Listen, I know I sound like a broken record here, but I’m stuck under a Rocket from the Crypt sized cloud without an umbrella and it’s friggin’ POURING! Do you hear what I’m saying?! A stronger man may be able to control these things, themselves, but by God, I am not a strong man.
VIVA LA CRYPT!!!
(Photo taken from inside gatefold of the 1994 Rocket from the Crypt / Bloodthirsty Butchers split 7”, so, there you go.)
Originally released in ’91 on Ian MacKaye’s Dischord records, DC’s The Nation of Ulysses unleashed an intensely uncompromising hardcore classic with their debut, 13-Point Plan to Destroy America. This citrus flavored beaut is limited to 1000 copies and was released back in ’08. If you’ve not heard Ulysses, think of a slightly more loosely formed Fugazi on four pots of double brewed coffee. Not your grandfather’s music, unless your grandfather was a former rager, but 13-Point is perfect, among several other times, for late Friday afternoons at work after an excruciatingly busy week.
Happy Friday, kids, and RIP Mr. Spock!
… the unconditional love of Rocket form the Crypt. Lorna Doom, whose song these lyrics are derived, do, in fact, NOT make an appearance on the album with which this insert in included (1995’s Scream Dracula Scream).
This means absolutely nothing for the majority of you, and even less for those who already know. Love, even that of the unconditional nature, need not be ignored. (Said he, while bathing in the comforting bathwater of his current obsession.)
In my quest to acquire (apprehend) every and all Rocket from the Crypt records, one that will undoubtedly never come to fruition, I stumbled across this signed copy of 1992’s Yum Kippered. Unsure of this item’s authenticity, I decided to pull the trigger for a reasonable $25. I had to cross Yum Kippered off the list, and figured a signed copy by the greatest rock n’ roll band of my generation was a decent selling point. So one “Buy it Now” click, a twenty and a fiver out of my account, and a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong four days, and this beauty was mine. A great discovery at a reasonable price… NEXT!
Soundtracks can help define, as well as accompany a well-stressed situation, and this is certainly no different. Enjoy with color, kiddos.
Released on Mr. Jourgenson’s 13th Planet Records, Ministry’s 10th studio album, 2006’s Rio Grande Blood finds ol’ granpaw Jourgenson and crew picking up where they left off with the first in the Bush-bashing trilogy, 2003’s Houses of the Mole. Where as the latter pays homage, if only in name, to Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy, the former gets the root of its title from ZZ Top’s sophomore album, Rio Grande Mud.
Every-every time I drink this beer, see its label, or hear its reference, I can’t help but think of this song, and this fascinating band… the immensely underrated, Minutemen, and this, their 1983 opus, The Anchor.
In the thick of a Rocket from the Crypt storm… Hunker down, kiddos…
Back in ’92, and a whole three years before the digital video disc was invented, LaserDiscs were considered, across the videophile nation, to be the best quality home consumer video format that money could buy. Leave it to the Beastie Boys to tackle this medium to promote a collection of their classic music videos, appropriately titled, The $kill$ to Pay the Bill$. Nabbing its title from the a bonus track to the So What ‘Cha Want single (release June 2nd, 1992), The $kill$ to Pay the Bill$ may very well be the best non-album track, aside maybe for Mullet Head, that the trio ever released, and is a fitting handle for this 12 video comp.
One of only two LaserDiscs that I kept after the great liquidation of 2012 (the other being the Criterion Collection release of Dr. Strangelove), The $kill$ to Pay the Bill$ is a perfect relic of early 90’s distinction. What’s a seemingly intentional snub to the fans, however, is the omission of the video from which this collection derives its name. Shameful punks!
Last year, and 17 years after the initial release of Jersey brats, The Bouncing Souls’ self-titled, and 3rd album, Epitaph released this gorgeous gold vinyl reissue exclusive to their online store. Limited to only 500 copies, I’m a bit surprised to report that this little gem is still available directly from Epitaph. (Here is a link if you’re interested.)
The Bouncing Souls is a very contagiously energetic album, falling in line with their debut The Good, The Bad & The Argyle, and their sophomore effort, Maniacal Laughter. Their 4th offering, 1999’s Hopeless Romantic is brilliant in its own right, but sees the band maturing a bit, or as much as a pop punk band from the east coast can mature over two years. All in all, the first four efforts by this disorderly group are unmistakably essential, and a little color never hurt the cause, either.
1994 was owned, operated, provided, and unconditionally loved, by Rocket from the Crypt. As I begin my solemn and uphill quest towards the “complete” RFTC discography (those in the know laugh hysterically), I stop to calmly admire these serene milestones along the majestic and jaded path. Burn Mouth Off Liar with Punk Heat Blast, aka UFO UFO UFO… this 1994 7” acts as another notch in the RFTC belt, and is a worthy addition to the collection, if only filling the void of Elvis-sized proportions.
“In your home… in your car… or wherever you roam!” So true is the versatility that RCA stereo 8 cartridge tapes bring to, (well placed comma, don’t you think?) your home, your car, your jet, and your cruise ship (icon to specify, just in case you can’t determine between the options).
The new and exciting way to enjoy Eddy Arnold and Perry Como on virtually any extended day travel situation. With “up to 60 minutes playing time,” your 8-track stereo cartridge tape will get you from Wilshire west to Burbank, in only 4-full cartridge flips (only 19 miles). RCA knows your need for portable, cumbersome libraries, and having been “adopted by all major U.S. auto companies,” your mundane trips to and from the unemployment office will feel like a warm, summer’s breeze… if that warm summer’s breeze came complete with the entire back catalog of Mr. Floyd Cramer.
Roam, to the blissful, warbling sound, of RCA stereo 8 cartridge tapes.
So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes was NOFX’s 1997 neapolitan follow-up to the marginally successful 1996 album, Heavy Petting Zoo (in and of itself, a follow-up to the heavily successful Punk in Drublic). This version, pressed on tan vinyl, was an exclusive to 500 copies, and was offered directly from the Epitaph Record website. Also released on black (original), brown, clear pink, green, solid pink, and solid brown, So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes can be enjoyed in a variety of flavorful, and deliciously vibrant colors. Sugary-sweet pop punk for your ear’s sweet-tooth.
If you happen to find yourself in, and / or around west LA from now until 8pm tonight, check out Liquid Kitty’s Punk Rock BBQ for a slam-packed Sunday filled with cheap booze, six bands, free hot dogs, and Mike Watt. “BE THERE OR YOU SUCK”
(Photo / flier courtesy of liquidkitty.com)
Leave it to Loverboy and this skin-tight, hot pink leather pants wearing, luck-searching cover to show you and yours a romantic Valentine’s Day! Fingers crossed everybody gets lucky today!
Happy Valentine’s Day, kiddos!
So, first and foremost, an esteemed apology for the blatant William Shatner reference in tonight’s post. The SO and I have started watching Boston Legal, a personal favorite, and this 1979, Peter Pan Records release (#1513) seemed arguably appropriate. The In Vino Veritas story is certainly one for the fan-boy ages, but, and I’ll disclose 100% honesty here, anything Shatner is certified gold. Props to Mr. George Takei for his prominent position on this 7”’ cover.
Title: Gilman Street Block Party
Year: 1993
Label: Unofficial Release (AKA bootleg, duh)
Records: Two
Bands: Neurosis, Operation Ivy, Green Day, Rancid, Crimpshrine, Stikky, Isocracy
Style: Stop Wasting My Time
Purchase: Here
So, Saturday’s show down at Harold’s in Pedro, and the $10 cover, contributed towards the raising of funds for the Craig Ibarra penned, Pedro punk scene inspired book, A Wailing of a Town. “An Oral History of Early San Pedro Punk and More” from 1977 – 1985, this book is highly anticipated by the Prudent Groove, and is suggested throughout the punk, quality, and truth music scene across the globe. Political-minded, Pedro-proud.
Obsessions are born, not necessarily made. Am I willing to save up, and eventually fork over $1k for a Rocket from the Crypt record, perhaps… does this tidbit of information have ANYTHING to do with tonight’s gesture? Well, decidedly, no. Released in 1985 on both (this) blue, and white vinyl, this 7-track 7” titled, Mystic Records Super Seven Sampler #2 features some pretty solid hardcore licks from Doggy Style (not what you think), Wall Flowers (again, not at all what you think), and the then titled, NO F-X. $10 for this guy back in 1998 was a bit of a head scratcher, but looking back, I can’t imagine ever thinking twice about this record’s purchase. Indulge the senses, kiddos!
The Prudent Groove 
