Sample This, Too

(BYO)
by Scott Hefflon

In celebration of their 20th anniversary, BYO releases their first sampler (that I can remember) – at least their first comp in some time – and it shows the “old” BYO-style bands as well as where the label is heading. For those looking for Fat-style bands or Vagrant-style bands, go buy their samplers. BYO has an aesthetic and identity all their own, and it really makes itself known with this sampler. While I won’t win friends at the label for this, I’ve always kinda had trouble seeing where they fit into the Big Punk Picture. Historically, sure, Another State Of Mind, 7 Seconds and Youth Brigade, I get it. They had glimmering moments like The Bouncing Souls, Jon Cougar Concentration Camp, Welt (me and 10 other people cheered), Manic Hispanic, and Leatherface, but the rest I simply couldn’t find a use for. But in the last couple years, BYO has really started to come together, offering splits that rule, with more on the way. Working with The Unseen, NOFX, Rancid, Anti-Flag, The Beltones, Sixer, and Filthy Thieving Bastards (members of the Swingin’ Utters doing acoustic Irish pub music) shows a bright future for BYO. Other punks who’ll punch your lights out: Pistol Grip, One Man Army, Manifesto Jukebox, Kosher, The Forgotten.
(PO Box 67A64 Los Angeles, CA 90067)