1. Son of Sam b/w Bent – THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION (In The Red Records, 1992)

The JSBX finest moment on wax is the 2nd 7” in the (insert sleeves only) Explosion Juke Box Series on In The Red. 'Son of Sam' is an amazing Luanda & Gee cover (couldn’t find a single word upon this outfit) and features a manic sax, some furious riffs and Spencer’s wild vocals. 'Bent' is a great Spencer original : groovy punkrock at its finest! When it came out in 1992, it sounded like the future of rock ‘n’ roll and it still shines bright today.

2. Call The Shots – THE OBLIVIANS (Goner Records, 1993)

The Oblivians were the most exciting band of the nineties. Jack, Greg & Eric Oblivian all played guitar & drums and often switched places at live gigs. By covering Lightnin’ Hopkins’ ‘Viet Nam War Blues’ these guys embraced their roots in a wild stomping way, while the exciting nihilism & raw simplicity of songs like ‘No Reason To Live’ and ‘Jim Cole’ turned them into the most exciting rock ‘n’ roll band of the nineties. This, their debut 7” from 1993 on Goner was a godsend.

3. White Nigger – GIBSON BROS. (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1991)

The Avengers’ ‘White Nigger’ was recorded live at Sun Studios while the B-side, a free interpretation of Cab Calloway’s ‘Minnie The Moocher’ was recorded live at the Antenna Club. Before starting their own bands (Monsieur Jeffrey Evans with ’68 Comeback, Jon Spencer with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Don Howland with The Bassholes) these guys recorded one of the very best albums of the nineties : the genious ‘Memphis Sol Today!’. ‘White Nigger’ is pure gold.

4. Sex Cow b/w Bad Boy – TEENGENERATE (Estrus Records, 1994)

It’s hard to pick a single 7” out of Teengenerate’s awesome ‘90s singles collection but ‘Sex Cow’ (pronounced : Sèkow!) probably got the most spins over here. Flipside is a Larry Williams cover at 150mph. Every household should have their singles compilation on Estrus Records as well as their mighty ‘Get Action!’ album on Crypt Records!

5. I’m A Criminal b/w The Fast Song/My Love Is Bad – THE MOTARDS (Motard Records/Scuz, 1994)

Out of an Austin garbage can came The Motards with this deadly 7” of which 'I’m A Criminal' is the real primer. Wasted & overmodulated vocals with raw in-your-face guitars : young, loud & snotty and lotsa fun!!!

6. XKE! b/w I’m ‘A One You Need – THE BOSS MARTIANS (Hillsdale Records, 1993)

Too many wannabees started a surfband after seeing Quinten Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ and the bands that really mattered could be counted on one hand. With 'XKE', the Boss Martians left the competitors miles behind. It’s still one of the most thrilling instrumentals you are likely to hear! Classic!

7. (I’m A) Sore Loser b/w Boo’s Bash – ROYAL PENDLETONS (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1998)

‘(I’m A) Sore Loser’ sounds like a forgotten mid ‘60s gem. A perfect shot of rhythm & punk in the best 'Back From The Grave' tradition.

8. Get Real Stupid - THE REATARDS (Goner Records, 1998)

Jay Reatard recorded these 4 songs to four tracks with buckets for drums when he was 15. It sounds like a one-man band going apeshit. Absolutely fabulous!

9. Pushed Around b/w Get To You – THE BRIDES (Rip Off Records, 1997)

The Brides only recorded 3 singles but the sheer power of their songs got them a well-earned place at the Punkrock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame! Faster Brides, Kill!! Kill!!!

10. I wanna sleep/Jim Motherfucker b/w Up For A Downslide – THE NEW BOMB TURKS (Demolition Derby, 1993)

The New Bomb Turks’ first European gig took place at the fabulous Pit’s and together with The Mummies/Supercharger double bill it’s one of the very best shows I’ve ever witnessed. This 7” was recorded in Billy Childish’ kitchen and features incredible vocals and an irresistible driving beat. Released in bloody Belgium on Kris Verreth’s Demolition Derby label.

11. Edie is a sweet candy – THE 5.6.7.8’s (Rockville Records, 1993)

Although I’m not a big fan of these 3 Japanese ladies who made an appearance in ‘Kill Bill 1’, ‘Edie is a sweet candy’ is the perfect party tune. That is, if you like your parties wild & reckless.

12. Untrue b/w She’s A Tornado – FIREWORKS (In The Red Records, 1993)

Straight outta the gutter & raw as hell. “Why baby why oh why you’ve been untrue?”. Desperation never sounded so cool. The original tune by Bob Vidone And The Rhythm Rockers can be found on ‘The Raging Teens Volume 4’ (Norton Records).

13. Every Bit Of Me - THEE HEADCOATS (Damaged Goods, 1993)

A raging song about incest. Fiercy vocals & wild guitars. “He told me it was a secret to keep to myself. I wanted to hate him but I hated myself.” Recorded at Toe-Rag Studios of course.

14. Your So Lewd b/w She Will Always Be With Me/Busy Signal – REATARDS (Empty Records, 1999)

“Mommy’s little girl, daddy’s bright joy, well they don’t know that you’re my sex toy!”. This evil, hate-filled classic will blow your mind! Total destruction by our man Jay Reatard (see Lost Sounds interview on this site).

15. Here Comes… - THUNDERCRACK (Royal Records, 1997)

This trio from Nancy (Northern France) proved that America didn’t have the exclusive right on real punk blues. The music on this four-tracker sounds like a Euro version of The Oblivians. Nuff said.

16. Annihilate This Week – KING SOUND QUARTET (Estrus Records, 1996)

Pre-Dirtbombs and a perfect 7”. 'Annihilate this week' is like the ultimate song to start the weekend. Trashy soul or soulful trash? Who cares if the music sounds this good?

17. I’m Grounded - THE CHEATER SLICKS (In The Red Records, 1991)

No overview without mentioning one of the best bands of the last decade. The mighty Cheater Slicks put Dan Clowes comics to music; their soundtrack is a way of life. Trendy-ass crowds beware : this is music for outsiders (you wouldn’t understand anyway).

18. Deloused b/w Outta My Way – THE SINISTER SIX (Bag of Hammers, 1992)

During the second song of their first Belgian show in Ghent, the guitar player jumped into the air, fell on his amp and broke his leg. Exit club, enter hospital. Eat your heart out Spinal Tap! ‘Deloused’ and ‘Outta My Way’ are 2 delicious punkrock tunes that continue to stand the test of time!

19. Kings of Blues – THE MOTARDS (Rip Off Records, 1995)

Another mighty 7” by these Austin wildmen. Especially ‘Yo (Loves) Mexico’ is a real classic. The cover sees them pissing against a statue of boring white blues wanker Stevie Ray Vaughan. Right on!!!

20. Old Slew Foot b/w Rockinitis – THE REVELATORS featuring WALTER DANIELS (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1997)

Walter Daniels has always been the right man to inject a real blues flavour into punkrock. 'Old Slew Foot' is cowpunk’s finest moment. Giddy-up horsie!

21. Stay Away From Me b/w You’ve Got To Lose - NECESSARY EVILS (In The Red Records, 1998)

Evil, noisy & caterwauling garage rock build to destroy. Got any pills?

22. You Could Call Me Job b/w Where The Rio de Rosa Flows – ’68 COMEBACK (Sub Pop, 1993)

After the demise of The Gibson Bros, Monsieur Jeffrey Evans issued one scorcher 7” after another with his new combo ’68 Comeback. Ex-Gories Peggy O’Neil hits the drums here, while Jack Taylor & Darin Lin Wood (Fireworks) make the guitars howl. Check out the mighty ‘Golden Rogues Collection CD’ on Sympathy that gathers most of their singles.

23. Rock Bottom – THE PERSUADERS (Splitsville Records, 1997)

This raw & crude punkrock 7” is the ultimate record to scare hell out of your neighbours : crazy buzzsaw guitars & white trash nihilism. King Louie Bankston sounds like a Fabulous Freak Brother on pills!

24. THE MUMMIES & SUPERCHARGER Tour ’93 (Pin Up Records, 1993)

The Mummies/Supercharger gig at the mighty Pit’s is forever engraved in my memory as punkrock’s finest live moment! The Pit’s was a total mess, I even managed to stagedive from Trent’s organ! This was the flexi that supported the tour. Pure rock ‘n’ roll mayhem!

25. Harpoon Man b/w What Have I Don? - BIG FOOT CHESTER (Sympathy For The Record Industry, ?)

26. Swampwater Mop Down b/w Engine Bread – DOO RAG (Drunken Fish Records, 1995)

This cut was my first Doo Rag listening experience and I could hardly wait to catch one of their live shows. Boy, they were fun! Doo Rag was scheduled as my wedding band but sadly couldn’t make it in time. Damn!

27. Rich Kid b/w Laundrymat Brat – SPOILED BRATS (Real Records, 1995)

In 1993, The Trashwomen’s Elka Zolot teamed up with Shane White from The Rip Offs and three other punkrockers. Their legacy consists of 3 singles, of which the second one features the punkrock gem : ‘Rich Kid’.

28. Blues is Depressing – JOHNNY HASH (In The Red Records, 1993)

Dan Brown of ’68 Comeback teams up with Marty Moore on this great 7”. Trashy blues of which the B-side is the standout cut.

29. Girl, Girl, Girl – THE REGISTRATORS (Mangrove Records, 1995)

Together with Teengenerate, The Registrators were the real kings of crude but catchy punkrock. Their singles collection on Rip Off Records is a real treat. It features most of their hard to find singles like ‘Girl, Girl, Girl’ (Gha!Gha!Gha!’).

30. The Savage Middle Aged Rip Offs : Fan Club E.P. 1993 (Leave You Cold/I Can’t Stop b/w Hooked On Phonics/Zodiac) – RIP OFFS (Pure Filth Records, 1993)

These 4 songs are the Rip Offs’ first recordings and the vicious vocals and ripping guitars would soon become their trademark. The backcover reads : "Be sure to sign-up fer The Official Greg Lowery Fan Club. All you gotta be is sixteen, female." While there is rock 'n' roll there is hope, Greg!

Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out Some Trash…

The first reactions on this list made me aware of some terrible omissions. Here’s a few :

Jim Motherfucker/Spine - GAUNT (Datapanik Records, 1992 - reissued by Get Hip Records)

How the hell could I forget ‘Jim Motherfucker’? Originally released in an edition of 500 as ‘Anyway Stuff 001’ on Datapanik Records, ‘Jim Motherfucker’ soon became some kinda anthem. Fortunately, it was reissued by Get Hip Records (with a full color cover). A softer version could also be found on their ‘Whitey The Man’ 10”. The buzzsaw guitars will kill your brain!

Sounds of Mayhem - BASEBALL FURIES (Big Neck Records, 1998)

Must have been the Trappist beers that made me overlook this essential 7”. A goddamned deadly, balls-out, raw-assed blasting (from the Crypt Records book of poetic descriptions) 4-song that leaves you breathless (& KO). Also check out their amazing 10” on Flying Bomb Records. Both releases kill indeed!