Regulations will be back in the US for a tour this coming August.

Havoc has updated with news on new releases from Kvoteringen, Wolfbrigade and Regulations as well as US tourdates for the latter two plus The Vicious and Skitsystem: http://www.havocrex.com/

MP3: No Hope for the Kids - Secret police

As I've said before, besides Umeå-based act Regulations, Denmark's No Hope for the Kids are the finest retro-punks in the world. But as I've also previously noted, it's amazing how current the band's Cold War rhetoric sounds today. Secret police? Doesn't sounds too far-fetched here in George Bush's America. The best thing about this song though, is that it's so damn catchy. I can listen to it over and over again.
Note: this is a vinyl rip so the quality isn't perfect. Deal with it.

No Hope for the Kids - Secret police

Regulations will be ducking into the studio while in Toronto to record a couple new tracks.

Dates for Regulations upcoming Canadian tour are up: http://www.nyvag.com/label.htm

Havoc has tentative dates for Regulations' upcoming Canadian tour in October as well as current dates for fellow Swedish punks Sunday Morning Einsteins: http://www.havocrex.com/tours/

Ny Våg just posted a big update on various things they have going on including new releases from The Vicious and Knugen Faller and talk of North American and Australian tours for Regulations: http://www.nyvag.com/

Victims
Divide and conquer
Havoc Records

Sweden's Victims were another Havoc Records band I managed to miss while they were on tour (the first was Regulations - d'oh!) Listening to their latest release gave me a taste of what to expect if I ever see them live. "Divide and conquer" is a testament to early '80s American hardcore bands. What's with the Swedes that makes them play something that sounds like it's over 25 years old, but yet still modern? Anyhoo, 15 tracks of American hardcore/Swedish crust-inspired punk that'll get you amped. Think of Discharge when you listen to this. Singer Johan's vocals and the band are balanced pretty well with one not overpowering the other. Not what I would normally listen to, but it kept me interested.
- Navy Keophan

MP3: No Hope for the Kids - Angels of destruction

It sounds like something straight out of southern California 1984, but no - it's actually the latest 7" single from Denmark's No Hope for the Kids. Who would've thought that Cold War rhetoric would still sound so apt in 2006. Aside from Regulations, NHftK is easily one of the best punk-rock bands active in the world today. Retro, but still totally crucial.

No Hope for the Kids - Angels of destruction

MP3: The Vicious - It's all a lie

Got a new mp3 today from Umeå-based punk-rockers The Vicious from their latest 7" "Obsessive". If dig classic snotty singalong punk like Randy or Regulations (with whom they share a member) then you'll definitely love this too. A lot of times this sorta retro-sounding sound comes off as forced, but somehow the Scandinavian punks usually seem to pull it off. No detached irony, no snide winks; just 100% quality rock'n'roll. The other point of interest concerning The Vicious is that this is the new band of Sara Almgren from The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Sorry to those of you hoping that she'd return to her moshcore roots (she was in band Doughnuts way back when), but it looks like it ain't gonna happen. Yet. C'mon, isn't it about time someone started a Chokehold tribute band or something?

The Vicious - It's all a lie

European tourdates for Swedish punk-rockers Regulations:

05/03 - Skylten, Linköping (SWE) w/Annhiliation Time
05/05 - 1000 Fryd, Aalborg, (DK)
05/06 - Ajz, Bielefeld (GER)
05/07 - Ajz Talshock, Chemnitz (GER)
05/08 - Sunny Red / Feierwerk, Munchen (GER)
05/09 - JuHa-West, Stuttgart (GER)
05/10 - C.S. Scintilla, Modena (ITA)
05/11 - Rivolta, Marghera (ITA)
05/12 - Sedel (Prison), Lucerne (CH) w/Nine Pound Hammer
05/13 - Farnroda / Eisenach, Wutha (CH)
05/14 - JUZ Youth Center, Mannheim (GER)
05/15 - tba, Ghent (BEL)
05/16 - tba, Amsterdam (NL) w/Bones Brigade
05/17 - Koepi, Berlin (GER)
05/18 - Beatclub, Hamburg (GER) w/Clorox Girls
05/19 - Hafermarkt, Flensburg (GER) w/Assassinators
05/20 - Showdown, Göteborg (SWE)

Some news from Ny Våg: The European version of Regulations excellent "Electric guitar" record is just about done and will be released both as a 7-song 12" and on CD with the bonus 7" tracks (as included on the US version on Havoc). The vinyl version comes with a poster and will also feature an updated layout. Look for the band to tour Europe in May. Ny Våg also reports that Lost Patrol Band (the all-star power-pop act that began life as Dennis Lyxen's sensitive singer/songwriter project) is done with their second album and will be building up to its release with a 7" single called "Automatic kids" coming out sometime before summer. Organist Jonas Lidström has also reportedly left the band, but they will continue on as a four-piece. And lastly, the CD version of the The Vicious 12" has been delayed, but will be out soon and will include the band's first 7" as bonus-tracks. In other Vicious news, a new four-song 7" will be out on US label Feral Ward soon and a new full-length is in the works for the end of the year.

Regulations
Electric guitar
Havoc Records/Ny Våg

Their self-titled LP was one of my favorites from last year and I was expecting the same from them in their latest release. How I could have missed them twice on their tour last year is beyond me. Anyways, seven new songs, five from their "Destroy" 7-inch and four from the "Survive in the city" 7-inch release (both of which are now out of print). Early '80s punk as thrown through the L.A. buzzsaw (i.e. Germs, Black Flag, etc...) is their sound. The seven new songs, such as "Hollywood smile" and "Empty head," all have the energy of their previous releases and will keep the kids pogoing, but I feel like they're missing something. Lead singer Otto's vocals are much more snottier and snarling. The songs from the 7-inches, such as "Destroy" and "We're Blank," are more to my liking. The untitled track reminds me of Agent Orange's "Bloodstains (darkness version)", only more sped up. This is a keeper.
- Navy Keophan

The Ny Våg version of the Regulations "Electric guitar" EP will have different artwork than the US version of Havoc Records and will include a poster. Look for it around late February/early March.

Nominees for this year's Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative to the Grammy:

Hip-hop/r&b/soul:
Form One - Meet Johnny Rhino
Hearin´Aid - The Boom Lucy
Jaqee – Blaqalious
Looptroop - Fort Europa
Timbuktu – Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö

Electronica/post-rock/synth:
Folie – Eyepennies
Midaircondo – Shopping For Images
Ola Bergman – The satellite city
Tape – Rideau
Thermostatic – Joy-Toy

Pop/Rock:
Embassy – Tacking
Jenny Wilson – Love And Youth
Blood Music – Sing a Song Fighter
El Perro Del Mar - Look! It’s El Perro Del Mar!
Lucknow Pact – A Few Drinks- A Few Laughs

Jazz:
E.S.T. - Viaticum
Jeanette Lindström – In The Middle Of This Riddle
MUSICMUSICMUSIC – What´s a good boss anyway?
Bobo Stenson trio – Goodbye
Ulf Wakenius – Notes From The Heart

Singer/songwriter:
Lars Bygdén – Trading Happiness for Songs
Frida Hyvönen – Until Death comes
Hello Saferide – Introducing: Hello Saferide
Christian Kjellvander – Faya
Billie the vision and the Dancers – The world according to Pablo

Dance/techno:
Hundarna från Söder – Troika
DK7 – Disarmed
Skugge & Stavöstrand – Humla
John Dahlbäck – Man From the Fall
Dibaba – Songs For Good Lives

Hardrock/punk:
Randy – Randy the band
Disco Volante – Blood On The Walls
Witchcraft - Firewood
Regulations - s/t
Grand Magus - Wolf’s return

Folk/world-music:
Sofia Karlsson – Svarta Ballader
Harv – Polka Raggioso
Ellika och Solo – Abraka/Tack
Svenska Akademien – Resa sig opp
Simone Moreno – Samba Makossa

Best live act:
David Sandström Overdrive
Frida Hyvönen
Jenny Wilson
Robyn
Timbuktu

Best newcomer:
The Tough Alliance – New school
Timo Räisänen - Lovers are Lonely
Frida Hyvönen – Until Death Comes
Montt Mardié – Drama
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names – #3

Best unsinged act:
She
Insert Coin
Anagoes
Intohimo
Loney, Dear

Winners will be announced on February 9.