Wednesday, February 3, 2010

What one hardcore/punk album has stood the test of time for you?


Mike with Judge back stage at City Gardens, Photo: Ken Salerno

The following begins a substantial collection of contributions from many of the major players within the hardcore scene, both past and present. Some answers are long and in-depth, some are short and sweet, but all are meaningful and interesting. Hopefully everyone enjoys reading these as much as I've enjoyed collecting them. Stayed tuned, many more to come. -Tim DCXX


Mike Ferraro - Judge

Pretty easy for me. Black Flag " Damaged." It changed me. I was a mixed up punk rock kid who couldn't figure out why I didn't fit in. When I heard side 2, it all came together. I was fucked up but so were a lot of people my age. Somehow it made me feel not so alone, if that makes sense. I still listen to the Damaged record all the time. It's just the heaviest thing ever.


Parris with the "Best Wishes" era Mags, Photo courtesy of: Parris

Parris Mayhew - Cro-Mags

Sex Pistols "Never Mind the Bullocks" - Dead Boys "Young Loud and Snotty" - Cockney Rejects "Greatest Hits" - Crumbsuckers "Life Of Dreams" - Black Flag "Damaged" - Dead Kennedys "Fresh Fruit" - Circle Jerks "Group Sex" - Bad Brains "Roir Cassette" - and X "Los Angeles" - I still listen to them all often!


Patrick destroys the kit during a Citizens Arrest set at ABC No Rio, 1990, Photo: Christine Boarts

Patrick Winter - Our Gang / Citizens Arrest

Not sure if this goes down as punk/hardcore but I would have to go with CAN I SAY by DAG NASTY. I probably have heard that album 5000 times at this point. I can't think of a more perfect album from that era. Honorable mention to I DON'T WANNA GROW UP by the DESCENDENTS.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

I feel like these answers will seem cliche, but they are for a reason.

Bad Brains - ROIR Sessions
Cro Mags - Age of Quarrel
Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today

They are three of very few albums I still listen to from beginning to end almost every single time. Which says a lot in the age of iTunes. They've never left my regular rotation for something like 15yrs.

Anonymous said...

I see these "most influential hardcore album" lists all the time and if the Adolescents first album is not included it's hard to take them seriously.

Jon A. said...

If I'm not mistaken, that X-swatch in the CXA pic is the exact same one that is currently in my possesion.

Billy said...

X Los Angeles is a really good choice!

thefleX said...

Daryl Kahan got in touch with me a year ago to ask if I still had Patrick Winters contact, but I didn't. So if anyone can hook me (or him) up, he would appreciate that I think.

Anonymous said...

cool citizens arrest photo. gotta agree with the paris list as well.

american leather said...

it's true, the cro-mags were all big pistols fans!!!. but the album i listen more is the germs (g.i.), is from 1979 and is harder than motorhead, hardcore begins with that album, even black flag were influenced by them, and still sounds fuckin' great. from '79, before the bad brains and the rest.

Anonymous said...

The Jake said...

What's hardcore/punk?

Please be my friend, my brother is in the scene.

Love Always Paul T.

Anonymous said...

The Clash.

They slap every band any of you named right in the face.

None of ANY of these bands would exist or would have been able to display a speck of diversity if it wasn't for The Clash.

Opened the door, paved the way,and forever solidified the meaning of punk rock.

Anonymous said...

FEEZU. watch the teeth.

Anonymous said...

walk together rock together. My first punk record, still obsessed with it.

Ben Edge said...

"the album i listen more is the germs (g.i.), is from 1979 and is harder than motorhead, hardcore begins with that album, even black flag were influenced by them"

Greg Ginn insists that Black Flag was influenced by the Ramones, but not the Germs. This would annoy Brendan Mullen (RIP) to no end. He couldn't believe that these guys from the South Bay who seemingly came out of nowhere were not influenced by the Hollywood scene, of which Brendan was an ambassador of sorts.

Anonymous said...

1)Can I Say
2)Can I Say
3)Can I Say

american leather said...

i talked in 1994 with spot, that legendary producer, and he told me that black flag were totally into the germs, dez cadena was a big fan (read the book "american hardcore"), the "jealous again" ep is very germs influenced, and the germs were the only respected band from that hollywood scene, by the south bay hardcore punk rockers. when black flag were called "panic" they were more into the ramones and the pistols.

Ben Edge said...

Glad to hear it. I also thought it was fishy that Black Flag wouldn't have been influenced by the Germs. Brendan also thought that Black Flag fudged the January '78 recording date for the Nervous Breakdown ep. He couldn't believe that a record pre-dating the Lexicon Devil 7" could sound like that. I saw him argue with Keith Morris about, who should know when it was recorded, since he sang on it.

Patrick Winter said...

Love that pic of me, I miss that watch.

Anonymous said...

Poison Ideas first EP Pick Your King, they just took hardcore to a different level.

Anonymous said...

I never liked the CLASH. They seemed like a pop band to me. Going down the Ramones, Blondie Talking Heads road, when I turned right with the DEAD BOYS, PISTOLS and BLACK FLAG route. I think Clash are ok now and when I hear a song or two I like it but they didn't turn my insides out like Sex Pistols, Motorhead or DEAD BOYS still do today. But that's personal taste. Historically of course the Pistols were way ahead of the Clash... which is neither here nor there. When the Clash played at BONDS I went to see Dead Kennedys at the Pep Lounge... or was it X? Can't remember... too many Fosters Lagers...