Punk-O-Rama

Vol. 6 (Epitaph)
by Scott Hefflon

Hands-down the most well-known “punk” sampler, Epitaph always takes the proceedings one step further and almost makes ya wish you could stop sneering the word “punk” when ya describe ’em. All petty politicking aside (out the door and down the street so you can fall off yer skateboards in front of someone else‘s house for a change), Epitaph keeps the bands they’ve got (minus one) and picks up wave after wave of the best young hopefuls, most of whom deserve it. And while I haven’t liked much hardcore since I was 17 and lived with my parents cuz most of it sounds like bad metal, Epitaph’s picks (almost) always make me wanna reconsider my stance… And when they step into new territories like street punk/Oi (like that’s really a stretch), they do it right with Dropkick Murphys and The Business, or post-hardcore whachacallit like Hot Water Music and The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Showing off a few new signings (as always) and reliable standards, Punk-O-Rama 6 also has some cool unreleased tracks by NOFX, Millencolin, Pennywise (covering X’s “We’re Desperate” with Exene on vocals!), Descendents, Pulley, and Beatsteaks. Other bands monkeying about: Guttermouth, Deviates, The Bouncing Souls, Osker, Rancid, Death by Stereo, ALL, Raised Fist, Downset, Union 13, Bad Religion, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and Bombshell Rocks.
(2798 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026)