Check out the Billy Bragg cover issue of the The Big Takeover magazine (#90). Read Jack Rabid’s review of No Dead Monsters – Lineup record…

no dead monsters

“lineup” 7”

            (Fun With Tape)

Late ’80s D.C. post-hardcore indie supporters will recognize some notables on this current greater-Capital trio’s single. Mainman Steve Francis led Indian Summer (1987-1989), whose retrospective Cherry Smash 12” EP, tracked with J. Robbins (then Government Issue, later Jawbox and Burning Airlines) belatedly appeared in 2019. In turn, GI’s Tom Lyle mixes this single, and bassist  Brian Kiviat was involved with terrific ’80s zine, Thrillseeker. These two tunes are likewise tardy, live from 2017, but crackle with similar crunched guitars—Lyle himself could barely improve Francis’s power-punk chords—and anguished vocals that made Reagan-era D.C. so exhilarating. And on “D Hall,” Francis recalls second Effigies guitarist Robert O’Connor, Embrace’s Michael Hampton, and Generation X’s Derwood Andrews’ Empire days’ twisted chords. The drumming is rough (there’s a newer lineup nowadays), but the group’s punk/post-punk/punishing DCHC straddle still works—and likely always will. (fwtrecords.com; nodeadmonsters.bandcamp.com)

-Jack Rabid – The Big Takeover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The  Big Takeover Issue #90 – No Dead Monsters “Lineup” review.