The "Best" of Bay Area Punk

A co-worker who still works for MRR told me that he had to compile his favorite Bay Area punk records for the big 25 year MRR anniversary issue. When I guessed 5 records that I assumed would be in everyone’s list, and none were on his, I realized once again, that I am old.

Since I had that conversation, I’ve been compiling lists in my head. Even if I no longer work for MRR, it’s kind of a fun exercise. Now I’ve decided to bore you with it. I didn’t pick any band twice. I’m sure I left something very important off.

Full length albums:
1. (tie) Dead Kennedys – “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables”
MDC – “Millions of Dead Cops”
San Francisco punk is political punk. Though notable political bands pre-dated these releases, these albums helped set the agenda for ‘80s American anarcho-punk. And they’re awesome. I would put that MDC album right up there with, ironically enough, the Bad Brains as the best American hardcore album of all time. Listen to it again if it’s sitting over there gathering dust by your turntable.
3. Flipper – “Album”
I understand not understanding Flipper. Really, I do. But they were the first show I ever went to and this album has politics and pathos. Flipper wasn’t just “Sex Bomb” and a logo to carve on your high school desk. Ever look at a flower and hate it? Ever see a couple kiss and get sickened by it? Ever wish the human race didn’t exist… then realize you’re one too.” Awww, Flipper c'mere.... let me give you a hug.
4. Operation Ivy –“Energy”
The only ska punk band that matters.
5. Cringer – “I take my desires for Reality, Because I Believe in the Reality of my Desires”
Oh Lance, we miss you.
6. Trashwomen – “Spend the Night with the Trashwomen”
As a genre that whole garage rock thing wasn’t my favorite, but this album I love. And not just cuz I went to high school with two of ‘em. Hell, I went to high school with the Mayor but didn’t vote for him.
7. Blatz/Filth - “Shit Split”
Fights still break out about which was the better side. Just the other day in fact, dairryiere and I ganged up on a non-Californian worker who was pro-Filth. I love the Blatz side. “Fuck Shit Up” was the anthem for property destruction and mob violence against the state during the first Gulf War protests in the Bay Area. “Lullabye”: just awesome.

Still there is room to debate. You decide…
[Poll #1156189]

8. Tragic Mulatto – “Judo for the Blind”
Some songs on later records are my favorites of theirs, but I love everything on this release. “I wish I was a cop on a Japanese Bike” still becomes an earworm every time I see an SFPD motorcycle cop.
9. Social Unrest – “Rat in a Maze”
Blistering political hardcore with a guitar that sounds like a broken electric razor. Scary on record, sweet in person.
10. Jawbreaker – “Unfun”
I don’t know. Maybe you had to be there. I can’t really justify this one I just know I love it.

Honorable Mention: Crucifix – “Dehumanization”, Code of Honor/Sick Pleasure Split, Afflicted – “Good News About Mental Health”, Whipping Boy – “Sound of No Hands Clapping”, Green Day – “American Idiot”, X-Tal – “6/7 of Treason is Reason”, Frightwig –“Faster Frightwig, Kill Kill”, Crimpshrine – “Duct Tape Soup”

7” and 12” EPs
1. Avengers – “American in Me” EP
Until I found this for $2 at a record store in Upstate NY, I didn’t understand the popularity of this band, not having been old enough to see them live and only hearing the terribly mixed posthumous release of their songs. This recording was direct, clean, fast, and political. If you ever find this, get it.
2. Mutants – “New Drug/Insect Lounge/New Dark Ages”
The craziness and fun of seeing weight art punks crammed onto a “stage” has been written in this space previously. This record has three of my favorite songs on it.
3. V/A -The Mission District Comp
Bedlam Rovers, J Church, Jawbreaker, Steel Pole Bathtub, Strawman, and Timco at the height of everyone’s musical abilities. So time and place… Who knew that the rents would go so crazy and our homes were already in such peril. This record is awesome. This record makes me sad.
4. The Dils – “198 seconds of the Dils”
Not only do I not own this record, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this record. The songs “Class War”/ “Mr Big” were released later on comps. If anyone has this lying around their house, let me know.
5. B-Team – “Buy American”
Obscure Gang of Four-like (but snottier) political post-punk band. I wish they had stuck around.
6. V/A –SF Underground
The cover is a picture of the Deaf Club which I lived next door to in the last year of its life. Songs by No Alternative, Flipper, The Tools and VKTMS.
7. Sta Prest – “Let’s Be Friendly with our Friends”
If they could have made a whole album like this, they would be a (punk) household name
8. Spitboy –s/t 7”
This band could be truly annoying live, but this 7” is loud and vicious.
9. Tribe 8 – “Pig Bitch”
Queer punk would never go away after this 7” came out. I just put it on for the first time in years. It’s even better than I remember.
10. v/a – “Turn it Around”
Hmmm, this has more songs than most of the 12” records. This is the compilation that made a highway exit famous. OPIV, Crimpshrine, Yeastie Girlz, etc. There are some awful songs on here to be sure. But the good ones… made the East Bay a punk destination. For good or ill.

Honorable Mention: Residents – “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s, Man’s, Man’s, Man’s, World”, Offs – “624803/Johnny Too Bad”, Negative Trend – “We Don’t Play We Riot”, Angst s/t, Cinamon Imperials – “I Hope No One Finds Out”, The Donnas – “Let’s Go Mano”, The Mondellos “Let’s Join the White Night Riot”, Pop O Pies – “Truckin”, Inflatable Boy Clams – s/t, The Cooperative – “Most Dangerous Band in the World”*

I’m sure only like five of you care about this. After all, my market research shows that my music posts are least favored by my readers. But if you do care, please share your additions and critiques.

Or post your hometowns best albums, whatever genre you like.



*BTW, I have a bunch of these in a box under my bed. Send me $3 and your address and you can have one.**
**BTW, I was lying when I said this was worthy of mention as one of the Bay Area’s best punk records, just so you know.