The Psychosurgeons
Dow Jones & The Industrials
“Can’t Stand The Midwest” It’s not surprising that in the wilds of America’s most straight-laced heartland, the punk candle burnt brightly. We all know about Ohio and the freaks that sprung from that well, but less heralded is the great state of Indiana, who can claim The Zero Boys, The Gizmos, MX 80 Sound and, of course, the wonderful Gynaecologists. Something about the bland nature of their society brings out the dissatisfied teen in what should be normal red-blooded American youth. The tastiest punkoid morsels from this region, however, can be attributed to Dow Jones & The Industrials, and this number from their very first seven-inch is a tasty fuckin’ entree indeed. Powered by high-speed hook-laden riffs and a time signature that lurches like a drunk about to be violently ill, “Can’t Stand The Midwest” rails against the group’s very surroundings and never loses intensity or indignation over it’s 1.23min length. No solos or other guff, just a solid hook and a big pounding beat, if you don’t find yourself punching walls and singing along, then check yo’ pulse sucka!!
The Psycho Surgeons
“Horizontal Action” Teenage brethren of Radio Birdman and the group that would become the apocalypse that was the Lipstick Killers, The Psychosurgeons are sturdy revved-up blooz with a stick insect on a pogo stick out front for vocals, a nice line in shiny distorto guitar sounds and a pub rockin’ rhythm section that keeps the party swingin’ all the way through this paean to getting one’s leg over. Featuring one of the shortest middle eights in the history of recorded music and lyrics that manage to rhyme “Horizontal Action” with “Hospital Traction,” the first copies of this record featured sleeves smeared with pigs’ blood. And why not - even punks have to have a go at marketing sometimes.
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Dow Jones & The Industrials
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The Absentees
“Tryin’ To Mess With Me” Seemingly recorded under a tarpaulin somewhere in Texas, this is super lo-fi punko sludge and it pounds along like a fuck-you freight train. Distilled into a distorted concoction, the instruments blend together like some mythical four-headed beast straining at its leash trying to rip the beating heart out of your sunken chest. Just when you think you’ve got this mob figured out the song breaks down into an almost Beefheartian guitar break that stops the whole flow until the clunko drums and bass/guitar/ cymbal melange fires you toward the inevitable conclusion of this remarkable two minutes and four seconds of your life.
The Rude Kids
“Absolute Ruler”
around the time the Hellacopters came to prominence, then give ‘em a swift kick to the nether regions for me, will ya. Completely disregarding the great work done in the field of sub-Discharge noise in the early eighties and the excellent sixties scene, you only have to fire up this single to realise the Swedes have had this punque rock thing under control for decades. Recorded for a major label in 1979 this song is completely over the top and sounds like Sonic’s Rendevouz Band channelled by a gang of Vikings who’s singer goes even further out there in his quest to be the punkest guy on the Longship. It’s the musical equivalent of an exclamation mark with the occasional punch in the face for good measure. And just when you think they’re done, they start up again for another bout of musical pillaging. Barbarianism has never sounded so inspiring.