In this second installment some more first wave West Coast punk, visiting LA, Portland, Bellingham, and Vancouver BC! From Bellingham Washington, it’s “Kill The Bee Gees” by The Accident – Fantastic musicianship and very entertaining video made at the time..capitalizing on the “Disco Sucks” movement fashionable at the time. On the vinyl 45 the opening line is “Is everybody around here REALLY a bunch of WIMPS??” Subreference listed in the youtube comments.
Nazi Training Camp by DOA Like the Dils and Wipers, a quality power trio – from way up north in Vancouver CA. Incredibly dynamic power trio with Chuck Biscuits killin’ it on the drums! Yeah.. they did “Disco Sucks” and had the preamble, “Is everybody around here a bunch of wimps?” Inside jokes, tongue in cheek and all that. From the live 12″ EP Triumph of the Ignoroids.
Messed Up Mixed Up by Sado Nation – Off of their debut album. With punk luminary Mish Bondaj on vocals. They did have an earlier single with an earlier singer which I’ll review later, and yet an ever earlier singer, John Shirley (look ‘im up!). More greatness from Portland, Oregon!
Square City – Flyboys. Their best known song, and a great single, very catchy – from LA – not hard core punk but super original and one of my favorite LA punk singles.
Alleycats – Too Much Junk. Super catchy single from an iconic 1st wave LA punk band. I saw them several times (another power trio!) and they were super nice people.
TAQN = The Eyes. Long form title is Take A Quaalude Now. Great very original sound. Incredibly catchy with lyrics that are both disturbing and humorous at the same time – that’s the LA think in the late 7Os: Be serious and have a sense of humor at the same time. These guys exemplify that ethic. On Dangerhouse – who else?
We Don’t Need The English – The Bags: A genuine diss on English first wave punk bands – but make no mistake about it – they ADORED their UK contemporaries. Really good musicianship. I saw them live and they were intense yet good players! On Dangerhouse of course!
Don’t Be Afraid To Pogo – The Gears: Again, are they serious or just poking fun at stuff? Yes! I sing this song often, in a lounge lizard fashion. Again, really good musicians – listen to their album Rocking At Ground Zero. These guys were a proto-surf-punk band.. but not the super hard core flavor yet.
By Jeff Williams
