PIC INFO: Spotlight on an all ages gig/show flyer for Massachusetts hardcore punk bands, JERRY'S KIDS, THE PROLETARIAT, DEEP WOUND[Z] (as they were initially, and, now funnily known), and THE F.U.'s, performing live at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Allston, MA, USA, on October 16, 1982.
Arctic Flowers, out of Portland, Oregon, has been at it for most of a decade, with two previous full-lengths and a smattering of singles, splits and remixes. The four principals — singer Carroccio, bass player Lee Lawrence, drummer Cliff Martin and guitarist Stan Wright — work very much in sync, channeling furious, agitated energy into tightly gnarled, rhythmically pulverized punk songs. Jennifer Kelly reviewed their Straight to the Hunter, Iate last year, observing that, “At their best… these songs run both hot and cold at the same time, the molten flow of instrumentals running over a deathly pale grey chill.”
Wipers — Silver Sail
Greg Sage is one of my favorite guitarist and engineers. I think most of us know the first three Wipers albums, but Greg kept innovating and recreating himself for years. Although I love Is This Real, Over the Edge and Youth of America; there are great songs on all the later records. Including his solo albums. Silver Sail is right up there with the first three albums showing more melody, great songwriting and production that adds layers not heard on earlier recordings. A must for all Wipers fans.
The Adverts — Cast of Thousands
These one-chord wonders made a lasting impression the first time I heard them. Great songwriting combined with underlying melancholy and amazing vocals/lyrics made them stand out. The first LP is classic, but my favorite is their second Cast of Thousands. A leap in songwriting and production, adding keys and longer tunes made for a dark, almost rock opera? The group broke up before it was released but you can find live recordings of them playing amazing songs out there. Simply some of my favorite songs ever.
Wire — 154
The Pink Flagcassette I’ve had since adolescence is faded and barely plays. It’s a perfect record and I love Chairs Missing just as much, but it’s 154 that still sounds so fresh every time I listen to it. The added effects from their producer Mike Thorne along with amazing songwriting make for one of the most exciting records ever. Plus, amazing cover art. Nothing has sounded like it since.
The Gun Club — Pastoral Hide and Seek
Fire of Love or Miami were the first Gun Club records I heard. Las Vegas Story may be my favorite overall. It took me years to really seek out more music from Jeffrey Lee Pierce, but now I’ve had time to really appreciate his later work. I love Pastoral Hide & Seek along with Mother Juno so much. Just like the other artists on my list, the songwriting and production grew together to produce something beautiful and different.
The Proletariat — Indifference
Hailing from Boston and playing shows with the hardcore bands of the day, The Proletariat along with Mission of Burma had a different approach than many of their scene peers.They experimented with a more post punk sound ala Gang of Four or even Pop Group plus some of the best political lyrics of the time. Soma Holiday is a such a great album, and is a great starting point for the uninitiated. Indifference adds a bigger production with more layers (even piano from Roger Miller) and a darker sound echoing the state of the world at the time. Essential listening.
The band have reformed and are working on a new LP! Amazing as ever live.
Middle Class — Homeland
A good follow up after The Proles, Middle Class work with similar sounds. Known for creating what some consider the 1st hardcore record, the band evolved quickly. Their Scavenged Luxury EP shows promise and is great, but Homeland is the culmination of their sound. Angular, cold even dance-y. Seek this one out! So underrated.
Toxic Reasons — Within These Walls
Well known in the early hardcore scene, Toxic Reasons always had melody and great songwriting even when blasting through their early songs. Over the course of a few albums, they stayed aggressive but grew as songwriters and experimented more. They're early records are considered classics and rightly so. Within These Walls is unknown to most people, overlooked or forgotten by others. It’s one of my favorite records and love the production. My own band covered “Dreamer” from this record on our new LP. Again, a more post punk sound that evolved from punk/hardcore.
Husker Du — Candy Apple Grey
A major influence and one of my favorite bands of all time Husker Du started out as a hardcore band, but the songwriting skills of Bob Mould and Grant Hart shined through even in the early days. Zen Arcade or New Day Rising are probably my favorites, but Candy Apple Grey is where everything really came together. The pop sensibilities and better production took it over the top. Amazing! The blueprint for a million bands after them.
Dead Moon — Nervous Sooner Changes
Ok, Dead Moon never changed anything about their sound and didn’t need to. Pure genuine rock ‘n roll punk. Fred was one of the best songwriters ever. This is one of my favorites from them.
Siouxsie and The Banshees — JuJu
John McGeoch is a personal guitar hero of mine. Siouxsie said "he could create any sound she was thinking of in her head,” And that "he was her favorite guitarist of all time.” I love all Siouxsie records with him playing, but feel JuJu has some of the most innovative playing and songwriting. His playing remains an influence on me and countless others.
“...living in Australia it is difficult to feel the way The Proletariat must feel about the U.S. Think of all the contradictions you must be exposed to growing up there...”
PROLETARIAT review by DAVID NICHOLS, Editor
DISTANT VIOLINS #8 1984 (page 7)
Distant Violins was written and published by David Nichols between 1982 and 1985. Nichols is a long standing member of the CANNANES and was one of the main ingredients in the amazing CRABSTICK.
Many issues of Distant Violins are available at the ToyTown wordpress site as pdfs!
hi i don’t really use tumblr anymore but i wanted to make a post about the radio show i’ve been doing on WPRB 103.3 (princeton university’s radio station) for the past... five or so months? i’m on from 11-1pm wednesdays (EST) and you can listen in at http://www.wprb.com. i haven’t been recording shows, but i might start doing that soon.
pls like the facebook page here for updates and playlists and ways 2 get in touch: http://www.facebook.com/dontbackthefront
and this was last week’s playlist, to give you an idea:
raincoats - black and white
sacred paws - ride
tuff love - slammer
the vitas - roses
sleater-kinney - price tag (live)
essential logic - shabby abbott
the world - managerial material
slapp happy and henry cow - a worm is at work
send no flowers - playing for time
amy and the angels - i hate being in love
the screamin’ mee-mees - hot sody
gee tee - got no head
liquids - more thana friend
rays - drop dead
skinnies - out of order
adam and the ants - nine plan failed
the worms - psycle paths
rema-rema - rema-rema
writhing squares - lava suit
blurt - get
metal urbain - panik
chrome - tv as eyes
adult. - plagued by fear
annie anxiety - closet love
the proletariat - events/repeat
the verge - understand
wipers - taking too long
gordons - coalminer’s song
shoes this high - the nose one
art objects - showing off to impress the girls
the door and the window - dads
and you can check out older playlists here: http://wprb.com/tpm/world/djplaylists.php?id=608
