For anyone who doesn’t own original copies (or those that missed out on the recent box set): Four 7″s fr0m 1980/1981 that helped launch Dischord Records. Featuring (in order of their release dates): Teen Idles Minor Disturbance EP, State Of Alert No Policy EP, Government Issue Legless Bull EP and Youth Brigade Possible EP.
One of the less celebrated bands from the first generation of Dischord/DC hardcore punk, in part, I guess, because of their more advanced musical abilitities – that pushed their sound and style into rockier territories in later years (and let’s face it, the contribution of Grohl, albeit modest, has slightly tarnished their street credibilty). But, head back in time to this debut album of 1983, and you’re hard-pushed to find anything in the whole of early 80’s punk as blazingly fast, tight and hooky as Still Screaming. Definitely a classic, able to match Minor Threat and Bad Brains.
Their first full-length record, released in 1990, recorded at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, and produced and engineered by Don Zientara and Ted Niceley. One of the definitive Fugazi recordings, it pulled together the spirit of the preceding DC hardcore with the sonic tones and rhythms of early 80s post punk (The Ruts, Gang Of Four and, the less known, Empire).
Their second release, recorded in December 1988 at the legendary Southern Studios with John Loder while the band was in England on their first European tour, (It’s a shame they didn’t use his studio services more often – this session has much more attack than their later recordings). This followed the prevous self-titled 12″, and the two records combined kind of made a debut album (both were later released as the CD album 13 Songs). Hearing this recording again, all these years later, leads to me to marvel – damnit, is this not one of their finest moments?
This combines Soulside’s 1988 Trigger mini LP with the three song single, Bass·103 that Dischord released the following year. Groove and rhythm based punk, with strong social commentary, a kind of brother band to Fugazi, they were influential forefathers of what became ‘post-hardcore’. Members went to perform in Girls Against Boys and Rain Like The Sound Of Trains.
The eight songs recorded with Skip Groff at Inner Ear Studio in December of 1980 during their first-ever recording session. Two of the songs (“Disease” and “Stepping Stone Party”) were originally released on the Flex Your Head compilation and “Gonna Have to Fight” was included on the band’s No Policy EP. The rest are unreleased versions. This is the green vinyl reissue of 2020. Comes in a six panel fold-out sleeve.
Red Hare is Shawn Brown, Dave Eight, and Jason Farrell (all formerly of Washington, DC’s, Swiz), and Joe Gorelick (of Garden Variety). Old style and new style, delivered by expert old-hands with exhilarating precision.
Formed by Ian Mackaye and members of Faith, Embrace were the spearhead of a new generation of DC bands that had a renewed spirit of political defiance, combined with a more personal take on punk. Revolution Summer began here. One of those rare ‘words to live by’ albums who’s knock-on effects caused a profound cultural impact on 80’s hardcore punk.
Remastered and made available again on vinyl after its initial press back in 1984. The second and final release from the band that managed to replace macho aggression with introspection and helped redefine punk rock not just in the American capitol but also, in the course of time, the whole world.
Egg Hunt’s first and only single, released in 1986. Jeff Nelson and Ian Mackaye filling time after the demise of Minor Threat; and before the arrival of new projects, Three and Embrace/Fugazi.
