Upright Citizens Cross Section 81-86 cassette
A “history of” cassette, containing cuts off all their records, and a couple of live cuts. Great sounding punk and HC, well worth getting.
MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL
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A “history of” cassette, containing cuts off all their records, and a couple of live cuts. Great sounding punk and HC, well worth getting.
A pretty neat neo-’60s release. 4 songs in all, full production that makes the sound clear but not wimpified. Cool guitar, slightly echoey psych feel, and a good cover of the EYES’ (the 60’s UK band much like the early WHO) “When The Night Falls.”
Circa ’82 SUBS, some released before, some not — all studio. Classic punk sounds from a band that dates back to ’77 and who sport a singer older than me. While they’ve never grabbed me, the SUBS have been a perennial fave on the East Coast. Eight songs.
Innovative punk with attention keeping twists and turns, and neato guitar effects. A good mixture of power, originality, and momentum.
The reigning kings of booger-rock transplanted from Texas to San Francisco debut their first platter. (Their first release was a home-made eight track tape, and this disc lives up to its spastic reputation.) It’s almost as if retarded children, discovering Captain Beefheart, decide to play in a rock band. Music to wet your pants by.
Instead of the typical Finnish piledriving thrash, this superior EP contains four finely crafted classic punk tunes, all in an anthemic vein. “Shout,” in particular, reminds me of the kind of nostalgic, melodic punk we all used to live. Highly recommended.
Recorded a month after their final show, these 8 highly produced tracks are their last word. Many of their varied styles appear here: reggae punk, eclectic extended tunes, medium tempo punk, medium-fast tunes. While by no means throwaways, there are no immediate standout classics. And then came CULTURE SHOCK.
Five covers here: BEATLES, PINK FLOYD, etc. The originals may be sedate, but these guys totally rock out on “Ruby Tuesday” and “Comfortably Numb”. Pretty neat.
This band had a blazing HC EP out many years back, then did some recordings in ’83 and broke up before it was released. They’ve regrouped, I believe, and put out these sessions finally. While the new songs maintain their power, gone is the straight ahead approach, and instead they come on with a highly produced, sometimes post-punk approach, sometimes a bit MISFITS like. Very big departure.
I ordinarily wouldn’t review this kind of music, but because it’s on a “punk” label and looks like a “punk” package, I just thought I’d mention… it ain’t punk at all, it’s metal.
A really good hardcore EP, with a really energetic sound. Not generic, but not really new either, they do thrash right with zaniness and good lyrics. “Drugz” is a standout.
Four tracks here, all in a bouncy pop-punk style with those irresistible choruses you can’t help but sing along with. What’s more, the lyrics are extremely funny, showing a real satiric bite and flair. I have a feeling that punks everywhere are going to be singing these songs to themselves for a long time to come. Terrific record!!
Rampant sarcasm and a less than tight, ripping hardcore style are the trademarks on this debut LP by the SHAVED PIGS. The song structures are not always distinctive in these simple tunes, but their cover of the ISLEY BROTHERS’ “Shout” (here entitled “Slam”) is delightful. Good album cover, too.
The hardcore on this album goes in some original directions, especially in so far as the song arranging is concerned, but the ultimate effect is rather monochromatic and unappealing. Nonetheless, strong energy and power abounds here, and the lyrics are very strange.
The A-side of the 45 is a mid-tempo punk number boasting great hooks and lyrics in the best SS-20 style, with good arranging and even a nifty Beethoven guitar break(!). The two songs on the flip are faster and more powerful. Another excellent record from this consistent band.
Henry’s kinda joke, I guess, as the “concept” here is a bogus title, “Henrietta Collins and the Wifebeating Childhaters.” Ok. Musically, a new wave tune and a mandatory (he was from DC) WIRE cover on the A-side, and four tunes on the flip, which are more like what I thought would be on the LP, sorta rap/spoken word set to music, including a thrashing of “We Will Rock You” only it’s “I Have Come to Kill You.” Liked the LP better.
Posh Boy’s been re-releasing their early catalog in various shapes and forms, and this is one classic you should really pick up. Great garage punk from L.A.’s McDonald Bros. plus Ron Reyes (later to go on to BLACK FLAG) and Greg Hetson (of later CIRCLE JERKS fame). A real treat.
More early ’60s garage meets mid ’80s noise. Can’t say it’s the best of both worlds, but when they aren’t being too arty (a third of the time), they do rock out some grungy crud like CRAMPS meets BUTTHOLES on bad DMT.
Sixties punk done Á la ’76, meaning not enough mania and too much production and rock guitar. It’s not really bad, just not crazy enough to warrant the retreads, and there are plenty of them.
Older punk meets ’70s rock’n’roll with a lot of influence on the guitar power. Lyrics are above average for this genre but the music bogs down too often for me. When they rock though, it’s pretty strong stuff.
It took me a few songs before I recognized the godlike quality here. But after they really start cooking, the reformed PAGANS recorded at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, has all the charm and quality of a garbage truck as it speeds around trying to kill everyone in its path. Massive, so snag this un and wait for the next studio album.
Their hottest release yet, at least for me. Many of the six tunes are slowed down, which results in more power and greater clarity of lyrics. Really basic punk and thrash, very well done.
This record is a re-release of NEGAZIONE’s classic Conannati a Morte… EP with an additional live track, and it displays this band’s absolute command of a fast, frenetic, thrashy, and memorable songwriting style. The live song is a tantalizing hint of how good this band must be live. Great record!
Despite their hokey name, these guys play some forceful metallic HC thrash, with anti-conformity and anti-government themes. Much better than their moniker would have you believe.
Yee…ouch! Totally searing punk and HC — sharp as hell, powerful, with a guitar sound that cuts steel! Blazing Midwest thrash.
A few of the ANGRY SAMOANS team up for this folk-rock seven-song release. This is really wimpy, self-indulgent material, a definite joke. Fortunately, the SAMOANS still kick ass live.
Less overtly “punk” than their debut 12″, this album contains ten pop-punky tunes with the emphasis on the pop, in a style reminiscent of the early SHOES. Undeniably catchy, this record is best when guitars take precedence, but there’s still a good deal here for fans of cool pop music — though the style does wear thin after a while.
Alright! I believe this is the first Mexican tape I’ve reviewed, and it’s great! Intense thrash similar to the Finnish ’83 style. Dirty production, but the anger, power, and energy shines through.
Their second release, this LP’s chock full of CRAMPS type garage rock and roll —pounding beat, raw guitar, and silly lyrics. From New Jersey, it rocks.
In case you’ve wondered what Matt and Chris of CRUCIFIX are up to these days, here’s what. They’re in a band that plays pounding, rhythmic dance music with political/ominous overtones along with members of FLUX, I believe. Soon we’ll be hearing from Sothira’s new band, an entirely different thing.
This live LP showcases LIVE SKULL’s guitar-laden, atmospheric post-punk sound. Obstinately non-melodic, the songs on this LP, although excellently recorded, don’t excite (they’re too slow) and don’t stick to the ribs (they’re not catchy enough). Fans of the band will like this, though.
Boy this one’s kinda hard to figure. The sound here is slow and grungy like some mutant of ST. VITUS, if you can put up with that they do it fairly well. But they do manage to pick up the pace during a number of songs. Plus a vocalist who sounds like he’s constipated and he’s doing his best to “force the issue”. Not incredible but worth a listen.
Ultra-catchy Yugoslavian pop punk appears on the tracks here — really, it’s quite a departure from the typically messy, thrashy style popular in this country. KUD IDIJOTI have great melodies on three of four tunes, with nifty choruses in a mid-to-fast tempo style. Fine record.
A rippin’ six-song job that comes bundled with the reissue of their What Happens Next LP. I don’t know if these guys are at it again, but I hope so. Ripping.
Manic vocals set to sporadic musical mayhem — sort of in the BUTTHOLES spirit. I thought you had to be from Texas to do this kinda stuff, but these lads are from Virginia. Will interest the fringe freaks and art trendies.
Three pounding metallish punk songs and one very snappy thrash tune with no metal influence whatsoever.
Edging ever-closer to rock music, GI employs a big sound, usually powerful beat, and big production to get it across. But the lack of a cohesive, unique sound and catchy tunes make the package relatively unmemorable, making them sound like just another slick band on a bigger label.
Pretty rockin’ garage type ’60s punk with a good beat, fuzzed guitar, SEEDS and ELEVATORS influences and nothing lyrics.
Power dual guitar HC with a tasteful metallic touch, this is a fantastic tape, too bad it wasn’t an LP. Nine great songs, imagine SNFU crossed with SSD, NEGATIVE APPROACH. Yeah! Damn good, get this.
These Quincy punks shared the Last Rites For… LP with MIA way back when, died, and are now back to make you gawk in disbelief at their passé stud/skull look. Equally dumbo lyrics and metallish approach make this a joke, unintentionally I’m sure.
A damn hot first tape from this Chicago band, playing power-driving punk and thrash with a sense of melody and good lyrics. Definitely worth investigating.
The two songs on the FRATRICIDE side display a punk style with certain metallish trappings, and lyrics that address the fundamental purpose of punk. On the flip, MISSION OF CHRIST are more demonstrably speedmetal in the vocals and guitars, with lyrics that are forgettable and fuzzy production. Unmemorable.
An anti-violence band with a twist. Seems like the singer is a refugee from Iran, because just about all the songs deal with life in the current regime’s grip, with one song even sung in Farsi. Musically, hardcore with metal/power influences. Interesting.
Welcome to the garage. These Tennessee turkeys play from grunged out punk’n’thrash with appropriate chunky production. Lyrics are in the personal/social vein.
An amusing combination, great stop and go HC mixed with crazed lyrics. From the enclosed photos and liner notes, these characters put on quite a stage show, but do they sleep in oxygen tents like MICHAEL JACKSON? Watch for vinyl.
One of “Live at CBGB” cassettes comes to vinyl life, and life it reverberates. Very powerful hardcore that doesn’t stop, and that might be the only complaint here — the on-going similarity of the emotion you’re being clobbered with. But if you want a dose of sledgehammer HC, you know where to find it.
A full 17 song LP from this durable Bay Area band. They’re varying the pace more these days, and in this case it really works well. Excellent recording, great passionate vocals and screams, and definitely worth a listen. Cool label, too. Support this!
More of the COLORS’ mod (JAM/JOLT) sound. Lots of power pop, power chords, etc.
“I’ll take my Chadbourne and make it a double.” Four sides as crazed and priceless as always. From goofy Martin Mull-ish “In A Sentimental Mood” to BEATLES, BURL IVES, ROGER MILLER psych-out medleys. These records feature bits and pieces of other tapes and even early lost SHOCKABILLY material. There’s the regular dose of insightful, folksy guitar — diddling, singalongs, psychedelia, and political prowess.
This live recording of the Gathering of the 5000 features a good selection of CONFLICT material plus several CRASS numbers done by CONFLICT and Steve Ignorant. For the most part, all 32 songs have a good sound, but the band does have some problems with the CRASS music. Included is a lyric booklet that contains a full explanation of the event. Both ups and downs.
