Youth Brigade - Complete First Demo

Dischord Records continues to do an incredible balancing act. Releasing new and vital music while finding time to honor it's much celebrated history. In addition to a steady stream of praise worthy reissues. The label has managed to conduct some successful archeological digs that have unearthed never before pressed demos and studio sessions from storied acts such as Fugazi and Rites of Spring to their earliest and perhaps most sought after icons 
State of Alert, Void and Faith to name a few. DC's Youth Brigade (Not to be confused with the California act of the same name.) came in to existence upon the break ups of Washington DC area bands The Teen Idles and The Untouchables. Nathan Strejcek 
(Teen Idles Vocalist) and Danny Ingram  (The Untouchables Drummer) formed 
Youth Brigade. Soon after becoming part of Dischord Records first four 7' inch EP's with their eight song offering "Possible".

Just as expected, the sound is raw, unhinged and rudimentary. Displaying what you would expect from a young band playing  and in essence, helping to create a style of music that is essentially, still in it's infancy. Eight quick and sonic outbursts of impassioned anger and alienation. One of which, the aptly titled "Waste of Time" fails to even clear the one minute mark. 

Youth Brigade's complete first demo, recorded by the now legendary Don Zientara and Skip Groff at Inner Ear Studios in the Summer of 1991. Thus making it older than many of our readers. The edition of the single reviewed here was pressed on orange vinyl. 

It really speaks volumes about the power of Punk, Hardcore and the original D.I.Y. ethos when material recorded more than a quarter century ago can feel so vital and easy to relate to. Music is funny that way. James Damion

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Rediscovering Jawbox's Self Titled Gem

Like many of the bands that came out of DC and in particular Dischord Records. Jawbox had an instant and lasting impression on me. Through the years I've had the pleasure of interview the band (at Maxwells) and years later with co founder J. Robbins. (one of my favorite producers/engineers)

Over the last three decades the band has stayed with me. The albums, the songs and the opportunities to see them at the two clubs, CBGB's and Maxwell's, that remained the most consistent for me throughout my life. With that said, all of that pleasure has been derived from the albums 'Grippe', 'Novelty' and 'For Your Own Special Sweetheart'. That was until yesterday. 

For about two years now I've been on a mission to tame my overwhelming CD collection. During that two year period and maybe longer I've turned my attention and passion back towards exclusively collecting and listening to vinyl records. Having finally thrown out my old Yamaguchi CD player. Compact Discs have become useless to me. Yesterday as I went back to the well to purge more discs from my collection. I came across the self titled 1996 release on Atlantic Records subsidiary TAG. The bands fourth and ultimately final full length record. It was the same copy given to me outside of CBGB's in 1996. While I can't really recall the reasons I was entrusted with a copy. I know for certain, I have not given it a listen in almost twenty years now. Imagine the feeling pulling this promotional copy with it's obnoxiously stamped cover and broken case. Being the music hoarder / archivist I've become. I had to download it to my computer before even thinking of parting with it. 

As the opening track 'Mirror' came on. My ears tingled and my eyes widen. much like they did when I first revisited Jawbreaker's 'Dear You'.  The album that is often referred to as their most commercial endeavor sound like gold on the ears.  

Everything you loved about Jawbox is up front and present. The angst, emotion urgency and intelligence. All recorded just minutes from where I'm sitting at Water Music in Hoboken. Considering how I've been making up for lost time over the past two days. I thought it fitting to share some thoughts and praise. I highly recommend dipping in to the vault and give this one a thorough listen. Hell, I'm putting it right here so you can do so. What are you waiting for. Happy listening, James Damion

S.O.A.'s First Demo 12/29/1980 Reissue due out on Discord Records this coming March

This spring, Dischord will release S.O.A.’s First Demo 12/29/80. This 7” collects the eight songs that the band recorded with Skip Groff at Inner Ear during its first studio session.

Henry Garfield formed State of Alert (S.O.A.) in October of 1980 with guitarist Michael Hampton, bassist Wendel Blow and drummer Simon Jacobsen. The band released 13 songs – three on the Flex Your Head sampler and ten on the
'No Policy' EP – and performed a total of nine shows before splitting up in July of 1981.

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Red Hare - Nites of Midnite - 2013 Dischord Records

Red Hare is a new group featuring Shawn Brown, Jason Farrell, and Dave Eight - all formerly of Swiz and Sweetbelly Freakdown - and drummer Joe Gorelick (Garden Variety, Bluetip, Retisonic).  The bands excellent new full length Lp is currently available from Dischord and I would recommend that any fan of these guys former bands check this band  out asap.

The best thing I can say about Red Hare is that they have managed  to put together a brand new band that stands up all on it's own and doesn't need to rely on the band members past glories to help carry them along.  In other words, the new album "Nites of Midnite" is not a trip down memory lane or some nostalgia trip for 40+ year old's looking to relive their youth. "Nites of Midnite" is an urgent, energetic slice of catchy post hardcore that on one hand contains everything you would hope this collection of musicians would deliver, and on the other hand manages to deliver  music that is fresh and most importantly grounded in the  present day and not in the past...Buy Buy Buy...Dave G.

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Lungfish - "A.C.R. 1999" LP

For all you Lungfish fans excited to see a new record from their favorite Dischord sons. Let me say that
 "A.C.R. 1999"is not a collection of new songs. As the title suggest, these song were recorded in 1999 at Baltimore's A.C.R. studios. Songs that slightly predated the recording for "Necrophones" written and produced shortly after at
 Inner Ear Sudios in nearby by Arlington Virginia. At the time the band decided to hit
Inner Ear to write and record new tracks. As I listen to the ten songs presented here I can only let my imagination wonder why this particular collection of songs were scrapped and ignored for so long. I've always enjoyed the artsy, quirky vibe that Lungfish brought to the table and as I listen to these ten tracks I'm beginning to realize how much I missed them. I've always enjoyed Daniel Higgs vocal delivery, often comparing it to a more subtle version of that of Perry Ferrel of Jane's Addiction. I'm also pretty fond of the Bass playing skills of Nathan Bell.

As I listened to "A.C.R. 1999" I felt, perhaps for the first time ever in my listening history,
a nautical vibe on the record. Whether that vibe was intended or something of my own making:; I was definitely along for the journey. Each of the ten songs presented here felt as if they shared that relationship with one another while still maintaining their own unique feel. Leaving a lasting impression on me. A excellent record all around that had it's share of surprises and highlights. James Damion


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