'Ready, Aim, Fire.' And so begins the second track on the only truly great Germs record. Their first 7" was one of the worst things ever committed to vinyl, but the second was a masterpiece. 'I'm Darby Crash, a social blast, chaotic master.'
2. ANGRY SAMOANS - 'Right Side Of My Mind' - Bad Trip 12" - USA - 1980
Ah, the 'Inside My Brain' E.P. I remember seeing it in the Zed Records catalogue in 1981 and simply had to have it. It had the same sleeve as the first Anti-Pasti E.P. (same year) but this is infinitely better.
3. A-MOMS (Algebra Mothers) - 'Strawberry Cheesecake' - Aftertaste 7" - USA - 1979
From Detroit. Full of hooks and organ-backed glory. I bet the lyrics are great too but I can't quite work them out. Can anyone help?
4. THE DILS - 'I Hate The Rich' - What? 7" - USA - 1977
Who cares that the drumming's, er, basic? The whole point of punk was that anyone could pick up an instrument and play. This is the Dils first single. This is great.
5. THE SUZANNES - 'Hippie' - De 1000 Idioten 7" - Holland - 1978
There aren't many catchy early punk records from Holland but this one's an exception. It's from the 'New Disease' E.P. which had 6 tracks in total.
6. GROUND ZERO - 'Living In Tandem' - Bung 7" - USA - 1982
From a multi-styled 4-song E.P. from Pittsburgh. This track stands out.
7. BAD BRAINS - 'Pay To Cum' - Bad Brains 7" - USA - 1980
'I came to know with now dismay, that in this world we all must pay, pay to write, pay to play, pay to cum, pay to fight.' That's supposedly some lyrics, but I need to hear it on a Maxell. (If you don't get the joke, see here).
8. THE DESCENDENTS - 'Hey Hey' - New Alliance 7" - USA - 1981
Most Descendents records are great, and this, (the 'Fat' E.P.) is no exception. 'If you think that everything's OK, then go on home and lock your brain away'. Quite.
9. ANGRY SAMOANS - 'Inside My Brain' - Bad Trip 12" - USA - 1980
The title track from the E.P. Often repressed with extra tracks but the original 6-tracker has the best sound, if that sort of thing bothers you. Vital video here.
10. BLACK MARKET BABY - 'Potential Suicide' - Limp 7" - USA - 1981
Another that's been repressed a few times. From Washington D.C. Read all about 'em here.
11. THE GERMS - 'Lexicon Devil' - Slash 7" - USA - 1978
The title track from the second 7". 'I'll get silver guns to drip old blood, let's give this established joke a shove, we're gonna wreak havoc on this rancid mill, I'm searchin' for something even if I'm killed.' The man was a prophet.
12. THE OFFS - 'Zero Degrees' - 415 7" - USA - 1978
The B-side of the second single. Liked their punkier stuff more than their reggae stuff. Like the Germs, the singer, Don Vinil died of a heroin overdose. Search out the 'Live At The Mabuhay Gardens 1980' CD for the definitive musical document.
13. THE BEES - 'Circuit Breaker' - Over My Brain 7" - USA - 1979
From a 4-track E.P from New Jersey. One of those quirky jerky things that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go.
14. HÜSKER DÜ - 'In A Free Land' - New Alliance 7" - USA - 1982
Like the Germs and the Descendents before them, Hüsker Dü released this after a less-than-impressive debut 7". Despite the muddy production it remains one of the best songs ever recorded.
15. THE BOLLOCKS - 'Another City' - Fetal 7" - USA - 1982
From the 'All Rockstars Should Be Drafted' 10-song E.P. The Bollocks were the 3 Dagher brothers from Baltimore. The whole thing's got a nice D.I.Y style production and this one's a great little ska tune.
16. THE DILS - 'You're Not Blank' - What? 7" - USA - 1977
The flip of 'I Hate The Rich'. For all you guys with non-punk girlfriends: 'You're not blank, so baby we're thro-o-o-ough'.
17. SIC F*CKS - 'Insects Rule My World' - Sozyamuda 12" - USA - 1982
Some late '70s New York glam now. They lose punk points for censoring their own name, but with songs like this one and 'Chop Up Your Mother' you've gotta forgive. Here's one of their reunion performances.
18. THE REACTIONS - 'Marianne' - Reaction 7" - USA - 1981
From a 4-song E.P. from Florida. Get the CD on Cheap Rewards.
19. THE DESCENDENTS - 'Mr Bass' - New Alliance 7" - USA - 1981
Another from the 'Fat' E.P. How many punk songs are about fish?
20. ANGRY SAMOANS - 'Get Off The Air' - Bad Trip 12" - USA - 1980
And yet another from the 'Inside My Brain' E.P. The Samoans did not schmooze with the stars.
21. SHATTERED FAITH - 'I Love America' - Posh Boy 7" - USA - 1981
A solid band rather than great, but I love the sinister simplicity of this song.
22. THE GERMS - 'No God' - Slash 7" - USA - 1978
The final track from the 'Lexicon Devil' 7" and what a nihilistic masterpiece it is. 'Don't want God, give me a jury,' snarls Darby as the drums crash and the guitar riff scythes through the whole shambolic mess. Exhilarating.
23. BLACK MARKET BABY - 'Youth Crimes' - Limp 7" - USA - 1981
The flip of 'Potential Suicide'. Pounding drums and the obligatory police siren guitar.
24. THE NEON BOYS - 'Love Comes In Spurts' - Shake 7" - USA - 1980
Way before punk, this proto band included Richard Hell and Tom Verlaine. Definite Velvets influence. This was released in 1980 as a split E.P with some rubbish by Richard Hell and The Voidoids.
25. S.V.T. - 'New Year' - Unknown Label 7" - USA - 1979
And finally some Frisco powerpop. Released on red vinyl. Their bassist was in Jefferson Airplane y'know?
***BONUS TRACKS***
26. THE ANGRY SAMOANS
- 'Hot Cars'
27. THE DESCENDENTS -
'My Dad Sucks'
28. THE NECROS -
'Conquest For Death'
29. NO ALTERNATIVE -
'Make Guns Not Love'
30. THE ANGRY SAMOANS
- 'Gimme Sopor'
31. THE DESCENDENTS -
'I Like Food'
32. SIC F*CKS - 'Chop
Up Your Mother'
33. THE NECROS - 'Take
'Em Up'
34. THE ANGRY SAMOANS
- 'You Stupid Asshole'
35. THE DESCENDENTS -
'Der Wienerschnitzel'
36. SHATTERED FAITH - 'Reagan Country'
Get it here
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