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Screw the mainstream if you really want to get your rocks off you have to go to the underground. That's just what we plan to do with this series, take some of the best emerging bands that are out blowing away hardcore fans on the underground music scene. 

The Destroyed were part of punk rock's first wave, bringing anarchy to the USA by way of Boston in those heady days of 77-79. Unfortunately, they never recorded anything then, except live cassette tapes, portions of which can be found on this CD and are essential listening for anyone who cares about punk rock.  Original members Bert Switzer, who plays drums like Keith Moon's octopus and J.D. Jackson (formerly Joe Rainbow), who adds guitar duties to his singer/songwriter gig herein, have returned with a passel of new and old material that's at once a postcard from the past and a portent of the future possibilities of punk rock. 

Legend has it that the Destroyed were banned from the Rathskeller, Boston's answer to CBGB, that they rehearsed on stage and that their one claim to fame was an opening slot for the J. Geils Band (shudder) in, I believe, 1978, where they were bottled by the audience and had the plug pulled on them when they refused to leave the stage after their allotted time. Drums not being electric, Switzer commenced to play, in his words, "...a wild drum solo" and the band was ultimately taken offstage by Security. Listening to this CD, I believe every word of the legend. Old school in the best sense, ˜Outa Control' is a breath of fresh air in these days of ˜punk is dead'. Punk isn't dead, it's just aging disgracefully and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The CD features 6 new songs from Switzer and Jackson, played with one guitar and drums, like the White Stripes without the artifice. 2 songs feature Switzer with avant guitar terrorist Henry Kaiser, with whom Switzer played in Monster Island, back in ‘77. These tunes, "Punk Outlaw" and "Outa Control", sting like killer bees in ripped t-shirts and safety pins. The aforementioned live cassette recordings  (featuring Switzer, Jackson on vocals alone, original guitarist Tony Pavadore, now a solo artist, and that most famous of bass players Ever Revolving) round out the set with the kind of reckless abandon, focused anger and purity of purpose that mostly escapes the grasp of what passes for punk in the 21st Century.

This is not to undermine the power of the new stuff. Switzer, 54 and Jackson, 48, have come up with a winner here. This isn't some filthy lucre reunion based on cynicism or a failed attempt to recapture past glory. This is essentially a debut record from a band that has lived it, unrecompensed, for 25 years. Buzz saw guitars and insane drums (think John Bonham falling down a flight of stairs in rhythm) abound, coupled with Jackson's  eternally teenage voice (think early Iggy or Johnny Thunders) which sing simple, direct lyrics that speak to an alienation that knows no age. The martial feel of "London Town" with the memorable line ˜Is you with us or is you against us" is complemented by the shaky voiced, 2 chord ballad "Lullaby", which harkens back to the 1st Stooges record in a way the ˜reformed' Iggy Pop and the Stooges have become too big to touch.

This CD has gone a long way in restoring my faith in the beauty and power inherent in DIY punk and makes me realize that age is just a number (mine's 48) and has nothing to do with one's ability to rock. Go to CD Baby and buy this CD and then tell me punk is dead! I'm going to email the guys a copy of this review and see if they need a guitar player for the tour I hope they're going to do.
 

The Destroyed - Outa Control
Label: Self released
Rating: 
 

Tracks: 1. London Town 2. Let’s Go Electric 3. 1-2-3 4. No Cruel Mishaps 5. 20 Lines 6. Lullaby 7. London Town Demo (J.D. Jackson) 8. Outta Control (Kaiser-Switzer) 9. Punk Outlaw (Kaiser-Switzer) 10. Armed and Dangerous (Switzer) 11. War Planes 12. We Got It 13. Nothing Wrong with Tears 14. Ill Treatment 15. It’s Love 16. Reactor 17. We Need a New World 18. Jump Bad 19. It Hurts 20. Don’t Worry

Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online Visit the official website