KXCI 91.3FM Tucson AZ

Formed in 1980, Chicago's The Effigies were instrumental (along with Naked Raygun and Strike Under) in defining the '80s Chicago punk scene and sound. This LP is the band's debut studio full-length, following several singles, EPs, and compilation appearances.

1981 debut studio LP from this Southern California punk band. Agent Orange combined classic surf rock influences into its punk sound and included a cover of Dick Dale's "Miserlou" on this release.

Opening cut to the South California's third studio LP and first with Epic Records. Catapulted the band to commercial success with three radio hits ("Ball and Chain", "Story of My Life", and a cover of "Ring of Fire"). If you lived in Southern California at any point in the 90s, you heard them constantly on KROQ.

Likely named after the 1968 Italian spaghetti Western from Sergio Corbucci of the same title, this LP marks the second studio release from the Los Angeles punk band formed and fronted by singer/songwriter, writer, actor, film director, and producer Chris D.

Debut album from the NYC-based glam rock band, cited as an influence on the punk scene that would arise from the city three years later. Though the album was not a commercial success, its influence continues to the present. Venues were hesitant to have the Dolls perform due to their onstage cross-dressing, with promotors thinking band members were homosexual (homosexuality being illegal in NY until 1980).

Debut LP from this Swedish punk band formed by singer Dennis Lyxzén after the breakup of Refused. TINC blend elements of garage rock and classic R&B influences into its sound.

The Nerves pre-dated the California punk scenes, having formed in 1974 and only releasing a four-song EP that included this cut (later collected and re-released on this compilation alongside demos and live cuts). While commercial success eluded The Nerves, NYC's Blondie recorded a cover of this song for its 1978 worldwide chart-topping third studio LP Parallel Lines.

1979 compilation collecting several singles from the Manchester punk band. One of the best compilations ever released across any genre.

Latest release from this Australian punk band heavily drawing from fellow Australians Radio Birdman.

Hailing from nearby Sierra Vista, Malignus Youth formed in 1987. This compilation collects the band's out-of-print late '80s material. The band reunited for a one-off 2014 show at the Rialto Theatre, with concert footage used for a documentary on the band. The complete live performance is available online:

Debut LP (and on of my favorite punk records) from the East Bay (CA) band. This is a re-recording of the first 7" single released by the band in 1979, a blistering attack on then-California governor Jerry Brown - which didn't make sense considering Brown and Biafra lean-left but is made clear once Biafra's disdain for hippies is understood. DK's would re-record a version of the song on the 1981 In God We Trust EP attacking Ronald Reagan, with Biafra re-working the song in 2004 alongside the Melvins an attacking then-California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jerry Brown would have the last laugh, as he would serve as California governor again from 2011 to 2019.

Pummeling and bleak 1986 debut LP from Steve Albini and company. Singer/song-writer St. Vincent performed a cover of "Kerosene" live in 2011 as part of a celebration for Michael Azerrad's book Our Band Could Be Your Life, chronicling band's from 1981-1991, Big Black included.

Latest release from this underground cyberpunk band from NYC, whose lyrics and visuals focus on dystopian themes brought forth by technology and war.

Debut LP from this Brooklyn-based synth-punk band. The band's name is taken from the title to a 1964 crime novel from America pulp-fiction writer Jim Thompson. Much of the lyrics throughout this and other Pop. 1280 albums share a gritty and violent narrative that marked Thompson's writings.

2015 release from this Phoenix-based band, and my top album of 2015, as I wrote HERE:

Phoenix’s Destruction Unit deliver another psychotropic fueled blast of noise meant to do nothing but make you lose your senses in a deafening haze. Opener “Disinfect” begins with a low hum slowly building upward. But before you can settle in, an ear-splitting note kicks. This isn’t a wall of sound surrounding you. Those walls have already collapsed. This is – to borrow from the subsequent track – salvation, meant to liberate you from boring musical restrictions you unknowingly box yourself into. You’ll be unrestrained by the end of “Animal Instinct”, with its pulsating beat cascading into a wail and rumble. There’s no turning back at this point for the uninitiated. They’re trapped. The rest of us? We’ll be in noise-rock heaven.

Only release from this Tucson punk band combining elements of hardcore and noise rock.

Third studio LP from this unapologetically abrasive defunct Pennsylvanian noise-rock band. For its final 2008 show, Clockcleaner "opened" for billed opening act Negative Approach by playing a 15-minute sludge cover of NA's "Ready to Fight". This led to a violent outburst before and after the main show throughout the crowd. Despite this (or because of it) NA drummer Chris Moore compared it to a Flipper show!

Opening cut to Black Flag's divisive second studio LP. The lyrics - an attack on Black Flag founder/guitarist Greg Ginn - were written by former Black Flag vocalist Chuck Dukowski.

From the seminal Chicago noise-rock band's 1991 second studio LP. Going back to a 2014 interview with VICE, Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow called this the greatest song the band recorded and admitted to not knowing what the lyrics are about.

Full length debut album from Jim Jarmusch (director of Stranger Than Paradise, Ghost Dog, Coffee and Cigarettes among many other films) and Carter Logan (film composer), with contributions from Charlotte Gainsbourg and more. Given their film background, the cuts on Silver Haze maintain a heavy cinematic element.

Eighth studio LP from this Olympia-based mostly instrumental band combining elements of drone music and psychedelia. This cut co-written with the late. great Mark Lanegan, also on vocal duties.

Seventh studio LP (1974) from the English prog-legends. Instrumental parts of this cut date back to 1972. Bassist John Wetton provides vocals, telling the story of a gang stabbing in the streets of NYC.

Probably Pelican at its most accessible on this mostly instrumental post-metal release (and their fourth).

1994 worldwide commercial hit for the Seattle band, led by five successful singles (this was the second single) and two Grammy awards.

RIP to Surfers drummer Teresa Taylor (aka Nervosa), who passed away June 18th. Teresa drummed on the majority of 80s output from the Surfers. She also had a notable cameo in Richard Linklater's 1990 cult classic film Slacker. Her image remains on the iconic film poster promoting the film:

Breakthrough 1989 LP from this Boston band, a staple on college rock radio stations at the time. Pixies founder/vocalist/guitarist Black Francis has cited this cut as the best one on the album.