BANDS:

Punk & Ska
80's New Wave/
Post-Punk/
College Bands
90's & Beyond
Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Old Skars & Upstarts 2002: Various Artists

Old Skars & Upstarts is a collection of street punk rock. Ill be honest - I dont have any idea what makes street punk rock any different from other kinds of punk rock. I just wanted to hear the Mudhoney song. The more I listened to this compilation, the more confused I became regarding the definition of street punk rock. Some of the songs didnt seem to be very punk at all. But what do I know?

The overall sound on this CD is raw, dirty, and guitar-based rock. There are a lot of pop hooks and old-school influences thrown about. The songs are generally angry sounding - but  its a fun kind of angry. The kind of angry that you can sing along with.

Every compilation CD includes a few well-known names so that people will actually listen to it. This one has both Mudhoney and CJ Ramones new band, Bad Chopper (which sounds kind of like... um... The Ramones). Some of the other bands are probably popular within the punk community, but Im blissfully ignorant about those sort of things - sorry.

All compilations also throw in at least one band from another country who sings in a language other than English. Say hello to Klasse Kriminale. Strangely enough, it sounds as if this band has hired Gerardo (Rico Suave) to sing the verses to their song.

And just like any other compilation, some of the tracks are lousy. I find myself skipping songs by Smogtown, The Forgotten, Condition Red, and The Worthless. Sue me.

Aside from the noted exceptions, the majority of this CD is quite good. My personal favorite would be The 60s Are Back by The Sound Brigade, which sounds like a B-side that Big Audio Dynamite might have released during the brief millisecond that they didnt suck.

This disc is worth checking out--and these punk comps are usually dirt cheap, so why not? Other bands on the project: The Discontent, The Briefs, The Hunns, Typhoon Motor Dudes, The Briggs, Texas Terri, The Ruiners, The Revolvers, Oxymoron, U.S. Bombs, The Sign Offs, The Stitches, The Pushers, The Kings Of Nuthin, The Richmond Sluts, The Arsons, Blue Collar Special, The District, and Bad Luck Charms.

Oh yeah, the Mudhoney song is pretty good.

This album can be purchased at Insound, Amazon and CD Universe

Disaster Records

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