Definitive Punk Record AK79 Turns 40!!!

December 2019 marks the 40 year anniversary of an important record in NZ history, AK79.
Within the grooves of this historical landmark compilation lies a connection to our musical whakapapa as New Zealanders and music lovers. A defining record, having captured a raw snapshot of the punk subculture in Auckland during the late 70s, the much-loved compilation is a living, breathing statement of what came before today.

Toy Love

 Raw, unfiltered, shambolic madness. The vision to capture the scene began with Bryan Staff (Head of Ripper Records) who saw reason to capture the music coming out of the local punk venues of the time.

Originally released by Ripper Records in December 1979, bands that featured on the original pressing included The Swingers, The Scavengers, The Primmers, Proud Scum, Toy Love and The Terrorways. The abrasive and empowered response to the overindulgent progressive rock and glam rock music of the 70s, speaking out and saying something for the working class youth of today, in one of the most important times in New Zealand ‘rock’ history.

Ok, so not our usual Lounge record.  But the start of something. 

Proud Scum

Back in the day I thrashed this one on student radio Station Radio Active.  And before that I listened on my walkman radio to the station playing those great songs.  You could only get the station when you were in town (it's coverage was only citywide around Wellington back then).  So, I'd usually listen to it walking around the city, to and from the Railway Station on my way to holiday jobs, dates at the movies and the School bus to Miramar.

When I finally got to Uni I found my way to Active's record bins and secured my copy of this gem.  We were allowed to take home records (borrowed) to listen to them and select the best songs.  I loved the Scavengers' Mysterex, Proud Scum's Suicide and of course, Toy Love's Squeeze. 

The Swingers

The original master was discarded in 1982, which only created a demand for this enigmatic record. Responding to the call, an expanded version of AK79 arose, released only on CD by Simon Grigg and Roger Shepherd as a joint release by Propeller Records and Flying Nun Records in 1993. This time there were some late additions, including tracks from The Suburban Reptiles, The Spelling Mistakes, The Features and The Marching Girls, along with additional tracks from the first pressing. This particular reissue was remastered and mixed by Grigg, and came bundled with additional liner notes by Grigg, Staff and The Terrorways’ own Kerry Buchanan.
Forty years on from its initial release, the spirit of the record still packs a punch and the feeling captured in these recordings are as relevant as ever.

TRACKLIST:

The Scavengers - Mysterex
The Terrorways - Never Been To Borstal
Proud Scum - I Am A Rabbit
The Scavengers - True Love
Proud Scum - Suicide
 The Terrorways - She’s A Mod
The Swingers - Certain Sound
The Primmers - Funny Stories
Toy Love - Squeeze
The Swingers - Baby
 The Primmers - You’re Gonna Get Done
Toy Love - Toy Love Song
Suburban Reptiles - Megaton
Suburban Reptiles - Coup D'etat
The Scavengers - Routine
Proud Scum - Suicide 2
The Terrorways - Short Haired Rock And Roll
Toy Love - Frogs
Suburban Reptiles - Saturday Night Stay At Home
Features - City Scenes
The Spelling Mistakes - Feel So Good
Marching Girls - First In Line
 The Spelling Mistakes - Hate Me Hate Me
Features - Victim
Marching Girls - True Love

The Anniversary version will cost a pretty penny but well worth it https://flyingout.co.nz/collections/pre-orders/products/ak79-40th-anniversary-edition?utm_source=Great+Sounds+Great&utm_campaign=de829d98ca-WEEKLY_NEWSLETTER_11812_17_2015_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d72844f78b-de829d98ca-141675065&mc_cid=de829d98ca&mc_eid=eda989f7e5