REISSUES:
SSD
The Kids Will Have Their Say Reissue
Trust Records
2023
It’s truly a daunting task to mold words that capture SS Decontrol’s impact on hardcore (and SXE). Inspiring with their lyrics, riffs, and fashion, SSD changed the scene and left an indelible mark on hardcore. The Kids Will Have Their Say (released in 1982 as a collab between Dischord and guitarist Al Barile’s label, X-Claim!) was bootlegged over the years and cherished by collectors, but new fans could never access the vinyl due to its rarity and, if found, astronomical price. The only way to hear the songs was on the dubious Taang! Records comp, Power, which included songs from all releases, not done chronologically, and missing tracks). 40 years later, Trust records – the fantastic label who gave us gorgeous reissues of 7 Seconds and Circle Jerks within the last year – once again resurrects a groundbreaking record (the first official straight edge record; note the jacket with “The Straight Edge” painted on back). With meticulous hands, the LP was remastered by David Gardner at Infrasonic from original analog master tapes. This included dealing with water damage and mold by Dan Johnson of Audio Achieving Services on each classic of these monumental 18 tracks. The reissue will be partnered with a 20-page booklet including unpublished photos from Glen E. Friedman. Additionally, the masters held other sessions which Trust will release in tandem. This will include 1981 demo, multiple recordings of The Kids Will Have Their Say, plus an unreleased song called “Typical America.”
The Libertines
Up the Bracket 20th Anniversary Box Set
Rough Trade
October 22, 2022
Great bands often have a long, tumultuous road behind them. The Libertines’ path was led by parallel vocals and guitars of Peter Doherty and Carl Barat, backed by the synchronous duo of John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums). But these days the situation is glorious. And how better to celebrate that than with a re-issue of the earthshaking debut, Up the Bracket. While there are myriad albums from that era which were stellar, Up the Bracket captured tones, melodies, and emotions that attracted skins, punks, rudies, and pop fans. Truly an authentic record which was alluring to the charts and the underground. Four blokes took their pain and misadventures and recorded an astonishing collection of raw, leering songs redefining power punk and Brit-pop. A sparkling moment in a descending slip of self-destruction, Up the Bracket (produced by Mick Jones of The Clash) presented working class woes in ornate prose mired in self-reflection, regret, and blind instant gratification.
Goatsnake
1
Southern Lord
August 29, 2022
In 1996, the elder spirits of doom metal summoned new breath into the genre by beckoning masterful Earth dwellers. Spawned by guitarist Greg Anderson (Engine Kid, Brotherhood, SUNN O))), Burning Witch, Thorr’s Hammer, and founder of Southern Lord), and vocalist, Pete Stahl (Scream, Wool). Anderson then collected Greg Rogers (drums) and Guy Pinhas (bass) from Wino’s recently defunct doom legend group, The Obsessed. On I (pronounced as the number one), the quartet concocted eight churning, hypnotic, fuzz-drenched tracks. Stahl’s soulful voice adds a true blues expression to these songs, which, is from where Sabbath extracted their genre-defining sound. And, oh man, is there potent Iommi worship dripping on I. At about 31 minutes, a sincere mind-bending journey awaits for wounded souls ready to embark with raw emotion on a dirge-soaked foundation. Originally released by Mans Ruin records in 1999, no vinyl pressings have been available since. Until now, when Anderson’s label, Southern Lord (also, Pinhas runs Southern Lord Europe) have blessed the fans. Considering members of the band are overseeing the project, strict adherence to the Goatsnake vision is assured.
War Ripper
Strength in Numbers
Dying Victims Productions
Shipping out on or around August 26, 2022.
Thrash master and Midas touch producer, Joel Grind, conquers yet another metal genre with his one-man project, Hell Ripper. He plays all instruments brilliantly and the results here are five tortuous tracks in nine minutes paying homage to Discharge, Disfear, Disgust, and (later) Anti-Cimex. This EP, errr…well, rips. The crushing approaches of pure rage channeled through six strings, lamenting screams, and thunderous drums are a pleasure. Grind had released a four song EP in 2007 (Hell Storm, Hell’s Headbangers). After the blasphemous dormancy, fans finally are reunited with this sonic assault. This EP actually had been released in 2020 (Acid Rat Records) via a stingy distribution of “25 hand-numbered and dedicated copies. Comes with download code and Joel Grind business card” – per discogs. So, Dying Victims is now bringing forth justice to share these battle-tested songs to the masses.
Photos courtesy of SSD, The Libertines, Goatsnake, and War Ripper
