2.20.2016 UPDATE: FINALLY (9 months later!) added those liner notes for all of the songs. I originally promised these back last May, but better late than never eh. Go to the bottom of the posting for them. Pull up a chair, though, because I really rambled on about some of the songs…
The new Destroy All Art comp is cool, lots of great stuff on it, and will go down in history as the first vinyl comp of 90’s punk. Pick up a copy directly from Andrew himself, or through Rerun Records and some other distros like SS. The first run is 500 copies, and there is a lot of buzz about it, so the pressing will no doubt sell out! It was a labor of love for him putting this comp together over the last 2 years, and we all appreciate his hard work and the end product! And stay tuned for Volume 2, which is already in the works!
I know a thing or two about 90’s punk but I have never heard about half of the songs on Destroy All Art- classic tunes like “Firesaw” by the pre-A-Frames Bend Sinister, or “The Slide” by I’m Gonna Stab You- so it’s awesome to hear some “new stuff”. My favorite new discovery thanks to the comp is the painfully rare and sadly obscure-up-to-this-point “Fight” by Several Species- what a classic! And a number of songs I got “reacquainted” with from many years ago, because I had forgotten certain details like how The Stiffs had put out an earlier, punkier version of “Chelsea” before they rerecorded it for their big Onion Records pseudo-major label signing.
But I guess one of the main feelings I get when listening to the comp is that is makes me feel FUCKING OLD! I mean, the 90’s don’t seem THAT long ago in my middle-aged perspective. Other comps of obscurities, which up to this point have had either late 70’s/early 80’s KBD or- going back farther- Back To The Grave-ish 60’s obscurities, seem to me like a LONG ASS time ago, as I wasn’t even born yet in the 60’s, and I was a kid when the KBD era happened and I had no fucking clue what punk was back then. So in my perspective the KBD era is kind of a mythic, prehistoric time that feels like a million years ago. Even to the point sometimes where, when I listen to late 70’s stuff like Tapeworm or Freestone or whatever, I think “Now what would I have been doing in late 1978 or early ’79 when this record came out?” And the answer is usually, “I was busy being a kid in grade school and was playing with Star Wars toys or Lego”. And how the only music I knew of back then was Bad Company or My Sharona or Kiss Alive with the gatefold sleeve.
But the 90’s are NOT a mythic time to me. I mean, I graduated from college in the early 90’s and got married in the mid 90’s, so I was a full-fledged “adult” when all the 90’s stuff was coming out and was an active participant in “the scene” at the time. I remember when a lot of these records came out, and I bought them new from the usual sources. But during the 90’s I NEVER thought ahead or had a long-term perspective like “Damn, in 20 years or so there’s going to KBD style comps of this stuff coming out!”. Back in early ’99 I made a cassette comp of 90’s punk stuff that I called “Killed By Tony” as kind of a joke, but never really thought of it as a long-term time capsule that I would refer back to 20 years later. I spent the mid-to-late 90’s chasing down KBD records from the late 70’s and early 80’s and that trumped my pursuit of “new” bands or records that were coming out at the time. Back then, I definitely thought that these late 70’s KBD bands would still be remembered in 2015. But not 90’s bands, at least not in the same “holy grail” sort of way. Which, I guess, was kind of my problem- in hindsight, in the 90’s I should have lived more in the moment and put more effort into finding some of those records instead of being more focused on stuff from 15-20 years earlier, eh. But I only had a limited amount of disposable income at the time, so if I had to choose from between a handful of cheap KBD records and a handful of “new” bands, then I usually leaned towards the KBD stuff.
Don’t get me wrong- I went out of my way to go see lots of great shows and appreciated what was coming out at the time. I particularly remember the Rip Offs playing the Fireside Bowl on a hot summer day in August of 1995 right before they broke up- great show! [As a weird side note, I just randomly Google’d that show and found a video from it! The weird part is not finding a clip from it, but the fact that I found MYSELF in the video jumping around near the front of the stage during the whole song! LOL!] Even better was seeing Teengenerate playing at the Empty Bottle in early November of 1995- yowza! Being in the front row with Fifi and Fink only feet away was amazing. Their records were great but the real way to hear em was LIVE. [By the way, some songs from that particular show were released as part of the VML (Vindictive Music Live) series of live records and I swear you can hear me shouting in between some of the songs. And I still have my Teengenerate shirt that I bought from the band’s merch guy that night.]
This is getting really long, and I was tell myself I’m going to have a quick, no-frills, short text posting. I guess another thing that the Destroy All Art comp makes me think about is how 90’s punk can change up the record collecting formulas. In traditional collecting spheres, “obscure” usually means “expensive wallet busting” But for 90’s punk “obscure” can equal “cheap as shit!” because everyone ignored the record at the time and yer local record store clerk moved ’em from the bin of “New Stuff” to the- gulp!- “Sale Bin” when copies sat around for too long. The price would be discounted from $4 down to $2, and then go ever farther down the food chain and get moved to the musty dollar bin that sat on the floor and you had to get on yer knees to look through. That is where I found some multiple copies of some of these records at the time, LOL! Then even one step BELOW the dollar bin at a local store was the 49 cent bin where stuff would sit and sit and sit, and where I found gems like the Stiffs, Inc. “Chelsea” 7” that was promo only and had only 200 copies pressed total. Which brings me to the next record collecting formula that 90’s punk can many times turn on its head. “Cheap as shit” does NOT mean “bas music”! when it comes to 90’s stuff. Quite the contrary- lots of cheapo 90’s records had amazing, memorable “instant classics” on them! Just a shame that many of them were overlooked at the time and sat collecting dust until now.
Well, I have babbled long enough- on to the music! Listening to the Destroy All Art comp inspired me to dig around my collection and put together some of my favorite 90’s songs. Perhaps you’re familiar with all of them, or maybe I’ve dug up a few that you forgot about or never heard of. I did not try to just include things that I thought might be considered obscure, there are some “well known” bands or songs on it so it’s just whatever popped into my head that sounds good from that era.
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MY 90’s PUNK MIX TAPE/PODCAST
*I made an effort to put these songs in a certain order so they kind of flow together sound-wise, but since no one has any fucking patience anymore thanks to technology my attempt at creating the mixtape effect will probably go unnoticed. I do not have the time to include Discogs links to all of these records, so look up those details yourself please. And for more info and great musings on some of the below songs- like the story of how the Tiki Men achieved such a wall of sound- visit the sorely-missed Static Party blog that highlighted great 90’s music during the three years they were doing postings.
PART 1: FULL THROTTLE AND SCORCH
1. 77 Spreads– I Ain’t Against Punk Femme (Italy, 1995)
2. Hookers– Kiss My Fuckin Ass (KY, 1995)
3. Brides– Get To You (Evanston, IL, 1997)
4. Teengenerate– This Is Rock n’ Roll (Japan, 1995)
5. Seculars– Social Skills (NYC, 1997)
6. Lost Sounds– Plastic Skin (Memphis, TN, 1999) (original version from 1st EP on Solid Sex Lovie Doll label)
7. Mud City Manglers– Shit You Talk (PA, 1999)
8. Millionaires– Cleopatra’s Alley (San Diego, CA, 1995)
9. Teenage Graves– Born In Blood (Sweden, recorded 1990/released 1997)
10. Olivelawn– Carvin Is The Devil’s Paintbrush (San Diego, CA, 1991)
11. Fake Females– C’Mon C’Mon (Norway, 1996)
12. Jakkpot– Burnin’ In ’77 (Baltimore, MD, 1996)
13. Candysnatchers– Hooligan (VA, 1996) (original version on “Blasts From The Basement” comp EP)
14. Chinese Millionaires– Spoiled Rotten (MI, 1997)
15. The Makers– Waste Of Flesh (WA, 1995)
16. First Alert– Pinpoint Attack on My Alarm Clock (Japan, 1996)
PART 2: LOTS OF OFF-KILTER, UNIQUE CLASSICS + SOME MORE DRIVING BEATS & SOME MELODY
1. Hamicks– Oxymorons (Austin, TX, 1996)
2. Arch Villains– We Hate Your Ugly Face (WA, 1998)
3. Piranhas– Garbage Can (MI, 1999)
4. Charm City Suicides– Can’t Get Paid (MD, 1999)
5. Starvations– Shut Up Sirens (Los Angeles, CA, 1996)
6. Tiki Men– Swingin’ Creeper (Sacramento, CA, 1993)
7. Tonebenders– Root Beer (Sweden, 1995)
8. Splayed Innards– Social Retard (Iowa, 1996)
9. De Stipjes– My Brain Is Dead (Holland, 1996)
10. Stitches– Nowhere (Long Beach, CA, 1995)
11. Halfways– Friar Tucks (VA, 1997)
12. TKO’s– Don’t Pull The Plug (Cleveland, OH, 1996)
13. Les Thugs– I Love You So (France, 1991)
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Here’s some pictures I took of the record sleeves I used to put this thing together:
For some reason, I couldn’t find my copies of the 1st Lost Sounds EP while taking this picture. Plus I don’t have a vinyl copy of The Millionaires “Return To The Island of The Robots” 7″so if you have a copy please let me know
PODCAST LINER NOTES
PART 1
77 Spreads- I Ain’t Against Punk Femme
Killer, mid-tempo tune with an “instant classic” feel. I think they had some other releases, but I’ve never heard them. I am probably not motivated ‘cuz the rest of this EP is just so-so. At least they so nailed it on one song!
Hookers- Kiss My Fuckin’ Ass
One of my favorite songs from the 90’s! Wild, out of control and totally over the top in all ways ‘specially the vocals. The bile spewed forth in this song still makes my jaw drop after 20 years. Just ridiculous! Too bad the rest of this EP and all their other output never matched this one song. Supposedly only 300 pressed- they are all allegedly hand-numbered on the back of the thin paper foldover sleeve. One of my copies is #105/300 but then another copy has no such numbering on it. And then another copy I happened upon has what appears to be a photocopied sleeve and insert so was there some kinda repress??
Brides- Get To You
Another 90’s favorite. Just a perfect song- loud as hell, in your face, ferocious intensity with razor sharp guitars. They so fucking nailed it on this tune. The last growl in the waning seconds of the song of both singer and guitar is just perfect for me. Rip Off released a lot of great stuff, and this is one of- if not- the best. I missed their reunion show a few years ago at the annual Blackout fest, though.
Teengenerate- This Is Rock N’ Roll
I am not really into cover tunes, but to me this is definitely a case of the cover outdoing the original. Another example of that is SS doing “Blitzkrieg Bop” but that’s another story. Teengenerate were like the penultimate 90’s “garage punk” band during their relatively short existence and this song from the tail end of their lifespan is one of their pinnacles. Loud, blaring, pound your fist and jump around the room type of happiness. I am still thankful that I was able to see them live “back in the day” because that was the way to experience Fifi, Fink, Sammy and Shoe.
Seculars- Social Skills
A total barnstormer of a song from a really great and sadly obscure EP. The in-the-red drums are just bonkers and the tempo changes in this tune keep it plowing along nicely. This 7″ was on a crappy label, “360 Degree Records”, based out of Colorado but I am pretty sure I remember seeing an ad in an old Ugly Things magazine circa 1997 that said the Seculars were from New York City. This being on that crappy label probably made me miss it when it was released in the 90’s- thankfully, the Static Party blog clued me into it back in ’06 and I soon after stumbled upon a cheap copy at a local store filed under “Garage” (!).
Lost Sounds- Plastic Skin
Jay Reatard came up with such original, out-of-the-box music during his short time on this planet and his creativity is sadly missed. This original version of this song is a total jawdropper for me- totally tense delivery and the well-placed keyboards create a haunting and spooky atmosphere. As do Jay’s shrieking vocals- yowlza! And for some reason the guitar hooks always reminded me of Overkill’s “Our War” which is a good thing of course. That keyboard “solo” (?) in the middle of the song just sends me over the edge. All 4 songs on this EP are UNTOUCHABLE. I guess Lost Sounds had a bunch of other releases, including a re-recorded version of Plastic Skin, but I have yet to listen to them probably because I’m worried that none of it will be able to match the greatness of this song.
Mud City Manglers- Shit You Talk
Great punk n’ roll that just drips bad attitude- “I’ve got a face full of beer and a head full of fumes”. Yeah, not the boy next door eh. I think this song should have been on a single instead of on a full-length ‘cuz it’s that good. These guys had an earlier single, this LP and then some other singles which are all rather good. But this is definitely my favorite song by them.
Millionaires- Cleopatra’s Alley
Total meat and potatoes punk with a very thick undercurrent- that bass creates a real mean rumble in your speakers! The singer has a very macho man delivery which blends very nicely with the music too. These guys seem to have been in their own world- though because what the fuck is Cleopatra’s Alley?! The other song on this single is called “Return To The Island of The Robots” so must be something only the band understood or could explain eh.
Teenage Graves- Born In Blood
A real wild tune that channels the spirit of The Stooges- the nutso wah-wah pedal abuse sends this one nicely into the red! And cool growly vocals. Very cool that this was recorded way back in 1990 when punk was at a low point and several years before all of the cool 90’s stuff started coming out. But too bad that it took 6 or 7 years for it to get released. Just thankful that it finally did get released, though. There were a total of two singles from those 1990 recordings that came out, both good, but for me none of the other songs top this one.
Olivelawn- Carvin Is The Devil’s Paintbrush
A real surprise barnstormer here, buried on the B-side of a single some people probably missed! Olivelawn had several LP’s back in the early 90’s- including one song featured on the famous Plan B “Questionable” skating video which gives them instant cred/props for me- but NOTHING as good as this 60’s-tinged tune. Loud as hell stuff, with great guitar noodling by famous 80’s skate photographer O, otherwise known as Otis Bartholomew. Almost too much guitar noodling on this song, but nicely balanced out with some punk ‘tude.
Fake Females- C’Mon C’Mon
This high-energy, thick, shake-yo-ass tune was on an otherwise mediocre EP. This was their only record, but I just found out through Discogs that they had also had a cut on a 1997 10″ comp that appears to be all Norwegian bands.
Jakkpot- Burnin’ In 77
Jakkpot has a great handful of punk n’ roll singles that came out on various labels between ’95 and ’97 and were on a roll during those years! The band included former Black Market Baby guitarist Keith Campbell so you know you’d be in for a good time! It was kind of hard to pick out one song, but this great, intense ditty was my choice. It’s almost like the band was racing to the end of the song, which is always a good thing.
Candysnatchers- Hooligan
They had a bunch of great songs during the 90’s that were spread out amongst lots of singles and some LP’s. This tune was re-recorded later on, but this rawer version was on the equally great 4-song “Blasts From The Basement” comp that came out on the nice Centsless Productions label based out of The ‘Natti. That label had a nice stretch ‘cuz they also put out the famous Archie and The Pukes EP and various records by The Slobs. The singer could really sing a la U-Ron Bond and the guitarist Matthew Odietus (RIP) could really play too. I will never forget when the Candysnatchers plowed through this tune after I kept requesting it during a show at The Fireside Bowl back in March of ’98.
Chinese Millionaires- Spoiled Rotten
These guys had a nice run between ’95 and ’98, releasing four great singles and an LP. While it would have been easier to include one of the great tunes from their first two singles, I am also a big fan of this tune from their overlooked Rip Off LP. They were great live, what with their matching all-black outfits with the red ties, and I saw them play twice during those days, including a really great show in May of ’97 at The Empty Bottle with The Makers and Thee Headcoats. I think I have their set list from that show, which they printed on their cool letterhead that had their band logo on it in full color, nice touch. The band also had a fan club of sorts called “The Millionaires Club” where you could get some special merch too. When I was shooting the breeze with them one time, they said their name came from a line from some old Bob Hope movie. Singer Tom was earlier in a band called El Smasho, who had an EP in 1993. I have a copy, but I don’t remember what it sounded like off the top of my head.
The Makers- Waste of Flesh
These guys released a slew of stuff back in the 90’s, but this wild song could be their punkest moment. Some of their other stuff was more 60’s/”garage” influenced but Tim Kerr of Big Boys fame twisted the knobs on their 1995 LP on Estrus, from which this song is taken, and the result was totally punk. The guitar on this tune is just UNSTOPPABLE and the singer’s desperate howls are great. They were great live when they played that above-mentioned show with the Chinese Millionaires and Headcoats, ‘specially the singer’s shenanigans.
First Alert- Pinpoint Attack on My Alarm Clock
These guys put out a number of records, some of it way too power pop-ish for me, but this song is just the PERFECT combination of melody and power. And the hooks are just ridiculous- can just one song contain this many catchy hooks?! Plus, it’s an anthem of sorts for when you don’t feel like getting up for work on Monday morning. There was so much great, sometimes off-kilter, KBD-influenced punk coming out of Japan in the 90’s (and into the 2000’s) for which we are all thankful.
PART 2
Hamicks- Oxymorons
Such a great, weird “art punk” tune; a favorite of mine from the 90’s for sure. Whiny, hypnotic guitars, off-kilter vocals and just great pacing. I have a lot of copies of this single from the cheapo bins because it unfortunately was an overlooked gem. The band relocated from Texas to Chicago at some point in the 90’s so maybe the band brought stacks of copies with them… which unfortunately ended up in the dollar bin. I think I even found a copy in the dreaded, sad 49 cent bin once. This band released a bunch of other records but, frankly, I didn’t bother checking all of them out ‘cuz I was worried it wouldn’t match up to the uniqueness of this tune.
Arch Villains- We Hate Your Ugly Face
The Farfisa organ work on this song is almost hypnotic and is well-placed for sure, or else it would have been too much for me. And the thuggish backing vocals when they all growl “We Hate Your Ugly Face” is one of those moments where they really mean it, man! And are having a good time too, a real party tune here. It took me a few years to find a copy of this EP, which only had 250, hand-numbered copies pressed. The rest of this EP, unfortunately, does not match up to the “instant classic” feel of this tune for me though. This EP also had some very limited (25 copies?) edition that someone was selling on eBay late last year- alternate sleeve or something?
Piranhas- Garbage Can
Some bad vibe, dirtball stuff going on here which sound great! From the Detroit area, which had some raw stuff going on in the late 90’s like these guys, The Epileptix, Druggies, etc. Like the Arch Villains, the Piranhas also knew where to properly place the keyboards and not overdo it. Sometimes instrumentals just don’t work but it totally does here- they set a “rhino charging” pace for the song and those mosquito guitar jabs are so great too! The whole 3-song EP is so good, but this song is the best for me. They also had the great follow-up “Piranhas Attack” 12″EP in 2000 with lots of more raw, intense, “desperate man” songs. Their later records kind of lost me, though…
Charm City Suicides- Can’t Get Paid
A real jarring, unnerving, angry experience from start to finish on this song (and the entire 4-song EP for that matter). Desperate sounds for sure ‘specially that bass plucking, very unique stuff. Their follow-up LP had its moments but nothing can touch this EP. Only 300 copies pressed, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a cheap copy back in ’09 misfiled in the “Garage” bin of a certain record shop. The insert says “Recorded live 1/99 on a boom box at Mike’s Mom’s house”, which explains how they achieved such a raw sound. Thankfully it was not recorded in a studio ‘cuz it would’ve been a different experience I think. Oh yeah, the Mike they refer to is singer Mike Apichella.
Starvations- Shut Up Sirens
A very unique sounding tune here, highlighted for me by those thick bass hooks. I hear sort of a country or twang vibe going on too in general with this song, but in a tolerable, punkish way of course. This was release #10 on The Stitches’ Vinyl Dog label which probably made me take a chance on it in the first place when it came out. The Starvations had some other singles, a few of which I bought at the time, but I honestly cannot remember what they sounded like. The bass playing on this song is not of the same intensity per se, but kinda makes me think about the wild bass playing from Bad Posture’s “Time For Smack” for some reason.
Tiki Men- Swingin’ Creeper
The 90’s had a bunch of instrumental “surf revival” stuff coming out but NONE OF IT can touch this wild, 4-song Tiki Men EP with a ten-foot pole. Simply the best surf punk hybrid record of all time. All four tracks on it are great, and I had a hard time choosing just one song, but this Ventures cover is the “punkest” of the bunch I think. LOUD, intense and raw and recorded in an old bean sprout factory with cement walls, which explains the amazing production sound they were able to achieve on this EP. The Tiki Men had a handful of other records in those days, and I have yet to check out any of em because I predict that none of them will match up to this EP.
Tonebenders- Root Beer
What a great, weird-ass, off-kilter, fun tune. You know you’re in for a good time when the first thing the singer says at the beginning in Swede-accented English is, “In the Summer it’s hot… and winter collllldddddd” Some 60’s influence here in the guitar, but it growls along perfectly and the in-the-red sloppy solo is just perfect while the band chants “I wan it! Root beer!!!” in the background. Some off-kilter tempo changes ensure that this song’s place in hall of fame for unique-sounding songs. It took me a number of years to find a vinyl copy but I snagged one for rather cheap off of an online set sale list that had it filed under “Psych” probably due to how the A-side sounds.
Splayed Innards- Social Retard
Loud, upfront guitar work combines with a sad sack singing style to create an anthem of sorts for the socially inept. Just about every decade has a self-loathing, depressing tune that we all remember- the 60’s had songs like Murphy and The Mob’s “Born Loser”; the 70’s had ones like The Vectors’ “I Hate Myself”. I’m sure the 80’s had some of course but I can’t remember them off the top of my head right now. Splayed Innards were from Iowa, which kind of explains their desperate approach. I visited that state on several occasions back in the 90’s so I kind of understand where they were coming from. Because after a weekend trip to a certain part of Iowa, I was ready to leave so I can’t imagine being stuck living in certain parts of said state for what probably felt like an eternity to Splayed Innards. Thankfully it did, or else this song might have come out sounding differently.
De Stipjes- My Brain Is Dead
Another nice, loud, in-your-face, garage-y sounding tune. The lo-fi production adds to the charm of it all too I think. This Dutch trio just bashes away non-stop from start to finish on this song and shout away. They had some other records, including a 7″ and LP on Rip Off, but I don’t think they matched the power of this initial single.
Stitches- Nowhere
These guys released a shit ton of records over the years, some better than others, but this is my favorite Stitches song for sure. The band sounds like they’re racing each other to the end, which is always a good thing, and just charge along and throw in some signature Stitches melody. And the drummer is just working overtime. Mike Lohrman’s singing style is so great on this tune, too. He had a memorable “Check Out” page in a skate mag from 1990- was it Poweredge, or Transworld; I can’t remember but I have the issue somewhere in my basement. And I remember it because when the Stitches came out a few years later in the mid 90’s, I said to myself “Oh, that’s the skate punk guy that was in the magazine”.
Halfways- Friar Tucks
These guys were from Richmond, Virginia and released three EP’s during the late 90’s none of which unfortunately registered on a lot of people’s radar. This catchy hummer of a tune is from their first 4-song EP- their record got a positive review in Maximum RnR in the Summer of ’97 so it kind of stuck in my head as a record to get a hold of one if I came across it. Fast forward a little bit to the Spring of 1998- I went to the old dingy Fireside Bowl to see the one and only Candysnatchers (damn, what a great show that was by the way). They had a merch table set up, and since they were also from Richmond they had a copy of the Halfways EP. I excitedly told them I had been looking for this record for a while and they seemed surprised and said they’d definitely tell the band. They then shared an embarrassing drunken story about the Halfways which I should probably still keep to myself…
TKO’s- Don’t Pull The Plug
Cleveland is my hometown so of course I have a soft spot for Cle-based punk, but from an objective perspective there is so damn much good stuff that has come out of Cleveland over the years (and continues to!). Some of it sadly falls under the radar when it comes out but at least gets “rediscovered” years later I guess so it’s not totally obscure. Well, the TKO’s got some national coverage when Ryan Richardson raved about this single in his great “Peer Pressure” column in MRR. But by that time the TKO’s were well-known around Cleveland- singer Brandon was one of the, ahem, “business partners” in the sadly short-lived but very memorable Riot 101 record store between ’95 and ‘96. I for one could not wait until this single came out in the Summer of ’96. And it did not disappoint- what a classic one. Nothing over the top or in your face, though- but such a solid, extremely catchy, memorable tune- those drums draw me in right in the first few seconds. Great bass plucking, and such a great singing style. They also had another EP later in ’96 which is good as well but which some people were let down about for some reason, maybe because it didn’t sound exactly like the first 7”. The TKO’s morphed into the Teenage Knockouts (TKO’s- get it?) who released a 10” in late ’98 that had some catchy tunes. Singer Brandon continues plugging along in the band with the perfect Cleveland reference, The Plain Dealers, who have cranked out a number of 7”s.
Les Thugs- I Love You So
An intense, swirling experience on this song. Not really “punk”, and they probably didn’t call themselves a punk band per se like many of the other bands I included here. But they definitely nailed it on this song, and most of the “I.A.B.F.” LP from which this tune comes, for that matter. They just chug along throughout the song at a nice pace and then switch it up and hit a fevered pitch with that guitar solo in the middle. And the end of the song- damn! I remember getting this Les Thugs record in a random box full of other stuff at our college radio station in November of ’91 from Alternative Tentacles and thinking “Ehhh, who are these French guys?!” and not expecting much. But then I clearly remember spinning the record from beginning to end and being blown away by their intensity. For me, Les Thugs got instant cred when another song from this same LP was used for the almighty Eric Dressen’s part in Santa Cruz’s classic 1991 “Troops of Tomorrow” vid.