Product Code: 2RPR1 / FN279LP
Artist: Various
Origin: New Zealand
Label: Ripper (2020)
Format: LP
Availability: Enquire Now
Condition:
Cover: M
Record: M
Genre: Punk , Rock N

AK•79

Brand new sealed double album from this classic NZ punk collection

AK79 is a compilation album of tracks by punk bands active in Auckland, New Zealand in the late 1970s. The album was compiled by Bryan Staff, with artwork from Terence Hogan, and was released by Ripper Records in December 1979.[1]

Bands featured on the original compilation include The Scavengers,[2] The Swingers, The Primmers, Proud Scum, Toy Love and The Terrorways. An initial pressing of 500 was sold to a retailer. It was later reissued on LP and cassette via CBS, but deleted in 1982.

The defining record of the Auckland punk scene, it became rare and sought-after over the next decade.

An expanded and remastered CD version of the compilation was compiled by Simon Grigg and Roger Shepherd. This was released jointly by their record labels Propeller Records and Flying Nun Records in November 1993. This issue was expanded to include tracks by The Suburban Reptiles, The Spelling Mistakes, The Features and The Marching Girls, and additional titles from the bands on the original album.

The reissue was remastered and partially remixed by Grigg, with expanded artwork by Andrew B. White. The liner notes were by Grigg, Staff and Terrorways drummer Kerry Buchanan.

On 21 and 22 November 2008 a number of the bands got together for a reunion gig (compered by Bryan Staff) in Auckland, including The Scavengers, Proud Scum, The Terrorways and The Spelling Mistakes. Neither The Terrorways or Proud Scum had performed since 1980.[3]

A reissued two-LP AK79 with further unreleased tracks and a 20-page book (including commentary from 30 band members and original punks) was sold at the reunion gig, as well as AK79 T-shirts and other memorabilia.

AllMusic reviewer Chris Woodstra called AK79 "probably the best compilation of New Zealand's entries for punk rock and new wave of the late '70s".[4] Music writer Nick Bollinger included AK79 in his 2009 book 100 Essential New Zealand Albums.[5]

 

Tracklist

 

PositionArtistsTitle/CreditsDuration
A1 Scavengers* Mysterex
Written-By – Brendan Perry, Ken Cooke*, Simon Monroe
 
A2 Terrorways Never Been To Borstal
Written-By – Dean Bareham, John Hunter (5), Kerry Buchanan, Peter Hoffman (2)
 
A3 Proud Scum I Am A Rabbit
Written-By – Alistair Duguid
 
A4 Scavengers* True Love
Written-By – Brendan Perry, Ken Cooke*, Simon Monroe
 
A5 Proud Scum Suicide
Written-By – Jonathan Griffiths
 
A6 Terrorways She's A Mod
Written-By – Terry Beale
 
B1 Swingers* Certain Sound
Written-By – Buster Stiggs, Phil Judd, Wayne Stevens
 
B2 The Primmers* Funny Stories
Written-By – The Primmers*
 
B3 Toy Love Squeeze
Written-By – Alec Bathgate, Chris Knox, Jane Walker (2), Mike Dooley, Paul Kean
 
B4 Swingers* Baby
Written-By – Buster Stiggs, Phil Judd, Wayne Stevens
 
B5 The Primmers* You're Gonna Get Done
Written-By – Karel Van Bergen
 
B6 Toy Love Toy Love Song
Written-By – Alec Bathgate, Chris Knox, Jane Walker (2), Mike Dooley, Paul Kean
 
C1 Suburban Reptiles Megaton
Written-By – Billy Planet
 
C2 Suburban Reptiles Coup D'Etat
Written-By – Billy Planet
 
C3 Scavengers* Routine
Written-By – Brendan Perry, Ken Cooke*, Mike Simons*, Simon Monroe
 
C4 Proud Scum Suicide 2
Written-By – Jonathan Griffiths
 
C5 Terrorways Short Haired Rock'n Roll
Written-By – Dean Bareham, John Hunter (5), Kerry Buchanan, Peter Hoffman (2)
 
C6 Toy Love Frogs
Written-By – Alec Bathgate, Chris Knox, Jane Walker (2), Mike Dooley, Paul Dean
 
C7 Suburban Reptiles Saturday Night Stay At Home
Producer – Phil JuddWritten-By – Buster Stiggs
 
D1 Features City Scenes
Written-By – Chris Orange, James Pinker, Jed Town, Karel Van Bergen
 
D2 Spelling Mistakes* Feel So Good
Producer – Fane FlawsWritten-By – Julian Hanson
 
D3 Marching Girls* First In Line
Written-By – Brendan Perry, Ken Cooke*, Simon Monroe
 
D4 Spelling Mistakes* Hate Me Hate Me
Written-By – Warwick Fowler
 
D5 Features Victim
Written-By – Chris Orange, James Pinker, Jed Town, Karel Van Bergen
 
D6 Marching Girls* True Love
Written-By – Brendan Perry, Ken Cooke*, Simon Monroe