Documentary: American Hardcore - The History of American Punk Rock 1980 - 1986

Paul Rachman's feature documentary is a chronicle of the underground hardcore punk years in the US from 1979 to 1986. Generally unheralded at the time, the early 1980s hardcore punk rock scenes in Washington D.C., Los Angeles or Boston gave birth to much of the rock music and culture that followed.

Hardcore back then was more than music - it was rather a social movement, created by alienated Reaganomics-era kids . A movement which could be self-destructive and nihilistic, but just as reassuring and positive at the same time.

American Hardcore traces this lost subculture, from its early roots in 1980 to its sudden decline in 1985. Recent interviews and great live footage from Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SS Decontrol and Gang Green make this a real gem. Intelligent retrospective.

Check it out.

http://www.american-hardcore.de/

From the Vault #16: Black Flag - Damaged (1981)

Tracklist:

01. Rise Above
02. Spray Paint (The Walls)
03. Six Pack
04. What I See
05. T.V. Party
06. Thirsty and Miserable
07. Police Story
08. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie
09. Depression
10. Room 13
11. Damaged II
12. No More
13. Padded Cell
14. Life of Pain

From the Vault #9: Suicidal Tendencies - Suicidal Tendencies (1983)

Let´s skate...

Tracklist:

1. "Suicide's an Alternative / You'll Be Sorry" – 2:44
2."Two Sided Politics" (Muir) – 1:03
3. "I Shot the Devil" – 1:51
4. "Subliminal" – 3:08
5. "Won't Fall in Love Today" (Muir, Mayorga) – 0:59
6. "Institutionalized" (Muir, Mayorga) – 3:49
7. "Memories of Tomorrow" (Muir, Mayorga) – 0:59
8. "Possessed" – 2:07
9. "I Saw Your Mommy..." (Muir, Mayorga) – 4:52
10. "Fascist Pig" – 1:17
11. "I Want More" - 2:28
12. "Suicidal Failure" - 2:53

From the Vault #7: Dag Nasty - Can I Say (1986)

Dag Nasty were a hardcore/punk band formed in 1985 by Brian Baker (guitar) of Minor Threat, Colin Sears (drums) and Roger Marbury (bass), both of Bloody Mannequin Orchestra, and Shawn Brown later of Swiz and Jesuseater (vocals). Their style of melodic hardcore was influential to hardcore as well as being an influence on post-hardcore or Emo. Shawn Brown was the first vocalist with whom the band recorded (until recently) previously-unreleased versions of most of the material that later made up their first release, "Can I Say," with former roadie and new singer Dave Smalley of DYS. If you dig bands like Jawbreaker, Samiam, or Jimmy Eats World, this one's for you.

Tracklist:

1. "Values Here"
2. "One to Two"
3. "Circles"
4. "Thin Line"
5. "Justification"
6. "What Now?"
7. "I've Heard"
8. "Under Your Influence"
9. "Can I Say"
10. "Never Go Back"