Hardcore punk is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk scenes in San Francisco and Southern California which arose as a reaction against the still predominant hippie cultural climate of the time. It was also inspired by New York punk rock and early proto-punk. New York punk had a harder-edged sound than its San Francisco counterpart, featuring anti-art expressions of masculine anger, energy, and subversive humor. Hardcore punk generally disavows commercialism, the established music industry and "anything similar to the characteristics of mainstream rock" and often addresses social and political topics with "confrontational, politically-charged lyrics."
Speed metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots. It is described by AllMusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music.
Gang Green is a rock band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty (guitar), Bill Manley (bass) and Mike Dean (drums) started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1983. Doherty reformed Gang Green the following year, and band experienced numerous lineup changes until its dissolution for the second time in 1992. Doherty has been the band’s only constant member, and has kept Gang Green active from 2005 onwards. The band was influential in the formation of the East Coast hardcore scene and went on to become one of the forerunners of crossover thrash and speed metal in the late 1980s.
It was released in 1989, a year after the EP, I81B4U. It was the last full album of new material to emerge from the band until 1997's EP, Back & Gacked, but was followed by a live album, Can't LIVE Without It in 1990.
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 & Gacked was an EP released by American hardcore punk band, Gang Green. It was released on May 6, 1997 on Taang Records.
After the album was released, bass player Joe Gittleman was sacked and replaced by D.R.I.'s Josh Pappe in time to tour.
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles are an American crossover thrash band that formed in Houston, Texas in 1982. The band is currently composed of two of its founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Rob Rampy and bass player Greg Orr.
It was the first time the band had recorded outside of their Boston, Massachusetts hometown as well. Rhode Island was the new setting, with Tom Soares replacing Daniel Rey at the mixing and production table.
Rhode Island, officially the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest state in area, the seventh least populous, the second most densely populated, and it has the longest official name of any state. Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound. It also shares a small maritime border with New York. Providence is the state capital and most populous city in Rhode Island.
Overview
A change of scenery, to Rhode Island saw a marked change in sound for the band, although it had the same members as had performed previously.
Songwriting was no longer a solo effort on the part of Doherty with a few token collaborations. Nearly every track was written in partnership with another member – even Joe Gittleman was the sole writer of two tracks; this may be contributing to his urge to form a new band which he was free to do after this release.
The lyrics changed from fun, beer-drinking, womanizing anthems to more socio-political themes – except "Bedroom of Doom" which reverted to form, albeit momentarily. "We Can Go" was an acknowledgement that they knew they had disappointed some fans by "selling out" or "going metal" – but it contained the message that no matter what the genre, they could still enjoy a punk or metal show as it was the music – not the dress code or hair length – which counted.
"Church of Fun" was a stab at the widespread prominence of evangelism – it was almost obligatory for bands, whether metal or punk, to write a song on this subject.
Musically, the up-beat funtime catchy melody had dissipated somewhat, making way for a darker mood which only returns on "Bedroom of Doom" only to give way to full on thrash metal on "Casio Jungle" – an attack on electronica music. The songs are slower, which means they are not played as fast as they can possibly go with this band.
Thrash metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work. The lyrics often deal with social issues and criticism of The Establishment, using direct and denunciatory language, an approach borrowed from hardcore punk.
There is even a song featuring an orchestra – "Ballad" – which although was tongue-in-cheek was still a departure in genre even for that time.
Overall, the album appeased the hardcore punk fans with its "local" Boston Hardcore-style sound. It also still bore a certain amount of metallic attributes to keep the thrash fans happy – even they could not deny the message in "We Can Go" – and above all, proved the band had more than one dimension lyrically – this obviously being the point, according to the album's punworthy title.
Track listing
"Church of Fun" (Chris Doherty, Brian Betzger) – 3:10
"Just One Bullet" (Doherty, Betzger) – 3:00
"We Can Go" (Joe Gittleman, Doherty) – 2:19
"Tear Down the Walls" (Fritz Erickson, Doherty) – 3:11
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Youth crew is a music subculture of hardcore punk attributed to bands who were primarily active during the mid-to late 1980s particularly during the New York hardcore scene of the late eighties. Youth crew is distinguished from other hardcore and punk scenes by its optimism and moralist outlook. The original youth crew bands and fans were predominantly straight edge and vegetarian advocates.
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