Hardcore '81

by D.O.A.

Overview

This Vancouver foursome was already a band to be reckoned with on their first three singles and debut, Something Better Change, but they went for the jugular on Hardcore '81, producing a rare and astonishing moment for the ages, a direct precursor to the Replacements' first LP torch job later that year. With the greatest drummer in punk history in Chuck Biscuits and an equally smokin' bassist in Randy Rampage, 1978-1982 D.O.A. had an unbelievably intense rhythm section to back the heavy, two-guitar power of Joey Shithead and Dave Gregg. With chops that actually bettered their primary influence, the Clash, and a take-on-all-comers attitude, these guys rocked -- and they knew it. With the exception of the much different, faster, more thrash Bad Brains debut, nothing else in the then-new hardcore genre came close to this wild LP. These 14 songs whip by quick with great thrill and tumult, an unusual, fun mixture of drinking buddy "I Don't Give a Shit" party tunes ("My Old Man's a Bum," "Fucked Up Baby"), wry, sardonic culture commentary ("M.C.T.F.D." aka "Middle Class Television Family Daughter," "Unknown"), and sobering sociopolitical outrage ("D.O.A.," "Smash the State," "Slumlord"). But what you can't forget are the machine-gun Biscuits fills, triggered by the merest hint of any looming chord change yet totally anchored on Rampage's booming bass. Or Gregg and Keithley's hot riffs that are so thick and yet slippery that they threaten to explode. Or Keithley's likable bear-growl vocals, as full of bonhomie good-guy spirit and wicked humor as they are with his sweat and vigor. Or songs so catchy, you want to sing them as loud as your lungs will take you. But like the '60s Who, '70s Clash, and '70s Buzzcocks (other bands of this same rank), they just don't come around often. Good thing they made Hardcore '81 before they left us. ~ Jack Rabid

Product Details

Release Date:	08/27/2021
Label:	Sudden Death
UPC:	0652975004912
Rank:	75590

Tracks

1. D.O.A.
2. Unknown
3. Slumlord
4. Musical Interlude
5. I Don't Give a Shit
6. M.C.T.F.D.
7. Communication Breakdown
8. 001 Losers' Club
9. Fucked up Baby
10. The Kenny Blister Song
11. Smash the State
12. My Old Man's a Bum
13. Bloodsucker Baby
14. Waiting For You
15. General Strike
16. Race Riot
17. Medley

Album Credits

Performance Credits

D.O.A.   Primary Artist
Randy Rampage   Guitar (Bass),Bass,Vocals
Joe Shithead Keithley   Guitar,Vocals
Chuck Biscuits   Drums,Guitar,Vocals
Tracy Marks   Piano
Dave Gregg   Guitar,Vocals
Greg James   Drums

Technical Credits

D.O.A.   Audio Production,Producer
Susan Werner   Composer
Jimmy Page   Composer
Chuck Biscuits   Composer
John Bonham   Composer
John Paul Jones   Composer
Brian Goble   Composer
Tracy Marks   Engineer
David Lester   Cover Design
Bob Mercer   Cover Art
Joe Shithead Keithley   Composer