Hurts More Than Pain (#002)

[ZS]
(Re-upped 10/3/13@12:30AM)

Round two. I have been pleasantly surprised with the positive response to last week's post, and it makes me very happy to see people embracing the format change. Here's hoping this week's compilation measures up. It's another unthemed collection, but heavier on the post-punk, and a slightly less aggressive set by comparison. I hope that doesn't deter you. On to the breakdown.

1. "Heyday" by The Sound
From The Sound's 1980 debut. I've only recently discovered these guys, and I'm impressed with their particular brand of post punk. A band I wouldn't be surprised to see making future appearances here at BM, provided the rest of their albums are as compelling as the one this track is pulled from.

2. "Just Another Dream" by The Professionals
The first single from Paul Cook and Steve Jones' sometimes maligned post-Sex Pistols band, The Professionals. Nowhere near as abrasive or confrontational as their previous outfit, but then who says it needs to be?

3. "Contort Yourself" by James Chance & The Contortions
James Chance gets thrown in with the no wave movement quite a bit, but my guess is that that stems more from his band's appearance on the infamous No New York compilation, and is less a result of the actual music they played. These guys were of the catchier and dancier variety, and this track is an anthemic classic.

4. "Tojo" by Naked Raygun
An early Naked Raygun track, recorded before the arrival of John Haggerty, whose guitar work would come to define the band's sound. Santiago Durango, who held the reigns here, was certainly no slouch though. The band's discography is one of my personal favorites, but a part of me occasionally wonders what might have been had they continued in this direction.

5. "Offshore Banking Business/Pennies In The Pound" by The Members
An extended version of The Members' second single, "Offshore Banking Business", from the 1979 12". British reggae-punkers of the highest caliber.

6. "Feelin' Alright With The Crew" by 999
A classic track from their classic sophomore LP, "Separates".

7. "Money Chain" by Depression
Depression were an Australian hardcore band, probably best known for their appearance on the notorious Maximum Rock N Roll compilation, "Welcome To 1984".

8. "It's Not Enough" by Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
The second single from L.A.M.F., and a personal favorite. This is the "Lost '77 Mixes" version.

9. "H.A.T.R.E.D." by Tonio K
Tonio K is a pop/rock artist, but you listen to this song and tell me it's not punk. The American answer to Elvis Costello. From his 1978 debut.

10. "Pig Is A Pig" by Plasmatics
Walking the line, as usual, between metal and punk, here's Wendy O. Williams and her Plasmatics. From 1981's "Beyond The Valley Of 1984".

11. "Child Eaters" by Rubber City Rebels
Garage punk heavily influenced by The Stooges, although also strongly aligned with the from-the-gutters edge of fellow Ohio natives, the Dead Boys. This track originally appeared on their 1977 split LP with The Bizarros, aptly titled "From Akron".

12. "Black And Red" by Rik L Rik
If I understand correctly, this is a solo rerecording of a song originally by Rik L Rik's former band, Negative Trend (as are the other tracks he contributed to 1979's "Beach Blvd." compilation, from which this track is pulled). I've never been able to play favorites with the two versions, they are both excellent.

13. "Call Of The Wild" (Live) by The Suicide Commandos
I've said it before and I'll say it again here, the Suicide Commandos are one of the greatest underrated late seventies American punk bands. This is a live recording from a 1976 radio performance.

14. "Time" by BPEOPLE
This post punk band's material is just screaming for an all-encompassing retrospective package. It's a serious crime that as of the time of this writing there isn't one. Find their stuff. Play it. Love it.

15. "Testosterone Gone Wild" by Alice Donut
The second track from their second album. They always sounded like a punked up grunge band to me, and this track is no exception.

16. "Breakdown" by Buzzcocks
This is the "Spiral Scratch" version, with Howard Devoto on vocals.

17. "Complete Control" by Big Boys
The lighter (by comparison only) side of Texas legends Big Boys. None of the breakneck hardcore or funk flavored punk they're known for, but nevertheless a pitch-perfect classic.

18. "Harmony In Your Bathroom" by Swell Maps
As with last week's post, I've left the most "challenging" track for last. That said, this is one of Swell Maps more straight-forward efforts, from their groundbreaking 1979 debut.