Photo credit: James StarkNot intended to feature the latest music out there, my ‘Pick of the Week’ is to simply share & highlight music I personally enjoy regardless of timeframe. This weeks pick is pioneering L.A. punk band The Screamers.
Having influenced bands like Devo, Adult., and The Dead Kennedys, The Screamers we’re one of the earliest-known purveyors of ’synthpunk’. Replacing guitars with synths and electric piano while maintaining the abrasive L.A. punk sound at the time is what made The Screamers stand out amongst their guitar-strumming counterparts like The Germs & The Weirdos.
Though substantially successful as a band, a rather interesting fact about The Screamers is that other than some live demos and bootlegs, they never released an official album…
Here are two highlights from the ‘Demos 1977-1978′ collection.
MP3: The Screamers- Thru The Flames
You can pick up an excellent collection of Screamers songs from Amazon. Some bands within the same vein/aesthetic (though not entirely synth-reliant) include Suicide, The Sixteens, and the now-defunct Les Georges Leningrad, Numbers, and The Units.
More Units in the Missingtoof archives.
More Les Georges Leningrad in the Missingtoof archives.
Check out more Synth Punk gems in the Missingtoof New Wave archive.
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i’ve been a huge fan of the the screamers for years upon years! i’m intensely happy with your pick! thank you for helping to share some great synth punk with ppl. and dude…its a violent world and we’re all living in it. you like the group “suicide”?
@ daecosomoxi:
yes i love suicide! i actually linked them in this feature. also, please check out my ‘Live in Le Hot Room’ Mixes in our archive, which includes a suicide track. I’m going to get started on the third volume of that mix…
best,
basura!
you better shut up and listen!
she said…
good choice.
Diggin thru da crates on this one. Keep it up you scholar!
Screamers…oh fukka yeah!!!!!
Apparently singer Tomata du Plenty was a mime.
Also highly recommended: Their tune “Vertigo”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0-w0hUnhpI
Yes! Vertigo is definitely a standout!!!
hmm never heard of these guys…..cool stuff thanks for the dig!
@ flinch: awesome! that’s what we here @ missingtoof strive for! enjoy bud =)