EP 261: HARDCORE & PUNK COMPILATIONS
Exploring punk and hardcore compilations from 1977 to 2025
Killer episode this week on the pod. Check it out here, here, or here and check the playlist here or here.
Youtube playlist here (thanks Kev):
The compilation is truly a hardcore phenomenon. A lot of the notable first wave punk bands were on major labels and were just treated as a piece of the larger musical roster. Bands like Ramones, Sex Pistols, and The Damned would appear on comps alongside other acts on their labels, but it would be a mix of styles. It wasn’t until the end of the ‘70s with the rise of the DIY that we’d start seeing punk comps with a cohesive idea. A great compilation documents a snapshot in time of something specific - a scene, a subculture, an idea. Beach Blvd, Tooth and Nail, Yes L.A., Tokyo Rockers, and Tokyo New Wave in 1979 were early examples of this.
You can look at the explosion of hardcore and directly correlate it to the rise of the compilation. In both 1980 and 1981 there are a dozen or so punk comps, but by ‘82 when hardcore explodes the number of comps balloons with it. At the end of the decade and into the ‘90s, we saw increased popularity of the 7” compilation.
The rise the compact disc in the 1990s was the end of the glory days of the punk comp. On vinyl, a 12” can hold about 20 minutes of music on each side before you have a decline in quality. A CD could hold 74 minutes, nearly doubling the length. Labels charged more for CDs so they filled them up to “give people their money’s worth.” This lead to many quantity over quality comps, lack of expert curation, and a return to the original glut of the label sampler.
Of course now in the digital era, the compilation has been pretty much decimated by the playlist. I have no idea who actually puts together the big Spotify playlists, but their efforts are pretty shameful. Usually within a handful of songs there is a bizarro track that doesn’t belong with the theme. The “Classic Hardcore” playlist is laughable.
All that said, this is just my basic ass view from 30,000 feet. There have been tons of timeless comps that span across genres and eras of hardcore punk. They can still matter. I’ve helped with two in the last decade and there is probably someone working on a dope one right now somewhere.
The 100 comp list is simply a list of notable comps that I think tell the story of the ebbs and flows of punk through its ~50 year history. It’s not a best of or a ranking. Don’t get at me cuz Punk-O-Rama is on there but Really Fast Vol. 2 isn’t.
Some brief notes on everything:
1. Raw Deal! LP, Raw (1977) UK
Most of the 1st wave punk bands were on majors so they would appear on label samplers like this along with other bands of different genres. Raw Records was a punk label so this label sampler was exclusive to the genre. The Users and The Killjoys rule and the first song from The Psycho’s track is pretty fast for 1977.
2. Beach Blvd LP, Posh Boy, (1979) USA
Beach Blvd and Tooth and Nail represent the crossover of the tail end of the first wave and the beginning of the 2nd wave. Punk in LA had spread beyond a small group of pioneers at The Masque in Hollywood and was now festering out in the burbs, ready to explode with the dawn of the 1980s. I generally tried to stay away from records that were more three-way splits than true compilations but Beach Blvd had to be included.
3. Tokyo New Wave LP, JVC, (1979) Japan
Tokyo Rockers and Tokyo New Wave both came out in 1979 showcasing early Japanese punk bands. Both are worth a listen but I chose Tokyo New Wave cuz it has a better cover.
4. Tooth and Nail LP, Upsetter, (1979) USA
5. Bullshit Detector LP, Crass, (1980) UK
Early anarcho comp put together by Crass and released by their record label. If you only plan on listening to half the comps on this list, Bullshit Detector doesn’t need to make the cut. It pretty much blows but is historically important as a representation of that scene/era.
6. Oi! The Album LP, EMI, (1980) UK
The first of a six album series that spanned from 1980 to 1984 put together by Garry Bushell who coined the phrase “Oi!” The first track is the song “Oi! Oi! Oi!” by the Cockney Rejects. It’s the beginning of a genre that didn’t have a defined sound yet but more so represented a more working class lane of punk.
7. Rodney On The ROQ Vol. 1 LP, Posh Boy, (1980) USA
The most solidly punk of the three Rodney On The ROQ comps. Side A is notable for early versions of all-time classic punk tracks “Amoeba” and “Wild In The Streets,” plus classics from the year like “Bloodstains” and “No Values.” I don’t even have to say the band names, do I? Rodney Bingenheimer hosted a radio show on the Los Angeles radio station KROQ and was crucial for breaking bands. Flipside would post his top requests in their zine.
8. Busted At Oz LP, Autumn, (1981) USA
The story of Chicago punk began at a gay bar called La Mere Vipere that started doing a punk night in 1977 called “Anarchy at La Mere” where they would play punk records. It lasted for 11 months until a fire destroyed the bar. The official report was that it was an electrical issue, but patrons still believe it was arson. With La Mere Vipere gone, two other bars emerged that started hosting punk bands in 1979: Obanion’s and Oz. The latter hosted a DOA gig in 1979, but the capacity of the space was only about 120 and not everyone could get in so the next year owner Dem Hopkins relocated to a new spot that tripled the capacity and started hosting bands more frequently. The Busted At Oz compilation comes from gigs that took place there on March 9th, 10th, and 11th of 1981 and features all-time Chicago bands The Effigies and Articles of Faith.
9. Hell Comes To Your House LP, Bemisbrain (1981) USA
Punk/Deathrock comp that features the first recordings from Christian Death and Social Distortion as well as maybe the best 45 Grave tracks.
10. Let Them Eat Jellybeans LP, Alternative Tentacles, (1981) USA
The first punk comp on Alternative Tentacles, a label formed by East Bay Ray and Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys. Features heavy hitters of the era: DOA, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys, and Circle Jerks. I don’t believe any of the notable bands’ tracks are exclusive.
11. Process of Elimination 7”, Touch & Go, (1981) USA
The first great hardcore 7” compilation featured the Necros, Negative Approach, and The Fix. Hell yea. It’s a true snapshot of the moment that shows a lot of early HC bands started and flamed out quick. The 2nd press of this comp from 1982 states “Since the first pressing of this E.P. The Fix and Youth Patrol have broken up." Bummer!
12. American Youth Report LP, Invasion (1982) USA
LA punk comp that featured Bad Religion, Channel 3, Adolescents, Descendents, TSOL and more.
13. Charred Remains cassette, Version Sound, (1982) USA
Cassette compilation released on Version Sound out of Xenia, OH who would also do the first Articles of Faith and Die Kruezen 7”s. This thing is loaded: Void, Sin 34, Articles of Faith, Die Kreuzen, Toxic Reasons, Rebel Youth, and San Diego’s own, 5.0.5.1.
14. Flex Your Head LP, Discord, (1982) USA
When folks talk about early hardcore compilations, this might be the one they think of first. You know it, you love it. “Stand Up” into “12XU” - you’re slamming.
15. Grito Suburbano LP, Punk Rock Discogs, (1982) Brazil
I didn’t include many comps that were more three-way splits than true compilations how we think about them, but this had to make the list because it’s a great document of three of the best early Brazillian hardcore punk bands. Is the first Olho Seco 7” the best hardcore record without a hi-hat?
16. New York Thrash cassette, ROIR, (1982) USA
Cassette comp that captured bands from the early 1980’s NY and NJ scenes (Bad Brains, Heart Attack, Undead, etc.)
17. Not So Quiet On The Western Front 2xLP, Alternative Tentacles, (1982) USA
Double LP compilation documenting the Northern California and Nevada scenes with 47 bands represented. It’s a mixed bag but and ambitious project of documentation.
18. Outsider LP, City Rocker, (1982) Japan
Live Japanese compilation that highlights the 2nd wave of Japanese punk or the first wave of Japanese hardcore (GISM, Gauze, The Comes, etc). Very anarcho cover.
19. Propaganda - Russia Bombs Finland LP, Propaganda, (1982) Finland
The first of the two Propaganda compilations, the other being Hardcore ‘83. I included this one on the list because it came first. The heavy hitters of the early Finnish hardcore scene are on here: Bastards, Kaaos, Terveet Kädet, Riistetyt, Appendix, etc.
20. Punk And Disorderly LP, Abstract, (1982) UK
The first of a three-part series. This came out in March of 1982, the second would come later that year, and the third came out in 1983. Classic album title. It’s all British bands except Outcasts from Northern Ireland and Dead Kennedys from the USA. Features some of the best songs from Blitz, Chaos UK, Abrasive Wheels, and GBH.
21. Rat Music For Rat People LP, Go!, (1982) USA
Live comp. Every band and every song is good except Flipper. Bad Brains, DK, TSOL, Black Flag, etc.
22. Someone Got Their Head Kicked In LP, BYO, (1982) USA
BYO #1. Awesome tracks from Adolescents, Bad Religion, Youth Brigade, and the first songs on vinyl from Agression and Battalion of Saints.
23. The Master Tape LP, Nimrod/Affirmation, (1982) USA
Midwestern compilation (+ two songs from The FUs) put together by Paul Mahern. It features Zero Boys, Articles of Faith, Die Kreuzen, Toxic Reasons, and others.
24. This Is Boston Not LA LP, Modern Method (1982) USA
Boston compilation featuring Jerry’s Kids, Gang Green, FU’s, etc.
25. Chaos En France Volume N°1 LP, Chaos Productions, (1983) France
French comp featuring FrOi! originators Camera Silens, Komintern Sect, Snix and others.
26. Great Punk Hits LP, Japan Record, (1983) Japan
Japanese comp with a classic album title and art. Gism, The Execute, The Clay, etc.
27. Out Blow Out cassette, Slow Death Cassettes, (1983) USA
San Diego cassette compilation. Battalion of Saints, 5051, Manifest Destiny, Social Spit, etc.
28. Punk Que? Punk LP, DRO, (1983) Spain
Spanish punk comp. Daniel from Sorry State does a better writeup than I could do on it here.
29. Raw War (The World of Punk) cassette, Xcentric Noise, (1983) UK
International hardcore punk compilation released on cassette that featured Rattus/Terveet Kädet (Finland), Olho Seco (Brazil), Funeral Oration (Netherlands), Neos (Canada), Nabat/Indigesti (Italy), and more.
30. Really Fast Vol. 1 LP, Really Fast, (1983) Sweden
Swedish hardcore comp with Headcleaners, Asta Kask, Anti-Cimex, P-Nissarna, DNA, E.A.T.E.R., etc.
31. Skate Rock! Vol. 1 cassette, Thrasher Magazine, (1983) USA
The first of the Thrasher cassette comps. The series would stretch into the 1990s. The Faction, JFA, Big Boys, etc.
32. We Got Power (Party or Go Home) LP, Mystic, (1983) USA
Massive, 41 song compilation on Mystic Records put together by the guys from We Got Power fanzine. 7 Seconds, Big Boys, White Cross, JFA, Ill Repute, Stalag 13, etc.
33. Holland Hardcore cassette, Er Is Hoop Tapes, (1983) Holland
The first of three Holland Hardcore comps released by Er Is Hoop Tapes. Stanx, Lärm, etc.
34. Beating The Meat LP, Xcentric Noise (1984) UK
LP compilation brought to you from the same label that did the Raw War cassette compilation. Same vibe. Headcleaners (Sweden), Terveet Kädet/Rattus (Finland), Olho Seco/Colera (Brazil), Upright Citizens (West-Germany), etc.
35. Copulation LP, Mystic (1984) USA
18 anti-police songs. Black Flag, Ill Repute, The Stain, America’s Hardcore, Mentors, Government Issue, etc.
36. Hardcore Unlawful Assembly LP, AA, (1984) Japan
Classic Japanese HC comp featuring GISM, Lip Cream, Outo, Zouo, etc.
37. Nardcore LP, Mystic, (1984), USA
Compilation featuring bands from Oxnard, CA and surrounding areas (Santa Barbara/Simi Valley). Ill Repute, RKL, Stalag 13, Dr. Know, etc.
38. International P.E.A.C.E. Benefit Compilation 2xLP, R Radical, (1984), USA
39. Welcome to 1984 LP, Maximumrocknroll, (1984) USA
I’m lumping these two together because combined they are the two best compilations of the era that present a worldwide snapshot of hardcore. Both are essential to anyone who has even a passing interest in the history of the genre.
40. World Class Punk cassette, ROIR, (1984) USA
This comp may have been included with those two if it wasn’t released only on the inferior cassette format. Curated by MRR columnist Mykel Board, it features 27 bands from 25 countries. How has no one ever pressed this on vinyl?
41. Big City’s One Big Crowd LP, Big City, (1985) USA
Big City put out 7” compilations in 1983 and 1984 but here’s their big LP comp showcasing NY/NJ bands of the era. Features the first Sheer Terror tracks along with 76% Uncertain, AOD, Psychos, Armed Citizens, etc.
42. Cleanse The Bacteria LP, Pusmort, (1985) USA
Pushead’s international hardcore compilation features 7 Seconds/Poison Idea (USA), Mob 47/Crude SS (Sweden), Zyklome A (Belgium), The Execute (Japan), etc. Sick comp and cover art.
43. Connecticut Fun LP, Incas, (1985) USA
CT comp that features the first Youth of Today tracks along with Vatican Commandos, 76% Uncertain, and others.
44. Flipside Vinyl Fanzine Vol. 2 LP, Gasatanka/Flipside, (1985) USA
The 2nd Flipside comp is better than the first. This one features DI, Necros, CCM, Naked Raygun, etc.
45. Hard-Core Ljubjana LP, FV Zalazba, (1985) Yugoslavia
Punk comp out of Yugoslavia which features the awesome band Tožibabe along with four of their peers.
46. Rescue Ladders & Human Barricade cassette, Twisted Red Cross, (1985) Philippines
Punk comp out of the Philippines that was released on cassette. I thought this was the first one, but since doing the list/podcast PNV Records did a repress of a Philippine comp called Never Forget The Cause from 1983 so I dun fuct up. Rescue Ladders & Human Barricade presents a good mix of bands/styles to get an idea of what was going on in the region.
47. Welcome To Venice LP, Suicidal, (1985) USA
Seminal LA comp that shows the Venice Beach, CA style of crossover featuring Suicidal Tendencies, Beowulf, No Mercy, Excel, and Los Cycos.
48. A Farewell to Arms LP, Selfish, (1986) Japan
Six of the best Japanese HC bands from the first wave show they still got it while the 2nd wave is beginning.
49. End The Warzone 7”, One Step Ahead, (1986) USA
Fast hardcore compilation that features the first nine Straight Ahead songs on side B. Also on here are Attitude Adjustment, PHC, and Lärm.
50. Stockholm’s Mangel cassette, not on label, (1986) Sweden
The other three-way split that I put on here other than Beach Blvd and Grito Suburbano. First wave legends Mob 47 are joined by Agoni and Crudity for bonanza of kängpunk mania with zero filler.
51. World War III? LP, Rot, (1986) UK
Compilation featuring Raw Power (Italy), Rovsvett/Crude SS (Sweden), Zyklome A (West Germany), and more.
52. Turn It Around 2x7”, Maximumrocknroll, (1987) USA
Double 7” compilation of Bay Area bands associated with the Gilman Street club. Stikky, Op Ivy, Crimpshrine, Rabid Lassie, and more.
53. Eye Of The Thrash Guerrilla LP, Selfish, (1988) Japan
The 2nd wave of Japanese hardcore is in full effect with Nightmare, Death Side, Tetsu Arrey, and others joining first wave stalwarts, Crow, on this awesome compilation.
54. The Way It Is LP, Revelation, (1988) USA
An expansion of the Together comp from a year earlier, Revelation Records put together a comp that featured some of the best NYC HC bands of the era: Warzone, Breakdown, Youth of Today, Sick Of It All, Side By Side, etc. Probably my personal favorite compilation of all time.
55. The Thing That Ate Floyd 2xLP, Lookout!, (1988) USA
Like the Turn It Around compilation from the previous year, this comp showcases the Bay Area scene of the era: Cringer, Neurosis, Mr. T Experience, Stikky, No Use For A Name, Op Ivy, Chrimshrine, etc. Over 30 bands.
56. New Breed! cassette, Urban Style, (1989) USA
Cassette compilation featuring NYHC bands of the era: Absolution, Life’s Blood, Outburst, Breakdown, Raw Deal, and more.
57. Where The Wild Things Are LP, Blackout!, (1989) USA
Along with The Way It Is and New Breed!, Where the Wild Things Are rounds out the holy trinity of late ‘80s NYHC compilations. Outburst, Raw Deal, Life’s Blood, Breakdown, Sheer Terror, Maximum Penalty, etc.
58. A Generation Of Hope 7”, Which Way, (1990) USA
For whatever reason, 1990 gave us a ton of awesome 7” compilations. This one features 2nd wave hardcore bands mostly associated with the straight edge scene. Chain of Strength, Confront, Brotherhood, etc.
59. Forever 7”, Irate, (1990) USA
Exclusive tracks from Turning Point and Burn. Also features Rorschach and Citizens arrest. 4/4.
60. Murders Among Us 7”, Vermiform, (1990) USA
This comp features all exclusive tracks from Life’s Blood, Absolution, Nausea, and Born Against.
61. Only The Strong 7”, Victory, (1990) USA
Probably my favorite 7” compilation of all time and definitely my most listened to. Side B is a murderer’s row with Confront, Meanstreak, and Integrity. Side A is solid too.
62. Rebuilding 7”, Temperance, (1990) USA
Burn, Gorilla Biscuits, No Escape, and the best late era Turning Point song.
63. Voice of Thousands LP Conversion, (1990) USA
This compilation gives a great snapshot of hardcore moving out of the ‘80s into the awkward ass ‘90s. It’s a total hodgepodge of bands and sounds. Integrity, Endpoint, Raid, Face Value, Amenity, Outspoken, etc.
64. Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh! - The Record 7”, Slap A Ham, (1991) USA
Wild, gimmick record from powerviolence label Slap A Ham. 41 bands! 64 songs! No Comment, Neanderthal, Extreme Noise Terror, Anal Cunt, Assück, etc.
65. Give Me Back LP, Ebullition, (1991) USA
Look, I know some of you probably wanted the Ebullition comp XXX Some Ideas Are Poisonous on this list but let’s be real…that comp blows. So here’s an Ebullition comp from four years prior that has some good songs on it. Amenity, Seein’ Red, Man Lifting Banner, Econochrist, Struggle, etc. It’s no The Way It Is but it’s sure as hell better than Some Ideas Are Poisonous.
66. Starving Dog Eats Master LP, Bloodsucker, (1991) Japan
Some of the best songs by legendary Burning Spirits bands Death Side and Nightmare.
67. Words To Live By Words To Die For 7”, New Age, (1991) USA
Honing in on a ‘90s hardcore sound with Mouthpiece, Turning Point, Outspoken, Undertow, etc.
68. It’s For Life LP, Consequence, (1992) USA
This comp is a continuation of Words To Live By… and Voice of Thousands as it serves up a mixed bag of bands and sounds that would come to define the early/mid ‘90s. Strife, Ressurection, Mouthpiece, Unbroken, Mean Season, Lifetime, etc.
69. Cry Now, Cry Later Vol. 1 2x7”, Theologian, (1993) USA
Double 7” comp put together by Chris Elder of Despise You. It showcases the grimier side of hardcore punk: powerviolence, grindcore, sludge. Spazz, Eyehategod, Despise You, Capitalist Casualties, etc.
70. East Coast Assault CD, Too Damn Hype, (1993) USA
We’ve reached the CD era of hardcore comps. This one showcases harder, sometimes more metallic bands from the Northeast: Merauder, Darkside NYC, Only Living Witness, Dmize, Next Step Up, Life of Agony, etc.
71. Only The Strong MCMXCIII LP, Victory, (1993) USA
The 2nd in the series. It’s that ‘90s mixed bag you expect now: Resurrection, Snapcase, Black Train Jack, Strife, Zero Tolerance, Endpoint, etc.
72. Fat Music For Fat People CD, Fat Wreck Chords, (1994) USA
73. Punk-O-Rama CD, Epitaph, (1994) USA
I’m lumping these two together as they kick off the discount CD label sampler era. I believe both were $4 retail when they came out. These were crucial for teens who got into punk with the Green Day/Offspring explosion and wanted to dig one layer deeper. CDs were expensive and there was no worse feeling than taking a chance on one and having it suck. These samplers were low risk ways to be able to find bands who had at least one good song.
74. New York’s Hardest CD, LJT, (1995) USA
A snapshot of a piece of the mid-’90s NYHC scene. Iconic album cover. It’s a crime that this never got an LP repress. Bulldoze, 25 Ta Life, Skarhead, etc. It later got pressed as a 7” box set which I need, so get at me if you have one.
75. Punk Sucks CD, Liberation, (1995) USA
It was between this and Punk Bites. I like a fair amount of songs on this one and not too many on the other. Both comps show the complete glut of punk bands in the Epifat lane who existed in this era. It’s a shit-filled bog that you have to tread through, but there are some gems here. If the top level casual ‘90s punk fan is into Green Day and Offspring and the average fan is digging into the Epitaph/Fat Wreck catalogs, these comps kinda represent the layer below that with bands slogging it out to land on one of those rosters.
76. Anti-Matter LP, Another Planet, (1996) USA
Compilation that highlights a mix of alt-hardcore, metalcore, and hardcore. Strife, Undertow, and Outspoken songs are great. It’s decent on CD but a miserable LP listen. No one needs a six-minute Farside song, dude.
77. The Tie That Binds CD, Nevermore, (1996) USA
A potpourri of mid-’90s hardcore like the Anti-Matter comp but this one has an exclusive Floorpunch song so it wins. A CD only release.
78. Victory Style CD, Victory, (1996) USA
The Victory version of the Epitaph/Fat Wreck cheap label sampler. All the labels did them. This was an important gateway record for a lot of people with terrible taste in hardcore but it had some crucial tracks on it too.
79. For The Sake of Dedication LP, Crucial Response, (1997) USA
Excellent Euro comp that highlights the best of the Euro ‘90s youth crew revival bands (Sportswear, Eyeball, Mainstrike) along with some of the best US ones (Ten Yard Fight, Floorpunch, Over The Line). Why they kick this off with a 4 1/2 minute Spawn song, I’ll never understand. Good record to practice your needle dropping skills with.
80. Growing Stronger 7”, Teamwork, (1997) USA
81. The Time Is Now 7”, Tension Building, (1997) USA
These are the one-two punch of the fully solidified 1997 American youth crew revival. Impossible to choose which is better cuz both rule. Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, Rain On The Parade, Atari, Rancor, etc. Fuck yea.
82. Possessed to Skate LP, 625 Thrash/Pessimiser/Theologian, (1997) USA
Powerviolence comp in style of Stockholm’s Mangel, Eye Of The Thrash Guerrilla, or the BCT cassette comps of the ‘90s where it’s more like multiple bands putting out an EPs worth of material on a shared LP. Despise You, Spazz, and Charles Bronson are on this.
83. The Harder They Come CD, East Coast Empire, (1997) USA
The HARD lane of East Coast hardcore bands is represented here. Hatebreed, Despair, Stigmata, etc.
84. Our Own Way LP, Blackout!, (1998) USA
Excellent compilation put together by Blackout! Records who previously did the Where The Wild Things Are comp in 1989. Killer tracks from Agnostic Front, Kill Your Idols, Ensign, In My Eyes, Redemption 87, Built To Last, Powerhouse, and maybe the best non-Brightside Killing Time track.
85. Only The Strong MCMXCIX LP, Victory, (1999) USA
The third and final Only The Strong comp. It’s an underrated LP with excellent tracks from Cold As Life, Kill Your Idols, Agnostic Front, Death Threat, Hoods, and more.
86. Memories of Tomorrow LP, Youngblood, (2000) USA
Good snapshot of the lane of bands that were still playing roots hardcore after the ‘90s youth crew revival fizzled.
87. Mein Comp 7”, Youth Attack/Soviet State, (2003) USA
Killer 7” comp that shows bands of the early 2000s who were leaning towards playing the 1st wave USHC style.
88. Town of Hardcore Fanzine 7”, Town of Hardcore Fanzine, (2003) USA
Nice 7” come that came with Town of Hardcore Fanzine #6. A mix of various roots hardcore bands: Knife Fight, Think I Care, Mental, Violent Minds, etc.
89. Sweet Vision 7”, Lockin’ Out, (2004) USA
One of the worst album covers of all time, but a killer 7” comp that showcases some of the most notable Lockin’ Out bands of the era: Mental, The Wrong Side, Righteous Jams, etc.
90. Generations LP, Revelation, (2005) USA
Good snapshot of mid-’00s hardcore. Down To Nothing, Righteous Jams, Iron Boots, Blacklisted, Internal Affairs, etc.
91. No Bullshit Vol. 1 7”, No Way, (2006) USA
Killer 7” showcasing some of the best bands playing the 1st wave USHC style of the era: Career Suicide, Direct Control, Government Warning. It’s really a crime that there wasn’t an LP comp that captured the No Way/Deranged/Grave Mistake/Sorry State lane of this era.
92. Public Safety 2xLP, Maximumrocknroll, (2006) USA
This is the closest thing we got to what I was asking for in the No Bullshit blurb. Career Suicide and Direct Control are here along with The First Step, Look Back and Laugh, Limp Wrist, as well as Japanese heroes Framtid and Nightmare and other bands from across the globe.
93. America’s Hardcore LP, Triple B, (2006) USA
The first of a series of five compilation LPs that Triple B would put out between 2006 and 2021. Foundation, Backtrack, Bitter End, Power Trip, The Rival Mob, Title Fight, etc.
94. Striving Higher LP, Six Feet Under, (2011) USA
Solid comp showcasing the era. Blacklisted, The Mongoloids, Nails, The Rival Mob, Battle Ruins, War Hungry, etc.
95. Extermination 7”, Flatspot, (2012) USA
Flatspot bringing it back to the ‘90s 7” comp with the first of their Extermination series. Five heavy hitters of the era: Suburban Scum, Backtrack, Turnstile, Soul Search, King Nine.
96. Extermination Volume 3 LP, Flatspot, (2016) USA
The third in the Extermination series. Terror, Take Offense, Higher Power, etc.
97. One Scene Unity Vol. 1 LP, From Within, (2020) USA
The first in a series of hardcore compilations on From Within Records. Seed Of Pain, Restraining Order, Hangman, Out For Justice, Despize, etc.
98. Welcome To Pittsburgh…Don’t Move Here LP, Cruel Noise, (2021) USA
The return to the regional hardcore punk compilation. This one highlights Pittsburgh which has been a hotbed of roots hardcore over the last decade. No Time, Speed Plans, Loose Nukes, Heavy Discipline, etc. We should also mention American Idylls, a 2xLP on Sorry State that highlighted North Carolina in 2019 and Nardcore For Life on Indecision Records, which documented the Nardcore scene (Ventura/Santa Barbara, CA counties) in 2020.
99. Real Bay Shit LP, Creator Destructor, (2025) USA
Continuing with the regional comps, here’s Real Bay Shit that documents what was maybe the hottest scene in the country coming out of covid. Sunami, Big Boy, Outta Pocket, Hands of God, etc.
100. 185 Miles South of Somewhere cassette, Rebirth, (2025) USA
There’s been a real lack of the ‘80s style of international comps over the last 20 years. Bob Wilson and I did a scene report fanzine and wanted to do a cassette comp to compliment it. 21 bands, 21 countries. It sold out, but peep the digital here:
If anyone has clippings for anything that isn’t included here, shoot it over to me and I’ll add it.
Are you stark raving mad and fit to be tied that something didn’t get included? Shoot me an email and I’ll do an addendum.
If you enjoy the podcast or this blog, consider becoming a patreon. The patreons keep this project alive. Thanks for the support.
- ZN