Overview
Murphy's Law were at the forefront of the New York hardcore movement in the early 1980s – but there was something inherently different about their sound.
They did have the hallmarks of their peers – fast paced, short songs with mosh sections which pleased the crowds – but they also managed to blend in some laid-back Californian punk sounds, mutant rock and roll, even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems.
Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax and S.O.D., whose Speak English or Die album pre-empted this release.
However, whilst they shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of Boston hardcore band, Gang Green – another trait which separates them from the socio-political leanings of fellow NYHC bands – they were never going to go down the metal road, although on later albums they did diversify into experimentations with ska.
Highlights on this album include the self-titled opener, "Care Bear" and the Iggy Pop cover version, "I Got A Right".
James Newell Osterberg Jr., known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. Designated the "Godfather of Punk", he was the vocalist and lyricist of influential proto-punk band The Stooges, who were formed in 1967 and have disbanded and reunited many times since.
The Descendents are an American punk rock band formed in 1977 in Manhattan Beach, California, by guitarist Frank Navetta, bassist Tony Lombardo and drummer Bill Stevenson. In 1979, they enlisted Stevenson's school friend Milo Aukerman as a singer, and reappeared as a punk rock band, becoming a major player in the hardcore punk scene developing in Los Angeles at the time. They have released eight studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums, and three EPs. Since 1986, the band's lineup has consisted of singer Milo Aukerman, guitarist Stephen Egerton, bassist Karl Alvarez, and drummer Bill Stevenson.
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Discharge are an English hardcore punk band formed in 1977 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. The band is known for influencing countless sub-genres of extreme music and their songs have been covered by some of the biggest names in heavy metal and other genres. The musical sub-genre of D-beat is named after Discharge and the band's distinctive drumbeat.
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I81B4U was an EP from Boston hardcore punk / speed metal band, Gang Green. It was released in 1988, after the previous year's debut for Roadrunner Records, You Got It and before 1989's release, Older... Budweiser.
Back with a Bong! is the second album from New York hardcore punk band Murphy's Law.
Dedicated is a full-length album by New York City hardcore punk band Murphy's Law. It was released by Another Planet in 1996.
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Brightside was the first of three full-length albums released by New York hardcore band, Killing Time. It was released in November 1989 on In Effect Records, a division of Relativity Records, and subsequently re-released in 1995 by Lost & Found Records in Europe, and Victory Records in the U.S. – both with bonus tracks. Both re-issue versions have three tracks from the Happy Hour EP released in 1992. The Victory Records re-issue also has material from the first Raw Deal demo made in 1988, of which five tracks were re-recorded for this album.
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Something's Gotta Give is the fifth full-length studio album by New York hardcore band Agnostic Front. It was released in June 1998 on Epitaph Records and follows 1995's Raw Unleashed compilation album. It is actually the first studio album since 1992's One Voice. The album was co-produced by Billy Milano, the frontman of crossover thrash bands S.O.D. and M.O.D.
Endwell is an American melodic hardcore band from Queens, New York, United States, formed in 2003. They have released one independent EP, one album on Victory Records; and one EP and two albums via Mediaskare Records.
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