for "Danger Love" by Aylesbury's Vice Creems that featured Topper Headon and Mick Jones of The Clash (Drums and Production) with Tony James of Generation X (on Bass) hiding behind suitably silly pseudonyms for contractual reasons. There are the delightfully named Murder The Disturbed and The Molesters (very nice boys really) while the racially right-on Cockney Rejects vented their London spleens on Hippies with a brawl never far off. Nancy Sinatra's kinky-anthem "These Boots Are Made For Walking" gets the Hendrix-meets-Punk treatment from Pure Hell - while rare compilation LPs like "Vortex Live", "Vaultage 78", "Vaultage 79" and "Avon Calling – The Bristol Collection" all get their exclusive tracks highlighted here. There is of course so much more...

Downsides (if any) – while die-hard collectors may yawn at the familiarity of some entries it's also very clear that John Reed and Cherry Red has smartly gone out of its way to present the lesser-trodden paths. And even if it does look the dogs-bollox when you open it at any page - the plastic-clip holders in the leaves of the 'Book Pack' drive you nuts as you try in vain to get the discs in and out of either safely (I'd suggest paper-bag each and keep them separately to avoid scuffing and damage). But aside from song-choices and omissions everyone will find fault with and that niggling but fixable packaging blip - "Action Time Vision" is fabulous stuff - a thing of beauty that pulses with life and balls and the excitement of wide-eyed Independent Record companies stamping '1' as a catalogue number onto a 7" single label for the first time.

Worthless - vacant - nothing to declare - terminally stupid - it sure as Hell don't seem like that now. "I'm Alive" snarled 999 in 1977 and isn't it the best compliment ever to say that's exactly how you feel after visiting this kick-ass release. The Kids may not always have been sported a regulation haircut or been the most pleasant of chaps when pogoing about on a dancefloor - but on the evidence presented here - the snivelling little gits were indeed alright and part of a New Religion. Fantastic...