Ep 213: Top 100 Punk & HC songs of the 1980's

This week on the pod, we made a list of the top 100 punk and hardcore songs of the 1980’s. Doing projects like these is daunting because you’re always going to leave something off, and also my thoughts on these things change all the time.

Really - what is the best Minor Threat song? It’s not settled law, like Blind Justice into Last Warning being the greatest hardcore song of all time.

As always, we took a little heat for being biased towards the US/UK anglosphere. As consolation, I will now talk ten records outside of our shameful sphere of bias.

1. The Onion Dolls - The Kids/Hot Love 7” - Twinkle Records - 1979 - Erpe-Mere, Belgium

   Two killer uptempo jammers with good guitar hooks and drumming. The Kids rocks so hard when its going back and forth between the singer getting manic on the chorus and that shredder guitar dude. But seriously…what the fuck is an onion doll?

   

2. Olho Seco - Botas Fuzis Capacees 7” - Punk Rock Discos - 1983 - Sao Paolo, Brazil

   Three wildman rippers of Brazillian hardcore. Singer sounds like a maniac. The recording is raw but bright. Muito Obrigado sounds like proto crossover. I don’t think the drummer has a hi-hat cuz he’s on the ride the whole time. YOLO!

3. Electric Deads - Anti-Sex EP 7” - Electro Static Records - 1982 - Espergaerde, Denmark

   The 2nd (I think) 7” from this Danish punk band. 2 fast/2 midtempo. Great snotty shouted vox from the singer. She can also pull off being tuneful, like on 30 Years. Locked Doors reminds me of Green Hell. Hell yea!

Kaaos - Totaalinen Kaaos 7” - Propaganda Records - 1982 - Tampere, Finland

I probably fucked up by leaving Mellakka off our list. Is riling up the troo punx worth sacrificing the integrity of the list? Maybe. But for real, this rips. If you think Discharge is too in the pocket and you’re craving some wildness, here’s Kaaos. It’s one of those records that troo punx think you’re a poser if you don’t know it. As usual, they’re wrong. You’re only a poser if you heard it and don’t like it.

Warm Gun - Chinese Gangsters 7” - Isadora Records - 1977 - Paris, France

It’s 1977 and everything is influenced by the Dolls or the Stooges. So many bands miss, but Warm Gun nail it. I love this 7”. Four killer tunes that know when to quit, and they’re all tied together by killer guitar hooks. Singer rules too.

Declino - S/T 7” - Contro Produzioni - 1983 - Torino, Italy

We talk a lot about the recording being the 5th member on a lot of old school records. This is a perfect example. Killer fast hardcore with that great old school sounding hi-hat that can never be replicated beyond the early 80’s. This is super clean sounding cuz the guitarist uses very little distortion. Six songs all right around a minute and no duds. Fuck yea!

Anarchy - Not Satisfied - Invitation Records - Tokyo, Japan - 1980

2 killer ‘77 style punk songs. Aburamus almost dips into power pop but the singing is so punk that marshmallow hangs firmly onto the stick. This is one of those 2 song singles where I can never pick a side. Both are killer in their own way - Not Satisfied is the rocker, but those little leads on Aburamus….damn!

Helmettes - I Don't Care What the People Say - No Fun Records - 1978 - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Every feel like you’re old and washed up? Are the great Taco Bell halftime debates of 2023 getting you down? Sometimes you gotta just connect to your early teen punk roots, when you were pissed off about everything but didn’t know why or how to express it. When you decided you weren’t going to give a fuck what people thought about you. Well, here are the Helmettes: some 15 year olds making that very same punk proclamation.

Now would it be cooler if the youtube video wasn’t some dude in a fedora sitting in front of a Helmettes shirt, letting us know he’s probably the one who wrote these kick ass tracks 45 years ago?

Of course.

But respect to the dude in a fedora sitting in front of a Helmettes shirt, letting us know he’s probably the one who wrote these kick ass tracks 45 years ago for uploading the first track to Youtube!

Sozz - Patrol Car - Farmer Records - 1979 - Canton Bern, Switzerland

Switzerland brought the heat in the late 70’s. I love that Fresh Color 7” from 78, and that Glueams 7” from 79. This Sozz 7” stacks up to both of them and is superior than their next 7” that would come out in 1980 (that one’s still decent.) This thing sounds like it could’ve totally come out on No Future in 82. Proto-boot. You’re slammin’.

The Buttocks - S/T 7” - Konnekschen Records - 1979 - Hamburg, West-Germany

Pretty punk to name your band after an ass. This 7” is definitely punk. BGS kicks buttocks and is my favorite. This one definitely slips into annoying territory sometimes, but it’s 1979 West Germany so that rules. Breaking out of the Anglosphere, baby!

So yea, worldwide punk rips, but like many things, the stuff you connect with early often sticks with you the most. Be sure to check out this week’s episode and playlist!

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Peace!

- Zack