Zero Boys - History Of... [LP / 7"] (LP)

When the Ramones lost it, the Zero Boys found it - adding a slam brigade fist to the Blitzkrieg Beat. The Zero Boys managed to come with one of the best early 1980s punk records, or one of the best records ever, period.

From 1979 to 1983, the Indianapolis-based Zero Boys were the finest hardcore blitz in the Midwest if not all the lower 48 states.

Compiled and released as a post-mortem following the band's break-up, History Of... is the proof, if more was needed, that their take of American hardcore wasn't all white bread numbers. Yeah, they played shows with Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, Subhumans and others, but in Terry 'Hollywood' Howe's guitar there was harmonious terror and unstoppable cadence. Terry's licks and chops - a leap beyond two or three chord punk - offered a zone and measured count for drummer Mark Cutsinger and bassist David 'Tufty' Clough, a rhythm unit in par with the Minutemen if not The Meters, to run lines like quicksilver. Meanwhile, frontman, Paul 'Z' Mahern provides a constant wash from beginning to end.

Originally released in 1984 with a limited-edition reissue in 2009, this 40th anniversary edition is available to independent retailers and includes the original LP of History Of... (on clear vinyl) plus a 7" featuring four live recordings never previously pressed to vinyl and recorded at iconic hardcore/punk venue Crazy Al's in 1980.

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Tracklist:

LP:
1. Drive In
2. Black Network News
3. Splish Splash
4. Inergy
5. Johnny Better Get
6. Dingy Bars Suck
7. Seen That Movie Before
8. High Places
9. Blood's Good Human Body
10. Mom's Wallet
11. Positive Change
12. Amerika
13. New Generation
14. Livin' in the '80s
15. Stoned to Death
16. Stick to Your Guns
17. I'm Bored
18. Piece of Me

7":
1. Livin' in the 80s (Live at Crazy Al's, September 6th, 1980)
2. Stick to Your Guns (Live at Crazy Al's, September 6th, 1980)
3. Commies (Live at Crazy Al's, September 6th, 1980)
4. I'm Absent (Live at Crazy Al's, September 6th, 1980)