Hüsker Dü - Metal Circus (1983)

SST Records ‎SST 020, Reflex Records ‎REFLEX G

This would have been a late 90's purchase from Notting Hill Music and Video Exchange while I was working at Playstation Skatepark. 

It seems like a natural follow up to the Dinosaur Jr. release I posted yesterday - not only were they label-mates at one point (and I'm sure they would have played some shows together, too) but they also had a song in Blind Skateboards "Video Days" release from the early 90's.

That video ended up on rotation at the skatepark when Ralph - another guy working there - brought his copy in and entrusted it to the long line of shitty VHS players we had. By donating your player to the park you were basically giving it a death sentence no matter how good you claimed your find was.
I spent most lunch breaks between Notting Hill Gate Music & Video Exchange and the original Rough Trade store always looking for something marked down.

Hüsker Dü were a band I'd always heard of but never really listened to until this point. An ex-girlfriends best mate was really into them and always had cassettes lying about with hand drawn strike-through logos which never really looked quite right. Being that they are a massive link between early 80's hardcore and late 90's alternative I have no idea how I managed to avoid them.

'Real World' - The opener - was the track this EP was purchased for. However, 'Diane' is the real killer. Much lighter in tone (Along with 'It's Not Funny Anymore' - both sung by Grant Hart) than the hardcore side shown by Hüsker Dü up until this point.

I can listen to that song over and over.

Don't skip: Real World, Diane

Dinosaur Jr – Just Like Heaven (1989)

Blast First BFFP47

I really don't remember where I got this. I've never been one to buy 7's unless they are something really special. I guess it was probably some Dinosaur Jr. phase crossed with a 99p sale purchase or something.

In all likelihood the purchase was probably just a cheap way of getting a copy of Just Like Heaven which had been in Blind Skateboards "Video Days" VHS and was at the time probably etched into my mind from repeat viewings at my fake cousing Ben's house (We used to say we were cousins to everyone. Not sure why...We were good mates who knew each other through our dads who were good mates from school).
I never liked the way that song just ended in the video, so wanted the full thing. Turns out that was the full thing. I've always been surprised at Dinoasur Jr. settling on that ending. It's not that I don't like it...I am just left wanting more. What happened after the cut? Noise doesn't just end. Does it?

Throw Down is a forgettable little number clocking in at under a minute and Chunks (A Last Rights Song) is a classy hardcore blast from start to finish. Randomly, I didn't actually know this was a cover until about five minutes ago. "A Last Rites Song" refers to it originally being written and put out by the band Last Rites, as opposed to some sort of execution related ditty.

Don't skip: Just Like Heaven, Chunks (A Last Rights Song)

Melvins / Totimoshi – Suicide In Progress Live / Waning Divine (2012)

Volcom Entertainment VEVC0025

I was genuinely excited when I heard that Totimoshi were doing a split with the Melvins on the Volcom Entertainment Vinyl Club. It meant that through my friend at Volcom, I might actually get one of these limited Melvins releases which I rarely can justify buying at inflated eBay costs.

For this release Totimoshi seem to have gone back to their original sound (by which, I mean that of ¿Mysterioso? as I haven't heard their original self-released CD), which is a good thing in my opinion. Waning Divine is a bit of a heavy Bullhead/Stag era Melvins song in style and a little less heavy than usual on the Native American influence for which I never particularly cared for when it came to studio recordings of these guys. Maybe this is the Scott Kelly/Brett Hinds influence as I think both of these guys are on this track.
Hopefully they'll kick this one around live, somehow. Totimoshi really are great to go and see play and have always kept the show fiery.

As for the other side of the 7" - Suicide in Progress continues the recent Melvins tradition of putting out a lot of live releases (after the 5xLP Endless Residency and the Sugar Daddy Live releases). This is a version sounding pretty damn close to the studio original, albeit with a slightly rawer feel. It's probably better than the studio version although I'm not totally settled. I think played at volume, this one will win out though. It's the Melvins doing what they do. Live, fast, slow, heavy, melodic.
I think that outside of Chicken Switch, you'll probably not find a bad Melvins review on this blog. I can't get enough of them.

Thanks to Kurt at Volcom Entertainment for this hook up. It's 14/100, in case you are interested.

Don't skip: Suicide in Progress

Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986)

London Records LONLP34

I didn't come into Slayer via 'Angel of Death' which seems to be the natural route but via 'South of Heaven'. Nick Swan, a kid in my class at school used to make metal tapes for me trying to get me into heavier stuff than the punk rock I was listening to through all of that time. I think it was the words "Cunting Daughters" which got me. I'm deep like that.

This was the second Slayer album I owned. I just had tape dubs for the longest time, upgrading to MiniDisc copies during the late 90's only actually purchasing the CD's from about 2001 onwards.

The vinyl was only bought recently as I saw it cheap. I'm not a massive fan of anything beyond Divine Intervention so had pretty much stopped looking at Slayer sections in record stores but recently started again as I'm going to see them for the fifth or sixth time next month when they play the entirety of Reign In Blood at ATP's I'll Be Your Mirror festival here in London. Melvins are there, too and I'll also get to see Sleep for the first time.

I can't wait.

Don't skip: Angel of Death, Jesus Saves, Criminally Insane, Postmortem, Raining Blood

Witch - Soul of Fire (2005)

Damaged Goods ‎– DAMGOOD 259, Tee Pee Records ‎– DAMGOOD 259

This would have been the first release Witch brought out - and the last thing I bought of theirs to date. The version of Rip Van Winkle is a different version to that on the 2006 S/T LP; as noted on the record - it is from an earlier recording session. This version also showed up on the Invaders compilation a year later.
The lead guitar is pretty raw and fiery on it and is well worth checking out.

Don't skip: Soul of Fire

Lard - The Power Of Lard (1989)

Alternative Tentacles VIRUS72

I first heard The Power Of Lard on the intro of the 1996 Toy Machine video "Welcome To Hell" after which I promptly went out and bought the CD version. I picked up this vinyl version recently on eBay with one of my single bid only gambles.
The version on the Toy Machine video chops away the intro of the song and only uses the following minute and a half, roughly. It's lyrically probably the best part of the song but I would say that as Welcome To Hell is hands down my favourite skate video ever so it's largely bias at work here. Jello Biafra is on point here. Like, Dead Kennedy's on-point. Yup.

The songs on this EP are exclusive to this release. The second track 'Hellfudge' is a little forgettable - although whenever I see fudge, I tend to think of this band so perhaps it's not entirely forgettable (If a bit random)?

The final track 'Time to Melt' is a long slow burning 32 minute jam which took a while for me to get into. I bought the CD originally for the pre-skate hype on my walkman so this lengthy beast wasn't exactly what I was looking for at the time. However, if you want a more industrial (Ministry's Al Jourgensen is part of Lard, so what did you expect) take on Sludge Metal then this will be right up your street.

Don't skip: The Power Of Lard

Black Flag - My War (1984)

SST Records ‎– SST 023

I always thought this release was four or five deep in the Black Flag album lineage. I guess they released a good few 12" EP's between Damaged and here, losing me in the mix somewhere.

This album was my first Black Flag favourite - I got into Damaged and the Keith Morris stuff a few years later as this was the only recording I owned of theirs for a long time. I originally had it on tape, which I still have somewhere. I picked up this upgrade from cassette pretty cheap as I missed listening to the album.

My War - probably more than any other Black Flag record - covers the changes in their sound and style totally from start to finish. Side A only slightly moves on from the Damaged era punk rock whereas Side B is clearly influenced by the Black Sabbath's of this world and probably became the precursor to the likes of Flipper, Melvins and Nirvana.

Good shit. Keep it looping.

Don't skip: My War, Beat My Head Against the Wall, Nothing Left Inside

Melvins - Pick Your Battles (2009)

Bifocal Media BFM028

I picked this up at ATP around the end of 2009 in Minehead. Sonic Youth had played a disappointing set, Witch had killed it as had everyone else.
It came as a cover mount on Brian Walsby's Manchild #4. I grabbed this and Harvey Milk's Anthem DVD. The guy selling them to me seemed pretty stoked on my knowing of Harvey Milk and clearly was a big fan of the Melvins. I mentioned that Brian Walsby had recently done some artwork for Volcom which I was pretty stoked on as I have a huge print of his in my office at work. Cool guy...we talked for a few minutes, I said my thanks and left.
Flicking through the mag (Which is hilarious, by the way) I quickly realised due to Brian's character drawings of himself in the mag that this was exactly who I had been talking too.

Could have been worse, I suppose. At least I was into his artwork.

The CD itself is a rad mix of two live shows. One collection of shorter songs from '88 and one more expansive set from '08.
A slick mix of two kind of different eras which work well as one listen.

Don't Skip: Koolegged, Nude With Boots, Eye Flys.

Snuff - Potatoes and Melons at Wholesale Prices Direct to You the Public (1997)

Deceptive ‎– BLUFF 042TN

I guess this was kind of the beginning of the end of classic Snuff. Sort of. I guess people would say that 'classic' Snuff would be everything up until the split around the time of Reach coming out - but in terms of sound, they'd reformed a few years before and released Demmamussabebonk which I think totally continued their original legacy barely skipping a beat. In fact, 'classic' Snuff in my terms probably ended around 2000 when they stopped releasing on Deceptive Records. I mean, dub Snuff songs (Of which there is a quick glimmer here)? C'mon.
Anyway - I'm sure most would agree that Demmamussabebonk was the last solid release where you could listen from start to finish happily. The two EP's following continued to show that the almighty Snuff were capable of bashing out punk rock records without a problem. Until this one.

This record has a fair few covers; Theme From Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads is a better version that that of the Christmas single although you can probably skip past the Magic Moments and Rivers of Babylon tracks here.

I picked this up while I was at university. It turned out that the Deceptive offices were in the middle of my university site pretty much (Well, sort of - South Bank Uni was just a bunch of buildings on a regular road as opposed to a proper campus) so during a break I decided to knock on their door and try my luck to see if they had any random or rare Snuff stuff lying about I could buy. Sadly there was nothing rare but of the two people working there, the friendly girl offered up a surprise new release they were just about to start sending out.
Good timing, huh?

Don't skip: Come and Gone, Ye Olde Folke Twatte, Theme From Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads

High On Fire - Snakes for the Divine (2010)

Century Media ‎– 9979941

This was the first High On Fire LP I bought. In fact, it was the first High On Fire record I heard, which was odd as for about two years previous I had been listening quite heavily to guitarist and frontman Matt Pike's previous band, the legendary Sleep.
There was a bit of excitement around this release at work and I got swept up in it all, gave it a few listens and then shelled out the cash. After a few days, the audible link between Bastard Samurai and Sleep in general just kept leaping forward. It was only at this point that I realised the link between the two. Smart. I have no idea how I hadn't heard anything of these guys before this.

The LP kicks off with it's title track, eight and a half minutes of belting metal followed by Frost Hammer; probably their best titled track, ever. Just wait till Matt Pike howls that phrase. "FROST HAMMER!"
I can listen to those two songs over and over some days.

Don't skip: Snakes for the Divine, Frost Hammer, Bastard Samurai, Fire, Flood & Plague, How Dark We Pray.

Big Business - Here Come the Waterworks (2007)

Hydra Head Records ‎– HYH-121 (Promo)

This is the first Big Business release whilst Coady and Jared were also acting as one half of the Melvins. At this point Big Business are still a two piece band, too.
This album was really hard to find in the UK when it was released, so I took the eBay route and ended up with this card-case promo copy when I thought I was buying the proper release.
Case aside, there is no difference whatsoever in the track listing.
The first half is fast, catchy and punky with the second half holding some of the best slow burners these two have ever put out.
Sometime between here and the following EP they added a guitarist into the mix for the first time, which I can understand listening to some of the songs here - as quite how they would recreate them live as a two piece, I just don't understand.

Maybe I need to do some youtube research into some old live sets.

Don't skip: Hands Up, I'll Give You Something to Cry About, Another Beautiful Day in the Pacific Northwest

Flying Medallions, The – We Love Everybody And Everything's Great! (1994)

Acupuncture ‎– JIZLP1

This album is great. It's like Conflict having a laugh. Crass on laughing gas.
God only knows where I picked it up (I have the CD, too which I picked up in Soho - but I'll post that later), but awareness of the Medallions definitely came through a group of friends who had seen them support Bad Religion and loved them from there on in.
I used to go to almost all of the Medallions gigs I could get to as their live shows were always carnage. Plus they would always play these great new songs which never ended up being released.
There's kind of a gnarly tale with these guys. On tour they ended up in a van crash and their bassist died. 'Tasha, the girl in the group left not long after and from there on in, it all sort of headed into a downward spiral of drink and drugs. That's the loose, rough version from an outsider who likely doesn't know what he is talking about.

Alex - one of the singers and likely the main man behind it all - used to work in M-Zone skate shop in London. I don't really remember him from there, and wasn't aware until my mate Ray who used to work there told me. Alex is a loose mate who I am always stoked to catch up with when I see him. He is now sober, skating again and in a pretty funny outfit called Wonk Unit. If you get chance to see them live, make sure you do. It's rad that he is on it again these days, making music and from what I can tell loving everybody as everything is great!

Don't skip: Boy Racer, Gluey, Rapist, Sharon.

Leatherface - Minx (1993)

Roughneck Recording Company ‎– NECK CD 11

I'm fairly sure this CD appeared in my collection after an awkward split with an old girlfriend about 15 years ago and I never got around to returning it.
We are actually mates via social media nowadays so there is every chance that at some point she may read this. You know who you are - if you want it back, let me know.

I never really liked Leatherface that much anyway so I don't mind if it goes. Sorry. The association with Snuff led me to listening to them and I think I gave them a good shot.
That said, they do have a few killer songs - and given the right mood, Frankie Stubbs voice is amazing.

Don't skip: Wallflower, Pale Moonlight

Nirvana - Live at Reading (2009)

DGC ‎– 06025 272 036-7 (6), DGC ‎– 06025 272 036-7(6)

I had this for a while as a soundboard rip bootleg. The sound quality was actually amazing on that. This is missing Love Buzz (Which seems like an odd track to drop) and the More Than A Feeling intro to Smells Like Teen Spirit, not that I'm bothered about that part. It's also missing all of the banter in between which (and in total contrast to my comments on the Descendents Liveage release) I wish they would have kept in.
The songs span all three of Nirvana's albums previewing some early versions of tunes from In Utero.

These guys were gold. It's a shame they don't get more cool points - but I guess a major label, most focus on Kurt's suicide and a ton of kids wearing the tees without owning a record would do that. Whatever - they were solid as fuck in the studio and solid as fuck live. They looked like they were having a laugh for the most part.
This normally gets fired up when I'm on a long drive and usually stays on repeat.
I need to listen to this more.

Don't skip: Tourette's, Territorial Pissings, The Money Will Roll Right In & D-7

Tweak Bird – Reservations (2008)

Volcom Entertainment VOL#09997

For me, there has always been some confusion as to whether this is an EP or an LP. I've spent a lot of time calling Reservations their first album. A habit which I can't seem to kick.
The whole thing is seven songs and just under twenty minutes. Three songs and seven minutes short of the self titled debut LP.
Weirdly the Aphex Twin Come To Daddy and Richard D. James releases are really similar to the Tweak Bird releases in terms of length and timing yet I've never had a problem there with definition.

This was a promo copy sent to me by Volcom Entertainment. It took me a couple of weeks to get around to listening to this and I finally stuck it on in my girlfriends (Now wife) car only to be instantly hooked. It is nursery rhyme like in places yet also manages to battle with the heaviest of Big Business and Melvins offerings (Which is no surprise being that Toshi Kasai and Dale Crover of the aforementioned band, respectively co-produced this EP).

Speaking of which; Tweak Bird played the Melvins curated ATP in Minehead, UK a while back. I was asked to drive these guys up with their kit, hang out for the weekend while watching the Butthole Surfers, Big Business, Squarepusher, Torche, Isis, Mastodon, Kool Keith and the Melvins play in their regular, 1983 and lite line ups. but I had a good friends wedding to go to which I just couldn't get away from. That still bums me out three and a half years later.
It wasn't all bad. I ended up organising a live show for Tweak Bird at the Volcom London store where they played for twenty-five minutes to about ninety people. It was a cool little affair and the Tweak Bird brothers Caleb and Ashton killed it.

You can check out Spaceships from that performance here:

Don't skip: Shivers, Whorses

Descendents – Liveage! (1987)

SST Records SST163

This was the Descendents first live LP. You don't get too many live punk rock releases which are must-have pieces, but this is one of them. It's far superior to "Hallraker" offering pretty much a live 'best of' record. Seriously. I mean, every track here is on the Decendents Best of compilation "Somery".

I used to dub songs from Santa Cruz's Streets on Fire 1986 (Although I didn't actually even get that video until about '92) skate video but for some reason never really got around to buying much Descendents stuff until I got this around '96-'97.
The return was spurred on by a friend having his CD on loop constantly and then by chance seeing this in Selectadisc on Berwick Street for a fiver.

Milo sounds absolutely on point throughout. There's little talking through this. I'm not sure if it the chatter is edited but I've always liked to think that they just blasted the set that night and let the songs do the talking.

Don't skip: Silly Girl, Coolidge, Wendy, Suburban Home

Dinosaur Jr. – Jayloumurph (1992)

Hipdisk 03 CD

This would have been my first Dinosaur Jr. album bought sometime in '92. It's also probably the album I've listened to least by them - in fact, I've got singles which have had more plays.

The date of the show on the back cover is wrong. The same show was apparently released under the same name by an Italian label in 1988, but sources say the show was from 1989 making that release impossible. I guess the first version came at some point after 1989 and before this 1992 version was released.
The track names are mislabeled if labelled at all. I actually bought this thinking it was a regular album, and didn't realise it was some sort of live release sitting somewhere between official and bootleg.
Check out the old Virgin Megastore security strip on the back of the jewel case, too - those things were so fucking intrusive and rarely came off well.

Anyway, the sound quality is pretty good but J's vocals are mixed way too loud, even by Dinosaur Jr's standards.
It's probably a better album that I give it credit for but due to this release I didn't give these guys another shot until Without A Sound came out two years later. Therefore, I'm never going to favour it too kindly for denying me access to one of the best bands to have ever existed.

Don't skip: 'reak Scene (Freak Scene), Pull It (Yeah, We Know)

Melvins - Houdini (1993)

Amphetamine Reptile Records AMREP 532-1

This was my first Melvins album. I picked it up at some point around 1993 after hearing the Melvins song "Ever Since My Accident" on the Kill Rock Stars compilation although the punk rock style was totally different to this far doomier release I was hooked pretty quickly.
I was totally into Honey Bucket as soon as I heard it as everyone probably was*, and the heavier than heavy drums really did the trick for me.
Testament to the quality of every song is that I still listen to this album to this day - and even the Melvins themselves are into it, including songs in live sets still as well as re-recording the album live in a studio for "A Live History of Gluttony and Lust" in 2006.

Lizzy is a newer recording than the single. I've never really decided which one I prefer. However, this the the best studio recording of Set Me Straight, a song which the Melvins had recorded several times previous to this (Although the live version later released slays them all).

I wish I'd picked up the vinyl at the time. Theres no way I can afford it these days.

As a side note; Did anyone ever notice Spread Eagle Beagle at the end of Natural Born Killers in the prison riot scene?

*except my friends. I always had trouble dropping this song into proceedings back then as it was just way too dark and doomy for a lot of my friends tastes.

Don't skip: Hooch, Night Goat, Honey Bucket, Set Me Straight & Copache