Sunday 29 November 2020

The Germs


I have been meaning to do this band since this blog got started, so finally instead of pushing it off I'm just going to put it out there before we get into December. The Germs were a four-piece punk band from Los Angeles, California that were started in 1976. They were formed by vocalist Darby Crash and guitarist Pat Smear, with bassist Lorna Doom joining later that year. After a slew of drummers, Don Bolles joined in 1978. 

Without a doubt The Germs are one of the most important and influential bands in punk and hardcore history. Initially, most members could barely play, which is a far cry from where they would end up on their sole 1979 LP (produced by Joan Jett). On (GI), they had mastercrafted some of punk rock's best songs, while maintaining the sloppy, raw energy had become renowned for. For such a volatile sound, they came through with some surprisingly literary lyrics, courtesy of the now-legendary Darby Crash. Having said that, his vocals did still sound like they were recorded mid-exorcism. The performances on their LP were relatively refined in comparison to their live performances, which were infamously chaotic. Unfortunately in 1980, Crash committed suicide via intentional overdose, which brought an end to the band.

Following The Germs, guitarist Pat Smear joined Nirvana in their final year as a touring guitarist, and later became a long-standing member of the Foo Fighters. Drummer Don Bolles has also remained active in bands such as Celebrity Skin and 45 Grave. In 2007, a biographical film titled What We Do Is Secret about Darby Crash's life, with Shane West in the leading role. This lead to the three remaining Germs members to reunite, with West now as their vocalist. After a few tours with the reformed Germs, West left in 2009. Bassist Lorna Doom passed away in 2019.

(MIA) consists of all their recorded material, including their full-length. I also posted (GI) separately if you just want that, as it is a classic and essential listening. Enjoy.

1. What We Do Is Secret
2. Communist Eyes
3. Land Of Treason
4. Richie Daggers' Crime
5. Strange Notes
6. American Leather
7. Lexicon Devil
8. Manimal
9. Our Way
10. We Must Bleed
11. Media Blitz
12. The Other Newest One
13. Let's Pretend
14. Dragon Lady
15. The Slave
16. Shut Down (Annihilation Man)

1. Forming
2. Sex Boy
3. Lexicon Devil
4. Circle One
5. No God
6. What We Do Is Secret
7. Communist Eyes
8. Land Of Treason
9. Richie Daggers' Crime
10. Strange Notes
11. American Leather
12. Lexicon Devil
13. Manimal
14. Our Way
15. We Must Bleed
16. Media Blitz
17. The Other Newest One
18. Let's Pretend
19. Dragon Lady
20. The Slave
21. Shut Down (Annihilation Man)
22. Caught In My Eye
23. Round And Round
24. My Tunnel
25. Throw It Away
26. Not All Right
27. Now I Hear The Laughter
28. Going Down
29. Lions Share
30. Forming 2

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