Time for the real sounds of the underground. Released to coincide with publication of Jon Savage-edited book on punk cover art, Punk 45: Kill The Hippies! Kill Yourself! is a re-up on what was going on in the States from 1973 to 1980. While the macro-narrative concentrates on the fertile ground around NYC's Bowery and downtown, there were many other equally vibrant scenes. Be it Cleveland (X Blank X, Pere Ubu, Electric Eels), San Francisco (Tuxedomoon) or Austin (The Skunks), the punk underground was fired up and ready to pogo. Brimming with both classics and rare cuts, Punk 45 is a reminder of the many hometown heroes who found a way to channel their anger, frustration and excess energy though a bunch of scratchy riffs topped by a furious opening salvo of one-two-three-four. Play loud. souljazzrecords.co.uk
Download: The Hollywood Squares, Hillside Strangler; Knots, Action; Pere Ubu, The Modern Dance; The Bizarros, Ice Age