#proto-fastcore

"A HARDCORE SPECTACULAR" -- CLASS OF '82.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on an all ages gig/show flyer for Massachusetts hardcore punk bands, JERRY'S KIDS, THE PROLETARIAT, DEEP WOUND[Z] (as they were initially, and, now funnily known), and THE F.U.'s, performing live at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Allston, MA, USA, on October 16, 1982.

NOTHING LESS THAN A FOUNDING FATHER OF GRIND SURROUNDED BY HIS UNHOLY SPAWN.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on indie rock guitarist/vocalist for DINOSAUR JR. -- former drummer/founding member of American hardcore punk band, DEEP WOUND -- J Mascis, surrounded by members of UK goregrind/death metal/extreme music band, CARCASS:

L to R: Dan Wilding (drummer), Bill Steer (guitarist, ex-NAPALM DEATH), & Jeff Walker (bassist/vocalist, ex-DISATTACK, ELECTRO HIPPIES).

EXTRA INFO: Front & back to an original pressing of DEEP WOUND's self-titled 7” EP released by Radiobeat Records in 1983, which the late, great John Peel was apparently a fan of. Now, that's news to me!

PEAK AMERICAN HARDCORE PUNK -- SOME OF THE FASTEST MUSIC OF ITS TIME, AND FOR ALL TIME.

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on previously unseen pics of speed-obsessed/proto-fastcore thrashers, DEEP WOUND, performing live at Bangs Community Center, Amherst, MA, USA. 📸: Lisa Putignano (absolutely no love for bassist Scott Helland, though! Where's the bass player?!).

Westfield, Massachusetts hardcore punk.

THE RETURN! -- RETURN OF THE "TUMBLR COVER PHOTO" SERIES!

PIC(S) INFO: Part 1 of 2 -- Spotlight on the first set in my ongoing series of Tumblr Cover Photos for the year 2024, and I've finally made up my mind that I will be continuing them, just not as fervently as I was last year. This set includes:

Rob Williams, blasting away as drummer for Weymouth, MA, hardcore punk/proto-blastcore band, SIEGE.

Variant head/helmet for Gentle Giant's 2011 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive "STAR WARS" Imperial Snowtrooper mini bust, after the legendary Ralph McQuarrie's unused concept art

The Lizard, Spidey supervillain, artwork by Todd McFarlane, from "Amazing Spider-Man" Vol. 1 #313 (March 1989).

Japanese 2015 re-release movie poster for cult hip-hop/independent movie "Wild Style" (1983).

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, as photographed by Karl Ferris for the U.S. release of 1967's "Are You Experienced."

Promotional image for Moribundi (action figure), from Clive Barker's "Tortured Souls" Series 2 by McFarlane Toys.

Partial poster art for the 1978 American sexploitation film "Hot Lunch."

Logo for Swedish hardcore/D-beat band TOTALITÄR

"...COPYCAT, CONFORM, CONTORT, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR COMFORT."

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on "Drop Dead" cassette inserts, lyrics, and photographs of the American hardcore punk band SIEGE, c. 1984. All photos from the collection of "Cooch" from Radio Raheem.

"None survive, None alive, Genocide!"

-- "Drop Dead" (1984) by SIEGE

"Haven't got a mind of your own, Just another zombie clone, Slave of the majority, No individuality."

-- "Conform" (1984) by SIEGE

"Have no respect for others, Wage war against your brothers. Can't you fucking see? They're just like you and me."

-- "Sad but True" (1984) by SIEGE

"Leaders of this place, running in the arms race. Buy the bombs and starve the nation. Thousands dying of starvation."

-- "Starvation" (1984) by SIEGE

"At night I lock the door to my room, fear the grim reaper will come to call me soon."

-- "Grim Reaper" (1984) by SIEGE

"Peaceful claims, yet bombs are aimed. Armageddon, Armageddon."

-- SIEGE, c. 1984 (all lyrics by SIEGE members)

DEEP WOUND RELEASE THEIR SELF-TITLED 7" 40 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on a record advert for DEEP WOUND's 9-song debut 7" vinyl EP, released under the Radiobeat label in 1983.

"I did this one. Another influence not mentioned much; Elvis Presley."

-- J MASCIS (drummer & co-founder of DW) on their Elvis record ad

BECAUSE PROTO-FASTCORE/PROTO-BLASTCORE IS FOR THE KIDS IN '82 -- J, LOU, CHARLIE, & SCOTT.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on an early shot of West Massachusetts hardcore punk band, DEEP WOUND, performing live c. 1982. 📸: Bruce Myren.

"Did all the things kids are supposed to do Played mini golf, ate Chinese food, Drugs, Movies, Video till I drop, All this fun stuff has got to stop,

[CHORUS]

Sick of having fun, There's gotta be something more, My pleasure center is sore, Fun shouldn't be a chore, BORE!"

-- "Sick of Fun" (1983) by DEEP WOUND

PUNK ROCK INVADES THE SUBURBS OF THE U.S. AND A WHOLE NEW MONSTER IS BORN.

PICS INFO: Spotlight on a rare, slightly "crusty" pic of American hardcore punk band, DEEP WOUND, performing live in Easthampton, Massachusetts, USA, c. 1983. 📸: Pat Parker.

PIC #2: A group shot of DEEP WOUND, c. 1983: L to Right: Lou Barlow (guitar), Scott Helland (bassist), Charlie Nakajima (vocalist), & J Mascis (drums, and rocking a tasteful VENOM "Black Metal" band tee).