Comments on: Urgh! A Music War

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 15:37:55 +0000

I saw it many many times back in 1982, and later on a VHS tape, yup! right here in Malaysia.
go here for a bit of punk rock history:
Urgh! at the Rex
cheers,
Joe Kidd

By: JOhnErAy

JOhnErAy — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:13:48 +0000

I taped this off of USA Network’s late night show, “Night Flight” back in the early 80s (with my newly-purchased $400, top-loading VCR) and still have to watch the grainy footage on that tape (blank tapes went for like, $10 then so I had to squeeze 6 hours onto them in the EP mode).
I would love to see a DVD release of this with all the extra, unaired footage. I’m sure the reason it hasn’t been done is due to the cost of obtaining the music rights, etc. from so many performers.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 05:24:04 +0000

I bought this on VHS in 1987, used, at a video store for $1.99. I had seen it before so I grabbed it. I personally think it is the best video of its type ever.
Steel Pulse is still playing, and still excellent. All of the Police are still involved in some band or project. I think Gary Numan is a pilot. XTC is one of the most influential bands, particularly musicians, and they are still playing. You hear their work in tons of bands, Sugar Ray is the first that comes to mind. Jello Biafra is still ranting out there somewhere. UB40 still plays. Jules Holland does too. Last I heard he had a music/talk show in England. Chelsea, FYI, Billy Idol used to front. GoGos are still at it, they were here in Atlantic City recently. Joan Jett, Flesh Tones, Gang of Four and a bunch more.
My favorite performances are:
The Cramps, a great way to disturb first time watchers.
Both Police performances are great. Combined with UB40 and Steel Pulse are an amazing cross section of Reggae’s influence on that scene.
John Cooper Clark. The birth of Rap perhaps? All of the capped OG’s will be rolling over in their graves if they find out this guy was a pioneer. But it’s damn good.
Alley Cats. Never seen hide nor hair of them since, but I love the performance.
John Ottway. You have to see this lunatic, as irreverant as hell and doubly entertaining.
Chelsea’s clip is nearly timeless. Truly the spirit of rock and roll. Pere Ubu kinda reeled me in after enough viewings. Members did “Offshore Banking Business” and made me a fan.
Two perfomances could have been eliminated, in my opinion: Au Pairs and Splodgeness Abounds.
Excruciating. The rest is delightful. Watch it, you will love it.

By: Larry

Larry — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 15:31:52 +0000

Klaus Naomi was a genius of the punk world. He was an accomplished opera singer who turned to the New Wave scene. He performance at Fiorucci Store on 57th was epic. Does anyone remember that? Everyone looked kind of crazy back then. Look at the Cramps and other bands of the time.Mudd Club ruled and the club people ruled. He departure was too soon from this earth.

By: Paul Bowen

Paul Bowen — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 04:38:36 +0000

I saw this with my wife in the mid-80′s and managed to get it on tape. We screamed with laughter and horror at performances by Klaus Nomi, the Cramps and the Alleycats. Unfortunately, I accidentally erased the tape. It’s out of print and quite expensive used. I’ll buy it if it ever comes out on DVD.

By: Sporktoast

Sporktoast — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 22:48:35 +0000

WFMU free format radio in New Jersey recently had an interview with the producer/director of a documentary on Klaus Nomi. Archive in RealAudio (and streaming MP3 for about a week more) is linked from the playlist page at http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/15389
Go to about 120 minutes into the show to hear the interview portion.
The documentary “The Nomi Story” is out on DVD now.

By: Tony Creed

Tony Creed — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 10:10:13 +0000

I was in the Surf Punks (Hulk). I’d love to get a copy of urgh. Even moreso than a copy I’d love to see/hear all the stuff they have in a vault somewhere.
They shot EVERYONEs whole set but only used a couple songs. The recording quality and video was great. They shot from several different angles. As we didn’t get paid chit it sucks that someone is sitting on all that history and not sharing.
Whatever, what does this have to do with sick azzed skull rings. Check out my website at http://www.TONYCREED.com

By: Bear

Bear — Sun, 15 May 2005 10:32:29 +0000

I just happened to stumble over this site and the comments about URGH! ..Man do they bring back memories. I was lucky enough to have seen the original release at a little artsy theater in Van BC (think it was the ARTS CLUB THEATER(?)on E Hastings)when it was first released in ’81(?). Every performance in that movie was kick ass. I listen to a number of those bands to this day on a regular basis. Still have the Dbl vinyl in mint condition in storage (mint only because I made cassette recordings and wore them out instead of the vinyl). After being indoctrinated into the punk scene I couldn’t get enough of those bands from the movie and of course that just lead to others. Super lucky to have seen Wall of Voodo and the Dead Kennedys live in Vancouver. This film spurred an ever increasing love for punk. Saw my all time favorite band The Stranglers at the Commodore Ballroom (the opening act the Lifers were pretty good to, enough to buy their album IBS Go). Also saw Stiff Little Fingers, the Stray Cats, and other bands (cant seem to recall them all, as was slightly out of it on who knows what on most of those occasions ;-)) at that same venue. The Commodore was so cool because it used to be an actual ballroom and had a ‘floating’ dance floor. When you were up front slam dancing and pogoing you would sometimes catch the right bounce like a trampoline and it would send you a good couple of feet higher in the air. Some of my fondest memories are from that era. WOW …. thanks peeps.

By: NYAlternative

NYAlternative — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 21:29:59 +0000

In 1980 (81?) we used to watch it over and over on the Betamax! I’ve seen it a few times at some shops on eighth street over the years, but I never picked up a copy. Now I can’t find it and I figured I’d look online for it…and I found this cool blog!!
We fourteen year old litle punk rockers used to watch it for The Dead Kennedys and the Cramps and X, but years later I picked up this Au Pairs album I’d been passing by at record stores for years for a buck and it became one of my favorite albums.
Anyway, Gang of Four sold out in NY!! Anybody wanna take a road trip to Philly? I think they’re playing 5/21.

By: frank dick

frank dick — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 21:07:24 +0000

this is by far the quintessentiel early punk/new wave compilation ever recorded. i’m hoping someone out there in music-bizland will have the balls to put this out on dvd!
my favorite? lux interior of the cramps performing fellacio on the mic, writhing on the stage, “tearing this whole damn thing up!”……classic!