Mocket - Pro Forma

Mocket's third and final album, Pro Forma, was released in 1999 and is a significant change in sound from their earlier releases. This time around Mocket's core duo of Matt & Audrey teamed up with The Need's Rachel Carns & Radio Sloan and the results are definitely less Mocket's trademark new wave synth pop and more akin to The Need's take on cracked out no wave art rock. Since Mocket disbanded, Matt Steinke, also known for his work with Satisfact, went on to perform in Octant and Audrey Marrs, who'd previously played with Bratmobile on one album, is now a successful film producer, having recently won an Academy Award for her work on the tremendous documentary film Inside Job.

Pro Forma

Brewing Compilation

The bands on this compilation really need no introduction as they are, or rather were, among the leading proponents of the mid 90's Northwest hardcore scene. Some people take umbrage at the use of the term 'hardcore' being used to describe bands outside of initial wave of hardcore during the early to mid 80's, but I can't think of a better term to describe the sounds that so many bands having been making, not only during the 90's, but all the way up to the present. To me, Nineironspitfire, Slowsidedown, Jough Dawn Baker and Botch and many, many other bands are just as worthy to a place on the hardcore mantle as classic first-wavers like Black Flag, Bad Brains and Minor Threat. But, in the end, labeling music as this genre or that genre is just as pointless as it is annoying. You either dig something or you don't. And if you dig the furious, screamy, pulsating throb of any one of the four bands with a track on this compilation, chances are you'll be glad you downloaded this thing.
Brewing

John Q Fascist / The Displacements - Split 7"

Today's download is another of the old mid-90's Seattle punk rock 7"s I rescued during a flood we had down in the basement last winter. This split between John Q Fascist and The Displacements was one of my favorites back when I first started getting into local punk rock. I have to admit that I strongly I prefer the John Q Fascist side of this split, most likely because of the last track, Berserker, which has an intro sample from the movie The Warriors and an angry chorus whose lyrics are "No more fucking Nazi cops! Seattle Police can suck my cock!" The Displacements side of the record isn't at all terrible, I just never really found it to be that memorable. I have no idea what the members of either of these bands went on to do afterwards nor do I know if The Displacements were even from the Northwest, as this record was the only time I ever heard of them. If you were lucky enough to see some Northwest punk shows back in the day, I'm sure you'll appreciate this nostalgic trip down memory lane. And even if you weren't around back then, here's a chance for you to experience some of the sonically preserved chaos.
Split 7"

Nervous System

Alright, you guys are in for a real treat with this one. Today's download is the Nervous System side of the split 7" they did with Murder. Not only is this a three track slab of steaming hot, bone rattling, screamy bass driven noise punk, it is among the most treasured and most listened to chunks of wax that I own. Olympia's Nervous System fucking owned and, having only gotten the chance to see them once, I treasure the vague memories I still have of seeing these guys live.
Do yourself a favor and download this thing: Nervous System / Murder - Split 7"(contains both sides of the split, in wav format with cover scan)

If anyone out there has access to more material by Nervous System please pay it forward and hook me up.

Mocket - Bionic Parts

Bionic Parts is Mocket's debut album, released on Punk In My Vitamins Records in 1996. If you checked out their previously posted sophomore album, Fanfare, you know to expect a refreshing blast of mid-90's new wave influenced indie rock. The first time around, however, Mocket had slightly more punk-ish tendencies. While I definitely enjoy all three of their records, I've always felt that the songs on Bionic Parts were delivered with a bit more attitude and urgency than anything they put out after it.

Bionic Parts

The Need

The Need were a new wave queer punk band from Olympia. Formed in the late 90's, the band was a duo consisting of Rachel Carns on vocals and drums and Radio Sloan on guitar and bass. I've heard them described as a cracked out no wave version of The B-52's and I think that's a pretty apt description. On their final record, The Need is Dead, they were joined by Joe Preston (Thrones, The Whip, Melvins) on sampler and synthesizer and Mike Lastra (Smegma), who also produced the record, on theremin.

Self Titled

The Need is Dead

The Degenerats

Up until now, I've stuck to mostly posting indie, hardcore and screamo records. But, after coming across my small collection of old local punk rock 7"s in the basement, I've decided to start adding some of them into the mix.

The Degenerats were a street punk band from the greater Seattle area, perhaps remembered best for their song "Do Society a Favor, Die". I first saw them play at a show in the old Sorenson gymnasium in Woodinville with The Sheep, Schizoid, Flight 800, The Bloodclots & Bristle. Bristle were supposed to play last but ended up starting a riot in the parking lot which lead to headlights being smashed, bottles being tossed, the show being canceled and Sorenson refusing to put on any more concerts. The members of The Degenrats were Nils on vocals, Randy on guitar, Ryan on bass and Josh on drums. I'm not sure what any of the other guys have been up to, but I know that Nils went on to join Poxy, then Rabid Dogs and he now sings for The Greatest Hits.

s/t 7"