28 Inches of Punk Rock Part 8 (4x 7” Vinyl) USA Bangers
The Latin Dogs - Warning! EP
Label: Artifix Records; Year: 2024; Format: Vinyl EP
Wow, not sure where to even start, but first off apologies to anyone out there that’s been looking forward to new entries as it sure as hell has been a while since the last one. I hope to change that, but life takes over and gets busy and all those lame but very legitimate excuses. Anyhow, today I sat down and listened to four American EP’s, all bought somewhat recently. I’ll start with the first ever legit reissue of The Latin Dogs “Warning” EP, and what a killer record this is, it’s hard to even put it into words, especially considering there is very little information to be found about these cats from Michigan. Well, let’s start off with the fact that originally the EP came out in 1982 and was self-released and financed by the band. I am perplexed as to why nobody had released this smasher of an EP back in the day, but if the Sorry State review is to be believed the band was deflected and rejected by popular punk circles.
I pulled out my copy of the “Why Be Something That You’re Not” book from my shelves and couldn’t find anything relating to the Latin Dogs, disappointing but then again they weren’t from Detroit. The fact that the band hailed from Battle Creek, more than a hundred miles away from Detroit, makes me believe that the Latin Dogs were just not cool enough for the Detroit hardcore kids as punk rockers can be some of the most ignorant and elitist cunts you’ll ever encounter. With having said that it’s great to see this gem of an EP having received the respect and treatment it deserves in form of this remastered version in a nice and thick cardboard sleeve. Musically the band played chunky and tuneful 77 punk mixed with the emerging hardcore sound, not unlike bands such as Kraut from New York or the Zero Boys from Indiana, leading to a unique sound harking back to the early days of punk rock. All six songs are lyrically speaking critical of the government and society at large while seriously kicking ass in every shape and form. Enough said I think, and if by any chance I can gather more information about the band I’ll post it here. Get a copy while they last!
The Comas - Anything For Kicks EP
Label: Therapeutic Records; Year: 1999; Format: Vinyl EP
On to the next one which I got some months ago for nearly nothing at the great Last Vestige Record Shop in Albany, NY. Just goes to show you that good stuff doesn’t have to be expensive, and today’s listening session has most certainly reinforced in me the belief that the ‘90s and early ‘00s produced some fantastic punk rock records, especially on seven inches of vinyl. I most likely told you that a long time ago I got rid off of most of my records from said time period, but I have been buying some back, and some I have never had before. To my liking a lot of those records can be found for very little, which always amazes me considering how good some of these platters are. Anyhow, enough of my boring shit and on to the Comas, a band from Jackson, Mississippi, with their only ever release. To their credit if you are ever going to release just one EP, then make sure it sounds like this one. All four songs are nothing short of great garage punk tunes with just about enough 77 punk snottiness in the mix. This could have very well been released on Rip Off Records, definitely would have fit the label 100%. Therapeutic Records went on to release a few more records by the likes of Final Solutions, Bad Times or Kajun SS, you get the vibe. If you see a copy out in the wild, grab it!
The Shrinks - My Minds Gone EP
Label: Radio Records; Year: 2002; Format: Vinyl EP
Out of the ashes of the Trust Fund Babies came The Shrinks, an equally if not better band hailing from San Francisco. I recalled today that I used to have their first EP, released on the great Rapid Pulse Records from Rhode Island, a label I was distributing in Europe when I was active with my label and distro all those years back. I will have to get myself another copy, but for now I have this one, and it sure as hell kicks serious ass. San Francisco at the turn of the century had a great 77 punk influenced scene with bands springing up like mushrooms. All four songs are well recorded punk rock gems that will want you to pogo in your living room or your suburban train getting you home from a shitty day at work. You get in your face, yet melodic and tuneful punk rock the way I will never get tired of. Just like the record above I got it for nearly nothing, and so should you. Members from The Shrinks went on to feature in bands like the Shifters, Radio Reelers and the list goes on.
The Observers - Lead Pill EP
Label: Deranged Records; Year: 2005; Format: Vinyl EP
The Observers must be one of the best kept secrets in the history of punk rock as their records are still widely available and go for little to nothing even though all of them are underground classics in my opinion. A note to myself to get the LP again, but I never had any of their EP’s until I grabbed this one from Havoc Records. Lead Pill was the band’s debut and was originally released on Super Secret in the US in 2004 before Deranged Records from Canada reprinted the record in several versions while it was presumably selling well. The band from Portland, OR is not easy to pin down when it comes to their sound as they have successfully managed to draw from various genres while blending it into their own sound. Bands like Joy Division, Naked Raygun, Rites of Spring or Wipers come to mind when trying to decipher the Observers’ sound which is a mix of hardcore punk outbursts and gloomy melodies with an upbeat singer. Even though they didn’t create anything new, they very much succeeded at assembling their own unique style and I like it a lot. Many of you reading this will know that after the split of the Observers the band Red Dons was born, another great act in their own right. I’ll write more about the Observers and Red Dons down the road as I am getting anything I can get my hands on from the back catalogue. With that, until next time, and I promise it won’t be months again.
