Drunks With Guns - Self-Titled

 Drunks With Guns came from the bowels of St. Louis. The best way to describe the music is with one word: sludge. Slow, droning and a little bizarre. But for some reason it works. The original Drunks With Guns released 10 records, mostly 7"s and half of which are self-titled. This is their self-titled debut L.P. from 1987. Enjoy(?)

I Got My Dick In One Hand

Die Kreuzen - Self-Titled

Die Kreuzen was a powerful band from Wisconsin. They started in 1981 and had a truly unique sound. Noisy, heavy, almost painful! They released an E.P. in 1983 and this full length in '84. Then in 1985 they took a left turn and changed their sound considerably. They released several more albums in the 80's but never made it back to the classic noise of their first releases.

Hmm, I wonder what Tim Yohannon thought of this record:

This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great! This is fucking great!
-Maximum Rock'n'Roll #15

There Ain't Any Reason For You Anymore
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Final Warning - Self-Titled 7"

Don't know much about this Portland band. I believe this was their only release. A slower, heavier sound here. Kinda reminds me of Poison Idea's 'Kings Of Punk' or 'Record Collectors' sound. Good tho.

Holier Than Thou

False Confession - Self-Titled 7"

False Confession was another early '80's 'Nardcore' band. And one of my favorites. Unfortunately, outside of this 7" and a few compilation tracks, there's not much music out there. They leaned toward a more 'spooky' vibe, but not cheesy.

I've Been Left To Burn

Crucifucks - Self-Titled

 What can be said about the Crucifucks? Doc Dart threw this band together in 1981, in Lansing, MI. They played off and on, with Doc being the only constant member, until the late 90's. The pure beauty of the Crucifucks is that they were pretty much anti EVERYTHING, with lyrics going well beyond simple complaining about politics and religion. And Doc Darts insane vocal style hammered them home. They released a couple more L.P.'s but this, their debut from 1985, is easily the most entertaining. And what has Doc Dart been doing since the Crucifucks? Calming down with age? I wonder... And here's another, far more detailed, bio from Vice.

You Will Ignore The President, 'Cause I'm The Establishment

Chronic Disorder - Self-Titled 7"

 Chronic Disorder was a chaotic hardcore band from Hartford, CT. I really loved their first two 7"s, this from 1983 and 'Fred' from 1984. Both are loud and obnoxious punk rock. They released two full length LP's, in '86 and '88 before disbanding. Searching for info on the bands history proved to be a bit chaotic too. I was able to stumble upon some good info from the One Base On An Overthrow blog. It has some history, an interview and some tunes to listen to as well. I believe the band reformed in Washington state after the turn of the century to release a new album.

You Can't Resist The Final Line

Life Sentence - Self-Titled

Life Sentence was a hardcore band from Chicago. They formed around 1984 and released this debut E.P. in '87. Shortly afterward they split and had a legal battle over the rights to the band name. Guitarist/Vocalist Eric B. won the battle and his new Life Sentence put out another album in 1989 and a 7" in '91. This E.P. is great, fast no-frills hardcore.

Punks For Profit

Willful Neglect - Self-Titled

 This is the 1982 debut from Minnesota's own Willful Neglect. I first heard these guys on the 'Party Or Go Home' compilation, doing one of the greatest songs ever - E.M.S. & D., along with eleven more blasts of fast and funny hardcore. They released a second E.P. in '83 called 'Justice For No One'. From (where else?) KFTH, here's the history of the short lived band:

Band History compiled by John Kass (manager)
Willful Neglect were a hardcore punk band from the East Side of St. Paul, Minnesota. The band was formed in late 1981 by Wade Calhoon (vocals), Roger DeBace (guitar), Scott Peterson (drums), Rory Schoenheider (guitar), and Jimmy Wallin (bass). Wade's brother, "Thirston Howell", was the soundman and roadie for the band. Band names were tossed around (Sorry Confusers and Unlikely Whimperers were a few) but eventually the name Willful Neglect was chosen. All members were around 20 to 21 years old.

In less than a year Willful Neglect had 12 original songs and in the summer of '82 decided to record at Blackberry Way Studios with Steve Fjelstad, who also recorded many Twin Tone Records acts. The result was the Willful Neglect 12" EP, released November of 1982 on the band's Neglected Records. 1000 copies were pressed, the first pressing of 500 copies including an insert with some lyrics. Maximum Rock'n'Roll fanzine called "Abort the Mission" from the EP "one of the best songs of 1982" on the cover of MRR issue #4.

Willful Neglect set up and played many shows in halls in St. Paul, bringing in and selling their own booze and using the profits to record and rent the next rehearsal space. They were featured on local CBS affiliate WCCO-TV on a "Local Punk" news report, where a show at Castle Greens in North St. Paul was filmed for broadcast. The band also played clubs in St Paul & Minneapolis such as The 7th Street Entry, McCafferty's, and Goofy's Upper Deck with bands such as Hüsker Dü, Minor Threat, The Circle Jerks, Loud Fast Rules (who became Soul Asylum), The Effigies, Rifle Sport, Man-Sized Action, Final Conflict, Ground Zero, The Reds, and Civil Defense. They then started to play other Midwestern cities such as Chicago and Milwaukee while becoming friends with The Effigies, Die Kreuzen, Naked Raygun, Articles of Faith, Sacred Order, Rights of the Accused, The Clitboys, and Negative Element.

Willful Neglect recorded their second 12" EP Justice For No One in early 1983, once again employing Steve Fjelstad at Blackberry Way. The Replacements recorded their EP Stink the very same month in the same studio. Justice For No One was released in the summer of 1983 on Neglected Records. 1000 copies were pressed. The band then toured the West Coast in August, playing Reno, San Jose, San Francisco, San Fernando Valley, East LA, and Albuquerque. They shared the stage with bands like DRI, SS Decontrol, Government Issue, Agression, Ill Repute, The Fuckups, Los Olvidados, Plain Wrap, and Personality Crisis, and stayed at the BYO house in Hollywood while in southern California. Unfortunately, shows with The Butthole Surfers in San Antonio and Houston had to be cancelled.

When the band got back to Minnesota, they rented an old Christian recording studio in suburban St. Paul and started presenting shows on weekends, which were well-attended by Minneapolis and St. Paul Punks, along with biker gangs and thrill-seekers of all kinds. Spring of 1984 the group entered Control Sound to record their third effort. A much wider variety of music was recorded here, and the result – material for a full-length LP to be titled Big Enough to Get It - can be compared to Bad Religion's Into the Unknown because of its determined effort to get away from the confines of Hardcore Punk. Sadly, this LP was never released, and the band broke up in 1984. Six of the most rocking tracks from Big Enough... have ended up on 1982-1984, a CD released Fall of 2003 on Neglected Records. This CD contains all 23 tracks from both of the first two EPs with the six bonus tracks, and was remastered by Ed Ackerson and Roger DeBace.

Good Clean Fun

T.S.O.L. - Self-Titled 12"

And here's the 1981 debut from T.S.O.L. Some of their best stuff is packed onto this 12". A classic record from a classic punk band.

President Reagan Can Shove It!
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Crucifix - Self-Titled 12"

Here's the 1981 debut from the S.F. powerhouse Crucifix. Five hard and heavy political punk tunes.

You're Too Old

Morally Bankrupt - Self-Titled

Skate punk numbskulls Morally Bankrupt were from, where else, southern California. To my knowledge this was their only release, from 1985. This has since been reissued with a bunch of demo and live tracks. Good, fun skate punk.

What's Wrong With My Skateboard?

45 Grave - Self-Titled

Here is 45 Grave's second E.P., released in 1983. Good and weird.

Those Phantoms Are Your Lies

Murphy's Law - Self-Titled

New York's Murphy's Law originally formed in 1982. This is their first release, from 1986. Great hardcore with lyrics about the important things in life; beer, pot and parties. Although singer Jimmy Gestapo remains the only constant member the band released several more albums over the next 20 years, the last being in 2006. Lyrically they never stray too far from party topics however musically their music leans further towards ska.

Lots Of Herb, And A Keg Of Brew

Suicidal Tendencies - Self-Titled

Here's an all time classic. 12 classic hardcore tunes. If you've never heard this before you're not reading this. And if you've heard it before but don't have it digitally, why are you still reading? Download it, dumbass!!!!

I Have Suicidal Tendencies, But I Can't Kill Myself
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Manifest Destiny - Self Titled

Here's Manifest Destiny's '83 debut. It's unfortunate they didn't release more stuff. Really good SoCal hardcore.

How Come I Gotta Say 'Sir'?

Chaos U.K. - Self-Titled

Chaos U.K. formed in 1979. After releasing a couple of great 7"s they put out this bad boy in 1983. Loud and fast English hardcore. They had an almost complete lineup change after this released and went on for another 20 or so years of recording and touring. I was lucky enough to catch them in '92 or '93. Really entertaining.

You Can Stuff Yer Oi!fer Boneheads. Stick It Up Your Arse

N.O.T.A. - Self-Titled

Here's the 1985 full-length debut from the powerful N.O.T.A. Really great in-your-face hardcore. I think N.O.T.A. was always one of the best in the business.

There's Gonna Be A War, You're Gonna Lose

Killroy - Self-Titled 7"

Here's more melodic hardcore from Killroy. This is their 1983 debut. Good stuff.

We Like To Get Drunk And Be With Friends

Condemned 2 Death - Self-Titled 7"

Here's the 1984 debut from the original Vat Rats, Condemned 2 Death. Wild, frenetic hardcore. They released a CD in 2002 called 'You Can't Kill A Vat Rat' which compiles both records plus some demos and live stuff. If you can find it for sale,buy it! If not, be patient, it'll find its way here eventually.

Dismember, Dismember, Dismember Me

Bedlam - Self-Titled

 Here's another loud and obnoxious hardcore band. This one came from mid-80's New Jersey. They released this full length, a 12" E.P. and a split 7" with A.O.D. Not too much in the way of musicianship really, but fun just the same. They also include a great cover of Elvis' 'Burnin' Love'.

Total Bedlam, Mass Confusion

Nihilistics - Self-Titled

 The Nihilistics were a brutal hardcore band from Long Island, New York. Profane, angry and hateful. I liked it alot! They released a 7" in 1982 and followed that up in 1983 with this LP. That was pretty much it until 1989, when they released 3 more albums and a 13th anniversary package between '89 and '92. I love this quote I stumbled upon on Trouser Press:

People hate hardcore precisely for stuff like this, but the Nihilistics went far enough to almost make it work.

Fuck The Human Race

Bad Posture - Self-Titled

Here's another legendary punk band from California. I first heard San Francisco's Bad Posture on the 'Not So Quiet...' comp. Sadly, this is their only release, but it was easily one of my favorites. Raw and mean.

I Was Born On A Day When God Was Sick

Neighborhood Watch - Self-Titled E.P.

Neighborhood Watch out of Venice, California played rough and unpolished hardcore. Great stuff. They were active for a short time in the early 80's. I believe this was their only release, from 1983.

Gonna Be An Onslaught

Adolescents - Self-Titled

The Adolescents were a legendary punk band out of Southern California. Great early hardcore that influenced countless bands that came after. Here's their classic debut from 1981.

Bored Boys With Nothing To Do

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Bad Religion - Self-Titled 7"

Here's another band that's hung in there since the early days, although their sound has evolved quite a bit over the years. Their lyrics have always been intelligent however on the earlier releases you don't need a dictionary to read along.This is their first release from 1981.

Gotta Free Your Little Mind

Tales Of Terror - Self-Titled

Tales Of Terror was a sloppy skate punk band from Sacramento. They existed between 1982 and 1986 but unfortunately only released this LP, in 1984. Good, mostly humorous stuff. It also includes a great cover of 'Hound Dog'.

I Got An Elvis Tattoo
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NOFX - Self-Titled 7"

NOFX has been going strong since 1983. And honestly, outside of the obvious improvement in musicianship, there's not much of a difference between between this record, their debut 7" from 1985 and their latest release in 2010. And that's a good thing!

I Can Count My Friends On One Hand
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Negative Approach - Self-Titled 7"

Once again, behold the awesome power that was Negative Approach. This is their debut 7" released in 1982. Angry and fantastic!

Who Are You To Say What's Wrong And What's Right

Bad Brains - Self-Titled ROIR Cassette

Here is the power and glory of the Bad Brains. Released in 1982 as a ROIR cassette, it is a fantastic display of why the Bad Brains were one of the greatest bands of all time. Ripping fast tunes like 'Attitude' and 'Pay To Cum' combined with the reggae beat of 'I Love I Jah' and the full on heavy sound of 'The Big Takeover' make this an absolute, top of the line classic.

We Got That Attitude
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