No Balls 7"

"No Balls is usually Drajan Bryngelsson and Dan Råberg from Brainbombs but this 7” is just Drajan. Monotonous protopunk with some No Wave hints. Drums and guitars. Some vocals and trumpets occasionally. The sound is raw, intense and in your face. Kind of like a mix of Ruins, DNA and Brainbombs." This 7" came to me a few days ago. Paid 15 dollars to ship from Sweden on an whimsical guess that it would be great; Brainbombs are one of my favorite bands. The record is okay, I thought it was a little boring but if you're into repetitive, sludgy, noise rock; it's worth a listen. 7" is sold out, but a No Balls LP is out soon on Release The Bats(pre-order here).

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Minutemen - Buzz Or Howl Under The Influence Of Heat

With "Buzz Or Howl" the Minutemen cement themselves as the funkiest band in 80's hardcore (tho one could make a argument for the Big Boys).  Really hitting their stride this album is a great setup to the quintessential  "Double Nickels On The Dime". Taking a cue from Wire the Minutemen play some very oddly structured songs, for example, "Dream Told By Moto" which finds Mike Watt and George Hurley showing off why they are the tightest rhythm section in town, and just when you think its just going to be them jamming for the duration of the song, D. Boon chimes in for a single sentence about what he's going to do when WWIII starts, before the song fizzles out... awesome. This record shouldn't be that hard to track down, but you could always buy it from SST. Quit slacking and download this.

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Bastard - Wind of Pain

The second, and last release from the crust/hardcore band BASTARD from Japan. Wind of Pain (1990) is possibly the hardest record of its time. I am just now getting into Japanese hardcore and realizing that it is probably some of the best stuff that is/was out there. If you haven't listened to this yet, you have to. Legendary band, best record, however Controlled In The Frame isn't bad. After the first time you hear this record, every time it is brought up you will think "MISSSELLLLYYYY"

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Condominium - Barricade

Third 7" from Twin Cities' uncertainty, Condominium. Of the three 7"s, this is really the best one. With each release Condominium keep moving their sound away from traditional 'hardcore' evolving into more noise, more impression, and more singularity. Two songs on this 7". First song, Barricade, is the best thing I've heard from these guys. Entirely powerful and louring. Drunks With Guns and Kilslug are here. The B side "Big Plans" is a "A sparse, laid back jam that brings to mind Black Flag and The Jesus Lizard in its winding, ugly guitar riffs, and lurching rhythms." I really can't stay enough good things about this band. Brought to you by Fashionable Idiots. I don't see this selling out any time soon. Buy a copy for you and your friend(s).

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Ecoli - Judas Cradle

First real 7" from Ecoli. San Francisco's noisy, deranged, hardcore band. Released on Stress Domain records; also put out the vinyl for Ecoli's demo a few years ago. Think Void, Koro, and ripping early 80s USHC plus the wackiness of the Meat Puppets. This is one of the best and most ingenious things I've heard this year. Members of Nightstick Justice, Warkrime, Migrane, and more. Sold out for the most part. Check Grave Mistake for final copies. Upcoming cassette on Drone Errant. Enjoy.

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Raw Nerve - Teens In Heat

Raw Nerve's first time on wax after putting out that demo a few months ago (here if you missed it). Released by Video Disease Records last week during the MKU reunion show extravaganza last week. I guess all 300 copies are now sold out? The record is great. Lots of Void worship, just like the Demo. Record is menacing throughout, plus weirdo Meat Puppets vocals. 4 Songs. One from the Demo, Two new songs, and a X-Ray Spex cover. I guess a few copies will be sold in the next YA! store update; Contact Video Disease to see where these puppies may be hiding. LP on Youth Attack due early next year. Looking forward to more covers.

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Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker

For as much as I love the simple power chords, oompa oompa beats and rough production values of early 80's hardcore punk (easily my favorite genre) my favorite bands don't really share any of those qualities, Fugazi being a good example of that. Fugazi, made up of DC veterans Ian Mackaye, Guy Picciotto, Brendan Canty and Joe Lally, play hardcore that doesn't shy away from experimentation. In On The Kill Taker (their best album if you ask me) brings MacKaye and company back to the early 80's with songs like Great Cop, which could almost be a Minor Threat song. Of course you can buy this (recently remastered) from Dischord Records, or pretty much anywhere else. 

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