The Exclamation Point is Important

I'm heading out to work here shortly.

This is a post for today.



If you're interested in the history of the exclamation point read this.

DA! (2010)


A limited Record Store Day dealio of unreleased and live and various tracks from the band Chicago band DA! as previously posted and even discussed in the last post. (See that for relevant links and shit.)

Lorna Donley died in 2011 of a ruptured aorta, but not before they had a brief reunion in 2010. Here's a contemporary interview from then.

David Thomas, the guitarist not the Wendy's founder, has a Soundcloud page up with some more unreleased stuff and rehearsal tapes that you can enjoy. There's a live version of the Byrds "Why" from the 7th St Entry in 1983 that is quite good.

I really like this band.

They say I'm Maladjusted...

It's early in the morning hours.
Download this at a volume that won't disturb others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busted At Oz (1981)

 

Side One
Naked Raygun - Bomb Shelter
Naked Raygun - When the Screaming Stops
Strike Under - Fucking Uniforms
Subverts - March Forth
Effigies - Quota
Da - Fish Shit
Silver Abuse - Anti-Hot Dog
Silver Abuse - Pink Port Now
Silver Abuse - Bomb Shelter

Side Two
Effigies - Guns or Ballots
Subverts - State of the Union
Naked Raygun - Paranoia
Naked Raygun - Libido
Da - The Killer
Strike Under - Anarchy Song
Silver Abuse - Jigaboo Jump


Another quality compilation of Chicago heavy hitters from 1981 on Autumn Records. The Silver Abuse tracks are my particular favorites because they are unremittingly dumb and funny and all the more punk rock for it. This is also recommended for the live DA! track who didn't really fit in with the whole punk rock at Oz scene, but they were already on Autumn Records with a single and an Ep (Which you may remember got posted a few years back)  so they made the cut.

AV Club has an article about a reissue done a number of years back.

The Real New Wave is Real

I have leftover Indian food, but I'm unfortunately out of beer.

It's always the little things.

Life is a constant struggle.

Don't Feed the Fashion Sharks (1983)

Here we are. It's 1983 and the Dark have made the big jump to the major label subsidiary Relativity Records for what would ultimately be their swansong. It's another groovalicious New Wave joint full of the same blend of goofiness and danceability that defined the previous record.

That being said. It's not my favorite. It's very mired in the sounds and production of 1983 and sounds almost quaint and a bit thin for my liking some 35 years later. I don't actively dislike it, but it's not something that I'm going to seek out on a regular basis.

Your mileage will vary. I'm probably just going to play "Judy" from the first single again.

In the Dark

The Winter Solstice was on December 21, so in theory it's starting to get light again in the world, but I work nights so all I see is darkness. I live in a half light and under lamps and overheads and florescents. It's just how it is.

 

 You Are in No Danger (1981)


This post involves the Boston area band popularly known as the Dark.

There is at least one thing we need to get out of the way right off the top.

 

This song by the Maps. The Maps were led by one Judy Grunwald who would eventually go onto Salem 66. This is important because this is the Judy of the song that kicks off this seven inch ep and this is the song that gets referenced in the intro.

Context is important.

Well mostly. Even before I was aware of any of that stuff I was still mildly obsessed with the song as a teenager for quite a while. It's a corker. I mean, the lines "I'm really glad you dumped your boyfriend/He looks like an East German Border guard" are just fucking brill.

The other two songs don't quite rise up to the level of "Judy" but they don't need to.
They just need to fill out the other side.
Which they do that quite adequately.

Darkworld (1982)

So it continued.

The Dark expand on their New Wave Dance groove for a six song, not quite Lp. It's all very early 80's in sound and feel and depending on how you feel about that your mileage will vary as to your enjoyment. I'm a bit on the fence myself. There's a lot to enjoy and a lot that is very dated and doesn't translate as well into the 21st Century as other contemporary things. But "We Can Be Children" is a nice tune and there's a follow up to the previous single with "Judy II" which leaves one wondering if Ms. Grunwald ever sought a restraining order.

Here's Your Hangover Post

Yeah, hopefully you had a good time last night. You may in fact be a tad hungover today.
Perhaps it's all a blur.

Or maybe you went to bed early and today is just another fucking day.

Or maybe, like me, you worked all night.

Any way you slice it this post is for you.

Start 2019 off with something good for a change.

Inflatable Boy Clams

 Inflatable Boy Clams (1981)


Here it is, kids. their sole release ever. A double seven inch so good they didn't need to record anything ever again.

Dangerous Minds has a little history for those who want it.

I don't. I have my own history with this masterpiece and its mystery that any additional knowledge could only taint. It is as it exists to me. I intend to keep it that way. (except that two members had previously been in the band Pink Section whom I also quite enjoy but in a different way.)