In 1986, Dag Nasty released their landmark first album Can I Say. An acknowledged classic, Dischord has recently unearthed an alternate and earlier version of this album, but with one notable difference. These versions feature original vocalist Shawn Brown, who would later front the equally incredible Swiz as well as Sweetbelly Freakdown and Jesuseater. As such, Brown’s style is rawer and even more impassioned than that of Dave Smalley, the former DYS singer who became Dag Nasty’s roadie before taking over on vocals after Brown’s departure.
Had the album been released in this form, I would argue that it would had just as much of an impact upon the DC scene and the national and international hardcore punk scene in general. Though the vocal styles are different, the music is much the same. However, there are a few minor differences. Dag with Shawn omits “Values Here” and “What Now”?, which open side 1 and side 2 on Can I Say. Furthermore, it adds “Another Wrong”, a track that never appeared on an album.
Most of this material has been released before, albeit not in this form. Previously, Selfless Records put out the also great but scattershot 85-86 compilation that featured some of these recordings along with other alternate recordings featuring both Smalley and later vocalist Peter Cortner. That compilation didn’t feature the songs “Thin Line” or “One to Two”, though, and the presentation here is completely different, too. Thus, fans will want this.
