Suburban Voice blog #155--The Best of 2025

SNÕÕPER

And so here we go... another year passes, time for another "best of" list plus other reviews. And this is part one. Part two will be a roundup of reissues and books. That's the idea, anyway. As always, the top ten is in alphabetical order. And not one word of this was created by ChatGPT and there's no A.I. content, just Al's content. In fact, you can rest assured that all of the artists/bands here are genuine and not fake A.I. ones. 

To say this year sucked would be an understatement. I could say the same thing for the last five years but 2025 was particularly egregious. I lost two friends to cancer--Al Barile from SSD and Bill Chamberlain from the Pist, Caustic Christ and many, many others. Good people like Al and Bill leave us at too young an age while scumbags like the current resident in the White House seem to live forever. Only the good die young, indeed. I also had bouts with Lyme Disease and COVID and there were other things that I won't go into detail about. Things like Sonic Overload and the shows I go to do keep me going. Here's hoping for a better 2026. 

PS... if you want to send something to review or play on Sonic Overload (sonicoverload.net), my mailing address remains:

 

Al Quint

PO Box 43

Peabody, MA 01960

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. 

THE TOP TEN OF 2025

BESTA QUADRADA-s/t (Swimming Faith, 12")

Debut album by this Buffalo unit, following a demo in 2023 called "The First Four Weeks." Well, during the interim, they've come up with a snappy bunch of songs. Punk, rock 'n roll and hardcore mix-mastered together with Bailey's cajoling vocals seething with sarcasm and disdain. It's a first-person narrative navigating through life's ups and downs and some of those downs are pretty damned dark, "Coward" in particular. The entire second side, in fact, seems to be based on a negative series of events. She doesn't howl but you can hear the disgust in her voice. In other words, it's still not any sort of brooding, quiet rage but pretty matter-or-fact and accompanied by some high-energy sounds. (swimmingfaithrecords.com)

COLD MEAT-Cake & Arse Party (Helta Skelta/Static Shock, 7")

First new music from these Aussies since their "Hot and Flustered" album five years ago and just as nettled-sounding as ever. I guess I never really noticed this band's Crass-via-post-punk influence before--vocals similar to Eve Libertine's and lyrics and music that are jarring and provocative. Ash sounds pissed as fuck and the rough sonics increase the effect. (heltaskeltarecords.limitedrun.com; staticshockrecords.limitedrun.com)

FRENZY-Beyond The Edge of Madness (Distort Reality, 12")

Technically a 2024 release but it came out in December so close enough--besides I just got it a few months ago. Buzzsaw hardcore punk with one guitarist and two bass players so there's a whole lotta rumble and both six and four string leads. Trying to cope with societal breakdown and feeling helpless about it--"strive to survive in a mad mad world." Speed and burn but they throw in the occasional catchy bit. And they ramp up the speed quite a bit at times. Relentless, not letting up for one second. Includes some people from Nerveskade. (distortreality.storenvy.com)

FUGITIVE BUBBLE-What Would Happen If We Stop? (Sorry State, 12")

High-energy, frenetic punk but with some hairpin turns and twists. The band's instrumental finesse has been given a boost with their new drummer Mary, who's played with Physique. The sound is muscular but there's also nuance and subtlety. A strong lyrical message that doesn't resort to sloganeering. Outrage but not complete resignation, as they say on "Steel Dust Mites" (one of the best songs here)--"fighting an infection also known as civilization." There's a piano interlude that ends the first side and starts the second, but it's a mere respite from their kinetic sound. And they don't all sound the same. Post-punk and straight ahead rock are added to the band's thrashy sound. (www.sorrystaterecords.com)

ILLITERATES-Does Not Compute (Sorry State, 12")

Once you hit the big 3-0, you realize that life's full of disappointment, that the whole belief that "we could change anything" ain't happening. That's the sentiment expressed on the first song "Remember When" and Illiterates' third album is packed full of that sort of rage and anger. And the musical attack matches that rage. A beefy two guitar attack mixing up pounding mosh and thrash and agitated vocals. Mean sounds for increasingly mean times. That still computes with this person who has seen a lot more birthdays than they have. (www.sorrystaterecords.com)

M(H)AOL-Something Soft (Tulle/Merge, 12")

Revamped lineup, following the departure of vocalist Róisín Nic Ghearailt and bassist Zoë Greenway, with drummer Constance Keane taking over vocals. While the vocals are a little more measured and detached-sounding, they still convey emotional heft, especially since some of the lyrical matter remains dark. That's particularly true for opening song "Pursuit," about being stalked. It's not the scream from the soul of "Asking For It" from their last album but still potent and there are ruminations on encounters that could go badly, both online and in real life. Minimalist rhythms and jittery, tension-filled arranging, with quiet passages that shift into noisier fusillades, generated by fuzzed-out bass and guitar atonality. "Snare" is a basically a two chord riff with a somber melody but the intensity builds as the song progresses. "IBS" is hard-edged and driving. Echoes of Slint and first era Wire twisted into their own barbed concoction. (mergerecords.com)

MUSCLE-Arrest God (Vicious Circle, 12")

A muscular sound (sorry) created by just bass and drums, along with vocals. That bass has a lot of distortion and sounds like a lead instrument. Hard-hitting post-punk rock 'n roll hardcore in different permutations, with Madison Coan's sarcastic/scowling vocal emanations and lyrics that describe fighting through crappy relationships, shitty jobs and the end result is a retreat to the couch, not wanting to deal with any of that shit anymore. Two instruments can sure make a lot of noise--it worked with Nu Sensae over a decade ago (although they did eventually add a guitar player). It's not just noise but played with savage precision. (vcrecs.bigcartel.com)

PHAGOCYTE-Don't Rain On My Parade Or I'll Fucking Kill You (digital)

In the running for the best album title of the year, along with being in my top ten. Boston's Phagocyte have taken it up another notch with 7 hard-hitting hardcore punk songs. New(ish) guitar player Shorty aka Brown Sugar adds some formidable slash and burn to go along with the rumbling bass and drums and Sam sounds as agitated as ever and the lyrics reflect that. Tumultuous both in a broad sense as well as personally. This is really pissed-off sounding. Digital-only right now. Hopefully that'll change. (phagocyte-doesnt-like-u.bandcamp.com)

SCIENCE MAN-Monarch Joy (Swimming Faith, 12")

First "full band" SciMan record, instead of being John Toohill's solo thing, although he remains the mastermind behind it, of course. Weirdo, outsider hardcore that starts with a cacophony of free jazz, of all things, saxes blaring atonally until exploding into "Control Collar." Raucous, volume-soaked blasts., whether it's the full-on blitz of "Animals" and "Lesser Species" or the more rockin' songs like "Ruthless Prism" and "How The Butcher Gets Paid," which edge into Pissed Jeans territory. I wouldn't ever call Science Man streamlined but it does much more fleshed-out and (perhaps) accessible in this non-solo format. Skull-melting, as always. (swimmingfaithrecords.com)

SNÕÕPER-Worldwide (Third Man, 12")

Another spirited, hyper-caffeinated sonic whirlwind from this Nashville punk troupe. They put on a killer live show--and the accompanying booklet makes that readily apparent but they've got the songs to back it up. It's not just a spectacle but something that sticks with you. It's life coming at you (very) fast and trying to absorb all of it while you're also trapped in it. Life in a subdivision, driving in a company car (and without getting compensation for mileage). Meanwhile, it's a whirlwind of post-punk guitars, synth blips, warp-speed hardcore and it's snappy and catchy until the actual song titled "Subdivision." And the thought of Beatles-worshipping boomers recoiling in horror over their cover of "Come Together" makes me smile. By the way, there are some great videos of these songs on YouTube that are worth checking out. And the visual barrage is a perfect accompaniment to the aural one. (thirdmanrecords.com)

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. THE REST OF THE REVIEWS 

CIGARETTE CAMP

THE BERSERK-Where's The Dictator? (self-released, 12")

A mean 'n nasty band based in Philly, with a couple of transplanted MassHoles--vocalist Shawn Petrini (ex-Fraud) and guitarist PJ Kuda (Bloodkrow Butcher, Dry Hump, many others). A mix of d-beat and raw midwest hardcore (The Fix, for instance). "Razed Catholic," meanwhile, has a punkier vibe. An ugly sound with none of the rough edges smoothed off, everything in the red. (theberserk.bandcamp.com)

C.A.M.O.-Combative Anthems Motivate Outcry (No Fuss/Urban Lurk, demo)

The band's full name is Chaos and Mystery Operation but I guess C.A.M.O. rolls off the tongue a bit easier. A Vienna unit that plies gothy punk ala TSOL (to an extent), with strong melodies percolating out of the fray, especially "Take It To The Grave," the best of the bunch. Dark-hued without casting into complete darkness. There's also a vinyl release on Mendeku Diskak. (mendeku.com/camopunk.bandcamp.com)

CIGARETTE CAMP-Steps (Dead Broke, 12")

So much of what people refer to pop-punk is swill. And I think I sell this band short by using that term so I won't. This is just loud, brash and catchy-as-fuck melodic punk with only one song of 20 breaking the two minute mark. Observational lyrics, working through things in life that can bring you down or lift your spirits--well, the music can because the lyrics are mostly about the former. A lifetime spent listening to the likes of Dillinger Four (who brought them up on stage before their encore the last time they were in town--a nice gesture that most bands would never do), Tiltwheel, Leatherface and so on and it comes from the gut and from the heart. (deadbrokerecords.com)

CITRIC DUMMIES-Split With Turnstile (Feel It, 12")

No, it's not really a split with Turnstile. I actually hope some Turnstile fans are fooled because they'll get to hear some real punk and not that overhyped nonsense (send hate mail to heresadimecallsomeonewhocares@aol.com). Anyway, this Minneapolis three piece are back with another feisty and rockin' smorgasbord of punk, rock 'n roll and hardcore. It's a case of middle aged rage with the tongue very much in cheek--or not. They're poking a lot of fun at the doldrums that come with the the over-40 years. Maybe trying to stay relevant but unable to relate to the youngsters' interests. One of the best quips is in "My Life's A Total Sham," mentioning mentoring the protege by quoting El Duce (see what they did there?). Hey, it's one way to cope with the 401-K going down the shitter. Maybe they should call this album "Old Man Yells At Cloud." I'll yell right along with them but the truth of the matter is none of us are dropping out of punk. Now get the hell of my lawn. (feelitrecordshop.com)

CONTRAST ATTITUDE

CONTRAST ATTITUDE-Discharge Your Noise (Desolate, 12")

This Japanese band have been around since the 1990s but this is only their second album, the first since 2009. Despite the title, it's not Discharge worship. Not Disclose either, even with a song titled "Disclose Naked Myself." This is a molten mix of classic Japanese hardcore i.e. a formidable thrash attack and metallic flourishes. Both sides begin with big buildups and they deliver on that. Howling vocals and a razor-sharp attack. When I saw the play earlier this year, after the intro, they yelled BANZAI and I knew that it was going to be a blazing outing. That's an apt description here. (desolaterecords.storenvy.com)

CRAWLERS-We Told You So (Stealth Ordeal, 12")

Portland, OR's Crawlers were around in the 2000s and got back together in the last few years. Hell, I checked on my old blogs to see how long it had been and they had a MySpace account at that point. Straight-ahead, semi-melodic hardcore punk, with some healthy "whoooooahs" on opening track "Lobby Dweller" that would make 7 Seconds proud. The energy never flags over the course of the 7 songs. Includes a re-do of an early song, "I Wanna Be An Eco-Terrorist." (stealthordeal@gmail.com)

FAN CLUB-Stimulation (Feel It, 7")

Rough 'n tumble, loud 'n fast hardcore punk. I mean there's really no other way to describe this. They've been kicking this out for awhile, under their original name Lysol and this is the second EP as Fan Club. There used something of a rock 'n roll thing but they've stripped it down to a more direct hardcore sound. Pushing all the right buttons. (feelitrecordshop.com)

GOONS-Mars (Goon House, 7")

First new tunes from the Goons in nearly 20 years, who are back with a revamped lineup and just as much anger as ever. Serge has always had a unique voice--a yelping soulful shout of sorts (yeah, I know, gratuitous alliteration), backed by an in-your-face hardcore punk punch. No mosh parts, no breakdowns, just four songs packed with buzzing power chords and charging drums. Their last album was called "Nation In Distress" and, in these very distressing times, it's good to have them back and they haven't missed a step. (thegoonsdc.bandcamp.com)

JJ & THE A'S-Rhetoric of Trash (La Vida Es Un Mus, 12")

Band based in Copenhagen and Barcelona and their vocalist Kimia is originally from the Bay Area and used to be in the hardcore band Khiis. I didn't know that until scraping the internet for info. Anyway, after a few 7"s, here's their first 12" and it's a blend of punk energy with harder rocking and tuneful impulses (especially closing song "The Dancer"). A mesh of driving guitar/bass/drums along with keyboards that add depth to the sound without being dominant, as Kimia's vocals go from screamy to melodious but never losing their edge. Lyrics noting how fucked-up things are in today's world (never changes, right?), as well as expressing frustration with one's day to day existence and not wanting to feed the war machine--like working and the tax money goes to pay for that. There's a definite early-to-mid-80s-era California punk influence, where things got a bit more expansive without losing its tougher shell. Echoes of familiarity for sure, but sounding fresh. (lavidaesunmus.com)

THE MASSACRED-Nightmare Agitators (Active-8, 12")

An explosive bare-knuckled hardcore punk rumble. Not the Hardcore-with-a-capital-H sound. No mosh, no breakdowns. This is a wanton combo of older UK, Swedish and Finnish-inspired punk and hardcore. "Extermination" wraps things up in pounding mid-tempo Amebix-inspired fashion. Blistering guitar mangling reinforced by powerful drumming and bulldozer bass-lines, along with Jeff's harsh vocals. One of Boston's better bands in recent years. (active8.bigcartel.com)

MOB 47-Tills Du Dör (Beach Impediment, 12")

So, more than 40 years after forming, this is actually Mob 47's first ever "full length" (just a shade under 20 minutes) album. It was released earlier in 2024 overseas and Beach Impediment put it out at the tail end of the year. Pretty much what you'd expect--Swedish hardcore thrash 'n bash played in full bore fashion, with drumming that threatens to take everything off the rails but it somehow holds together. They do take a bit of a breath with the medium speed "På Ditt Sätt" but there's no letup otherwise and the longest song doesn't even break the two minute mark. Kind of happy Mob 47 didn't decide to modernize their sound. It won't make you forget the classics, of course, but it still feels genuine. (beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com)

NO FUCKER

NO FUCKER-Are You Really So Afraid? (No Real Music, 7")/Annihilate Your Desperation (No Real Music, 7")

Two new 7" discs from No Fucker. The first, "Are You Really So Afraid" is a Discharge tribute. No really, from the front and back cover layout to the music, this is a literal tribute to their "Realities of War" EP with similar sounding riffs (although credited to Discharge) and new titles/lyrics. The other one offers four originals. All of it loud, raw and blown-out sounding, along with Johnny's bellicose, Cal-inflected vocals. (NRM, 767 Broadway #1182, NY, NY 10003, jmakohen@gmail.com)

OXYS-Casting Pearls Before Swine (Cleopatra, CD)

Fired-up garagey punk rock 'n roll from this Austin band. Makes sense since various members have logged time with Cheetah Chrome (and his version of the Dead Boys) and Syl Sylvain from the Dolls, so it's not too tough to pinpoint where they're coming from. "Casting Pearls Before Swine" is their third album and it's a mesh of guitar burn, swirling organ on some songs and strong hooks, both musically and in the vocal department--just the right balance of insolent raspiness and sweetness, although not that sweet. A mix of fired up rockers and moodier material, with "Demons" and opener "Poison Apple" providing direct hits, while the darkly-inviting "Eaten Alive" takes a slower approach. For the rockers out there. (cleorecs.com)

        

PARANOID-MMXXII--The Digital Singles Collection (Beach Impediment, 12")

The Readers Digest (hah?) version of this is Paranoid recorded 8 songs in 2022 that were only available digitally, then pressed on four 7"s and now they've been gathered on a 12". Got that? Anyway, this this prolific Swedish band have been around since 2012 and treaded the line between crusty hardcore and thrash metal. Over the years, their sound has definitely crossed over (pun intended) to much more of a metal sound and that's what you get here. Meat-cleaver riffs and leads and hard-driving bass/drums ala 80s-era Destruction, Kreator, early Slayer (of course) along with the more metallic Swedish hardcore bands. Loud and pummeling. (beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com)

PLASMA-Mua Et Voi Omistaa (Sorry State, 12")

Thumping hardcore from Finland. Not the trad sound but good straight-ahead fodder and while the lyrics are in Finnish and there isn't a translation, Maija's vocals are powerful and impassioned. Buzzing guitar with the occasional shimmering effect starting at the outset and kicking into overdrive very quickly. The songs are mainly at a fast clip although there are a few slowed-down semi-catchy songs, like "Ei Oikeutta." The bass playing and drumming lay out a sturdy foundation and power the songs along effectively. (sorrystaterecords.com)

RWETES-Bryzdal (Syf, demo)

I don't think I've reviewed a lot off this label from Szczecina, Poland. The label name translates to mess or disorder (although Google Translate said shit) and the sounds are certainly unsettling. Different projects created by different permutations of personnel. It's mainly low-fi, minimalist punk that some describe with a word that starts with e and ends with g but we don't use that term here since it's the construct of a wiseass with too much time on their hands and who brought that imaginary genre into the critical lexicon. Anyway, on to Rwetes--it's a solo project (not sure who the responsible party is) and the raspy vocals are accompanied by a perky rhythm machine at varying tempos and punchy music with a semi-shimmery gothy guitar sound. The ambiance is crude and muffled. I might be curious to hear this done in a regular studio but the point is that just about anyone can do this in their own space. True DIY, right? (syfrecords.bandcamp.com) 

SCHENECTAVOIDZ-Void Beyond The Pines (Shock To The System, 12")

If you look at the very colorful cover with the pot leaves, mushrooms and bong, you might think this is going to be some sort of stoner metal record. Well, the SchenectavoidZ boys do love the weed and there's definitely a rockin' metallic bent to a good chunk of these songs but there's also hardcore energy (a few thrashers interspersed with the heavier tracks) and pointed lyrics. Not printed but it's hard to miss the idea behind "Nazi Fist Face," "Fight" and "Hate." A whole lot of rage. (shocktothesystem.storenvy.com)

SELF IMPROVEMENT-Syndrome (Feel It, 12")

Self Improvement's second album and I only recently heard their first, "Visible Damage" from 2022 and the sound there was more direct. "Syndrome" still has a classic post-punk approach, embracing the legacy of the Slits and the Leeds bands but managing to not sound archaic or slavishly derivative. There's a darker ambiance. Breathy and sultry vocals, although delivered with quiet force, along with varying melodies and instrumentation--"Dissolve," with a Cure-ish flavor, adds some keyboard plink. "Crashing" eschews the drums for a rhythm machine. And there are modern themes--such as the curse of A.I. on "Just Like Me." And it's not hard to decode "Scam," talking about a culture of hate and cruelty. That's what we're living through right now and it's worse than ever. And that's along with personal struggles. It's definitely a syndrome that's likely to last awhile. (feelitrecordshop.com)

SEX SCENES-Everything Makes Me Sick (Big Neck, 12")

It sounds like everything that Milwaukee band Sex Scenes' vocalist Sarah Turbo encounters makes her sick, starting with the opening salvo of "Fed Up." Pounding hardcore interspersed with bursts of speed but more stomp than thrash.  I remember their split EP with another Wisconsin band, Fire Heads, about six years ago, with a different vocalist and it was pretty nasty-sounding. Even with a shift in personnel, the nastiness remains. (bigneckrecords.com)

SLANG-Rest In Misery (Prank, 12")

First studio album for this veteran Sapporo band in over a decade and just as relentless as ever. Classic Burning Spirits hardcore that flirts with metal, pretty much the same route they've followed for most of their 35+ year career, although they started off as more of a US-sounding HC band (one of their albums had a cover of "Victim In Pain"). Raging speed with pummeling drumming and savage riffing and leads. Slowing it down a tad for the gut-punching "Stop Killing Children For Oil." I got to see them play a couple of times in 2010 and they didn't fuck around. They don't fuck around here either. (prankrecords.bigcartel.com)

SUBVERSIVE RITE

SUBVERSIVE RITE-Apocalypse Zone (Acute Noise Manufacture, 12")

Recorded in 2022 and just seeing release now. Subversive Rite used to draw pretty liberally from the Sacrilege (UK) well, both visually and musically. The punk attitude is still there and the intro to "A New Era" a nod to "Lifeline," but it's more of a metallic approach. Bright-sounding production but not too slick sounding or excessive and song lengths are mostly under two minutes, save the more epic "Wasteland." Hot 'n heavy riffs played a healthy clip, powerful vocals from Claire and nothing too complicated, just pure burn. (destructrva.bigcartel.com)

TEENGENERATE (1995)

TEENGENERATE-Live At The Empty Bottle (HoZac, 12")

I don't usually bother with live albums but I had to snag this one. Teengenerate are one of the greatest live bands I've ever seen. Pure punk rock the way it's meant to be played--loud and in overdrive. Their set at TT the Bear's in 1995 was absolutely mind-blowing. An unhinged blast that pushed the '77 inspiration kicking and screaming into the 90s. This album was recorded on that tour at the Empty Bottle in Chicago in front of a spirited crowd and I imagine a lot of spirits were imbibed that night and it's raw and loud and loose, although not that loose. There are some catchy tunes in there, particularly the pounding "Dress In Black" speedy "Mess Me Up" and Real Kids' tribute "Right Now," but it's mainly scorch. Cover songs from the likes of the (early) Queers, Pagans, Fun Things (a smokin' version of "Savage") and a few others. Witty stage banter, too.  If you've never heard them, I pity you. This will give you an idea of what they were like live and but you also need to hear the studio recordings, especially their 1994 album "Get Action!" Hop to it! (hozacrecords.com)

ULTIMATE DISASTER-For Progress... (Grave Mistake, 12") 

"...there is no cure..." There's not much unique or distinguishing about Ultimate Disaster but they rage pretty damned effectively. Did you notice there's a dis in their name? And I'm really not denigrating or dismissing this record. All songs between one and two minutes, with fragmentary lyrics. The vocals are gutteral and howling, the tempo mainly fast and the leads are noisy and squealing, especially for "Hymn For A Burning World," whose lyrics consist entirely of "agony despair and fear, despair and fear." And, to be truthful, Ulitmate Disaster's music has just as much of a Swedish hardcore inspiration. Anyway, no new ground broken but it fulfills the 12 minute minimum daily rage requirement. Comes with a huge foldout poster and there aren't any charred bodies on it, so no fear of offending your squeamish parents, roommates or partners. Honest, I do like dis record. (www.gravemistakerecords.com)

Suburban Voice blog #154--The Best of 2024

ANCIENT FILTH

As always, no excuses. 2024 SUUUUUCKED for so many reasons. Some of you know why, more probably don't but I'm alive and so are those who I'm closest to and that's all anyone needs to know. Let's get down to business here. Top 10 records etc. of 2024, in alphabetical order, followed by a selection of other stuff I liked. Some of the records in the "more" section could very easily be in the top ten, too. Also, no fucking A.I. or ChatGPT was used for one word written here. My thoughts only. Fuck that weak shit. Do your own work. 

THE TOP TEN

ANCIENT FILTH-No More Hiding (Shock To The System, 12”)

I knew if I kept bugging Ancient Filth to put out an album, they'd finally get around to it. And, after over a decade of being a band, here it is. "No More Hiding" technically came out in September of 2023 but the record release show was earlier this year and that's when I got it. So it's going into this year's top ten. Ancient Filth have always played frenetic, energetic punk filled with passion and fury. The lyrical themes are candid, whether about mental health issues (and how the so-called cures are sometimes worse than the affliction) or all sorts of societal oppression and authoritarianism. A couple songs mention ways of coping--"Purge," urging to let out what drags you down and "What We Do Is Sacred," which is an affirmation of the life-saving qualities of punk. It starts with a voice saying "How long do you think punk is going to last?" and the reply is a repetitive echo of "forever!" I really hope that's the case and I hope Ancient Filth will also be here for a long time. It's something we need. I don't give a fuck if that sounds corny or not. 

 

DE( )T-Think Of Your Future (Simp, 12")
Wavo-post-punk with an edgy ambiance. Synth flourishes to go along with a heady guitar/bass/drums mesh. The opening synth line make one think they're about to listen to the sirens of early Gary Numan (sorry) but De( )t have a manic, hard-driving sound that will worm its way into your skull. Vocals seething with sarcasm and unsettling, angry emanations. The music is equally unsettling and that's meant in a good way. 
 
 

DIDJITS-Strictly Dynamite: The Best of the Didjits (Touch and Go, 2x12")
Let's face it... Record Store Day has become an opportunity for labels to put out expensive reissues of albums you'd often pass over in the used bin or barrel-scraping slabs by popular artists that the diehards have to get no matter how crappy. And, of course, it's all a target for the flippers. But there's the occasional exception and this Didjits double album definitely falls into that category--one of which is a best-of compendium and the second features unreleased material and rarities. 
 
If you've never heard of this butt-kicking Illinois band, I really pity you because they were one of the high points of the late 1980s into the 1990s. All-American punk rock 'n roll that was always high on showmanship but also had the musical smarts, clever lyrics and hookcraft to pull it off. In retrospect, they took a page from another Illinois band, Cheap Trick, who had the same attributes. That was especially true on their second and third albums, "Hey Judester" and "Hornet Pinata," and both are well-represented here. The surging mania of "Killboy Powerhead" and "Max Wedge," to the floor-rattling bash of "Under The Christmas Fish" to the careening thrust of "Gold Eldorado" and "Joliet." By itself, that's more than enough. 
 
But, as I said earlier, there's more! The rarities disc is titled "Bring Me The Head of Jaco Pastorius" (not sure what they have against Jaco). Songs by earlier incarnations of the Didjits and affiliated band UXB, recorded throughout the 1980s. Definitely a different kettle of fish at times. Proto-punk, artier new wave emanations, even some hardcore (especially "Wuh," by UXB) and songs that were the embryo for what would follow during the prime years. Not 100% successful but still a pretty cool audio scrapbook. On lovely puke green vinyl.
 
 

GEN GAP-Hanging Out With... (MF, 7")
Three members of Philly wreckers Delco MF's play in this band. We're speaking in relative terms but Gen Gap are a little more accessible. Stomping hardcore punk not relying purely on speed and it's not mosh-core either. The songs are imbued with rockin' and rollin' fury and their vocalist Izzy sounds like she doesn't take any shit. 
 
 

INNUENDO-Peace & Love (Roachleg/Unlawful Assembly, 12")
Milwaukee band Innuendo have a bare-knuckled old-school hardcore sound with trebly guitar buzz, a knee-to-the-groin, floor stomping rhythm and rage-filled vocals. They stick to a mainly mid-paced tempo without a mosh breakdown in sight, although "Burn" ups the velocity. Some catchy guitar licks, as with "Poison Pill." What the world needs now might not be so peaceful or loving. I mean, it's a nice sentiment but in these fucked up times, give me this sort of pissed-off hardcore punk. Especially pissed-off hardcore punk that talks about these fucked up times. That's what Innuendo provide. 

 

JESUS LIZARD-Rack (Ipecac, 12")

When a band puts out a new album after a long layoff, expectations are fairly low. Jesus Lizard haven't been completely inactive, getting back together to tour from time to time but "Rack" is their first album in over 25 years, the last one being the not-so-great "Blue." This one won't make you forget the likes of "Head," "Goat" or "Pure" but it's a lot better than expected. No major shift in sound--still the same ravenous, hard-hitting sonic fury, perhaps a tad more streamlined. Production smooths off the rough edges a bit and Yow doesn't yowl like he did in the 90s but this is still a keeper. Rabid rockers like "Hide & Seek," "Lord Godiva" and "Moto(R)" show no sign of softening with age. Other songs have a creepy, snaky vibe, including the closer "Swan The Dog." Circumstances beyond my control meant I couldn't go see them recently and I hope they come back at some point because Jesus Lizard are still a vital band in 2024. 
 
 

KRIEGSHÖG-Love & Revenge (La Vida Es Un Mus, 12")

And another band who haven't had a new release in quite some time. It's only Kriegshög's second ever album, the first since 2010 and there have been just a few EPs during the past 14 or so years. Definitely worth the wait. The rain 'n thunder that introduce things gives a good indication what lies ahead. This Japanese band deliver a ferocious roar--Motörcharged ragers, hammering mid-tempo rawkers and good 'ol fashioned d-beat. Rabid vocal howlings and meat-cleaver guitar and bass buzz. It's all been done before but, as I always say, when it's done right, it's still capable of hitting you right where it counts. 
 

 

LOTHARIO-Hogtied (Under The Gun, 12")

Minimalist punk by this mainly one-woman project (Annaliese Redlich), joined by various drummers and some of these songs have already appeared on various vinyl releases. Anyway, the songs mainly follow a similar pattern--distorted vocals and bass, with stinging guitar shadings and a mechanized rhythm at a mid-to-fast pace (a few songs are thrashers). She sometimes veers into a slightly more melodic realm but there's still an edge. And an odd choice for a cover version--Gerry Rafferty's easy listening hit "Right Down The Line," given a deadpan treatment. I imagine it works better than if she'd covered "Baker Street." 
 
 

PISSED JEANS-Half Divorced (Sub Pop, 12")

Is this a tantrum or a mid-life crisis? I'm not all that sure but this is one bile-filled album and that's how I like it. "Alive With Hate" indeed, as one song is titled. Only their second album in the last 11 years, this is a furious assault from the opening blast of "Killing All The Wrong People" and I'd say that's a very accurate assessment about the state of the world as we crawl into 2025. Pissed Jeans go back to their hardcore roots (pssst... most of 'em were in the Gatecrashers back around the turn of the century) albeit sometimes filtered through a thorny, high energy rock attack, such as "Junktime" and "Moving On." Saddled with college debt, annoyed by obnoxious helicopter parents and the myth that working harder means you'll get anywhere. And an out-of-nowhere cover of Florida punk band Pink Lincolns ("Monsters"). Not getting mellower with age, that's for sure. 

VAXINE-Frontal Lobotomy (Toxic State, 12")
Finally, a 12" from these NYC purveyors of full-throttle UK82-style punk. A driving bottom end, powered by Anya's massive bass lines, which really stand out here. So simple but so effective, as they bash their way through the songs with scrappy aplomb. Proud outcasts--stating "ever get the feeling you don't belong?" Nope, still don't. Loud, (mostly) fast and very catchy but this ain't pop, just punk. 

 

MORE FROM '24:

ASSISTERT SJØLMORD

(photo: Piotr Krolikiewicz)

I couldn't review every record sent but I always try to give airplay to the good ones. I appreciate the labels that still very good care of me and support my endeavors. So consider this a sampling of discs that I've played several times over the past year and will likely continue to get played on the show in the future. 

ASSISTERT SJØLMORD-s/t (Static Shock, 7”)

There's something evil sounding about Sig's grunting and laughing that starts this record. I'm not sure if the music is evil but it certainly sounds angry and it kicks ass. Hardcore punk from Oslo that obliterates all in its path but has a hint of catchiness, too. Some older Japanese and American influences. Ultimately, though, it doesn't require in-depth analysis. Just play it loud. (staticshockrecords.bandcamp.com)

BAD ANXIETY-s/t (Feral Kid/Refuse, 7")

Hardcore punk out of Hattiesburg, MS which, as I've noted before, has a thriving scene. Ten songs in under 8 minutes and with the tongue planted in cheek a bit. They throw just about every lyrical punk cliche out there and the songs are sharp 'n snappy. Taken from two recording sessions in 2020 and 2023. (feralkidrecords.storenvy.com)

BEEF-Il Manzo (Goodbye Boozy, 7")

Cincinnati band Beef follow up last year's album on Feel It with four new tracks on Italian label Goodbye Boozy. Anyway, loud 'n boisterous garage punk with a beefy (sorry) sound and slight hint of post-punk. A coalescence of psych-swill with something headier and rhythmic. (goodbyeboozydigital.com)

BOOTLICKER-1000 Yd. Stare (Neon Taste, 12")

Mean 'n raw, as always. No change in approach for these British Columbia hardcore punk bangers. Trebly guitar, agitated vocals and a blunt, distorted sound. The last time I saw them, I was pounding the wall with my fist. Probably not the most-advisable behavior and I avoid such activity at home because I'm not good at repairing the damage and too cheap to hire someone else to do it. So I'll just stomp the floor along to their ass-whupping sound. It's concrete under the carpet so no problems anticipated. (neontasterecords.ca)

BRUTE SPRING-Turquoise Window (Swimming Faith, 12")

Swimming Faith honcho John Toohill has had many different musical projects and collaborations. In recent years, his two main solo ones have been the off-kilter hardcore punk of Science Man and this one, although it's only his second release under the Brute Spring moniker. Brute Spring have an immersive, sense-enveloping sound. There's a forcefulness to songs like "Through The Window," which has the coldness of early Nine Inch Nails and New Order mixed together. "A Vision of War" sounds like a sped-up version of the latter. "Engines of Hate" percolates with seething anger and there's an ear grabbing hook on "Living Unseen." "The Crash" ends things with a psych-ish drone. Definitely looking to the past but bringing a freshness to it. (swimmingfaithrecords.com)

CANAL IRREAL-Someone Else's Dance (Beach Impediment, 12")
Second album for Canal Irreal, the first in three years. As with the first one, it's a punk-driven post-punk-gothy sound. The guitars have plenty of bite and Martin's (yes, the Martin from Los Crudos and Limpwrist) vocals add a harsh edge. Hooks and burn, with pulsating bass lines carrying the melodic undertow--that's the case for opening song "Withdrawal," "40 Chairs" and others. "Whispers" and "I Failed" are damned close to poppy but there's no let-up in intensity. "Chicago" follows a narrative route, with Martin describing the real nitty gritty of his home city to someone he meets in a bar. In that song, it perhaps unconsciously describes the variety of sounds that percolate through Canal Irreal's potent surge, (beachimpedimentrecords.com

CHAOS OK-Demo (Sorry State)

Not some UK-82 trip but raw, ravenous hardcore punk with a darker twist. Spearheaded by Nick Goode, late of Brain F≠ and Joint D≠, both of whom put out some crucial records in the previous decade. Chaos OK definitely echo the manic fervor of Nick's previous bands, particularly on "See" and "Flowering" but the velocity is a larger part of the equation here. That makes sense since the drummer Corey Long used to play in hardcore rippers Bukkake Boys. There was always a blurry intensity with Nick's older bands and that's still present here. (sorrystaterecords.com)

CITRIC DUMMIES-Trapped In A Parking Garage (Feel It, 7")
The Dummies had a pretty damned good 12" in 2023 and follow it up with four more scorchers about daily life's trials and tribulations. Lousy cars, jobs, fast food and perhaps thinking spending the night on the couch watching YouTube videos of bands instead of going to see them live might be a better plan. Maybe not. Maybe I missed the point. They keep it loud enough to catch your ear, anyway. (feelitrecordshop.com)

CORKER-Hallways of Grey (Feel It, 12")

Moody, melodic post-punk that both surges and soothes. The surge comes on songs like "Distant Dawn" and "Sunken Submarine," the latter sounding a bit like The Sound. One of the best songs, "Forever Silent," is written and sung by Angie Willcutt from Artificial Go (who also have an album on Feel It), with a textured ambiance and churning bass/drum combo, along with her beneath the surface, semi-spoken vocal. Corker do a good job flowing from the jarring to something more expansive. (feelitrecordshop.com)

DOLLHOUSE-I Hate You Don't Leave Me (Toxic State, 7")
First new music from this NYC band in a few years and only their second 7". It definitely has that 2010s bung punk sound, to an extent--nasally vocals, buzzy guitar and twisted thoughts. Makes sense since vocalist Michelle and guitarist Tye used to play in together in Mommy nearly a decade ago and drummer Hank Wood manned the sticks in Crazy Spirit. The title track sounds almost poppy but with thorns around the heart. The bashing "So Hollow" is standout, with the guitar burn and bashing drums underpinned by mellifluous bass. (toxicstaterecords.com)

EJACULATORS

EJACULATORS-Wank Generation (General Speech, 7")

Subtle? Sensitive? Yeah, about as subtle and sensitive as a toilet seat. Yeah, I'm quoting Salinger (sort of). I could easily make all sorts of childish jokes about this record but I'll resist the temptation. Besides, these guys do a good enough job of that on their own. Ain't no resisting this Chicago band's dirty, scuzzy lo-fi garage punk and "Desperate Housepunks" might be one of the best song titles of the year. (generalspeech.com)

FEN FEN-National Threat (Sweet Time, 12")
Detroit band with a penchant for playing scuzzy west coast style punk ala TSOL and DKs mixed with garagey rock 'n roll--definitely a bit of Jello in the vocals and a whole bunch of snappy riffs to go along with it. Their 2022 self-titled album was more a straight-forward punk rock 'n roll album and they've definitely sped things up here. Raucous sounds with a wise-assed, sarcastic sense of humor. (www.sweettimerecords.com)

GOSSIP COLLAR

GOSSIP COLLAR-Spinning Silk For Parasites (No Norms, 12")

A long time ago and in a scene not so far away, two members of Gossip Collar (Victoria and Tom) were in The Showcase Showdown, one of Boston's best-ever punk bands. In the 2020s, though, they're playing something a lot different--80s-inspired goth/dark wave punk.  Victoria has switched from bass to guitar and her lead vocals are sweet and passionate without being overbearing, Definitely a somber feel and there are quieter moments but there's presence and power in most of the songs here, especially opener "BREAKFAST (for the baby)" and "Dead Flies." (nonormsrecords.com)

INVERTEBRATES-Sick To Survive (Beach Impediment, 12")
Some people from Public Acid playing in more of a straight-forward hardcore punk vein. Nothing you haven't heard before, of course, but the energy level is consistently high from start to finish. The title track states that mankind is in its final chapter. Given how things have been for the last several years, there might be something to that. Perhaps turning up the volume will help a bit. (beachimpedimentrecords.com)

    LAZER BULLET 

(photo: Darren Plank)

LAZER BULLET-Spirit Suck Shit (Black Water, 7")

Crazed hardcore with sneering, nasally vocals and done at warp speed, without crossing over into powerviolence. Just relentless and you have to love a title like "Demon Semen." Hurling itself towards oblivion without going completely over the cliff but it's still a full-tilt hellride. 

LYSOL-Down The Street (Feel It, 7')

Lysol have changed their name to Fan Club and these songs were released as a demo tape last year. Fired up and raucous rock-punk-roll. "Sonic Thrill" sounds like it's about to cause a nervous breakdown--well, that's what the opening drum rolls and riff feel like, anyway. "15mg" has a dark and nasty strut. Getting straight to the point, and with a whole lot of attitude. That works. (feelitrecordshop.com)

THE MASSACRED-Death March (Active-8, 7")

No-nonsense hardcore punk, a combination of old-school Scandi and UK styles. The members of The Massacred have been around the block a few times, playing in different Boston area bands and they continue to ply what they know best--tight, succinct arrangements, rough-sounding vocals and buzzsaw guitar. (active8records.bigcartel.com)

THE PIST-Is Risen (Havoc/multi-label, 12")

First Pist album since 1995's "Ideas Are Bulletproof" and only their second one ever (not counting compilations, etc). One thing that's never changed is the timeliness of The Pist's thoughtful anti-authoritarian message and they still play the same sort of catchy, bruising oi-tinged punk. "Risen" mentions the same old right-wing bullshit coming to eat people's brains or at least make them ignorant and voting against their self-interest. So I imagine that still having the outlet that punk provides can keep us relatively sane, as "Let It All Go" mentions: "because we're in it for life and these songs are all we got." Still pist/pissed. If you're not, you're not paying attention. (www.havocrecords.com)

PUBLIC ACID

PUBLIC ACID-Deadly Struggle (Beach Impediment, 12")

A blown-out, relentless and scalding assault. Plenty of velocity, rumble and guitar feedback/pyrotechnics. Side one closer, the pounding "Ignorance" keeps getting noisier and crazier until it's abruptly cut off. And, for the last track, "Deadly Struggle," it ends up a locked groove. I sometimes fall asleep when playing vinyl. Good thing this one doesn't make me fall asleep so I don't risk ruining the stylus. A nailbomb blast. (beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com)

RIXE

RIXE-Tir Groupé (La Vida Es Un Mus, 7")

Another band--or project, at least on record--not heard from in awhile. Rixe, masterminded by Maxime, are back with four new songs that mainly favor a minimalist sound, especially with the mechanized rhythm. There's certainly a Metal Urbain influence, especially on the speedier "Diktat," but it's fused with the classic tuneful French punk sound. It's most-successful with the title track, with a catchy-as-fuck chorus. The rest is pretty good and it's a keeper but, to be honest, the earlier records are better. (lavidaesunmus.com)

 

SILICON HEARTBEAT-2889 (Feral Kid, 7")

More new wavish/punk with buzzing guitar, synth and distorted, dispassionate vocals. A-Frames meet the Spits in a parallel universe? Maybe. Includes a rocked-up version of Kraftwerk's "The Model." (feralkidrecords.storenvy.com)

 

S.O.H. 

(photo: Sam Picture)

S.O.H.-Cost To Live (Shitkicker/No Norms, 12")

The band's full name is System of Hate and they hammer out some walloping hardcore punk. Bass rumbles, drums smash, guitar blazes and vocalist Kristine emits her words in a similar fashion/cadence as Dru from Criaturas and Kurrakä. There's also the occasional anarcho-punk flair, as with "Annihilate." Not too cheery an agenda, of course, and it's delivered with passion and anger. (nonormsrecords.com)

 

STABBING JABS-s/t (Reptilian, 12")

New band with Peter Aaron and William Weber from Chrome Cranks plus other people who have logged time in the Murder Junkies, Sluggo, Gang Green and others. So, needless to say, this rocks pretty hard. Some definite Stooges moves, much in the same way Easy Action does it, which is to say it's an influence but not only part of the sound. Some brain burners here, starting with the 1-2 opening punch of "Broken Brain" (heh!) and "Bad Slime." "Radiation Love" quotes Black Flag's "Police Story" ("you take the rights away from all the kids") but this is nastier-sounding. A few slower bluesy tracks don't really catch my ear as much but this is a mainly raucous excursion. (www.reptilianrecords.com)

 

TOTAL SHAM-s/t (Under The Gun, 12")

Raw, ranting and raving hardcore punk that boils over with energy and threatens to fly apart at the seams but holds together.  Slashing squealing guitars, shifting from fast to slow and back with vocals spat out with twisted malevolence and buried a bit into the fray. For a slight change of pace, closing song "Tired of Life," is a fired-up rocker. No poetic lyricism. This is pure hate--"Murder On My Mind" kind of sums things up. From KC and something tells me they won't be performing at Chiefs games any time soon. (utgrecords.com)

 

Suburban Voice blog #153--in memory of Gary Floyd

PHOTO: DIXON COULBOURN

Gary Floyd passed away recently so I’ve decided to repost the interview I did with him for Suburban Voice, which originally appeared in issue #41 from 1998. I saw the original Texas lineup at Rock Against Reagan at UMass Amherst in 1983 and the SF lineup in 1984 at The Channel. After this interview, The Dicks did occasionally get back together and I saw them at Great Scott in Boston in 2007. Since guitarist Glen Taylor had passed away, Davy Jones from the Hickoids was with them at that show. Their early discography was eventually re-released, except for the “Live At Raul’s” split album with the Big Boys. The Dicks are one of those bands I’m really glad I got to see live and it was a pleasure doing this interview.

 "Mommy, mommy, mommy..." bawled Gary Floyd to start the Dicks' classic 1980 single, "Dicks Hate The Police." A warning that "you'd better stay out of my way... I've had a bad day." The Dicks had two incarnations--the first, based in Austin, TX, featured Gary, guitarist Glen Taylor, bassist Buxf Parrott and drummer Pat Deason. The band moved to San Francisco in '82 but only Gary ended up making it a permanent move and he started a second version of the Dicks with guitarist Tim Carroll, bassist Sebastian Fuchs and drummer Lynn Perko. This lineup stuck until the band's breakup in '86 and Gary and Lynn moved on to the bluesier Sister Double Happiness. Alternative Tentacles recently released a compilation of Dicks' material recorded between '80 and '86, just about all of which is out of print. There were three albums--a live split with the Big Boys, recorded at Raul's in Austin, "Kill From The Heart" (these first two with the Austin lineup) and "These People" And, of course, there was the "Hate The Police" 7" and a later 7" called "Peace" and appearances on the "P.E.A.C.E." compilation and "Cottage Cheese From The Lips Of Death" compilation.

 As was the case with many of the early Texas punk bands, the sound wasn't easily classifiable. Strains of blues, hard rock and funk were incor- porated into a gnashing, aggressive punk framework. Cantankerous but also versatile and, with the Dicks, Gary's powerful, mournful vocals were a potent weapon, as were the socially-aware lyrics.

 Gary still calls San Francisco his home and, at the age of 45, remains musically active with his new band, Bootcamp. After Sister Double Happiness, he did five albums (released in Europe) with his own Gary Floyd Band, described by Gary as more folk-country-blues. I recently had the opportunity to interview the former Dick over the phone...

Did you grow up in Texas?

I grew up in Arkansas, until I was in the fourth grade. When I was a pretty young kid, we moved to Texas but I grew up partly in Arkansas but, basically, yes I did grow up in Texas. That's where I developed most of my bizarre ideas. Palestine, Texas.

What part of the state?

East, about 150 miles from Dallas.

So how did that create your warped ideas or outlook?

When I was a little kid in Arkansas, some people moved next door to us and I was a little third grader and they had this teenage son who was a weirdo, sort of beatnik guy and he had a huge picture of the Mona Lisa hanging in his room upside down and he was an artist and sort of different from the other kids in that town and he was a big influence on me. There were obviously some (laughs) wild seeds in me and he was the water that made them come alive. Being gay... I always knew I was gay, although I always had little girlfriends and stuff. They were just like sisters to me to prevent any un-gay ways of acting. I tried to create some façade to hide that. A school that was pretty much newly integrated and seeing the same bigotry towards people of color and the same sort of nightmarish feeling that I was getting from these people and having to hide, because I wasn't open nor did I come out until I left school. Also, the radical sort of music in those days. All of those things gave me a feeling of being a little bit different and you start to cultivate your own ideas and sometimes maybe they become a little more radical when you feel sort of alone. I'm not trying to make myself seem pitiful or feel sorry for myself... they were miserable years in the fact that, at school, I was hated. I was popular as sort of a class clown but I suffered because I did really bad in school, I hated it but I also knew that something was happening that I was going to be all right. Sometimes, those feelings can produce a lot of positive things. You don't really know it, always, but I sort of had an inkling of it because I knew I'd get out, someday.

Did you eventually gravitate towards Austin?

I got drafted in 1972. I'm 45 years old. But I also, this is another thing I was speaking of had prepared myself from seeing people slaughtered and what I felt was a really unjust war against the North Vietnamese and the Vietnamese, in general. I'd developed a lot of very strong political ideas and I had signed up, when I registered for the draft, as a conscientious objector and I was accepted. So, when I got drafted, I had to do two years of alternative civilian work so I was placed in Houston. I moved to Houston in '72 and I worked as a janitor in a charity hospital, which was a job that they offered as alternative work. I worked there two years and that's where I came out and started doing lots of LSD--which I don't do anymore nor have I for years--but that's where all the things started happening that happen to young people when they move away from home. Then I moved to Austin.

 How did you discover punk rock?

There was a guy named David Powell, who's actually on death row now in Huntsville, TX. This was in Austin. He would come and visit some people me and some people I lived with who were all into music, although I wasn't playing any music then. I'd been in bands in high school but then I wasn't in bands for a long time. He would come down and he brought some singles, one day, from England and they were the Sex Pistols. "Pretty Vacant." It was actually awhile before I heard of the Sex Pistols here that he had these singles. I guess some friends sent them to him. He had the Runaways, things like that and I thought this is really good. I'm sick of Genesis and fucking Yes and all that shit. Actually, at that time I started listening mostly to older blues music. So, through this guy David Powell I heard of it and then I started buying my own stuff. Then I moved to San Francisco and I saw the Sex Pistols play their last show. After that, I moved back to Austin and Raul's, this little club, was open and I started the Dicks.

When I talked to Dave Dictor [of MDC] awhile back, he told me that you had the band name and put up flyers before you even had the band together.

(Laughs) That's very true. There was actually a Dicks prior to Buxf, Pat, Glen and myself and it was just me and these other two guys who couldn't play anything, but we looked good (laughs). So we said, "people that can't play their instruments actually get on stage and make some noise and call themselves a band, so why don’t we go one step farther and not even do that.” We’d put up the Dicks are playing at a certain address and they’d be made-up addresses. So by the time the band finally got together with real people, people had sort of heard of it and were going, “I guess we’d better go see these guys. They’ve been around for awhile (laughs). But, in fact, we’d never been around.

You were telling me that, during your childhood, it was difficult being gay and feeling different. Did you feel that you'd finally found a community that accepted you the way you were?

Well, yes, that's very true and, not only that, but almost all the really good bands in Austin were either fronted by or had gay people in the band. People were pretty open about it then. It wasn't like people were trying to hide and the other thing about it was that people weren't really making a big deal about it. They weren't getting up and giving speeches for gay rights but they were just sort of being themselves and that was really wonderful. That's extremely refreshing. And after years of also not fitting into gay bars, because with mohawks and bleached hair and being fat was another thing that was very unaccepted. All of those sort of mixed in together. I really didn't like the queer bar scene. So Raul's fit all those things. It was really wonderful. Queers were really obvious in that scene and the people that weren't, if anybody didn't like it, we'd tell them we'd beat the shit out of them. Get a bunch of queers to beat your fuckin' ass. It usually never came to that. There was always a lot of mutual respect.

What I always saw with the Texas punk bands was there was quite a bit of musical diversity— sort of an assimilation of many different styles. You had the Big Boys, who were one of the best bands-funk-punk.

Very true. You had bands like Standing Wave. There were lots of bands around then. I can't remember all of them.

GREAT SCOTT (2007)

SV: Even the Butthole Surfers didn't fit any set style.

There were lots of people that didn't fit into the categories. I think that's one that still makes Austin pretty nice is that people are just concerned with pleasing themselves, musically, and if they find a crowd, that's great and, if not, at least they've pleased themselves. The Dicks always felt that way. Some of that very early stuff, I listen to it now and think, "god, that sounds a little bit bluesy and that sounds a little bit this or that but it still has the drunk edge, punk rock sound." But everybody was just making their own sort of music but somehow it all clicked together. It was pretty diverse but the thing that was pretty nice was there were so many bands that you could just have people in bands in the audience and it would be packed. They supported each other. There were a few little upsets in the community, there... it almost becomes like beauty shop talk. For the most part, people really supported and liked each other. I think one of the biggest influences on that was Randy Turner of the Big Boys. He could pretty much cross all those boundaries. Even the straight "I wish I could look like you but I'm afraid to" people loved him and the hardcore punks loved him. He was a big reason that a lot of the Austin scene got along, I think. He just sort of crossed the bound- aries of getting along with people and people followed his example, in a lot of ways. He's a really great guy.

I met the Big Boys when they played here in '83 and they're still one of the nicest bands I've ever met.

They definitely were. Nobody ever said that about The Dicks (laughs). But even the Dicks would say that about the Big Boys, who we played with so many times. And Randy and I were old friends, way back when we both had really long hair. We were just waiting for something to happen.

And Biscuit was quite a bit older. I think he was in his mid-30s when he was in the Big Boys.

I believe. I didn't ask him. I was 26 when the Dicks started but, that's great. I like being older. Especially now, at 45. You can be a total fucking asshole and people will just accept it--"Oh, he's old... let him be an asshole!" (laughs)

Let's talk about the Rock Against Reagan. Any thoughts on that? I heard, at the time, that it was basically a front for the Yippies.

While it was happening, it was one of the most miserable experiences of my entire life. Years later, I can still bust out laughing with people who were with me on that tour about situations that happened because it was so flipped-out. The Yippies sort of ran that out of their office in New York, so it was barely together. They said that they would feed us. You were guaranteed at least one good meal a day and it turned out they had gotten a donation of like 3 or 4 thousand packets of turkey dogs. So you would all descend on this town and go to some poor motherfucker's house who said you could stay there in the middle of, like, Buttfuck, Ohio. All at once, these two or three buses and our van would pull up in this usually suburban neighborhood where some kid lived. And all of these monsters would start getting out... mohawks, hippies, dogs, babies who shit in their pants, disgruntled people. The Crucifucks, DRI, MDC, Crucifix, a bunch of hippies and the Dicks. And they'd go in and throw on this huge pot of boiling water and have thousands of these turkey dogs. I haven't eaten meat for ten years—I don't preach about it, I don't care what people eat, but I don't know what the vegetarians were doing back then. Then there was a huge discussion, one day, because people didn't want to help clean up and they felt it was their right to not clean up if they didn't want to.

That's anarchy, you know!

Well, that's exactly what their argument was. And I was holding up a huge picture of Stalin going, "You kids clean up or we're going to kill you." It was just unbelievable. Thank God for the Crucifucks. The Dicks and the Crucifucks sort of kept each other sane on that tour by just sitting back and going, "oh, God, what did we do? Why are we here. It’s three months—three fucking months! It was quite amazing. I don’t know what political good it did.

Probably not much.

Probably not much. It almost made a Republican out of me! That's not really true but I would certainly never de-pend on that situation to lead my world. Fuck that.

It also seems, in retrospect, kind of a strange liason because of the old cliché or stereotype that hippies are punks' sworn enemies.

You know what? They really were after that. (laughter) There were some big hippies that were trying to make a big cultural statement. I don't know. I ended up pulling a doorknob off the door at the Yippie headquarters and throwing it across the room and it stuck into a wall. It was very chaotic, but it was 1983. I hope everyone involved with that is doing well now and everyone's happy.

Did that sour you on the punk or hardcore scene, at all?

No, because I didn't really consider that punk or hardcore. I consider it punk bands dealing with that but it was run by people who weren't punks at all. They felt like their past as rebels or something had given them permission to take on the punk yoke and it didn't at all. For the most part, it was people smoking a lot of pot and mak- ing decisions for 50 or 60 people and it just didn't work. But, no, it didn't sour me on that at all. It just made me think I would never get involved with anything like that again, although I'm glad that it happened because when you burn yourself real bad, you’re not going to stick your hand in the fire again. So somehow, you thank the fire.

So, after that, you moved to San Francisco for good and started the second version of the band?

The original band moved out here but the other guys didn't like it that much and, after that Rock Against Reagan tour, we went on our own little tour, sort of coming back to San Francisco and stopping through Austin but, this time, the Dicks had a manager, Debbie Gordon, and she and I were looking very forward to getting back to San Francisco. But we played a couple of shows and had a week off in Austin. The other guys, in a roundabout way, said they really didn't want to come back and I couldn't see staying there so, whether it was a good decision or a bad decision, I decided I was going to come back here and re-form the band and I did it. I'm glad I did it because there was another album and single and two more tours and that's where I met Lynn Perko, who later was in Sister Double Happiness with me and is one of my dearest friends. I'm not sure that staying in Austin for myself would have been good. I probably would have quit because I wanted to do something a bit more chal- lenging. Unfortunately, Glen Taylor died, which is a very sad thing, but I would like to believe that this Dicks' thing that came out [the compilation] could sort of be a remembrance of him. I loved Glen. Glen and I were very good friends, although I didn't talk to him much the last few years. I don't talk to many people in Austin for no other reason than I don't write letters and I can't call long distance on my telephone.

I was just looking at issue #6 of Maximum Rock 'n Roll where you guys were on the cover.

Boy, that was great. That was just before we left to go on that tour and I realized, one night, I think it was in Detroit, maybe I should have worn something different for the cover of this magazine because those Detroit guys really didn't like me. A lot of people were freaked out by that. As liberal as you thought--first of all, I don't have any illusions that the punk rock thing was any kind of great utopia. I think it was a beginning of a new lifestyle that people could get into and I'm not talking about dog collars and mohawks. I'm talking about a different artistic, free way of thinking but it wasn't some great hope that happened. It was a different kind of music and people got into it, just like there are still hippies that won't change from 1967. There are still punks that won't. I see people walking around San Francisco all the time and they're like 16 and they look like they're going to a nostalgia party.

It's the same here. That style is still popular.

Yeah, it's still very popular and that's fine. I'm glad people do whatever they do but sometimes people change, sometimes they don't.

Anyway, you guys were presenting yourselves as a communist band. How do you feel about communism, these days, or any sort of political ideology, for that matter?

I was pretty young. The main thing that always got me strange was the difference in people's economic situations, like some people having nothing, some people having everything. It's even more intense now. People dying on the streets, now. Then you have your Bill Gates type people. Not even him--millionaires are very common now. And people dying on the streets are very common now, of hunger and just cold and I always felt there was something wrong with that. No matter what, I always felt there was something weird and wrong with that. I got very influenced by the idea of equality. Maybe it was a mistake, but I started reading--but, I didn't read very much of Marx and Lenin and all that kind of stuff. But I never got so much into the theory that I was able to become an intellectual about it and I'm really glad of that. We always said we were for the the Fun Party. But, no, I'm not a communist anymore. I'm not anything, anymore. Something has to tell you something's wrong whenever the leader of the country dies, they overthrow the government. I don't follow that but I'm closer to a socialist than I am a Republican. I still think there should be a little more equality in the economy but I got much more into a spiritual life for awhile. I'm not talking about crystals or moonbeams. I studied a lot of old Hindu scriptures and actually went to a monastery and studied that for a year. I quit Sister Double Happiness and just studied and met some really non-dogmatic, wonderful spiritual teachers whose philosophy was, if there is a heaven, atheists who just do good for no reason are more likely to be in heaven than Christians that do good to go the heaven. It's a very good philosophy, I think, Just do what's right. Not hurting people and that also softened and took away a lot of my hard-edged political drive. It didn't blind me or make me apathetic but it opened up a whole new part of my life and I'm really happy that it did.

I was going to ask you about how you'd gottten into the Eastern philosophies and religions. It seems as though those get looked upon as an oddity in this culture.

So many things look odd in this culture.

But I read an article [in the Jewish Journal Of The North Shore] that referred to Buddhism and other Eastern religions as "cult" religions and I found that odd because, in the world, there are probably as many or more people who subscribe to that philosophy as the western religions.

Well, anything that the United States doesn't do or dictate is either a cult or terrorist. We're fixing to bomb Iraq over that very thing. They won't open up for unlimited searching of their country. I mean, cults, you see people die with their robes on and that's ridiculous. That's not religion, that's fanaticism. I mean, what about the cult of Jesus? Is that wrong? It's wrong when people misinterpret his teachings for their own political gains and their own bizarre politics.

Hell, yeah.

I mean, what did he ever say what was bad? I'm not a Christian but, at the same time, I probably like Jesus better now that I'm not a christian than I ever liked him when I was.

He had some good ideas...

He had wonderful ideas!! And you have other people like Rama Krishna who are very good teachers that have never done anything for their sexual or economic lifestyles to improve. They have no reason to do anything. They're just good. They stay busy helping people. There's a lot of people like that. Why not follow them? I'm not talking about follow them like sheep, because they don't teach that. They teach strength in your own self. That's why I like these people. I'm not going follow anybody blindly. I didn't do that with communism, I'm not going to do that with religion. I don't do that with anything, but I also do whatever I think is right, without thinking of the repercussions in the punk rock community. Fuck that shit.

Well, you're kind of removed from that anyway. What caused the Dicks to split up?

Things were changing a lot. The whole reason I got into the scene... I don't even know if it was the music or not. Probably not. But a feeling of togetherness with people who shared a lot of ideas, that there were a lot of old things that are dictating not only music but lifestyles. Yuppie shit was starting and the Me Generation and all this and it was nice to get into a cultural scene like Raul's that was sort of treading new ground. It had nothing to do with the Sex Pistols or the Ramones. It had to do with your own personal life changing and that was really cool. It sort of stopped being a positive thing for me when you would do shows and people were like... the skinheads were coming to shows and they'd beat people up and even the non-skinhead guys were so rough in the pit. It became really macho. They started looking so stupid doing that weird skanking dance. You see guys in Oklahoma, Miami, San Francisco and they’re all doing exactly the same thing. All at once it became a fad. Everybody, at this time, was copping an attitude of, "yeah, I'm a tough skinhead guy or I'm a non-skinhead or I'm a peace punk or I'm this or I'm metal-speed, blah blah blah." And we were starting to play a few slower-type songs and people were, like, "play faster" and it's like, fuck you, I'll play what I fuckin' want to play. I realized I was being put into a corner here by something that's supposed to be liberating. I'm out. So me and Lynn started doing another band, with Ben Cohen... we started Sister and it was like "this is great because I have nothing to live up to." Not that I ever really felt that way but people's impression of what you're supposed to be can be pretty powerful. You've got to play faster and you've got to be political and you can't be communist, you've got to be this, you can't be that. I had communists coming by the house, these groups, it was like Jehovah's Wit- nesses. They were coming by wanting me to endorse things and I'm like, “Me? I don't want to." That's the one thing about my political affiliations. I never joined anything. I was never a part of any group. I always thought they were like the religions that they hated the most. From organized religions to 8 people sitting in a room plot- ting to march down some street and overthrow the government.

And they repeat the rhetoric that's been drummed into them. I talked to a woman involved with a Maoist group last summer. Defending the cultural revolution, where all those people got killed and I’m like I'm not talking to you anymore.

That's the bizarre thing. All those things started being really oppressive. The idea of a movement or whatever punk rock started-be- ing this liberating movement all at once telling me what I can and can't do. I can't play slow music. And I don't want to be 29 or 39 or 45 and have a fucking mohawk. I don't want to do that. If you want to do that, fuckin' do it, but don't get an attitude with me about it. So we changed and we created something new for ourselves and I've always been very happy about it. The time had changed and the time was right to get out of that shit. But I've never regretted doing any of it...