Ugly Americans

Since the super sweet 7 Inch Punk did a post recently on Ugly Americans I figured I'd do the same in case some folks haven't heard their pre rock/metal years. The Dream Turns Sour was released in 1984 on their own Discipline Records and I was first exposed to it on the tiny local college radio station (whose range basically ended at my house) that I've mentioned before. At the time I thought Dance Of Death was the absolute shit. In retrospect I may have overreacted, but this LP is still worth a listen and as far as I know its never been reissued-
Twisted Cross
Masked Minds
Sleepless Nightmare
Dance Of Death
Smurph Song
Young Businessman
Night On Redneck Mountain
The Bad, The Worse, And The Ugly Americans
Unrequited
Fearchild
Criminal Justice
Shadows, Shadows
Bob's Beach
Keep On Shooting
A nice summary of the early North Carolina scene, including info about Simon Bob and Ugly Americans can be found here.

The Wall

It seems like the UK had no shortage of great catchy punk singles in the late seventies/early eighties and this one by The Wall (their 2nd) is no exception. Produced by Steve Jones and released in 1979 it features a different line up than their first single- adding a member of The Pack. A biography/discography can be found here and Captain Oi has released a collection by The Wall, in addition to a TON of other great reissues (you should browse their website if you haven't before).
Here's 1979's Exchange/Kiss The Mirror 7"-
Exchange
Kiss The Mirror

Spastic Rats

This Maryland act released one 7" on Vermin Scum and had a track on the previously posted Welcome To Ax/ction Island compilation. That's all I know about them. The first side of this single was recorded in 1984 and has a more straight ahead hardcore sound while side two is from '85 and has a "posthardcore (or insert your own lame music critic term)" feel to it. Unfortunately the music suffers from a fairly weak recording in my opinion but it's still a solid single. Here's 1985's Rodentia 7"-
Point Of No Return
Homelife
Snap Judgement
Stand Alone
Just A Man
Living Dead
....and by the way, what do these guys have against Yahtzee?

Suburban Mutilation

I first heard Suburban Mutilation on my local no power having college radio station @1985. I rarely ordered records through the mail so it took a while to track down a copy at my local store and unfortunately I misplaced it about a year later. Fast forward around 20 years and I finally get to hear this gem again. I thought for sure nostalgia got the best of me and it would end up sounding disappointing to jaded ears. I guess I was wrong because I still think this LP rocks in all of its fuzzed out noisy glory. This record also contains some of the worst guitar leads/solos on a punk record I've heard but somehow they fit perfectly. S.U.M. member Rev Norb went on to other more well known bands that I know nothing about, but maybe you do. Here's some of my favorite tracks......
Ya Buncha Morons
Plastic Chicken
Police State
No Explanations
El Salvador Stomp

Doomsday Massacre

Texas (?) hardcore, CIA records (home of Really Red), and released in 1983. That's all I know about it. But hey- check out those song titles, the name of the 7", that cover art! This is what I remember Reagan era hardcore being all about- fast, angry, and obsessed with the possibility of nuclear destruction. Maybe a showdown with Iran will remind you of those good old days. Enjoy!


R U Ready
Attack
Pissed
Annihilation
Last Day

Ax/ction Island

I'm going to toss out a quick and easy one tonight. Strange Reaction recently featured posts on The Stupids and Psycho and it reminded me of this compilation 7" which features both bands. In addition GG Allin, Cancerous Growth, Mystic mainstays PTL Klub, and The Scam all turn in good tracks. For my $$$, however, I think Spastic Rats turn in the best tune here- solid powerful hardcore.


Delusionary Tactics (cancerous growth)
We Suck (stupids)
I Wanna Suck Your Cunt (gg allin)
Animal (psycho)
Incite To Violence (spastic rats)
Constitutional Monarchy (ptl klub)
Wasted Time (the scam)