When most punk fans, especially the younger kids that support the scene now, think of what "hardcore" is, it is usually equated with spikey hair, spiked leather jackets and guys who can't sing slurring "Oi! Oi! Oi!" This is completely incorrect. Los Angeles dj Rodney Bingenheimer once said that Black Flag was "for the real hardcore" and he was talking about intent and attack. Not dressing up and posing. The Circle Jerks were a real hardcore band as far as attack and speed but dressed like who they were; four dudes who were going to the Starwood to see the Germs after the Aerosmith concert was over. Hardcore is about your values (or lack of) and the reasoning behind the music you make. It's not about dressing up. Assclowns like the singer of the Exploited who wear the Britpunk uniform might as well be working at Mickey D's or delivering Dominos pizza. Its like they clock in, put on the outfit and are ready to go through the motions. And this brings us to American hardcore legends Poison Idea.
Dealing in speed (many kinds) and bad intent, the big band from Portland did not look the part. Although singer Jerry A. was (and still is) an imposing figure and looks like a punk singer, other fellows in the band like The Slayer Hippie, Myrtle Tickner and especially Pig Champion just didn't look like guys you would see spare changing outside of a Cockney Rejects gig. And sound wise while a lot of the British bands and some of the US bands (argh! Bad Religion) came off to serious music fans as having a sameness usually associated with really bad disco; Poison Idea did not fuck around. From the songs, their approach, the cover art and relentless disc releases Poison Idea were the real deal and meant business. Although they disbanded and have only been playing sporadically, they are back with a new e.p.
Carrying on with their trademark sound of incorporating rock influences into their speedy, hard attack, this record with Jerry going forward with new members finds them sounding as tough as ever. Always a band that wasn't afraid to venture beyond 3 chords and the forbidden beat, "The Big Lie" is powered by some mighty double kick drumming that pulverizes your head but doesn't seem "metal". There is a beautiful guitar intro on "Roses Are Fake" and then Jerry enters the fray with some out of character vocals before the band kicks it into high gear. "Dedicated" is a short and sweet slam pit shaker while the final track "Down Again" is a down and dirty rocker with an excellent and passionate vocal from Jerry. And speaking of Jerry, people talk a lot about the great punk singers but it is usually about stage presence and antics and not about the throat. Jerry A. is a guy that sings from his fucking gut and when he delivers a line or passage you better believe it's for real. He is one of the great punk rock voices.
The opening track called "Calling All Ghosts" has an outstanding video to accompany it that you can view on YouTube. Its been a controversial video because of its imagery of a guy watching a certain reality show clown who thinks he can govern and it causes the guy to do some very evil things. It's a great video for a great song. The Kings of Punk are back. On colored vinyl with the songs on one side and an etching on the other.
