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Bomb – 17 Reasons Why, To Elvis from Hell & Sex Kiss Cage (Hitsofacid.com)
You can read my full blog post about these here.
The Lewd – Kill Yourself…Again (Chuckie Boy)
I knew The Lewd from the inclusion of “Kill Yourself” on one of the Killed By Death comps, but it would be almost ten years until I’d finally hear their LP American Wino, which is now one of my favorite punk albums of all time. This CD collects the “Kill Yourself” EP, American Wino and lots of great demos into one convenient package, but it’s really the LP tracks that stand out the most. J. Sats Beret’s voice gives me chills – he sounds like somebody who has finally been pushed over edge and it’s turned him into a raving maniac. Turbonegro covered the classic “Mobile Home” on Ass Cobra.
Pure Hell – Noise Addiction (Welfare)
Before Bad Brains came to NYC and reinvented punk rock, there was Pure Hell, an all black ‘70s punk band whose music out-*Dead Boys*-ed the Dead Boys. This is absolutely one of the best unknown albums I’ve ever heard and it’s a crime that they’re not recognized beside their peers.
Death – For the Whole World to See (Drag City)
Another all black band. This trio of brothers out of Detroit made some of the best mid-70’s proto-punk that easily holds its own when compared to The Stooges, MC5 and even early Grand Funk. Unfortunately, they didn’t last long and there’s only seven songs on this collection, but I’m grateful for what we have.
None of the Above – None of the Above (Rabid Cat)
I read about these guys in Steven Blush’s American Hardcore and found them intriguing because they were from Oklahoma, but I could never find anything by them. I’m happy to say, it was well worth the wait. This LP smokes!
Die Kreuzen – Cows & Beer (Version Sound)
I met a guy at The Knitting Factory in NY who saw my Black Flag shirt and said I should really check out Die Kreuzen’s early stuff. He was right! This is some raging, manic hardcore from Wisconsin, the land of cheese.
Code of Honor – Fight or Die, What Are We Gonna Do? 7” & Beware the Savage Jaw (Subterranean)
Vocalist Jonathin Christ recently died so I’ve been listening to these and bumming on his passing.
Bl’ast – The Power of Expression (Wishingwell)
Thanks to Matthew Berlyant for pointing these guys out. Bl’ast were one of the rare hardcore bands that latched onto what Black Flag were doing on My War and Slip It In and went with it.
Voorhees – Smiling at Death (Grand Theft Audio)
Another recommendation from Matthew Berlyant. This English band produced some extremely tough Negative Approach-inspired hardcore thrash. Most of the songs are a minute or less in length.
Flitox – No. 1 EP (Jungle Hop)
This forgotten French punk band sounds a bit like RF7 on this, their debut from 1986.
