The Mekons ‎– The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen

Label:

Virgin ‎– V2143

Country:

UK

Released:

30 Nov 1979

I used to have a Mekons t-shirt in camo with hammer and sickle proclaiming some desperate railing "last to get paid/first to die". I say used to, since this was in the 90s and as my love for The Mekons has grown since then, so has my abdomen--to the point I had to leave the shirt behind.

It really typifies for me their plugger, underdog, earnest and dogged attitude of the band still thriving on low expectations. In putting together this debut album, they famously borrowed the gear of Gang of Four who Virgin -- apparently in error -- pictured in the lower right of the jacket reverse.

From the jacket

Not on the jacket

Here the A-side Runout Inscription "A PORKY PRIME CUT" is indicative of George Peckham. This British lacquer-cutting and mastering engineer, better known as "Porky" has had an illustrious career that includes work on records of The Beatles, Genesis and Led Zeppelin. The B-side Runout Inscription echoes the spirit of the band: "BOTTOM OF THE POPS".

Dead Kennedys ‎– Bedtime For Democracy

Label:

Alternative Tentacles ‎– VIRUS 50

Format:

Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold

Country:

US

Released:

1986

A-side dead wax reads: JOHN SCOPES DIED FOR YOUR SINS
B-side dead wax reads: "POWER IS THE ULTIMATE APHRODESIAC" - HENRY KISSINGER

I got reading this as I listed to and admired the cartoons on this early (first?) pressing. I like that a band that includes Klaus Flouride misspelled aphrodisiac. Also, among the most intellectual of punk rock acts, they reference the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial.

The Coctails ‎– Hip Hip Hooray!

Label:

Hi-Ball Records ‎– HBS-8255

Format:

Vinyl, LP, Album

Country:

US

Released:

1990

Side A and B are etched with "Where is Bobo?" What I like about this is that it is self-referential for the album. The dog it refers to emerges in the story song "Ghost Town".

Cruel Frederick - The Birth Of The Cruel

Cruel Frederick - The Birth Of The Cruel

LP, Album
SST Records SST 127
1988 US

Free jazz on this largely punk rock label is unusual. As a matter of fact, I know of no other example. I like the two beat worship-to-incursion rhythm of their deadwax message:

• Side A runout, etched: ANGELS SING
• Side B runout, etched: SAINTS GO MARCHING IN