Labels: Dischord
Review by: Kunal Nandi
Some people seem to get very glassy-eyed and emotional when they spout forth about how incredible the Washington DC punk scene was (as if it’s shit now, which it certainly fucking isn’t), but personally, I didn’t know anyone involved since I was about two years old when things were going on and living in sunny Birmingham (UK), so for me it’s all about the music, which to be frank, is how it bloody well should be. Luckily, everything on here is fucking ace.
The figures are impressive: 3 CD’s, containing 73 songs (21 of which are previously unreleased), 6 video clips, a 134 page book with exhaustive information and photos on every band that’s been on Dischord and a nice box for everything to go in.
Personal high points.
. the criminally ignored Smart Went Crazy with a track from possibly the finest rock record by any American band (“Con Art”). Fact!
. Circus Lupus, plying deranged skronk-core well before it was fashionable to do so, with the catchiest song they ever managed to poop out – “Pop Man”. Ahead of their time.
. Lungfish play their one song (hardcore reviewer cliche #8), but brilliantly so, each and every time. . frighteningly complex, yet frighteningly catchy, I give you Faraquet.
. Void – one the first bands where each guy realised that playing as fast as possible was a lot of fun. Even better if you were together.
. the utterly ace power trio Branch Manager twanging away bouncily in an utterly unpretentious manner.
. motherfucking Jawbox people! Greatest band ever.
. as are/were Bluetip.
. Shudder To Think. Nuff said.
. Rites Of Spring, Trusty, Hoover, The Warmers, Minor Threat, Gray Matter, Fugazi, Dag Nasty. The list is lengthy. There is not a single stinker on this thing, and it serves as an excellent sampler for all those looking for some good stuff to purchase.
What was most interesting for me was hearing the forefathers of the scene, and the roots of the label (with a lot of material taken from the legendary “Flex Your Head” compilation). Although it’s mostly quite shoddy-sounding garage punk, which I probably won’t be returning to much, the energy underlying each and every song is so clearly evident, it’s no wonder the music coming from D.C. metamorphosed into so many different-sounding and unique bands.
There is a beautiful pair of photos on the book (which is fascinating reading) – one showing the Dischord office as it was 20 years ago, and how it is today. It is exactly the same, perhaps a little tidier now, but it just sums it all up. Perhaps the way they run things hasn’t changed, but if the thinking behind it was perfect to start with, why mess with it? Plus Ian MacKaye is still wearing shorts! An inspiration in the all-too fashionable and impermanent world of hardcore.