Life Support
Boston to Bosnia punk benefit compilation (Fan Attic)
by Scott Hefflon
This do-it-yourself project is what it’s all about. With 16 underground Boston bands and 20 Yugoslavian punk bands (first 500 copies only), this is a must get. The liner notes have a history lesson (reprinted from MRR #7) and info on how to contact each Boston band for more information. While some of the production quality is admittedly like sitting down and recording off a dual tape deck, Life Support has entirely too much vitality to let such details slow it down.
The Boston bands/songs involved are: Showcase Showdown “F.B.I.,” Ukla “Teenage Boardroom,” Bald Guys “Amtrak,” Cobalt “Southern Ash,” Sons of John Glenn “Static,” Binge “God in a Bottle,” The Syphilloids “Green Jello,” Sextiles “Jealous,” Malachite “Cemetary,” First Degree “Billboard,” Cheesecake “Buried,” Fat Day “Baby Grand,” The Nines “Gonna Get a Ring,” Luau “Break Up,” Bratface “Hate is You,” and Pat the Burning Dog “Savage.”
While a few of the bands aren’t punk in the slightest, compiler Ron Lacer had this to say: “I’ve been seeing a lot of good up-and-coming bands that not many people know about. All the bands were really helpful and I’m glad I was able to be supportive.”
With a total running time of 90 minutes, the “This is Boston, Not Yugoslavia” side is a pretty accurate sampling of Boston’s energetic underground. There’s something new and exciting for any level of subterranean explorer – from thrill-seeker to addict. All the Boston tracks are as-of-yet unreleased material, so even if you’re familiar with the band, the song itself should be new to you. As far as the “This is Yugoslavia, Not Boston” side goes, the scope of coverage is beyond my current knowledge of their scene. I just take it as given and enjoy it.
Three of the Boston bands – Malachite (now Swank), First Degree, and Pat the Burning Dog – have since broken up and the Yugo bands are mostly ’80s punk anyway. The next tape-only release from Fan Attic Tapes should be assembled by the summer. Bands interested in being on it should submit tapes to the address above. Anyone into true Boston underground music should check this out.
