Reviews

Gutterwail

999 The Sharpest Cuts Too LP

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a compilation album of songs by 999 from the ’90s and ’00s—I stopped listening to anything new from them somewhere around their fourth album. So wow, was this a surprise. It sounds like the 999 of the first few albums. I’m going to have to go back and listen to the album that put me off from 999. While this doesn’t exactly match the quality of the first three albums, it is really good and powerful melodic punk in the style of the first wave of UK punk bands. I really robbed myself of hearing these songs the first time because I wrote them off. Sorry about that, 999. This is definitely better than I expected, and better than most classic punk bands that had output into the ’90s and ’00s.

Chelsea Radio Active Tapes LP

The UK.’s CHELSEA may be best known as the starting point for a young William Broad (a.k.a. BILLY IDOL, who quit with most of the band to form GENERATION X), and for being contemporaries with bands like the SEX PISTOLS, the DAMNED, and the BUZZCOCKS. But this collection of outtakes and demos from their 1977–1980 period captures the raw energy of a young scene channeled through music that sits somewhere between rock’n’roll and new wave. The playing is solid and frontman Gene October can really sing. By today’s standards, this music is more pop than abrasive, and it wouldn’t be difficult to find this band’s DNA mixed in with a lot of Lookout!-style pop punk from the ’90s. Versions of these songs are already in circulation, but this collection has been remastered and it sounds great. They might not be your next favorite band, but there are plenty of worthy tracks here for your next mixtape. Check out the song, “I’m on Fire.”

Mad Parade Re-Launch CD

Foregoing the fashion of the era, old school act MAD PARADE opted to play first-wave-inspired music in Fullerton at the dawn of hardcore! While fast and punchy SoCal bands like the CIRCLE JERKS were on the come-up, these rebels had a sound along the lines of ANGELIC UPSTARTS or COCKSPARRER—a rocking and poppy kind of punk with sing-along choruses and a commercial sensibility. Compiling the group’s 1987 full-length debut A Thousand Words (their best stuff, in my opinion) and the career-spanning History 1982–2017 anthology, this CD has all the MAD PARADE you can handle. Recommended for fans of 999, GENERATION X, and the like.

Self Abuse Life in War EP

An old school unit originally formed in 1982 Las Vegas, SELF ABUSE played amongst the greats of the era but never cut a record. You may recognize their logo from many jackets captured in pics of the early ’80s. After reforming in 2016, these guys that once shared the stage with SOCIAL DISTORTION, T.S.O.L., MAD PARADE, and many others finally committed a few of their original songs to wax via this 7”. Issued on candied pink vinyl, this thing looks good enough to eat, but you should probably just spin it for a taste of classic punk action instead.