last month's tradelist update
This month's stats:
Loses: Zero Tolerance "Bad Blood" ep on gold, a Bauhaus record, an Our Turn 7", Iron Lung CDr demo, later pressing of Side By Side 7", 1st Earth Crisis 7" on Conviction, some random xveganx mosh dollar bin records, 2 versions of the Lights Out 7", some Good Clean Fun 7"s on colored vinyl, repressing of Sluggo ep, Chain of Strength "WHUA" rejected mix, Welcome To 1984 comp LP, Cut The Shit one sided 7"
Cash: $679
-$500 from selling crap on ebay
=$179
Criminally Insane (Parts Unknown, Family press #'d/10, no b-side screen, hand drawn label)
Criminally Insane (Parts Unknown, "has done run out of covers" press #'d/20)
Criminally Insane (Parts Unknown, clrear wax) All throw ins for a trade for a Zero Tolerance 7" on gold. A very nice little record. Boston meets Cleveland by way of Toronto.
Cursed "Hell Comes Home" b/w "Search and Destroy" (Hangin' Like A Hex, white vinyl) throw in for the Zero Tolerance trade. Thick guitars, and kinda Gehenna-esque vocals and disgust for humanity. Quality jam.
Discharge "The Price of Silence" b/w "Born To Die In The Gutters" (Clay) The production sets it apart from their earlier stuff. It's no "Fight Back," but so long as you don't expect it to be, it's a good listen. Maybe $6 or so off ebay?
Effigy "Grinding Metal Massacre" (Crust War)
Effigy/Havaistys (Whisper In Darkness)
Effigy/Hellshock (Kangaroo) Effigy is a Japanese band Spencer talks about a lot. I slept on 'em for awhile, but I saw a bunch of titles in a Distro, so I picked 'em all up. I wish I spent enough time on each recording to really distinguish them, but basically Effigy plays competant metal infused Japanese crust with great production and attention to songwritting so that the songs don't just blend together like many who play that style. The altered "Protest And Survive" riff on the first cut on the split w/ Hellshock is a real crusher. There's this voice the singer has where it sounds like he's actually sucking IN air intead of screaming it out. It has a really eerie effect. I really what I've heard from these guys so far.
Final Conflict "The American Scream" (Nemesis, clear) Totally up to par with anything on the mighty "Ashes to Ashes" LP. I haven't heard this record since middle school, and it holds up suprisingly well, save for the silly samples at the beginning of the songs. This was maybe $7 or $8 on the bay? Same guy as the Discharge single and 3 LPs, so I saved some skrilla on shipping
Framtid/Disclose (Whisper In Darkness) Got this from the same distro as all the Effigy stuff. I need to give it some more attention before I say anything. I remember enjoying the Framtid side, though.
Fucked Up "Police" b/w "Municipal Prick" (Deranged, hand drawn sleeve #'d/10)
Fucked Up/Haymaker (Deep Six, white) Also part of the Zero Tolerance on gold trade. Seriously, you know the obsession has reached unhealthy proportions when you start getting into variations like these. I wouldn't have it any other way, though.
Hangnail "Sexually Oriented" (Hibachi, red) Glad this found it's way back to me. Traded it awhile ago for some Town of Hardcore back issues or something, and it was a throw-in with the Zero Tolerance trade. Ballistic Clevo nihilism with zero world guitar drone.
Mental "s/t" aka "yo" (Lockin' Out, orange) gave Kyle $50 for TJ hookers and he gave me this, the RJ on red, the DYS poster, and some 'zines and stuff. I traded this awhile ago for a Burn on pink, so it's nice to get it back.
Project X "s/t" (Schism, original w/ stamped labels, no 'zine) Well, I wanted to get something big with the money I got off ebay, and this was it. $300 in paypal fun money, and I regret nothing! Well more than twice the money I've ever spent on a record, but I've wanted an original since I was 15, and I don't think I'll ever NOT want it, so fuck it.
Rupture/Slavestate (Me First) A throw-in on the Zero Tolerance trade. Haven't heard it yet.
Bumbklaat "Ciegos" (Despotic, orange) Yes, I waited 'til this was out on vinyl to buy it, and at $5 nonetheless. Nice to finally own this recording after seeing the band so many times
Bastards "Demo 82" (Assel) Haven't really given this the attention it deserves. Got it from the same distro as the Effigy records and all that. I don't know, I kinda feel I need to hear the real records from these guys before I can fully appreciate ultra-raw demo recordings
Discharge "Grave New World" (Profile) What's wrong with me? I know this record is bad, but for some reason I keep listening to it. I think the flat tone of the King Diamond meets Cartman from Southpark vocals trigger some sort of dopemine receptors in my brain which makes me listen to this more than 1/2 a time. I dunno, maybe it's really a good record? Time will tell. This is far from over...Oh yeah, got it for about $8 from the same ebay guy as the Dischrge single, etc.
Disorder "The Singles Collection" (Riot City) Wow, some of this stuff sounds better than I remember. Nihilistic stumble punx vomit music.
Forward "While You Alive" (HG Fact) Ugh, I paid a little more for this than I should, something like $30 with shipping from some dude in the Netherlands. I've wanted this for awhile, but I really got it to combine shipping with an Integrity tape, but homeboy said he had to send the tape seperately anyways, and it still has yet to arrive. Again, "ugh." I've been so troubled by the fiasco that I haven't given this record the attention it deserves. Such an unjust world.
Gloom "Vokusatsu Seisen Hatansha" (Crust War) more of a document than anything else. I just wanted to get it before I couldn't find it anymore. I got this from the same distro as the Bastards demo LP and Effigy stuff. Anything I ever get from this band will just be tribute to the greatness that is "Recomendation for Perdition."
Gudon "1984-1990" (Partners In Crime) My bad for sleeping on the colored wax version of this. Oh well. $15 from the Havoc distro. Quality jams all around. I keep neglecting the later material on here 'cause I'm obsessed with the 1st disc. Totally raging, that's all I have to say. The 1st Neos 7" comes to mind because of the vocals and blown out drum mix. The world isn't good enough for this collection, though. Seriously great.
Poison Idea "Feel The Darkness" (Alchemy/American Leather) Ouch. Hearing records this good for the first time always makes me feel really bad, like, why wasn't I raised on this record? I mean, Pick Your King, Record Collectors..., and "Kings of Punk" were favorites in my formative years, why didn't I opt to feel the darkness? Seriously, though, this tops Breakdown's "Blacklisted" as far as best record I've gotten all year is concerned. Perfect HC LP.
Quicksand "Manic Compression" (Revelation) I still owe Fernie a Bauhaus record for this one. For some reason I realized I now have this record on three formats and have never heard it. Just another piece in the Don Fury collection.
Tomorrow "Chiedi Troppo" (Answer, gray wax) Listened to this once. Didn't really catch my ear, but I wasn't paying too much attention. $10 from the Havoc distro
v/a "Toronto City Omnibus" (Schizophrenic, green) yet another throw-in in the Zero Tolerance trade. Also another part of the Fucked Up collection. Deal with it.
v/a “Welcome to 1984” (MRR) about $8 from the same ebay dude with the discharge and disorder records. One of my favorite comps ever. Traded it in part for some Oath test pressings and stuff, figuring I could easily get it back...Hey, I was right!
Gehenna "Birth of Vengeance" (Area 51)
Gehenna/Apt. 213 (Area 51) Got both of these in trade for an Our Turn 7" and an Iron Lung demo CDr (w/out burlap sac, 'cause I used that to try and sprout beans waaaaay back when...Don't ask, man). I think this is my third time owning these. One of those bands I REALLY want to like in theory (you know, hatred for humanity and all) but when I listen to the records the hatred really doesn't come out as much as I'd like it to.
Mandela Strikeforce "s/t" (ladder, no sleeve) I think this cost me $3 ppd from ebay, but I feel like a numbnuts 'cause I see a copy on Chad's list that he's selling. Oh well, someone else get it from him, 'cause this is actually a good record. Of course I probably (DEFINATELY) wouldn't give this the time of day if it wasn't for the pre-Ink and Dagger connection (Sean is definately singing, and it sounds A LOT like early I&D guitar work). I guess if Crud Is A Cult was the hardcore roots of I&D, this would be the idiosyncratic/indie rock side. You hear a lot of I&D signature moves, especially in the guitarwork and songwritting, but the record kind of lacks the momentum and urgency of the 1st two I&D 7"s. China man rikey
Side By Side "You're Only Young Once..." (Revelation, first pressing white labels w/ insert) Got this for a 1st pressing of Earth Crisis's "All Out War" and a 2nd press of the SBS 7" w/ a xeroxed cover. One of the hugest guitar sounds in the Rev catalog
Slipknot "s/t" (Revelation, red vinyl) Just got this 'cause of the DF connection and 'cause I got it for a bunch of random xvegan moshx from the same kid w/ the SBS 7", but I was suprised to actually like the record. Manic crossover thrash that sounds like it belongs on Earache, or sharing a stage with Impulse Manslaughter or someone. Great over the top vocals a'la Accused. Fully took me by suprised.
Demise "s/t" (cover says "limited edition" and is #'d/100, solid yellow wax w/ multi-color splatter, not to be confused w/ the clear vinyl w/ multi-color splatter version) Got this for $10 at a record swap. Pretty fucking raging crossover ultracore from Velencia, CA, same area and era as the comprable Infest. I guess using Infest as a reference point, if you replaced Infest's DYS/SOA influence w/ early Obituary, you'd have a pretty good idea of what these cats sound like. Of course this came out the same year as "Slowly We Rot" so the Obituary influence is just a coincidence, but still, an early Deathmetal vibe is very apparent. File w/ Chopping Block in your 2nd tier powerviolence section.
Nerve Agents "The Butterfly Collection" (Hellcat) Now I like this band's records and all, but I felt silly for buying this (well, it was a part of a package deal at a record show) 'cause like, do I really need 3 Nerve Agents 12"s when I barely listen to one? But this is actually pretty good. From listening to once side I can say I probably like it more than the other NA stuff I have. The bass playing is kinda annoying (just play the fucking rhythm, Billy Sheehan), but Ozene's voice is on point as usual. All around, and up to par HC record
No Warning "Ill Blood" (Bridge 9, brown and red) Got this in trade for two Lights Out 7"s on colored wax (I REGRET NOTHING!!!). I slept on this band for awhile, and all nu-metal controversy and Toronto kult fetish aside, this is a solid contemporary moshy HC record. Better than the Final Word 7", but not quite up there w/ "Lowest of the Low."
Prong "Force Fed" (In Effect) $1 bin record show find. Haven't heard these guys since middle school. Not sure if this'll hold up, but I'm confident that I'll at least get my dollar's worth. Use this as evidence against me when I make outlandish claims of Prong being my new favorite band in 6 months.
Runnamucks "On The Brink" (Kangaroo/Even Worse) Alright, I have a weakness: whenever I see a contemporary HC record in a dollar bin I HAVE to buy it. Don't ask me why. I'm told this band is actually good, though, so maybe I'll give it a spin.
Captain Beefheart "Lick My Decals Off, Baby (Reprise) I always wanted to hear this record, and I can't really tell you why. I rarely if ever listen to the Beefheart records I have, but I inexplicably check the Beefheart sections of record stores for this specific album, and I'm not sure I've ever seen it in person for a reasonable price. Found this for $10 at the record show, so I guess I just got it for closure. I really want to like this band in principle, but usually I just get annoyed and antsy when I play their records, kinda like most early Earache releases.
Velvet Underground "White Light/White Heat" (Verve, blue labels w/ tattoo cover) always wanted a copy of this, my supposed favorite record of all time, w/ a tattoo sleeve, but never find one for a reasonable price. That ended when I found this for $10 at a record show. Typical VG/VG condition, but fug it.
Dug Dugs "Lost In My World" (RCA, '71, repress) Fuck, I haven't bought an "obscure" psych reissue for so long, reason being 9/10 times it's a let down, but holy crap, after only playing this a few times I can say withough a shadow of doubt that it's a full on monster! Side A slays with a total psych-->hard rock crossover vibe, a'la Josefus or Blues Creation. The 2nd side is more melodic Beatlesey stuff. I haven't really spent enough time with this to give a worthy "review," but as a guy who's bought a lot of "psych monster" reissues, listened to 'em once or twice and filed 'em away, I can say that this album's definately something I'll come back to and think about often. $15 at the swap.
Nitzinger "s/t" (Capitol/EMI) I'm gonna go out on a limb here: any band you see a member of Angry Samoans sporting a shirt of prior to, say, '81, I strongly endorse getting into. Totally up to par TX boogie rock. I've actually been looking for this for awhile, so I didn't mind the (slightly inflated) $15 price tag.
Van Halen "Panama" 2xLP (March 30th, 1984 bootleg, Harlet Records) Overbearing crowd noise and I presume a slightly sped up tape, but the rawness of the recording totally enhances the energy of the overall recording. I mean, just dig this set: Unchained, Hot For Teacher, Drum Solo, On Fire, Running With The Devil, Little Guitars, House of Pain, Bass Solo, Jamie's Crying, I'll Wait, Everybody Wants Some, Ice Cream Man, Jump, Eruption, Pretty Woman, panama, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' About Love. I'm just imagining seeing those 1st five songs hammered out live when the band was in their prime...Mad bonars.
Bludgeon "Body Lure" (Area 51) Okay, I'll admit it, I just got this 'cause I got the two Gehenna 7"s and wanted to get all the Area 51 releases. Plus it was $2. I barely listened to it once, and from what I heard it seems like these guys really took the guitar sound on "In Contrast of Sin" to heart.
Cider "They Are The Enemy" (Painkiller) I actually slept on getting this for awhile because despite the kult status of the 1st Cider 7", the tape I have of it really didn't do much for me. This is way better, though. Super devastating bass sound. I can see myself coming back to this record periodically throughout the years.
Crawlpappy "Temple Body" b/w "Mind's Eye" (Blackout) Another notch in the Don Fury belt. That's about all I can say for this one. Got it from the dollar bin, where it belongs.
Diet of Worms "Aren't You Hungry?" (Old World) '83 demo from a semi-obscure OK band. I recognized their name from a BCT tape, so figured fug-it, and picked it up for $2. I guess you could say I got my money's worth.
Psywarfare "Candyman" (Locust Furnace, pink wax, w/ "Seasons The Size of Days" lyrics) Yeah, got this off ebay for the Seasons lyric sheet. Cost less than $2 off ebay
Wishful Thinking "Rise to Suprise" (Community Chest) A pure gem of un-hyped late 80's Wester Mass HC. I've honestly never heard of anyone outside of Western Mass talk about these guys (I got turned on by a Masshole who was drunkenly raging to the record while it was playing), and the record was pressed twice for a total in a total of 600 copies, so it's unlikely this record'll "catch on" with younger generations anytime soon. It's a shame, 'cause this totally holds its own with any of the majors of the era (Side By Side, Crippled Youth, etc.) The singer/guitar player (I think) plays in a newer band called Irritators, who're totally great in an Effigies/Toxic Reasons kinda way. Got this from the said dude for $5 and a reissue of the Sluggo 7".
Oath "s/t" 9" (Coalition, test pressing o the 9" on a 10") Got this and tons of other stuff from Jeroen of Coalition/Oath for a Chain of Strengh "WHUA" rejected press (NOT Chain Crew sleeve), a "Welcome to 1984" comp and that Cut The Shit one sided 7". He threw in TONS of crap, so it was rad.
Oath "Korper Kulture" 10" (Coalition, clear vinyl w/ white streaks, blowup doll cover, #'d/75) another part of "the coalition trade." Still haven't really compared mixes of this to the 9." I'll put that on my "to do" list.
Strong Intention "Extermination Vision" (Coalition, silkscreened cover/50) This is strange for me, 'cause I've never really liked any record these cats have done, or at least never paid close enough attention, but this is like, a perfect extreme HC record. 10" on 45, so it's really short, totally humorless, no samples or anything, thick guitars, vocals way on top and harsh. Full on Crossed Out vibe. I'm gonna pretend this is the only record these guys have ever put out and fully sing its praises. This kills. Again, part of the Coalition trade.
97a "Abandoned Future" (Coalition, ltd. sleeve #'d/97) Yep, another part of the Coalition trade. I haven't heard this shit in years, and haven't gotten the chance to listen to this yet.
Bad Brains "I Against I" (SST, Orange wax) finally a copy of this on orange vinyl that's NOT scratched to shit finds its way back to my collection. I've been listening to this record like crazy since I got it. A fine example of a record I probably would have hated if I heard it at 16 but with only with what I know now can I fully appreciate this. I think this was something like $16 from ebay? A paltry fee...
Curtainrail "Tokyo Violence" (Coalition, ltd. sleeve #'d/100, white vinyl) Played this once and wasn't really paying attention. Sounds like that Real Reggae/FOTB style of Japanese HC that was popular at the time. Perhaps further listens will reveal deeper insight. Again, part of the Coalition trade.
Let It Burn "Here's To Goodbyes" (Coalition, ltd. sleeve #'d/94) Another throw in from the Coalition trade I haven't gotten the chance to spin yet.
Oath "s/t" (Dim Mak, very light blue vinyl) I like this record. As futile as it is to "collect" different versions of Oath records, uh, fuck it, why not. Another part of the Coalition trade.
Repos "s/t" (Youth Attack, test press) A very nice piece to have. Part of the Coalition trade.
Chance Operation "s/t" (Jeep) This is a total monster. I took a gamble on this solely based on the Friction connection, so I was suprised how much I really like this. Each song has it's own style, with DNA infused Talking Heads as a solid foundation. "Din" is definately the standout track, with a killer lockgroove big muff'd out bassline an clean distorted Lindsay-esque slide guitar skronkery. It kills me, 'cause I know there's gotta be hundreds of bands who sound like this from Japan that I'm pretty much in the dark on. Oh well, that's part of the fun, huh. This and the Fall record were like, $40 ppd from ebay. well worth it.
The Fall "Early Years: 77-79" (Faulty Products) I've only heard way later stuff from this band and the "Live At The Witch Tials" LP, and neither really did much for me, but I'm really liking this, what I assume, is a singles collection. maybe now I can approach their other stuff with more insight. this and the Chance Operation 12" were $40 ppd from the bay.
Roxy Music “For Your Pleasure” (Warner Brothers, test pressing) Something kinda satisfying about getting major label test pressings. Can't really tell you what it is, though. $20 or so off ebay for a test pressing of Roxy's finest? BARGAIN!
Loses: Zero Tolerance "Bad Blood" ep on gold, a Bauhaus record, an Our Turn 7", Iron Lung CDr demo, later pressing of Side By Side 7", 1st Earth Crisis 7" on Conviction, some random xveganx mosh dollar bin records, 2 versions of the Lights Out 7", some Good Clean Fun 7"s on colored vinyl, repressing of Sluggo ep, Chain of Strength "WHUA" rejected mix, Welcome To 1984 comp LP, Cut The Shit one sided 7"
Cash: $679
-$500 from selling crap on ebay
=$179
Criminally Insane (Parts Unknown, Family press #'d/10, no b-side screen, hand drawn label)
Criminally Insane (Parts Unknown, "has done run out of covers" press #'d/20)
Criminally Insane (Parts Unknown, clrear wax) All throw ins for a trade for a Zero Tolerance 7" on gold. A very nice little record. Boston meets Cleveland by way of Toronto.
Cursed "Hell Comes Home" b/w "Search and Destroy" (Hangin' Like A Hex, white vinyl) throw in for the Zero Tolerance trade. Thick guitars, and kinda Gehenna-esque vocals and disgust for humanity. Quality jam.
Discharge "The Price of Silence" b/w "Born To Die In The Gutters" (Clay) The production sets it apart from their earlier stuff. It's no "Fight Back," but so long as you don't expect it to be, it's a good listen. Maybe $6 or so off ebay?
Effigy "Grinding Metal Massacre" (Crust War)
Effigy/Havaistys (Whisper In Darkness)
Effigy/Hellshock (Kangaroo) Effigy is a Japanese band Spencer talks about a lot. I slept on 'em for awhile, but I saw a bunch of titles in a Distro, so I picked 'em all up. I wish I spent enough time on each recording to really distinguish them, but basically Effigy plays competant metal infused Japanese crust with great production and attention to songwritting so that the songs don't just blend together like many who play that style. The altered "Protest And Survive" riff on the first cut on the split w/ Hellshock is a real crusher. There's this voice the singer has where it sounds like he's actually sucking IN air intead of screaming it out. It has a really eerie effect. I really what I've heard from these guys so far.
Final Conflict "The American Scream" (Nemesis, clear) Totally up to par with anything on the mighty "Ashes to Ashes" LP. I haven't heard this record since middle school, and it holds up suprisingly well, save for the silly samples at the beginning of the songs. This was maybe $7 or $8 on the bay? Same guy as the Discharge single and 3 LPs, so I saved some skrilla on shipping
Framtid/Disclose (Whisper In Darkness) Got this from the same distro as all the Effigy stuff. I need to give it some more attention before I say anything. I remember enjoying the Framtid side, though.
Fucked Up "Police" b/w "Municipal Prick" (Deranged, hand drawn sleeve #'d/10)
Fucked Up/Haymaker (Deep Six, white) Also part of the Zero Tolerance on gold trade. Seriously, you know the obsession has reached unhealthy proportions when you start getting into variations like these. I wouldn't have it any other way, though.
Hangnail "Sexually Oriented" (Hibachi, red) Glad this found it's way back to me. Traded it awhile ago for some Town of Hardcore back issues or something, and it was a throw-in with the Zero Tolerance trade. Ballistic Clevo nihilism with zero world guitar drone.
Mental "s/t" aka "yo" (Lockin' Out, orange) gave Kyle $50 for TJ hookers and he gave me this, the RJ on red, the DYS poster, and some 'zines and stuff. I traded this awhile ago for a Burn on pink, so it's nice to get it back.
Project X "s/t" (Schism, original w/ stamped labels, no 'zine) Well, I wanted to get something big with the money I got off ebay, and this was it. $300 in paypal fun money, and I regret nothing! Well more than twice the money I've ever spent on a record, but I've wanted an original since I was 15, and I don't think I'll ever NOT want it, so fuck it.
Rupture/Slavestate (Me First) A throw-in on the Zero Tolerance trade. Haven't heard it yet.
Bumbklaat "Ciegos" (Despotic, orange) Yes, I waited 'til this was out on vinyl to buy it, and at $5 nonetheless. Nice to finally own this recording after seeing the band so many times
Bastards "Demo 82" (Assel) Haven't really given this the attention it deserves. Got it from the same distro as the Effigy records and all that. I don't know, I kinda feel I need to hear the real records from these guys before I can fully appreciate ultra-raw demo recordings
Discharge "Grave New World" (Profile) What's wrong with me? I know this record is bad, but for some reason I keep listening to it. I think the flat tone of the King Diamond meets Cartman from Southpark vocals trigger some sort of dopemine receptors in my brain which makes me listen to this more than 1/2 a time. I dunno, maybe it's really a good record? Time will tell. This is far from over...Oh yeah, got it for about $8 from the same ebay guy as the Dischrge single, etc.
Disorder "The Singles Collection" (Riot City) Wow, some of this stuff sounds better than I remember. Nihilistic stumble punx vomit music.
Forward "While You Alive" (HG Fact) Ugh, I paid a little more for this than I should, something like $30 with shipping from some dude in the Netherlands. I've wanted this for awhile, but I really got it to combine shipping with an Integrity tape, but homeboy said he had to send the tape seperately anyways, and it still has yet to arrive. Again, "ugh." I've been so troubled by the fiasco that I haven't given this record the attention it deserves. Such an unjust world.
Gloom "Vokusatsu Seisen Hatansha" (Crust War) more of a document than anything else. I just wanted to get it before I couldn't find it anymore. I got this from the same distro as the Bastards demo LP and Effigy stuff. Anything I ever get from this band will just be tribute to the greatness that is "Recomendation for Perdition."
Gudon "1984-1990" (Partners In Crime) My bad for sleeping on the colored wax version of this. Oh well. $15 from the Havoc distro. Quality jams all around. I keep neglecting the later material on here 'cause I'm obsessed with the 1st disc. Totally raging, that's all I have to say. The 1st Neos 7" comes to mind because of the vocals and blown out drum mix. The world isn't good enough for this collection, though. Seriously great.
Poison Idea "Feel The Darkness" (Alchemy/American Leather) Ouch. Hearing records this good for the first time always makes me feel really bad, like, why wasn't I raised on this record? I mean, Pick Your King, Record Collectors..., and "Kings of Punk" were favorites in my formative years, why didn't I opt to feel the darkness? Seriously, though, this tops Breakdown's "Blacklisted" as far as best record I've gotten all year is concerned. Perfect HC LP.
Quicksand "Manic Compression" (Revelation) I still owe Fernie a Bauhaus record for this one. For some reason I realized I now have this record on three formats and have never heard it. Just another piece in the Don Fury collection.
Tomorrow "Chiedi Troppo" (Answer, gray wax) Listened to this once. Didn't really catch my ear, but I wasn't paying too much attention. $10 from the Havoc distro
v/a "Toronto City Omnibus" (Schizophrenic, green) yet another throw-in in the Zero Tolerance trade. Also another part of the Fucked Up collection. Deal with it.
v/a “Welcome to 1984” (MRR) about $8 from the same ebay dude with the discharge and disorder records. One of my favorite comps ever. Traded it in part for some Oath test pressings and stuff, figuring I could easily get it back...Hey, I was right!
Gehenna "Birth of Vengeance" (Area 51)
Gehenna/Apt. 213 (Area 51) Got both of these in trade for an Our Turn 7" and an Iron Lung demo CDr (w/out burlap sac, 'cause I used that to try and sprout beans waaaaay back when...Don't ask, man). I think this is my third time owning these. One of those bands I REALLY want to like in theory (you know, hatred for humanity and all) but when I listen to the records the hatred really doesn't come out as much as I'd like it to.
Mandela Strikeforce "s/t" (ladder, no sleeve) I think this cost me $3 ppd from ebay, but I feel like a numbnuts 'cause I see a copy on Chad's list that he's selling. Oh well, someone else get it from him, 'cause this is actually a good record. Of course I probably (DEFINATELY) wouldn't give this the time of day if it wasn't for the pre-Ink and Dagger connection (Sean is definately singing, and it sounds A LOT like early I&D guitar work). I guess if Crud Is A Cult was the hardcore roots of I&D, this would be the idiosyncratic/indie rock side. You hear a lot of I&D signature moves, especially in the guitarwork and songwritting, but the record kind of lacks the momentum and urgency of the 1st two I&D 7"s. China man rikey
Side By Side "You're Only Young Once..." (Revelation, first pressing white labels w/ insert) Got this for a 1st pressing of Earth Crisis's "All Out War" and a 2nd press of the SBS 7" w/ a xeroxed cover. One of the hugest guitar sounds in the Rev catalog
Slipknot "s/t" (Revelation, red vinyl) Just got this 'cause of the DF connection and 'cause I got it for a bunch of random xvegan moshx from the same kid w/ the SBS 7", but I was suprised to actually like the record. Manic crossover thrash that sounds like it belongs on Earache, or sharing a stage with Impulse Manslaughter or someone. Great over the top vocals a'la Accused. Fully took me by suprised.
Demise "s/t" (cover says "limited edition" and is #'d/100, solid yellow wax w/ multi-color splatter, not to be confused w/ the clear vinyl w/ multi-color splatter version) Got this for $10 at a record swap. Pretty fucking raging crossover ultracore from Velencia, CA, same area and era as the comprable Infest. I guess using Infest as a reference point, if you replaced Infest's DYS/SOA influence w/ early Obituary, you'd have a pretty good idea of what these cats sound like. Of course this came out the same year as "Slowly We Rot" so the Obituary influence is just a coincidence, but still, an early Deathmetal vibe is very apparent. File w/ Chopping Block in your 2nd tier powerviolence section.
Nerve Agents "The Butterfly Collection" (Hellcat) Now I like this band's records and all, but I felt silly for buying this (well, it was a part of a package deal at a record show) 'cause like, do I really need 3 Nerve Agents 12"s when I barely listen to one? But this is actually pretty good. From listening to once side I can say I probably like it more than the other NA stuff I have. The bass playing is kinda annoying (just play the fucking rhythm, Billy Sheehan), but Ozene's voice is on point as usual. All around, and up to par HC record
No Warning "Ill Blood" (Bridge 9, brown and red) Got this in trade for two Lights Out 7"s on colored wax (I REGRET NOTHING!!!). I slept on this band for awhile, and all nu-metal controversy and Toronto kult fetish aside, this is a solid contemporary moshy HC record. Better than the Final Word 7", but not quite up there w/ "Lowest of the Low."
Prong "Force Fed" (In Effect) $1 bin record show find. Haven't heard these guys since middle school. Not sure if this'll hold up, but I'm confident that I'll at least get my dollar's worth. Use this as evidence against me when I make outlandish claims of Prong being my new favorite band in 6 months.
Runnamucks "On The Brink" (Kangaroo/Even Worse) Alright, I have a weakness: whenever I see a contemporary HC record in a dollar bin I HAVE to buy it. Don't ask me why. I'm told this band is actually good, though, so maybe I'll give it a spin.
Captain Beefheart "Lick My Decals Off, Baby (Reprise) I always wanted to hear this record, and I can't really tell you why. I rarely if ever listen to the Beefheart records I have, but I inexplicably check the Beefheart sections of record stores for this specific album, and I'm not sure I've ever seen it in person for a reasonable price. Found this for $10 at the record show, so I guess I just got it for closure. I really want to like this band in principle, but usually I just get annoyed and antsy when I play their records, kinda like most early Earache releases.
Velvet Underground "White Light/White Heat" (Verve, blue labels w/ tattoo cover) always wanted a copy of this, my supposed favorite record of all time, w/ a tattoo sleeve, but never find one for a reasonable price. That ended when I found this for $10 at a record show. Typical VG/VG condition, but fug it.
Dug Dugs "Lost In My World" (RCA, '71, repress) Fuck, I haven't bought an "obscure" psych reissue for so long, reason being 9/10 times it's a let down, but holy crap, after only playing this a few times I can say withough a shadow of doubt that it's a full on monster! Side A slays with a total psych-->hard rock crossover vibe, a'la Josefus or Blues Creation. The 2nd side is more melodic Beatlesey stuff. I haven't really spent enough time with this to give a worthy "review," but as a guy who's bought a lot of "psych monster" reissues, listened to 'em once or twice and filed 'em away, I can say that this album's definately something I'll come back to and think about often. $15 at the swap.
Nitzinger "s/t" (Capitol/EMI) I'm gonna go out on a limb here: any band you see a member of Angry Samoans sporting a shirt of prior to, say, '81, I strongly endorse getting into. Totally up to par TX boogie rock. I've actually been looking for this for awhile, so I didn't mind the (slightly inflated) $15 price tag.
Van Halen "Panama" 2xLP (March 30th, 1984 bootleg, Harlet Records) Overbearing crowd noise and I presume a slightly sped up tape, but the rawness of the recording totally enhances the energy of the overall recording. I mean, just dig this set: Unchained, Hot For Teacher, Drum Solo, On Fire, Running With The Devil, Little Guitars, House of Pain, Bass Solo, Jamie's Crying, I'll Wait, Everybody Wants Some, Ice Cream Man, Jump, Eruption, Pretty Woman, panama, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' About Love. I'm just imagining seeing those 1st five songs hammered out live when the band was in their prime...Mad bonars.
Bludgeon "Body Lure" (Area 51) Okay, I'll admit it, I just got this 'cause I got the two Gehenna 7"s and wanted to get all the Area 51 releases. Plus it was $2. I barely listened to it once, and from what I heard it seems like these guys really took the guitar sound on "In Contrast of Sin" to heart.
Cider "They Are The Enemy" (Painkiller) I actually slept on getting this for awhile because despite the kult status of the 1st Cider 7", the tape I have of it really didn't do much for me. This is way better, though. Super devastating bass sound. I can see myself coming back to this record periodically throughout the years.
Crawlpappy "Temple Body" b/w "Mind's Eye" (Blackout) Another notch in the Don Fury belt. That's about all I can say for this one. Got it from the dollar bin, where it belongs.
Diet of Worms "Aren't You Hungry?" (Old World) '83 demo from a semi-obscure OK band. I recognized their name from a BCT tape, so figured fug-it, and picked it up for $2. I guess you could say I got my money's worth.
Psywarfare "Candyman" (Locust Furnace, pink wax, w/ "Seasons The Size of Days" lyrics) Yeah, got this off ebay for the Seasons lyric sheet. Cost less than $2 off ebay
Wishful Thinking "Rise to Suprise" (Community Chest) A pure gem of un-hyped late 80's Wester Mass HC. I've honestly never heard of anyone outside of Western Mass talk about these guys (I got turned on by a Masshole who was drunkenly raging to the record while it was playing), and the record was pressed twice for a total in a total of 600 copies, so it's unlikely this record'll "catch on" with younger generations anytime soon. It's a shame, 'cause this totally holds its own with any of the majors of the era (Side By Side, Crippled Youth, etc.) The singer/guitar player (I think) plays in a newer band called Irritators, who're totally great in an Effigies/Toxic Reasons kinda way. Got this from the said dude for $5 and a reissue of the Sluggo 7".
Oath "s/t" 9" (Coalition, test pressing o the 9" on a 10") Got this and tons of other stuff from Jeroen of Coalition/Oath for a Chain of Strengh "WHUA" rejected press (NOT Chain Crew sleeve), a "Welcome to 1984" comp and that Cut The Shit one sided 7". He threw in TONS of crap, so it was rad.
Oath "Korper Kulture" 10" (Coalition, clear vinyl w/ white streaks, blowup doll cover, #'d/75) another part of "the coalition trade." Still haven't really compared mixes of this to the 9." I'll put that on my "to do" list.
Strong Intention "Extermination Vision" (Coalition, silkscreened cover/50) This is strange for me, 'cause I've never really liked any record these cats have done, or at least never paid close enough attention, but this is like, a perfect extreme HC record. 10" on 45, so it's really short, totally humorless, no samples or anything, thick guitars, vocals way on top and harsh. Full on Crossed Out vibe. I'm gonna pretend this is the only record these guys have ever put out and fully sing its praises. This kills. Again, part of the Coalition trade.
97a "Abandoned Future" (Coalition, ltd. sleeve #'d/97) Yep, another part of the Coalition trade. I haven't heard this shit in years, and haven't gotten the chance to listen to this yet.
Bad Brains "I Against I" (SST, Orange wax) finally a copy of this on orange vinyl that's NOT scratched to shit finds its way back to my collection. I've been listening to this record like crazy since I got it. A fine example of a record I probably would have hated if I heard it at 16 but with only with what I know now can I fully appreciate this. I think this was something like $16 from ebay? A paltry fee...
Curtainrail "Tokyo Violence" (Coalition, ltd. sleeve #'d/100, white vinyl) Played this once and wasn't really paying attention. Sounds like that Real Reggae/FOTB style of Japanese HC that was popular at the time. Perhaps further listens will reveal deeper insight. Again, part of the Coalition trade.
Let It Burn "Here's To Goodbyes" (Coalition, ltd. sleeve #'d/94) Another throw in from the Coalition trade I haven't gotten the chance to spin yet.
Oath "s/t" (Dim Mak, very light blue vinyl) I like this record. As futile as it is to "collect" different versions of Oath records, uh, fuck it, why not. Another part of the Coalition trade.
Repos "s/t" (Youth Attack, test press) A very nice piece to have. Part of the Coalition trade.
Chance Operation "s/t" (Jeep) This is a total monster. I took a gamble on this solely based on the Friction connection, so I was suprised how much I really like this. Each song has it's own style, with DNA infused Talking Heads as a solid foundation. "Din" is definately the standout track, with a killer lockgroove big muff'd out bassline an clean distorted Lindsay-esque slide guitar skronkery. It kills me, 'cause I know there's gotta be hundreds of bands who sound like this from Japan that I'm pretty much in the dark on. Oh well, that's part of the fun, huh. This and the Fall record were like, $40 ppd from ebay. well worth it.
The Fall "Early Years: 77-79" (Faulty Products) I've only heard way later stuff from this band and the "Live At The Witch Tials" LP, and neither really did much for me, but I'm really liking this, what I assume, is a singles collection. maybe now I can approach their other stuff with more insight. this and the Chance Operation 12" were $40 ppd from the bay.
Roxy Music “For Your Pleasure” (Warner Brothers, test pressing) Something kinda satisfying about getting major label test pressings. Can't really tell you what it is, though. $20 or so off ebay for a test pressing of Roxy's finest? BARGAIN!