Filed under: Italian
Raw Power - Wop Hour EP (Toxic Shock) ‘85
Italy’s Raw Power 4 song ep released ‘85 on toxic shock records…great hardcore with a ting of metal. Due to the fact this was released in ‘85 it was the era of ‘crossover’ ‘metalcore’ or whatever you must call it. The whole crossover faze in my life was good, I do believe to this day that there was a good amount of great bands producing music through this time period. Some might not agree and others just might not want to admit it, but I followed the ‘trend’ and fuck I enjoyed it all…well almost, could’ve done without the high top sneakers…and all the shitty DRI records that are currently filling up all the landfills. Well know that I got that off my chest, turn it up!
Tracklisting
i do what i like
you are the victim
factory
destroy
Thought I’d add this one on in on this post…its not a part of this single but it was the tune(s) that turned me onto Raw Power and it seems others would agree this was the two tracks that attracted us all to Raw Power.
This band was truly awesome. Met them once at a show. They cancelled last minute due to equipment problems. Man, that sucked! Yeah, these guys did “crossover” the way it was meant to be. I have a cassette tape of theirs that must have been played 5000 times over 20 years. No kidding.
Thanks!
Thanks for posting this. I actually had the pleasure and honor of hosting/putting on a couple Raw Power shows back in Minneapolis. The band were group of gracious individuals and quite seriously one of the best live bands from that period. No question, in terms of musicianship and delivery in the live setting they were every bit as good as the Bad Brains, and if you think about it–not too hard now–somewhat similar. The Brains after all were one of the first bands of their ilk to tinge their approach with metal.In fact, I remmber in some circles they too were derided for it. Anyway…
I remember seeing ads in MRR for this “crazy” band from Italy on BCTapes around 84-85. It was one of the first thing I ever mailordered. When the tape came, I could hardly stand to wait until I heard it. What I did hear blew me away!!! I was lucky enough to see em’ on their first two US tours and became a huge fan. When the “screams..” lp came out, I thought my head was gonna explode cuz it was so fuckin good and then…………
the WOP HOUR 7″ was released. I was kinda disappointed because the songs (new and old) seemed like leftovers/outtakes from the SCREAMS lp. These songs don’t suck by a long shot, but, I do consider them the begining of the end for RAW POWER (see “after your brain” et al)
Stunt, don’t go apologizing for liking
“crossover”, it was some of the fiercest shit to come out the godforsaken mid-eighies. Alot of it still gets played around my pad regularly these ays.
And as far as shitty DRI records……. Amen, but theres too many bands to list that could replace them as “WORLD CHAMPION LANDFILLER”(including raw power)
Hey Surly heres a little clipping on BCT…In this age of websites, mp3s and message boards, it’s hard to imagine how valuable Borderless Countries Tapes were almost 20 years ago. Most of the people I know who heard RAW POWER “back in the day,” heard them through BCT. Likewise with countless other bands from all over the world. There were more than 25 tapes released by BCT from 1981-1986, and most of that material is slowly making its’ way to CD, thanks to the efforts of a few brave souls. This is the fourth release, compiling music from BCT #3 and #10, from 1983 and 84 respectively. The only bands most folks have heard of on this 13 band, 57 song compilation are WHITE FLAG, DETENTION and LOVE CANAL, but there is a goldmine of unknown ’80’s hardcore on this disc. The PSYCHO tracks are worth the price by themselves, and the ACCELERATORS, NO RESPONSE, and DERANGED DICTION could easily be as popular as URBAN WASTE or NECROS, if someone thought they were cool enough to bootleg. I highly recommend any fan of hardcore to search out all these re-issues… sure there’s plenty of less than amazing stuff, but without BCT, most of these bands might have been lost forever.
-MaximumRocknRoll
Thanks for reminding me where I first heard Raw Power…It was a BCT i first heard ‘Fuck Authority’ and i remember thinking shit I NEED to find more of this bands shit…NOW!
Magnificent!
Great band. I especially love the songs ‘Hate’ and ‘Raw Power’. Alot of great hardcore punk came out of italy it seems. Negazione, CCM, Indigesti and of course these guys to name a few. Id like to hear more tho. Has there ever been a good Italian punk/hardcore comp?
>i first heard ‘Fuck Authority’ and i remember thinking shit I NEED to find more of this bands shit…NOW!
man, this song kills. i remember being way into screams from the gutter. haven’t heard it in years… i gave away most of my records to some hardcore kids when i 1st started teaching.
crossover stuff got to be a drag real fast. maybe coc’s animosity, well @ least side 1, is like the best thing crossover has ever spewed.
Are Raw Power still together? Didn’t Giuseppe die last year? I saw them play at Sound Idea, Brandon, FL and they were great. Musically competent and played with passion. They also were nice guys and we had a lot in common.
Giuseppe Codeluppi original guitarist of raw power did pass away in 2002…
Two very cool guys that have since left us. Joey and Giuseppe RIP
what a great fuckin picture, thanx!
great pict of giuseppe with joey, Stunt. You took it?
Yes Raw Power lived up to their name everytime they took the stage, expecially with the SftG line-up. Elder was probably one of the best hc drummers on a global scale..a jawdropping experience for all fellow drummers here in Italy. They didn’t play that much ( singer living abroad etc) but everytime it was incredible.
Hey DeeMoo sorry i did not take this picture, photographer unknown…I wish I had a chance to met and photograph these to guys.
Raw Power was a definitive hc/thrash band for me as an adolescent. Gotta give it up for them!