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Sheer Terror
Government Issue recorded five studio versions of their song, “Sheer Terror” and two live versions. Plus, I’m sure if you count all the bootlegs and Mystic Records compilations you’d probably find another four versions. Ranking them is surprisingly tough, much like a small child each one has it’s own personality. Each time they recorded it, the song became longer and longer until finally it reached its apex (three minutes and thirty-two seconds) on 1983’s Boycott Stabb. After that, it got shorter each time until the final version, which they decided to stretch out to a reasonable two minutes and forty seconds. That’s fair. Punk is a fickle audience and the mid 80s were not kind. After their lineup change in the late 80s they didn’t play it as much (if not at all) which is probably for the better. The song itself is an anomaly, it really is, if for no other reason than the fact they recorded it over and over again for no real, tangible reason. They might have done it just to annoy people. The first version of the song was taped in July 1981 at Inner Ear Studios, and Stabb let his emotions show in a very transparent way. Essentially what he’s trying to say is “leave me alone”. I always assumed the lyrics were directed at some varsity high school football players, but who knows. It’s one of those songs you either love or you skip over. I can’t think of any other band (at least in contemporary music) who recorded and released this many versions of their own song.
Sheer Terror
“It irritates you, the way I dress
it bothers you, my hair so short
I don’t it to annoy you, I confess
I hate you, and all your sort
Sheer Terror
Destroying things, are easy to do
but me, I just like scaring you
you wonder what goes on, in my head
don’t try to find out, or you’ll be dead”
Make An Effort version
The second version is probably my favorite. The bass is high in the mix pretty good, clean vocals without any monster noises. This is the first version to feature Stabb laughing maniacally at the beginning. Brian Baker plays the riff a little differently than the Legless Bull version. His tone on this is choppy as all hell and sounds really dirty. Great great great. Stabb has some crazy delay thing happening on his voice where he kind of bounces the “terrorrroroorr” around. They play this version on both shows from 82 and 83 on their DVD, “A HarDCore Days’ Night”, which also has lots of bonus footage and interviews.
Live at CBGB’s version
“Sheer Boredom”, Stabb says at the beginning. This version is from the “No Way Out 82” LP, the only live recording with guitar player Brian Baker. This one is probably the fastest version and the most dynamic. Brian hits these rich harmonic notes during the last verse that are pretty sweet and Stabb is obviously sweaty and mad.
Legless Bull version
Original version from their 1981 EP, Legless Bull. This one may have the longest pauses between the verses and the choruses not to mention the snottiest vocals. Stabb is kind of melodic on this version and John Barry’s guitar is at times twangy and out of tune, kinda adds an interesting layer underneath the rhythm.
2012 version
From the most recent show in December at The Black Cat. Kinda sweaty, kinda diggin’ the middle eastern vibe. The only version with a bona-fide solo. Two thumbs up.
Joy Ride version
This is the version where Stabb sings all of those “AHHhhh’s” in the beginning over the bass line. This is definitely the weirdest version, because you can tell they are so over the damn song in terms of taking it seriously that it’s kind of an inside joke at this point. And they used a cowbell, so there’s that.
Boycott Stabb version
This one is the jam. This is the one where they used a tape delay. Not 100% sure but it sounds like a Roland Tape Echo, which when held down give you that super high-pitched escalation. There is some crazy ass delay on this too plus a lot of deep background noises and what sounds like haunted house sound effects. A slight deviation in plans.
Live 1985 versions
They play “Sheer Terror” twice on this DVD, once at Fender’s Ballroom and another at The Olympic Auditorium.
2010 version
Live at the Black Cat from the 2010 show. Bringin’ it back!
1986 version
This version appears as the last song on their 1986 self-titled LP. Musically this one is tight and well put together, they even found time for rack tom fills. In all fairness though Stabb sounds great on the rest of the record but not on this take. I can’t tell if he’s hamming it up or not, which probably means he is. I can’t imagine J Robbins playing this song so I’m kinda glad this was the end of the line. Maybe that was part of Pete Moffet and J Robbins contract, along with the red M&M’s they had a “no Sheer Terror” clause.
Sheer Terror the band
Is Sheer Terror the band named after Sheer Terror the song? The New York band made their first recordings around 1985 so it’s possible. Sheer Terror the band is nothing like Sheer Terror the song in that they’re really not into repetition. On the other hand they are into slowing down the tempo and plodding along. The band definitely hates you, so they have that in common.
