Issue No. 1

Dag Nasty – Values Here….One of my favorite bands…period. A masterful blend of Hardcore power with insightful, heartfelt lyrics. Dave Smalley from DYS sang on this album and optimizes everything that was good about this time period. Raw and without ego. Colin played drums. Roger played bass and Brian Baker played guitar. Their live show was amazing and humbled me. Really good guys.
MDC - I Remember...I saw these guys a couple of times and really liked their passion. I met them backstage when we played together at the infamous and now burned down Fender’s Grand Ballroom in Long Beach, California…nice guys.
Necros – Youth Camp...I saw these guys in South Central L.A. at a tiny little dive bar called “Bob’s Place” with the Misfits and Social Distortion. No Stage. No Room. No Problem. They were incredible. Jerry from the Misfits was so annoyed at people banging into his bass guitar that he ( in the middle of the song ) smashed it over a guy’s head and they dragged him out the front door by his boots...out cold! As a topper I borrowed my Mom’s car and it got broken into and her stereo was stolen...all in all it was worth it, though. $5.00 to get in…16 years old...100 people…Social D…the Misfits and the Necros... in the hood….a great memory.
Youth Brigade – Sink with California…The Stern’s were very influential with their “ Better Youth Organization” in the Los Angeles area scene and really helped to provide a sense of stability. The first group of guys I played with ( Unity ) opened up for them at the Cathay de Grande in Hollywood and during their sound check Mark the drummer asked me to sit in and play his kit during a song so that he could check the levels out front….a real thrill to say the least...but this is how incredibly amazing these moments in time were. In a word it was...genuine.
7 Seconds – This is my life...As good a group of guys as you would hope to know. For me Kevin, Steve and Troy are at the very top of the list of influential Punk bands. Even though many years have passed since our last conversation, I will always value their friendships. I saw them many times and never did they disappoint.
Bad Brains – pay to cum...Aside from Minor Threat...THE most influential band in hardcore. I was privileged to see them live only once and they were stupendous. What a strange combination…one minute they would play as loud and fast as humanly possible and then completely shift gears ( actually rip the stick out of the car!) and play thoughtful, melodious reggae. A tsunami of sound.
Uniform Choice – Screaming for Change….I loved playing music with this band. Twenty-five or so years after I wrote lyrics about life, love and anti-obsession….I still base my life and now parenting on these same basic tenets. For me it was for life. As time fades I realize how powerful and influential this period of my life has become….moments never last me long enough to catch my breath!
SSD – The kids will have their say…Boston Hardcore. SSD was a heavy hitter on the hardcore scene. My friend Pete and I drove all night from Reno, Nevada where we were visiting our friends 7 seconds to see SSD and Government Issue at the wonderful Sun Valley Sportsman Hall outside of Los Angeles. They were loud, fast and powerful. I remember how exciting it was to see the East Coast bands for the first time.
Scream – New Song...As dynamic a band as I have ever seen. We were touring and played with them in San Francisco. Damn what a cool vibe they gave off. So confident and yet without any hint of arrogance. “Still Screaming” is one of my favorite albums because it had so many layers of musical content...fucking great band.
Crucifix – Dehumanization...What a great introduction and song. I saw these guys only once and was blown away. The singer, Sothira, went absolutely berserk. He lived his lyrics and it showed in his live performance. An Englishy, Crass-like delivery which was something, at the time, that I quite frankly did not gravitate toward. These guys were something special, though, and they opened my eyes to other forms of thoughtful musical/lyrical power.
Funeral – Waiting for the bomb blast….This is one of the first singles I ever bought and damn were they dynamic for 1980-81. I never saw them live or really ever heard much of them except for this single, but it really stuck with me.
Shades Apart – dark days...It was a pleasure to work with these guys with Wishingwell Records. As good a three piece hardcore outfit as I have ever heard. It was a privilege being a part of their musical offering. The words were so well crafted and went so perfectly with the music...fucking great music.