The Short List is a periodic dive into EPs, Splits, Reissues, Comps, Live Records, etc.
Reissues
INU Don’t Eat Food! Mesh Key Records
Out Now
INU are essential punk from Osaka, Japan to whom, I had never—along with most of the world—been exposed. Don’t Eat Food! is the debut (and one of only two releases) presented by four 17-to-18-year-olds in 1981. For the fortunate who had cool friends or the persistent sonic spelunkers, INU (Japanese for “dog”) represent youth, innovation, and passion.
Written between 1979 and 1981, these songs have whatever U.K. punk was pushy enough to be in this region of the lower third of the country, between Kobe and Kyoto. INU show unfettered creativity and gall, writing some abrasive to catchy post punk/new wave designs. But punk spirit is foremost on Don’t Eat Food!. Any fan can attest to the splendor of the sounds and energy of INU. Led by Machizo Machida (as he was known in that era. He was born Machida Yasushi and is now known as Kou Machida). INU embody tenacity and audacity.
While the record has been reissued a dozen times, this is the only time the album has been remastered. Don’t Eat Food! in 2023 is mixed beautifully. Mesh Key used the OG analog tapes. This adds calculated balance to the music, which is crucial considering the outlandish elements employed here. Take “Dumdum Bullet” as a prime example. It opens with a guitar strum bandying in your ears as it pans like Pong. The prominent bass is driving and up front in the mix. Intermittent, siren-like guitars refrain randomly. The vocals are spoken and low, contrasted by a constant, repeated group chant. Halfway through the song, the guitar just weaves noise and feedback and elongated notes.
The title track is an orchestra of noise at a Godflesh pace. A cacophonous array of warehouse clatter is employed. The song is droning and mesmerizing with Machudo screaming and a piercing guitar poking the listener, evoking Arabrot meets The Jesus Lizard, followed by “Light Cider/ Right Sider B” which presents as a medley. The song relays Lydon-esque vocals over a poppy but dirty sound. But as the song proceeds, abrupt and acute changes feel like four different songs played as one song. The sections embark on completely different approaches while never showing a clear line of demarcation.
The next curve reveals pop and surf guitar and DEVO machinery utilized in this frenetic composition, while “Lift the Lid” foreshadows/echoes Insect Surfers, Slickee Boys, Go-Gos, and Toy Dolls all on one track. But again, that forward bass and the sections of noise and syncopated patterns/rhtythms prove INU were branding their own sound.
Schizophrenic, frantic, and infectious, Don’t EatFood! is one cool record. This first-ever legitimate edition has been remastered from the original tapes and includes an eight-page booklet with never-before-seen photos, lyrics, and liner notes in English and Japanese.
Purchase vinyl on bandcamp.
I heard about this on the Sorry State Newsletter, so feel free to support that brilliant crew. Buy Don’t Eat Food! there.
Planet On A Chain Deprogram Revelation Records
Out Now
Hopefully you have been listening to Planet On A Chain regularly. Their brand of West Coast hardcore is vicious and blunt. Vocalist Dave Ackerman’s unrestrained rage provided acerbic vocals for New Jersey’s legendary Tear It Up as well as for the preceding and relentless Dead Nation (then Splitting Headache and Obedience). His vitriol and venomous delivery are unmatched.
After dropping this year’s stunning album, Boxed In, back in February, Revelation Records decided to take their 2022 digital only release and give it a proper home on wax. POAC spews 17 tracks, not one over two minutes. Some of the songs had been heard on either of the band’s first two EPs, This Won’t Get Any Better (2020, Blind Rage Records) and Last Word – Last Act (2021, self-released). Being its own entity, Deprogram is not all and not only those songs.
Deprogram is a monster, which is not surprising when considering the members’ canon of work. Previous bands on the resume are not limited to but include Dead And Gone, Living Eyes, Look Back And Laugh, Mutilated Tongue, Punch, Talk Is Poison, and others. While this should paint an accurate picture of POAC’s sonic devastation, enough of the past! POAC are about now. Their sound is brash, belligerent, and urgent. Deprogram boats unapologetic riffs, caustic vocals, and furious rhythms. The production is tight and emphasizes the power of POAC. Short, fast, loud hardcore at its best.
VINYL: translucent light blue with black and dark blue splatter (RevHQ Exclusive), 200; translucent green, 600; translucent blue (retail store exclusive), 200.
Purchase at RevHQ.
Follow POAC on bandcamp and instagram.
Splits
No Heart/Claimed Choice Split LSM/Rebellion Records
November 3
Longshot Music and Rebellion gather two of the scene’s heavy hitters and pair them on this sharp record. No Heart are from Victoria BC and have released an LP, two splits, and three EPs. They include Mike Josephon (who just happens to own LSM and has played in Subway Thugs, Alternate Action, Emergency, Sydney Ducks, Suede Razors, Ultra Sect. Mike Underwood also plays in one of my favorites from 2022, The Choice Few plus Last Crusade (a personal favorite), Thankless graft, and more. Will and Jord are in The Choice Few and will adds Split Arrows (with Mike J) and Emergency.
My point is that not only do No Heart’s members have the chops, they have spent over 20 years playing together and hone in on their musical connection. No Heart clearly represents the culmination of their adventure.
Three songs adorned Side A. “Hard Times” is normal Oi! fare but done exceptionally. Rough and tough music, singing about the struggle of the working. I will never tire of that subject until there is no class war. It is a banger. But a tonal shift occurs afterwards. The next two tracks are somber. My favorite type of rock ‘n’ roll, punk, and what I think lends to Oi!, is this self-reflective and reticent plight. The guitar work allows a lingering nostalgia as the song progresses. Plus, the production exhibits a large bass presence, pushed up in the mix. Proper.
“Echoes of Yesterday” will be a top5 song of 2023 for me. The track is perfectly executed from the idea of someone whose fighting nature is innate. And the streets nurtured a resilient and cautious man. “Never Again” rolls in with a rumble. A riff of frustration moves forward until a tension relief of a chorus lands. A catchy bellow over that extra effort in the bass work, hard drums, and staunch guitars. The end pulls back, showing quality songwriting (recalling Sydney Ducks).
From the No Heart moniker themselves to the song titles; this band are a black cloud I want to follow me.
Claimed Choice burst into our ears two years ago with a four-song tape. Then, last year, these Lyon, France residents offered a late 2022 entry that made my top 10 easily. That full-length, We Won’t Give In, had a stripped down but aggro sound with a dash of the glam sound (check “Heavy Hooks” with claps and all). Since then, a new seven-inch in February 2023 was released, inching away from the glam aspect. Now, Claimed Choice give us three new ragers on this juicy presentation. The songs are high-energy, driven by fiery riffs and a forward tempo. The stellar, lo-fi-yet-clean production approach (think The Cliches or The Janitors) works well for their boisterous sound.
This retains Claimed Choice’s approach of aggression and sonic snarl. Less glam, hike up the melody. Gritty leads with a bopping rhythm. “The Hill” opens Side B with a fearless rush. Catchy and coarse, it is a great way to start. “Years of Hate” with a heavy nod to The Templars in production, songwriting, and vocals is a crucial track that stomps and stomps. Claimed Choice do not slow as the closer, “Dunning,” embraces the strongest guitar work. Powerful leads and added depth in the second half elevate this crusher.
Fantastic French Oi!, but, alas, no saxophone.
PRESSING INFO:
250 red (U.S. version, Longshot Music); 250, blue (European version, Rebellion Records)
The two versions have different jacket artwork, both loosely based on propaganda posters promoting the unity of Canada and France as Allies. As of writing, the record is not up at Longshot but is up for preorder at Rebellion Shop.
Preorder from Rebellion Shop
Follow No Heart on bandcamp.
Follow Claimed Choice on Instagram.
