UNITED MUTATION "DARK SELF IMAGE" LP (MTAWP #3) OFFICIAL RELEASE UPDATE

A great big fat hello to all you hardcores out there in the digital multiverse. This is my first post on this site in quite awhile. Anyway, I apologize to those people who have have been checking here for new content and release updates because there hasn't been very much lately. I was busy with a variety of different projects outside of the label/blog/distro, etc. I will be contributing much more content to this site regularly due to the many great releases on deck for the label.

I have also been fairly busy with behind the scenes More Than a Witness label stuff the last few months. I'm very excited because the upcoming releases that are taking shape are going to be absolutely killer. Really killer. The first of these releases is the UNITED MUTATION "DARK SELF IMAGE" LP.

This will be my third release and promises to be a serious stunner of ultra-manic dosed-out hardcore. If you aren't familiar with Washington DC's United Mutation and you're a fan of first wave American hardcore punk, you are in for a serious treat. If you're already aware of United Mutation, you almost certainly love their absolutely nightmarish hyper thrash that features some of the most brutal vocals captured during the early years of hardcore punk. This is music for loners and stoners alike, but at the speed of 100 miles per hour. Their debut EP "Fugitive Family" was originally released by Dischord/DSI in early 1983 and is a totally evil ripper of a hardcore platter. Dischord is very happy that this material will be in print once again on my release. United Mutation had a unique vision of what they considered hardcore and these musical contributions have stood the test of time and totally deserve the high quality vinyl reissue treatment.

The "Dark Self Image" LP will feature the classic "Fugitive Family" 7" EP that was originally released in '83 by Dischord/DSI as well as material that has never been officially released, as well as other totally previously unreleased material that went lost for decades on original master tapes stored at Inner Ear Studios. One of these lost tracks is titled "White Amerika", a crazed outtake from the classic "Fugitive Family" 7" session at Inner Ear.

Here's a photo of Don Zientara mastering the United Mutation "Dark Self Image" LP at Inner Ear in late 2011. The "Fugitive Family" 7" EP tracks and the demo recordings have never sounded better! Virtually every unstoppable DC hardcore record was captured by Don in his studio so it made perfect sense for me to work with him on this release.

Here's the lacquer master for the "Dark Self Image" LP being cut by a Neumann lathe as this picture was taken. The lacquer was cut by Dietrich Schoenemann at Complete Mastering. The master cut sounds great: loud, aggressive, but still raw enough to maintain the sound of when this was material was originally recorded.

The test pressings arrived a little while ago and they sound excellent. I'm hoping to have this LP out in late February. The artwork and layout is currently being worked on by myself and Michael Brown, singer of United Mutation. Expect a high quality release featuring tons of unseen photos, flyers, liner notes, session information, and knockout artwork all housed in a swanky gatefold jacket. Many people have asked about a limited edition version of this release that can be obtained directly from me. I have tossed around a few ideas that I think will work well, but I have not fully committed to doing a limited version as of yet. Part of this depends on obtaining the correct materials to make my idea happen. I can say that there will be absolutely no preorders if there is indeed a limited version of this record.

Check back soon for more information about this release. I will be posting more shortly.

MORE THAN A WITNESS WELCOMES UNITED MUTATION TO THE FAMILY

The first few months of 2011 will be an ecstatic time to be doing More Than a Witness. I’m thrilled to announce that I will be doing an official reissue for the classic Washington DC hardcore group, United Mutation.

United Mutation were the ultimate demented outsiders of DC hardcore. When you consider the crop of other first wave DC (well, okay, Northern Virginia) hardcore acts who’ve made a name for themselves, only the mighty Void matched United Mutation when it came to playing sheer acid-thrash and freak out, face-melting ‘core. Perhaps the greatest thing about United Mutation is that they sounded truthfully damaged and isolated in the increasingly melodic and straight edged DC hardcore scene. This stuff was revolting, fuzzed-out noise pollution for true punks, the uniquely damaged, and those still turning on, tuning in, and dropping out well into the 1980s.

This is music that was so uniquely ahead of the curve when it came to truly unhinged hardcore punk of the 1980s. Michael Brown’s idiosyncratic vocal style was unquestionably the most deranged in hardcore (or any other style of music for that matter) up until that point. The lyrical themes (thankfully) didn’t manifest themselves in sloganeering or championing vacant leftist political causes like most forgettable bands of the era. Instead the band allowed a vision of their sick, introverted worldview with such a painfully unique and imaginative representation.

This LP (MTAWP 003, my third release) will feature the classic debut 7” EP “Fugitive Family” (originally issued in 1983 as a split release between DSI/Dischord), as well as essential demo recordings, compilation tracks, and unreleased recordings. I’m working closely with the band to assemble the best track list possible. This release will be totally different than and superior to the “Freaks Out” LP that released on European label Bitzcore in the late 80s.

Check back for updates on this release. I’d imagine this will be ready to drop around late February or early March. And of course, this release will be done right: the tracks will be remastered from the original masters, it’ll have an excellent gatefold jacket (I’d imagine with some kind of odd feature that will put me into further credit card debt for at least a little while) packed with liner notes, photos, flyers, and other relevant ephemera.

CIRCLE JERKS: SPACE II ARCADE,WASHINGTON DC. 5.13.83. SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.

Adjacent to two other majestic seaside cities, Hermosa Beach provides the world with numerous pearls of culture: surfing, beach volleyball, sunbathing, and the birth (arguably) of hyperkinetic genre known as hardcore punk. Clearly it must have been the South Bay’s gentle westerly sea breezes that influenced the formation of both Black Flag and the Circle Jerks.

Yeah right.

Considering the delightful surroundings, gorgeous people, and general Pollyanna-glaze good vibrations of the beach, it makes sense that the blueprints of hardcore punk were first sketched here. Defining itself in opposition against all creatures with perfect white teeth and Lacoste polo shirts, these embryonic agitators had a great deal to unite against. The dichotomy of this stark schism gave the world the “Nervous Breakdown” 45 and the “Group Sex” 12” amongst countless other classic records that generally haven’t matched up to these two epitomes of the emerging style of hardcore punk when considering both quality and legacy.

As captured on celluloid in “The Decline of Western Civilization” and in countless photographs, singer Keith Morris can regularly be seen clutching a lone Budweiser while he stalked the lip the stage. I always thought this was such a cool gimmick that he implemented; Keith sold the synchronized image of a rabble rouser dodging a continual barrage of anarchic bodies in search of teenage release and a lonely barfly nervously clasping the only inebriant that he can afford at the end of a local dive bar.

This show (recorded during the spring of ’83 at the Space II Arcade in DC where a slew of hardcore gigs took place) is a solid document of how the Circle Jerks had grown from an act toying initially with the draft of a nascent genre of music to a full-time touring powerhouse and inspiration to many new homegrown hardcore punk acts. This set is from a soundboard source and shows a slight generational loss when played back but largely the quality is excellent. The furious pace of this set is heightened by the fact that the master tape was edited so that between song space is removed. Normally I hate it when it tapers take such liberties but this edit job really adds to the absolutely unyielding rapidity of the set. Chuck Biscuits also demonstrates an impressive one-man drum clinic behind his maple colored Ludwig that he was presumably demolishing at the time with each stroke of his trademark percussive supremacy. His workout on "When The Shit Hits the Fan" is considerably awe-inspring.

Track Listing:

1. Red Tape (cut)

2.I Just Want Some Skank

3. Beverly Hills

4. Operation

5. Wasted

6. Up Against The Wall

7. Bad Words

8. Under The Gun

9. Behind The Door

10. Stars and Stripes

11. Question Authority

12. Moral Majority

13. Letter Bomb

14. In Your Eyes

15. Defamation Innuendo

16. High Price On OUr Heads

17. Paid Vacation

18. Trapped

19. Coup D'etat

20. Wild In The Streets

21. Parade of the Horribles

22. Deny Everything/When the Shit Hits the Fan

23. Leave Me Alone

24. Don't Care

25. Live Fast Die Young

26. Junk Mail

27. Just Like Me

28. Put A LIttle Love In Your Heart

29. World Up My Ass

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?jt2himgrdjl

MINOR THREAT: HB WOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL, ARLINGTON, VA. 10.30.82. AUDIENCE RECORDING.

This is certainly not the cleanest Minor Threat live recording in trading circulation. This recording is audience sourced and the sound quality is considerably distorted. The recording is guitar heavy and it can be safely assumed the taper wear right near the guitar rig. Because this site is motivated to archive all known live recordings by influential bands such as Minor Threat, this show is available here for both listening pleasure and for historical purposes.

The biggest draw to this otherwise tough listen is that this recording features an unreleased song entitled "You Betrayed Me By Growing Up". This track has not been released in any form probably due to the fact that it was never officially recorded. It's unfortunate this wasn't cut at Inner Ear because it seems to be a song with considerable promise even though it's likely this is a working version. Faith, Iron Cross, and DOA also played this show.

I've seen this listed as a video on trade lists over the years but never obtained a copy. If anyone has this or any information on a video recording in circulation, please send me an email.

Track list:

1. Look Back and Laugh (instrumental)

2. You Betrayed Me By Growing Up (unreleased song)

3. Seeing Red

4. Little Friend

5. Straight Edge

6. No Reason

7. Out Of Step

8. It Follows

9. Asshole Dub

10. Steppin' Stone

11. Filler

12. Bottled Violence

13. Minor Threat

14. Sob Story

15. 12XU

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?y3i4lcgno3m

YOUTH BRIGADE: 1981 DEMO

Youth Brigade (not to be confused with the band from Southern California with the same name) were a crucial band that was a part of first wave Washington DC hardcore. Youth Brigade was comprised of several members that had already been in bands from Washington; vocalist Nathan Strejcek sang for the Teen Idles and drummer Danny Ingram had previously been in the Untouchables. After playing their first show in March of 1981 at Washington DC venue Food For Thought, the band brought Bert Queiroz (bass) and Tom Clinton (guitar) into the fold. Shortly before Dischord released their sole record, Youth Brigade opened for Black Flag on their first ever trip to the east coast. The debut EP was entitled "Possible" simply because of an early Dischord fanzine advertisement which stated: "possible record from Youth Brigade soon". After the group disbanded, they appeared on the seminal "Flex Your Head" compilation and various members went on to form Double O, Peer Pressure, Second Wind, and Rain.

This demo has been bootlegged onto vinyl twice. It first surfaced in 1994 on the Ripe Harvest label as a split double 7" with the great No Labels from North Carolina. My copy is on green and pink vinyl. This material surfaced once again on vinyl in 2001 on a split LP with Minor Threat (which also featured their classic debut demo) on the Recollect label that was based in the Netherlands.

This demo features several tracks that were not rerecorded for any subsequent releases. "I Object", "Youth Brigade", "Bouncer", and "Snow Job" were only featured on this demo recording. The rest of tracks were rerecorded for the "Possible" 7" and the "Flex Your Head" compilation LP.

The sound quality is strong considering that this was meant to be used as a demo.

Track list:

1. I Object

2. Full Speed Ahead

3. Last Word

4. Waste Of Time

5. Youth Brigade

6. Bouncer

7. Snow Job

8. Moral Majority

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?mjezxyd5kzz

IGNITION: BIELEFELD, GERMANY 11.27.87. AUDIENCE RECORDING.

I have to say, at the end of the day, Ignition are my favorite harDCore band. Ignition's lyrics and music were both very moving and interesting to an era of DC music filled with absolute garbage. While I'd heard Ignition on an early mix tape I received from an older friend sometime in 1995 I didn't buy their CD discography until later on sometime at the end of 1997, but I found Ignition musically, aesthetically, and lyrically very interesting.

This show comes from their European tour in 1987. I have no idea what the venue is, but I am curious to find out. The recording is very noisy and dirty, which blended with their more melodic musical style makes for an interesting audience recording.

Track list:

1. Consequence

2. Anxiety Asking

3. Cancellation

4. So Moving

5. Proven Hollow

6. Rebuilding

7. Buy and Sell

8. Previous

9. Temporary

10. Sinker

11. Anger Means

12. Throttle

13. Non Verbum

14. I Got a Right

Download:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/5ny8wp

NO TREND: HOLLYWOOD, CA 11.19.83. SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.

No Trend are easily one of my favorite bands of the hardcore era. They were rejects in a scene comprised of so-called misfits. Defining themselves in opposition to the narrow hardcore acts of their day, No Trend seemed to despise everything in their path. For example, they didn’t make many friends when they were crammed flyers that read: “No Trend, No Scene, No Movement” into all the Coke machines that the Georgetown/Washington DC straight edge types bought soda from. Ultimately, the goal of No Trend was to turn the hardcore scene inside out in an effort to expunge the narrow-minded types from ever turning up. This dialectical approach served to alienate the insular factions within the scene while finding smarter people who were still into the dictates of aggressive music.

Their approach to music was more akin to Flipper or the Butthole Surfers. The first demo, the “Teen Love” 7”, and the “Too Many Humans” 12” are all superb examples of abrasive and sardonic deviations from the dim-witted hardcore norm. These records probably confused a great deal of people at the time, but those who liked it understood what it was all about.

Taking the road in a damaged ’76 Ford ambulance, they played all of the major venues on the hardcore map in 1983.This live recording is a great soundboard of a show played in Hollywood on November 11, 1983. This soundboard recording is crisp and clear. From what I recall, this recording is better than the live tracks on the official No Trend CD. Unfortunately this set is not complete as there are only 4 songs included here. It’s highly probable that a complete recording of this show exists. If you have a complete recording of this show, please get in touch.

Track List:

1. Do As You're Told

2. Fashion Tips For the 80's.

3. Mindless Little Insects

4. Mass Sterilization Caused By Venereal Disease

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?mlynynmwdhm

BAD BRAINS: CBGB, NEW YORK, NY 12.25.81 SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.

Now that hardcore is at the ripe age of approximately 30 years old, it’s effortless to conclude that the Bad Brains were the leading pioneers of the entire genre. This is quite ironic considering the fact that group objected that the term “hardcore” be used to describe the characteristics of their music. Critics of the band often cite them as being homophobic based on 1982 interviews in both Flipside (#31) and Forced Exposure (#2) where singer HR refers to shooting homosexuals. And then there’s the well-documented incident in Texas during the same year that involved members of the Big Boys and MDC that had homosexual leanings. These incidents of folly would permanently damage the reputation of any other band that was less talented and innovative than the Bad Brains. If anything this stands as an extraordinary testament to their greatness: stating unambiguously dodgy ideologies to a politically correct audience and still being respected by them.

This post will be the first of numerous entries devoted to the documentation of live Bad Brains material. This Christmas ’81 gig is not the preeminent Bad Brains live bootleg in circulation but it’s nothing to scoff at either. (In my opinion, if you’re a fan of the Bad Brains almost any soundboard live recording before 1987 or so is worth owing). Maybe this recording isn’t the most flawless soundboard recording by these guys in circulation, but you get thirteen and a half minutes of music that will melt your face. HR's custom introduction to "Supertouch" is awe-inspiring enough to induce goose bumps before the song even begins!

I've seen this recording listed on various trade lists as being 20 minutes in length. If anyone has the 20 minute version (or the full show for that matter), please contact me through the site.

Setlist:

1. 12XU (Wire)

2. Don't Need It

3. Supertouch/Shitfit

4. Big Takeover

5. Riot Squad

6. I

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?tgnkjomyz22

STATE OF ALERT: WASHINGTON DC 12.18.80. AUDIENCE RECORDING.

When asked about the live performance history of State of Alert, Henry Rollins once claimed that the group's performances "were eleven to fourteen minutes in duration because the songs were all like forty seconds... and the rest of the time we were going, 'Are you ready? Are you ready?' Those gigs were poorly played songs in between 'Are you readys?" Henry did have a point since these guys never showed much instrumental or song writing prowess, but they certainly can be regarded as one of the purveyors of American hardcore by serving as a launching pad for later bands like Negative Approach and Agnostic Front.

It seems Rollins was also correct about this recording because the total length is just over 12 minutes and the playing certainly isn't virtuosic. Regardless, this is an enjoyable audience recording of a historic group that documents their teenage vitriol. The sound quality is decent considering the time and place this performance was recorded.

Track 9 seems to consist of an unreleased song not found on the "No Policy" 7", "Flex Your Head" compilation LP, or even the 1980 SOA demo cassette. Any information regarding this track would be appreciated.

Setlist:
1) Gonna Have To Fight
2) Riot
3) I Hate the Kids
4) Gang Fight
5) Public Defender
6) Draw Blank
7) Disease
8) Warzone
9) Unreleased song (???)
10) Stepping Stone

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QVV5FIHA

STATE OF ALERT: 1980 REHEARSAL. HOME RECORDING.

From Wendel Blow’s cluttered garage floor to your ultramodern computer hard drive, here is a long lost recording of a State of Alert rehearsal recorded sometime in 1980. Considering the quality of the greater majority of rehearsal tapes I have heard from this era, the quality of this recording is surprisingly excellent.

It is possible that this recording was considered as a demo recording prior to the band releasing their well circulated and vinyl bootlegged 1980 demo. This hypothesis doesn’t seem crazy considering this rehearsal tape features a recording of an ad for a Black Market Baby/ Minor Threat/ State of Alert show at the 9:30 Club. If you have any additional information on this recording, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your insights with me.

Track List:

1) Draw Blank

2)Public Defender

3) Stepping Stone

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?njjktomjzdm

MINOR THREAT: VFW, CAMBRIDGE, MA 3.4.83 SOUNDBOARD RECORDING

There is truly little left to say about Minor Threat that hasn't already been expounded on incessantly. They achieved something truly extraordinary when considering the near cavernous catalog hardcore punk acts of the 1980s: they managed to define a genre of music while never surrendering to it’s many shortcomings.

According to a flyer for this specific show, Minor Threat shared the bill with SS Decontrol, the FUs, the Necros, and the Meatmen. This being said, it seems they had no choice but to rise to the occasion and deliver a tremendous performance. The quality consists of a mono soundboard recording that generally features a decent mix. Hearing Springa’s backup vocals from the crowd during “In My Eyes” are fodder for goose bumps. Someone loses a tooth and Ian tries to return it to it’s rightful owner. Enough said. Just download it, already!

“No Reason” is incomplete on this recording. This show was released on the “12XU” bootleg LP that surfaced in 1991.

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?zmclnidjm1m

DOUBLE O: "DC ON THE MAP" 1982 DEMO

Today's post concerns the "DC On the Map" 1982 demo. This has been previously bootlegged in 1993 under the title of "Double Barreled" as a double 7". This bootleg double 7" comprised tracks from the band's three demos.

This demo shows the growth of the band between their demo and debut EP on Dischord/R&B. This demo showcases the band with a much more aggressive sound than their more sophisticated debut record. These tracks are more akin to Youth Brigade and perhaps Red C. This seems logical considering that Double O boasted ex members of both groups. The sound quality of this demo is somewhat noisy but is still quite enjoyable to listen to. This is pretty much a must for any early Dischord enthusiast.

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5OVH1LFC

DOUBLE O: WASHINGTON DC 9.17.82 SOUNDBOARD RECORDING

Double O were a band that hailed from Washington DC and featured an ex member of Youth Brigade. After the band split, ex-members worked as Dove and released the track, "Ambivalence" on the "Bouncing Babies" compilation album. Double O served as a crucial gap between the first generation of harDCore and the second generation Revolution Summer sound. Double O maintained a sound that was both powerful and melodic, somewhat akin to Faith and later on, Swiz. Double O released a self titled EP on Dischord/R&B. I always found it strange that this group was not included on the "20 Years of Dischord" box set retrospective.

This soundboard recording maintains an excellent sound. The mix is a good and the levels are just right. My recording was taken from a low generation cassette. Perhaps the band did not have the technical ability of harDCore stalwarts Minor Threat and the Bad Brains, but they made up for it with energetic and engaging performances. The set on this recording documents this.

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.zshare.net/download/62666133a4cecdd5/

MINOR THREAT: IRVING PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 5.15.82 SOUNDBOARD RECORDING

This show was recorded as the band was writing for the "Out Of Step" 12". This soundboard recording is almost as good as it gets. The band is tight, focused, and powerful despite having to play on a overcrowded Irving Plaza stage packed with rowdy New York punks. It's arguable that this recording could even warrant an official release because of it's excellence, even if the band takes way too much time between their songs.

It seems as if tensions between DC and New York punks were legitimate. Ian Mackaye delivers some snide stage banter about how inebriated certain crowd members are and mockingly refers to Harley Flannegan as a "rock star" and dedicates an impromptu dub cover of Government Issue's "Asshole" in his honor. The ignorance of late adolescence also prevails when Mackaye debases a female crowd member in a.... somewhat derogatory manner. Mackaye plays sardonic sideshow man between numbers and is pretty hilarious throughout the entire performance.

Springa of SSD seems to be the king of the pigpile since his backup vocals are so prominent throughout the whole set.

Overall, a spectacular document of the hardcore era. Listening to it makes you feel like you were there.

Track list:

1. Straight Edge

2. Seeing Red
3. Little Friend
4. Filler
5. Small Man Big Mouth
6. No Reason
7. Minor Threat
8. Stand Up
9. 12XU (Wire)
10. Bottled Violence
11. Out of Step
12. Asshole Dub
13. Screaming at a Wall
14. Guilty of Being White
15. Stepping Stone
16. In My Eyes

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?whyikkm2dzm

ARTIFICIAL PEACE: NEW YORK, NY 11.81 AUDIENCE RECORDING

Artificial Peace was a grossly underrated hardcore band from Bethesda, MD. Perhaps the contrast of growing up alongside DC hardcore stalwarts such as the Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Government Issue didn't help them get the attention they deserved. I suppose releasing only a somewhat mediocre split 7" with Exiled on Fountain of Youth and a random smattering of compilation tracks didn't help much either. They cut a session at Inner Ear studios with Don Zientara that was incredibly worthy of release, but for some reason it was shelved. These sessions produced the 3 great Artificial Peace tracks featured on the classic "Flex Your Head" compilation.

This audience recording is of average quality, but warrants a posting because of the spirited performance and the scarcity of any live recordings of Artificial Peace. In the future, I will post a great Artificial Peace soundboard recording from Peppermint Lounge as well the unreleased recordings cut at Inner Ear. Until then, enjoy this one.

Sorry, track listing not included.

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?tdmwttj3j2n