I remember four things, right off the top of my head from 1996. I remember collecting Beanie Babies like a fiend with my Mom. We'd drive all around town, from store to store looking for our next beanie fix. I remember playing Mario Kart 64 like a wild eyed maniac, often times shunning food and drink just for the opportunity to play more. I remember being so excited to finally get a Marvel Vs. DC comic book. And I remember buying punk rock records, lot's and lot's of punk records.
I was lucky to have discovered underground punk music just a few years prior. I didn't know if it was because I was at such a formative age in 1996, but I always held the music that came out during that time particularity close to my heart. I think of it as such a golden era for the genera. But I can tell you one thing, out of the three things I mentioned remembering about 1996, the one thing I still do is listen to the records that came out then. I haven't played Mario Kart, read that crappy Marvel Vs DC crossover comic or set eyes on a little bean filled animal in decades, but I still put on those same records all the damn time.
Lord Rutledge was telling me about this post he was doing, recounting his favorite records of 1996. I thought this sounded like so much fun that I told him I wanted in on this as well! I can't believe 1996 was 30 years ago! So we decided to do "tandem posts", recalling our favorite records of 1996. We didn't give our entire lists away to each other, a majority of it remains secret. I'm super curious what he'll list, but here's mine, ten LP's and ten 7"s in no particular order.
LP's
Record Industry)
I remember how much of a fan I was of April March's band The Shitbirds and of course I loved The Makers, I mean who didn't! Then I started thinking about the subject matter of some of those Makers songs and I thought...hmm I wonder how that's going to work out. Turns out, it was like chocolate and peanut butter. It worked out so well, April March added such a different dimension to those Makers songs, I actually prefer some of these versions more! This was such a magnificent project, I wish there was a Volume II
The Insomniacs - Out Of It LP (Estrus Records)
This sound was completely new to me. I mean, I was familiar with all those early British Invasion records that still had such a wild irreverence to them. My Mom introduced me to all the early Kinks, Who, Stones, Beatles records and I loved them. And here was a new band from New Jersey putting a modern spin to it, but still keeping that unique wild 60's sound. There was that 60's sound and adding the power pop element to it made The Insomniacs a real force to be reckoned with, not only back then but to this very day! The Insomniac's music was pure and untampered brilliance.
The Showcase Showdown - Appetite Of Kings LP (Elevator Music)
I remember people were saying how the singer is just trying to rip off Jello Biafra. When I finally heard this record, I remember thinking, yeah he sounds kinda like Jello. But a Jello that's been up for 72 hrs on a manic LSD bender! Showcase Showdown played a unique blend of punk rock, tossing in street punk, 77 Pogo, and Oi! into their arsenal. And all the meanest, gnarliest parts of all those too! They sounded like one of those bands that was just barely holding it together, which actually made them sound dangers, like they actually posed a threat. I hear they recently reunited to play with the Dropkick Murphys. I hope more comes of this!
The Crumbs - Get All Tangled Up 10" (Far Out Records)
This sound was completely new to me. I mean, I was familiar with all those early British Invasion records that still had such a wild irreverence to them. My Mom introduced me to all the early Kinks, Who, Stones, Beatles records and I loved them. And here was a new band from New Jersey putting a modern spin to it, but still keeping that unique wild 60's sound. There was that 60's sound and adding the power pop element to it made The Insomniacs a real force to be reckoned with, not only back then but to this very day! The Insomniac's music was pure and untampered brilliance.
Swingin' Utters - A Juvenile Product of the Working Class LP (Fat Wreck Chords)
I was such a huge fan of The Swingin Utters prior LP The Streets of San Francisco. I was however not a big fan of Fat Wreck Chords. Which was odd, I liked NOFX, still do. But I was not a fan of the other bands on that label like Lag Wagon, Good Riddance, Strung Out, etc. So I thought this was going to be a huge misstep for Johnny and the boys. Turns out together they cranked out a first rate Utters record. It made the tempos a lot quicker that's for sure. But it was the same band, just faster with the rabbit punches. Perfection! 
I remember people were saying how the singer is just trying to rip off Jello Biafra. When I finally heard this record, I remember thinking, yeah he sounds kinda like Jello. But a Jello that's been up for 72 hrs on a manic LSD bender! Showcase Showdown played a unique blend of punk rock, tossing in street punk, 77 Pogo, and Oi! into their arsenal. And all the meanest, gnarliest parts of all those too! They sounded like one of those bands that was just barely holding it together, which actually made them sound dangers, like they actually posed a threat. I hear they recently reunited to play with the Dropkick Murphys. I hope more comes of this!
Yeah, it's a 10" but it has 8 songs and technically that makes it an LP! I remember looking at the cover of this record and thinking, whoa these guys look like Pony Boy, Two Bit, Soda Pop and the rest of the Outsiders gang! The Crumbs played Ramones style pop punk with unmatched hooks and the most infectious melodies. Super cool thing about these guys is that they played with such youthful vigor and that made them sound fun. Like you were at a rad house party having the best time and this band was playing their hearts out in the back yard.
The Registrators - Terminal Boredom LP (Rip-Off Records)
Josh and I were recently talking to Greg Rip-Off for our podcast and he said this was one of the records he was most proud of putting out on his label. I think any label owner would say that if they were involved in unleashing this absolute titan of a record out into an unsuspecting world. These Japanese wild men made one of the most unforgettable records of the decade and made it sound so effortless. A lo-fi punk band that put in unmeasurable amounts of 77 snarl and swagger along with heaping sides of manic energy and razor sharp guitars. All of that combined hits you like a wrecking ball to the face, and then you get up and beg for more.
There was something undeniably cool about this band, and it wasn't just the way they dressed. They played anti establishment, proletariat punk rock with a mod twist. I believe I own everything this band ever put out and they never sounded all crazy and wild, they kept it subdued and level headed. They always kept that Mod cool, and that was to be commended. The Strike sounded like a Stiff Little Fingers and The Jam alloy. Battle hardened and forged of fire yet always remained cool as steel. The Strike definitely had one of the most captivating sounds of the 90's.
Screeching Weasel - Bark Like A Dog LP (Fat Wreck Chords)
Josh and I were recently talking to Greg Rip-Off for our podcast and he said this was one of the records he was most proud of putting out on his label. I think any label owner would say that if they were involved in unleashing this absolute titan of a record out into an unsuspecting world. These Japanese wild men made one of the most unforgettable records of the decade and made it sound so effortless. A lo-fi punk band that put in unmeasurable amounts of 77 snarl and swagger along with heaping sides of manic energy and razor sharp guitars. All of that combined hits you like a wrecking ball to the face, and then you get up and beg for more.
The Strike - A Conscience Left To Struggle With Pockets Full Of Rust LP (
Screeching Weasel were one of the first underground punk bands I was introduced to back in the 90's. Their LP Wiggle had just come out and I remember thinking that LP wasn't quite as good as their previous LP My Brain Hurts. I thought, if only they could combine the hooks of My Brain Hurts with the force and velocity of Wiggle they'd have a killer on their hands. Well, they finally did on this record. It took Vapid leaving, then coming back into the fold for Ben and the lads to return to top form and make this exhilarating comeback record.
7"'S
Tonight - Search My Face b/w That's A Farce 7" (Wallabies Records)
It was the 90's and killer Japanese punk bands were flooding the world's shores with a hostile takeover in mind. Tokyo's Tonight were generals in this invading army. Three girls and one dude unleashed rapid fire power chords that could level continents and crumble mountains. Two blazing lo-fi punk rock lightening bolt and a killer cover of Slaughter and The Dogs "Boston Babies" is all we got from this record. The band released one more 7" then poof, they were gone. I suppose the universe is a big place and Tonight had so many more planets to go and conquer.
The Drags - Conspiracy b/w That Girl is Coming Around 7" (One Louder Records)
Two mind blowers from the legendary Albuquerque trio. Both songs can now be found on the 45 X 3 comp LP. That's probably a good thing since the B-Side is such a rager it would be a shame for it to get lost in the halls of history and obscurity. Someone once told me a good 7" has the best song on the A-Side and the B-Side features the hit. That's exactly what's going on here. If for some reason you're reading this and you aren't familiar with The Drags, you are doing a disservice to your life. This band, along with a handful of others created the signature sound of the decade. Fuck grunge.
The Basement Brats - Shining Down 7" (Sneakers Rerecords)
This was my introduction to Norway's Basement Brats and to say I was knocked on my fat ass would be an understatement. The A-Side, "Shining Down" is quite possibly one of the most perfect rock n roll songs ever written. The melody is so moving, the guitars are turned up to thunderstorm decibels, and the drums form a sturdy foundation for the song to rocket you into the stratosphere. The B-Side is no slouch either. We got a more in your face anti-love theme with two songs "It's Not The Right Time" and the closer "Disconnected Love". This is one of my favorite records that I own and I am considering being buried with it.
The Chinese Millionaires - Juvenile Justice 7" (Flying Bomb Records)
The Chinese Millionaires were another band that were 40 story monsters, just stomping on all the measly mortals that got in their way. I own everything this band ever put out and I am here to testify that these Detroit demons never released a bad song. What I thought was cool was that they didn't use any songs off their early 7"'s for their Rip-Off Records LP. And they never released any "rarities" compilations. Talk about you snooze you lose! The Chinese Millionaires took their Pagans worship and conjured up a new weapon of their own, something just as deadly.
The TKO's - Anthem 7" (Vinyl Pants)
True Cleveland scum rats, The TKO's made their way out of the shadowy underworld and shat out two brilliant 7"'s. Then they had some lineup changes and became The Teenage Knockouts and released a killer 10" on Deadbeat Records in 1999. Through all this they were the same snarling 70's punk n' gutter glam rock n roll band. Years later front man Chic Dagger gathered another group of hired guns and formed the amazing Plain Dealers in 2011. The TKO's seemed more like a gang of pirates than a band of musicians, and that's what made them so fun to listen to. You never knew when the bloody mutiny would ensue.
The Donnas - Da Doo Ron Ron 7" (Super*Teem! Records)
The power of rock n roll is an amazing thing. I can stand there and be absolutely astonished by a guitar wizard like Eddie Van Halen and get the same feels from listening to simple, fun, rock n' roll like The Donnas used to hammer out. Yeah, these songs are based on old girl group hooks that are undeniably perfect. But The Donnas used to play them irreverently fast and loud and under a thick cover of sludge. It was those scratches and scuff marks that were all over the early Donnas songs that for me at least, made them shine ever so brightly.
The Muffs - I'm A Dick 7" (Sympathy For The Record Industry)
After delivering two perfect LP's, 1993's Self Titled and 1995's Blonder and Blonder I held my breath when this record came out. All the way from the record store and on the long bus ride home I anxiously wondered if one of my favorite bands had finally lost their luster. Did the Muffs still have what it took to be in one of my top spots? The answer was absolutely they did! The A-Side is a loud, melodic, mid tempo original that made my head bop from side to side. The B-Side is a cover of The Amps song "Pacer" which the Muffs made their own by cranking it up a notch. I miss The Muffs so goddamn much it hurts sometimes.
The Odd Numbers / The Hi Fives split 7" (GI Productions)
If I am remembering correctly, I bought this 7" just because of the Hi-Fives, which I had just bought their amazing LP on Lookout! Records prior to this. This 7" featured two non-LP songs which I was super stoked about. The Hi-Fives more than delivered with their own manic surf/beatnik style rock n roll. One original and a rad cover of "Rip It Up" which the band performed at break neck speed. It was also on this record that I discovered the genius of The Odd Numbers and their spin on British Invasion/Mod stylings. These two bands were totally made to be on a split 7" together!
The Smugglers - Selling The Sizzle LP (Lookout Records)
How can I do a list of records from the 90's and not include a Lookout! Records release?! I know I have some Lookout! bands on here, but no actual, official releases on the label until now. I didn't want to do the usual MTX or The Queers so I went with a band that I feel went WAY overlooked on Lookout!. Vancouver's The Smugglers made good time pop punk with a terrific sense humor. The songs on this LP were loud, weird, charismatic and they stuck to your ear hole. I mean, Selling The Sizzle was so much fun and frolicking that it was almost a ska punk record! Just watch the video for "Especially You" for confirmation on all this. I also HIGHLY recommend singer Grant Lawrence's book Dirty Windshields: The Best and Worst of The Smugglers Tour Diaries.
The Stallions - Hey Baby, Its The Stallions LP (Junk Records)
This band erupts like a super volcano the second you drop that puny stylus on this hot disc of molten wax. When you listen to this record, you can practically feel the skin blister and peel from your face. The Stallions were from New York but they had huge amounts of Detroit power and sheer Hulk smash infused in their music. The Stallions unique brand of loud, melodic, rock punk was nothing new I suppose. I guess it's like riding a roller coaster you've been on lots of times before. Your knuckles turn white and you gasp for breath every time, no matter how many times you've ridden it.
This band erupts like a super volcano the second you drop that puny stylus on this hot disc of molten wax. When you listen to this record, you can practically feel the skin blister and peel from your face. The Stallions were from New York but they had huge amounts of Detroit power and sheer Hulk smash infused in their music. The Stallions unique brand of loud, melodic, rock punk was nothing new I suppose. I guess it's like riding a roller coaster you've been on lots of times before. Your knuckles turn white and you gasp for breath every time, no matter how many times you've ridden it.
7"'S
It was the 90's and killer Japanese punk bands were flooding the world's shores with a hostile takeover in mind. Tokyo's Tonight were generals in this invading army. Three girls and one dude unleashed rapid fire power chords that could level continents and crumble mountains. Two blazing lo-fi punk rock lightening bolt and a killer cover of Slaughter and The Dogs "Boston Babies" is all we got from this record. The band released one more 7" then poof, they were gone. I suppose the universe is a big place and Tonight had so many more planets to go and conquer.
Two mind blowers from the legendary Albuquerque trio. Both songs can now be found on the 45 X 3 comp LP. That's probably a good thing since the B-Side is such a rager it would be a shame for it to get lost in the halls of history and obscurity. Someone once told me a good 7" has the best song on the A-Side and the B-Side features the hit. That's exactly what's going on here. If for some reason you're reading this and you aren't familiar with The Drags, you are doing a disservice to your life. This band, along with a handful of others created the signature sound of the decade. Fuck grunge.
This was my introduction to Norway's Basement Brats and to say I was knocked on my fat ass would be an understatement. The A-Side, "Shining Down" is quite possibly one of the most perfect rock n roll songs ever written. The melody is so moving, the guitars are turned up to thunderstorm decibels, and the drums form a sturdy foundation for the song to rocket you into the stratosphere. The B-Side is no slouch either. We got a more in your face anti-love theme with two songs "It's Not The Right Time" and the closer "Disconnected Love". This is one of my favorite records that I own and I am considering being buried with it.
The Dimestore Haloes - Hate My Generation 7" (Junk Records)
This was one of the first newer bands I remember listening to back in the nineties that had more in common with Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers than with The Ramones. Yeah, both tunes on here are super catchy but The Dimestore Haloes didn't sacrifice the hooks for speed. This aspect gave this record, and this band for that matter, a unique magnetism for me. It's funny, having talked to a couple of the members of The Dimestore Haloes, and discovering that they are two of the nicest guys you'll ever want to meet is a total mind scrambler for me. I'm pretty sure that if I met them back then though, I would have gotten a Brothel Creeper to my head.
The Chinese Millionaires were another band that were 40 story monsters, just stomping on all the measly mortals that got in their way. I own everything this band ever put out and I am here to testify that these Detroit demons never released a bad song. What I thought was cool was that they didn't use any songs off their early 7"'s for their Rip-Off Records LP. And they never released any "rarities" compilations. Talk about you snooze you lose! The Chinese Millionaires took their Pagans worship and conjured up a new weapon of their own, something just as deadly.
True Cleveland scum rats, The TKO's made their way out of the shadowy underworld and shat out two brilliant 7"'s. Then they had some lineup changes and became The Teenage Knockouts and released a killer 10" on Deadbeat Records in 1999. Through all this they were the same snarling 70's punk n' gutter glam rock n roll band. Years later front man Chic Dagger gathered another group of hired guns and formed the amazing Plain Dealers in 2011. The TKO's seemed more like a gang of pirates than a band of musicians, and that's what made them so fun to listen to. You never knew when the bloody mutiny would ensue.
The power of rock n roll is an amazing thing. I can stand there and be absolutely astonished by a guitar wizard like Eddie Van Halen and get the same feels from listening to simple, fun, rock n' roll like The Donnas used to hammer out. Yeah, these songs are based on old girl group hooks that are undeniably perfect. But The Donnas used to play them irreverently fast and loud and under a thick cover of sludge. It was those scratches and scuff marks that were all over the early Donnas songs that for me at least, made them shine ever so brightly.
After delivering two perfect LP's, 1993's Self Titled and 1995's Blonder and Blonder I held my breath when this record came out. All the way from the record store and on the long bus ride home I anxiously wondered if one of my favorite bands had finally lost their luster. Did the Muffs still have what it took to be in one of my top spots? The answer was absolutely they did! The A-Side is a loud, melodic, mid tempo original that made my head bop from side to side. The B-Side is a cover of The Amps song "Pacer" which the Muffs made their own by cranking it up a notch. I miss The Muffs so goddamn much it hurts sometimes.
If I am remembering correctly, I bought this 7" just because of the Hi-Fives, which I had just bought their amazing LP on Lookout! Records prior to this. This 7" featured two non-LP songs which I was super stoked about. The Hi-Fives more than delivered with their own manic surf/beatnik style rock n roll. One original and a rad cover of "Rip It Up" which the band performed at break neck speed. It was also on this record that I discovered the genius of The Odd Numbers and their spin on British Invasion/Mod stylings. These two bands were totally made to be on a split 7" together!
The U.S. Bombs - Go Back Home CD EP (Alive Records)
I'd be a total liar if I didn't say what an influence this band had on me in the mid nineties. I remember getting The U.S. Bombs Put Strength In The Final Blow LP and The Stitches 8 X 12 LP together on the same day. These two records sucked the oxygen out of my lungs and left me shaking on the floor in fetal position like Martin Sheen in the beginning of Apocalypse Now! I was a changed man after experiencing the sonic baptism I received from these records. I was lucky enough to see The U.S. Bombs with the lineup on the cover above a couple of times and these guys cratered the earth beneath them.
I'd be a total liar if I didn't say what an influence this band had on me in the mid nineties. I remember getting The U.S. Bombs Put Strength In The Final Blow LP and The Stitches 8 X 12 LP together on the same day. These two records sucked the oxygen out of my lungs and left me shaking on the floor in fetal position like Martin Sheen in the beginning of Apocalypse Now! I was a changed man after experiencing the sonic baptism I received from these records. I was lucky enough to see The U.S. Bombs with the lineup on the cover above a couple of times and these guys cratered the earth beneath them.
