Traversing Vinyl

On this date (July 10) 2007, Against Me! released their fourth studio album, New Wave. It’s controversial in that the anti-corporate punk band signed to major label Sire. Reading critics reviews at the time of its release, it was panned. As an Against Me! fan, however, I like this album. It’s more pop punk than folk punk, but Laura’s voice is still gritty and angry and full of emotion. Bands have to grow and try new things, and AM! have been able to do it without alienating me.

Remembering Andy Fletcher, founding member of Depeche Mode. July 8, 1961 - May 26, 2022.

On this date (July 6) 1984, Public Image Ltd released their fourth studio album, This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get. John Lydon fired guitarist Keith Levene after recording a version of this album titles Commercial Zone. Lydon then re-recorded with synths in place of guitars. Blissfully unaware of any controversy, or of PIL's previous releases, this album changed my life during freshman year of high school (1985). Living in a small town with limited radio stations and access to whatever music MTV wanted me to listen to, having a friend hand me a cassette with a copy of this album on one side and Never Mind the Bollocks on the other, I was suddenly aware of the potential for music to be art, and be mind expanding.

On this date (July 5) 1983, Suicidal Tendencies released their self-titled debut album. A hardcore punk masterpiece, it also set the table for what was to become crossover thrash. It is a highly influential album, cited as an influence or favorite album by each of the "big four" of thrash metal (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax) as well as California punk bands such as The Offspring and NOFX. The song Institutionalized, with its music video that put hardcore on MTV, remains their biggest hit to date.

On this day (July 4) 1976, The Clash played their very first gig, opening for the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan in Sheffield.

Happy Birthday to Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance, born on June 30, 1959.