Ahh, the extended play. Or to some, the Mini-LP. But for me, I like to
refer to it as the EP. I love the EP. It's usually too short and always
leaves the listener wanting more. Well, at least this guy. But
seriously, how many of you out there remember buying any of these
records I have listed below? I sure do! And, I could tell you where I
bought each and every one of them too. But we'll just omit that fun fact
this time around.
Most of these records were my first purchases
of these bands. With the exception of The Buzzcocks and The
Replacements. I heard The Buzzcocks on a local college radio station, then shortly
thereafter bought their "Singles Going Steady". I was instantly hooked
and wanted to buy every fucking record I could find of theirs,
immediately. And I just about did! (Note: I am still missing a few of
their early singles) Once when I was in town (Boston, Ma.) I found
a reissue of
"Spiral Scratch" (1977).
I already knew they ruled and couldn't pass it up. I certainly wasn't
going to wait to find an original, and if I did, I probably wouldn't of
paid what would have been a lot of money to me back then for it. Not
sure what an original goes for these days, but I kinda wished I did
score one back then. This EP rules.
Red Cross "S/T" (1980)
I
had seen this around and knew it had to be good. Pretty much everything
on Posh Boy Records rocked. Finally, after passing it up a few times, I
bought it and returned home only to be absolutely floored! I played
this record over and over and over again and again and again. I couldn't
get enough of it. Still to this day, it's by far my favorite record of
theirs. 6 and a half minutes with 7 pure teenage punk rock anthems.
Total classic California punk. This one kids, is ESSENTIAL!
The Replacements "Stink" (1982)
I
heard these guys through
my step brothers buddy, Jim. He loaned him "Sorry Ma...". I thought it
was the greatest rock & roll record I ever heard. Not long after
hearing it, I went out and got "Stink" only because it was the only
record by The Replacements I could find at the time. We didn't have many
'cool' record shops near where I lived, so to find this at Good
Vibrations
in Taunton, Ma. was a score! I spoke with the dude behind the counter
there and he was shocked that some little kid was buying this and
actually knew about the band. Not long after that, I sorta got to know
the guy. Now I was ordering 'cool' punk records (which were considered
Imports back then) from that record shop. I placed my order for "Sorry
Ma..." and "Let It Be" next. It wasn't until a year ago, when I finally
completed my Replacements discography and snagged a copy of "Boink!"
dirt cheap on eBay. Still one of my all time favorite bands, ever.
Black Flag "Jealous Again" (1980)
I heard this band on WERS and saw "The Decline of Western Civilization" and had the soundtrack to the latter on tape. Next, I needed to find any and all of these guys records and this was the first I found, along with "Everything Went Black". I bought both of them the same day. Wow, look at that! A mail order form for records inside and more from SST! Suddenly I was having my mother filling out checks and sending in my order to SST Records. Now I was in business. Records getting delivered to my door by mailorder! I can't count how many times I sent an envelope off to SST and eagerly awaited my records! I loved this band and played the shit out of all their records and still do.
Dead Kennedys "In God We Trust, Inc." (1981)
Now this was something! Another killer find at Good Vibrations. Holy shit! These guys were fast! It didn't take long to get their records as they had their first two full lengths, "Fresh Fruits For Rotting Vegetables" & "Plastic Surgery Disasters" there. So, after getting home and listening to this, I called and asked if they would hold the two other records behind the counter for me. I had to mow more lawns and get some cash fast and get back over there to get those records! And that's just what I did. About a year later they came out with "Frankenchrist".
The Minutemen "Paranoid Time" (1980)
At first I was like what the fuck is this? And then I was like holy fucking shit! Who the fuck are these guys? Obviously very talented musicians. I first heard them on "The Blasting Concept" compilation LP put out by SST Records. So I snagged this fucker up and never looked back. Another one I sent away for through SST Records. I remember combing the racks at Check It Out Records in Brockton, Ma. and found "The Punch Line" and "The Politics of Time" LP's both for $5.99. They had this tape too, "My First Bells" which I passed on and have only seen a couple other copies on the shelves throughout the years. Should've bought that one, but I was hooked on vinyl!
Agent Orange "When You Least Expect It" (1984)
Another favorite. Also first heard on the radio, which was "Bloodstains". (I still need that 45!!) I thought, wow, these guys are great! This was not as good as their debut, "Living In Darkness", but a great first for me. I had a chance to see them once years ago and passed it up. This and the following record are the only two I do not still own. This one somehow never got returned to me after being loaned out. And I've never come across a decent copy to add back to my collection, In time...probably "When I Least Expect It"! Ha!
Poison Idea "Pick Your King" (1983)
Arguably one of thee best hardcore records of all time. Yes, as stated above I no longer own a copy, and most likely never will unless I get one from someone that has absolutely no idea what it is worth. My gut turns every time I think about how I sold this years ago on eBay to get through a rough time in my life. It did keep me well fed for a month and helped pay some serious overdue bill I had. Next....
The Dickies - "Stukas Over Disneyland" (1983)
Dollar bin find! Another one I loaned out and never saw again. I did recently get a decent copy on eBay for cheap, so I'm back in business. Always loved The Dickies and this was the first record I bought of theirs. Some say it's a LP, I say an EP. I got "Dawn of The Dickies" next then "Incredible Shrinking Dickies" third. So yeah, I bought their three first 12" records backwards. Should've started with the latter....At any rate, still a great record and every time I hear their cover of "Communication Breakdown" I lose my shit. Classic.
Hüsker Dü "Metal Circus" (1983)
Another band I heard first on local college radio and of course "The Blasting Concept". Still love this band and most of their output. Some of their later records were really good, but got ruined (IMO) to poor production. This, however still sounds as good as the day it was released. Just listen to the opening track, "Real World" still gets me every time. This record should be heard by all!
Well, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this piece.
Later...
25 Favorite Records of 2016 are as follows. My list isn't in any particular order, so don't go thinking your bands record is number 1. Much love to all the bands, labels and cool folks that sent me free records or provided me with free music files etc. I Love you all!
5. Real Tears - "Too Cool To Rock"
