VA - Four Stars (****) LP

A holy grail item amongst deep NZ collectors, the **** comp was pretty much rare right outta the gate back in 1980. Released on the legendary Sausage label (Six Impossible Things, anyone?) in a minuscule edition of 250, most copies never made it out of Wellington. **** documents the city's 'Terrace Scene', which is one way of saying these bands bear zero relation to either the Gordons or Shoes This High. 13 tracks found nowhere else & offer up a fantastic snapshot of a phenomenal DIY scene most people never knew existed. Naked Spots Dance & Beat Rhythm Fashion would go on to release records, but the efforts here are my favorite. Wallsockets clock in w/3 tracks & make you wonder, is there more? Life In The Fridge Exists may be familiar to some from their inclusion of Bruce Russell's 'and the maggots dance' podcast & that track (+1 one other) is included here.

Label: Swineken Records

Genre: Post-Punk

Released: 2020