V/A - D.C. Demos

To end the month we have what I believe to be an unofficial compilation release of some old demos that were probably just laying around the Dischord house. 4 classic bands, Artificial Peace, Faith, Void and Double O. No, it doesn't really break any new ground, but dammit, don't you just have to pop some old DC hardcore in every once in a while?!

harDCore

149 Dead Marines - Gunshot Body Count Demo

Here's some good old fashioned 80's hardcore from the great state of Iowa. Hardcore the way it was meant to be heard. Or at least the only way a lot of the bands could be heard. The Demo Tape. 149 Dead Marines released this tape in 1984 or 85. And it's really cool hardcore, I think.

Whatever You Are I Know I'm Not

Zounds - The Curse Of Zounds! + Singles

Zounds were a band of 'dirty squatters' that used to hang in the Crass camp. Though their ideals align, musically Zounds are far less abrasive than Crass. Worth a listen if you haven't already.

Did He Jump Or Was He Pushed?

Youth Of Today - Can't Close My Eyes

In my mind no band embodied the "Youth Crew" sound more than CT's Youth Of Today. Ray Cappo's snarls pretty much defined it for me. This was originally released as a debut 7" in 1985. It was then released as a 12" in 1988. This version, however is a 1997 CD re-issue. It contains a couple extra goodies tacked on the end. And, in case you were wondering, Lagophthalmos is the inability to close the eyelids completely. And now you can say you've learned something today.

Me, You, Youth Crew!

Xtract - Blame It On The Youth 7"

Here's a really cool punk 7" from a really cool punk band. Xtract started in the UK in 1979. I believe this was their only proper release, from 1983. However they did reform and release an LP in 2015.

Justice Is A Load Of Bollox

Wehrmacht - Shark Attack

Don't let the ultra bad ass German name fool you. These guys are just a bunch of drunk metal punks from Portland. This is their 1987 offering, and it's a lot of crossover fun.

Anti - Fuck All The Rest

Vengeance - Oxnard Hardcore Demo 1983

This 7" was put out in 2012 by a "label" that seems to have re-released a lot of old stuff. The problem? I don't think this band was from Oxnard. Is this the Hayward, Ca Vengeance with the track on the 'Not So Quiet' comp? A commenter on Discogs.com says they're from neighboring Ventura. It seems details might have been lost to time. What we do know is this 7" delivers 12 songs of blistering early 80's hardcore from... somewhere.

Strung Out Hippie Tried To Be My Friend

Upright Citizens - Open Eyes, Open Ears, Brains To Think & A Mouth To Speak

Staying in West Germany for one more day we have the great Upright Citizens. Originally formed in early 1981 they had a nice healthy run for a couple decades. However, as the 80's continued they, like alot of other bands at the time, adopted a slower, more rock or 'post-hardcore' (insert 'frustrated face' emoji here) sound. This 1985 release seems to bridge the gap between the two.

Lest We Forget

Toxoplasma - Demos 1981-1982

Toxoplasma was one of the great early German punk bands. This 2011 release combines two of their earliest demos. And it's a great listen.

Teenagefrust

Siekiera - 1984

We head behind the Iron Curtain today with Polish punks Siekiera. Recorded in 1984 but not released until 20 years later. The sound quality is a bit rough, but come on....

Piwko Dla Wojska

Ribzy - '81-'85 Recordings

Now here's some old school hardcore. So Cal' NorCal's Ribzy is one of those bands that never actually released an album of their own. However they did hit the studio several times. Here's a great collection of at least four of those times. Good stuff!

Let's All Take A Trip Back In Time

The Queers - A Proud Tradition 2x7"

From some of the more serious hardcore to certainly some of the most silly. Regardless of the ever changing lineup, the Queers seem to always enjoy their work. And they've been doing it pretty much non stop since the very early 80's. This double 7" compiles their first two 7" releases.

I'm In A Rut, Don't Give A Shit

The Proletariat - Soma Holiday

Although the Proletariat ran in the Boston hardcore circles they were certainly not carbon copies of the other bands. Their sound to me is more reminiscent of some of the stuff coming out of Chicago at the time. Real "intelligent" stuff. Here's their first full length, from 1983.

No Lesser Of Evils

Our Neighbors Suck - Isolation

I always loved the name of this Arizona outfit. And I have definitely been there! But to be fair, I've had alot of neighbors that would certainly be able to say the same thing. But that was way back when, long before I was the upstanding pillar of the community that I am today. And by the way, if you're wondering, that statement is indeed an example of this 'Fake News' that everyone is talking about. So, anyway, here's Our Neighbors Suck and their 1985 LP.

Give Me Fun

Negazione - Lo Spirito Continua...

From artsy punk to thrashing hardcore. Italy's Negazione could bring it with the best of 'em. Here's their great 1986 release.

Un Amaro Sorriso

Mood Of Defiance - Now

Some artsy LA punk today. Definitely an interesting release. I mean... 2½ minutes of rainfall? All in all a good listen.

You're So Sweet You Make Me Sick

L.D.S. - Nightmare

I don't know too much about this Salt Lake City outfit. I do know they dig horror movies, though. Although not particularly groundbreaking, this 1986 release is a cool hardcore LP.

B-Grade Splatter, You Can Watch It For Hours

Kuro - Who The Helpless? + 10 Tracks

I have to think even the casual visitor around here is bound to know my feelings about 80's Japanese hardcore. Well, Kuro fits the bill quite nicely. This 2005 re-release is pretty self-explanatory. You'll find their 1984 LP plus... wait for it... 10 extra tracks from other sources. So great!

Human Clash

Jackshit - Hicktown 7"

So, we all know that 7 Seconds are straight edge legends, right? But from time to time that can get a little boring. So, when that happens what can you do? Well, in 1984 Kev and Steve grabbed some friends and released this 7" under the name Jackshit. Everything Jackshit is 7 Seconds isn't. Obnoxious fun.

Hey There Gimp

Instigators - Nobody Listens Anymore

Vegan-heavy Anarchists the Instigators played some great English punk throughout the 80's. This is their first "proper" full length release, from 1985.

You're Not Free!

Half Life - All Our Yesterdays

Time for some sludgy, bass-heavy punk rock from Pittsburgh's Half Life. This 2002 collection puts together a couple releases and comp tracks.

Under The Knife

Gray Matter - Take It Back EP

So, the kids call it "post-hardcore", I never liked that label. But damn I like this band. Another great, and way too short EP.

Love And Lies And Neurosis

Final Conflict - Ashes To Ashes

Got some really good California hardcore for you today. Old school, from 1987.

Self-Righteous Pigs

Effigies - Remains Nonveiwable

The Effigies were among the first wave of great Chicago punk bands. This is a compilation release featuring a healthy dose of some of their earliest releases. Indeed a Must Listen.

People Who Frown Are Just A Bore

Deep Wound - Self-Titled

Deep Wound came storming out of Western Massachusettes like a house on fire. And then... they were gone. Leaving precious little for us to remember them by. Here's a 1997 release that chronicles most, if not all of their recorded history.

Sick Of Having Fun

Crass - Christ: The Album

Crass time. This massive ("crassive"?) collection was originally released in 1982. While not as challenging to listen to as some of their other releases (I'm looking at you 'Yes Sir, I Will'), it is an interesting and entertaining release.

Ain't It Just A Rip Off, Oi, Oi, Oi

Big Black - Songs About Fucking

B is for Big Black. Steve Albini's noise machine came into existence around 1981 and exploded eardrums until around 1987. After announcing their soon-to-come breakup they recorded this classic LP, because that's just the way they did things. If it were 1987 I would say 'crank this baby up and piss off your parents.' But instead, 30 years later, I'll say 'crank this baby up and embarrass your kids!'

Just A Bad Penny

Asexuals - Be What You Want

Ok, enough of this new stuff. Let's go way back and hang out in the 80's this month. And, since I haven't done it in a while I'm gonna post one a day every day this month. And of course, because I'm anal-retentive, we're going to do it alphabetically.

We begin with the Montreal outfit the Asexuals. Formed in 1983, they went all "college radio-friendly in the late 80's. But this first full length from 1984 is a really entertaining release.

We Seek No Glory