*Hank III, Grandson of Hank Williams, Has His Own Punk-Rock Approach to Country
*Top Five Hits: Second Spin in Costa Mesa
*Top Five Hits: Vinyl Solution in Huntington Beach
This week we've got a lot of hardcore punk (per usual) from TKO Records, 18948 Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley, (714) 962-0500. The top three out of five go to TKO reissues, limited edition color vinyl that you can only get from TKO themselves. Grab 'em while the grabbing's good!
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5. Public Image Ltd, This is PiL (PiL Official)
PiL emerged as John Lydon (AKA Johnny Rotten)'s project after the Sex Pistols broke up, and probably the most successful outcome of the prolific rock icons' 1978 breakup. And though Public Image Ltd themselves suffered their own hiatus in 1992, fans of Lydon's offbeat experimental punk rock greatness have reveled in the release of this year's This is PiL. Dotted with the same feelings that were behind '92's That What Is Not and '89's 9, except lacking the synth of the '80s and perhaps a bit of vigor reflected in That What Is Not. Still, This is PiL isn't a Sex Pistols album, for sure, but it's still worth checking out — it's the five spot this week.
4. The Dicks, Hate the Police 7″ reissue (Radical)
When you hear a name like the Dicks, you can't help but think back to the glory days of in-your-face, self-glorifying punk — the kids who didn't give a shit who they pissed off or what the police said. It's youth-embodied, really; and though you might snicker at the name, bands like the Dicks are the kind of hardcore punk defined what it was to be young and not give any fuck about anyone. Noisy, rough, aggressive mosh pit-inducing music takes number four this week, and basically every spot at TKO. Gotta love 'em.
3. Iron Cross, Skinhead Glory 7″ reissue (TKO)
Iron Cross' brand of punk varies from the Dicks in that they're a bit slower, the vocals are more pronounced, and they seem a little more aligned with the kind of anger that metal was born out of. Still heavily punk, though, Iron Cross' first EP, Skinhead Glory, is one of three TKO reissues that they're pretty excited about, because even though the bands aren't local, the limited editions they're putting out have been drawing local fans nuts over punk classics.
2. Poison Idea, Darby Crash Rides Again LP (TKO)
If you weren't moshing after listening to the Dicks, then prepare to be bruised. Poison Idea is hardcore how I remember high school, the shows where you didn't want to be next to the big dude because you didn't want your parents to know you had been in a pit. Flashbacks of bleeding eyes and ripped t-shirts aside, this music has always had a place in my heart — short songs and thrashing, eyes closed, as you let out pent up aggression. I love punk, and Poison Idea's got the right idea with this collection of the band's early material.
1. Poison Idea, Fatal Erection Years LP (TKO)
Another of Poison Idea's compilations takes the top spot this week, more early material that really defines the angst that led to their later material and, subsequently, inspired bands like Nirvana to get their start writing music. Cobain might be gone, but that doesn't mean we can't revel in the material that gave us the music that inspired my own adolescence. I may be young, but I'll give credit where credit is due: Poison Idea, and TKO, we salute you.
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