Direct Hit! “Live from WMSE” 2017. Recorded at the WMSE studio in Milwaukee. This Sunday I’m leading one of my favorite events, Namaste @ the X-Ray: Punk Rock Yoga; the playlist is to help X-Ray celebrate its 5th birthday (next weekend) with songs from bands that have all played (or will be in the next couple of months) on their stage, including the track “Paid in Brains” by Direct Hit! which is Side A of this 7″ single. I think this was a Record Store Day release in 2017 and also a fundraiser for WMSE (where I picked it up). It’s a super-fun, upbeat – a bit screamy – punk/pop song, with what sounds like a horn section but that’s not verified – looking at their lineup is dizzying as they’ve had about 50 members (maybe a slight exaggeration) since they formed in 2007 and the instrument credits are a bit lacking in the band’s history. Side B has “Was It the Acid?,” which is not screamy, and leans more towards the pop end of the pop punk spectrum. I honestly can’t remember if I’ve ever seen Direct Hit! play live – it’s entirely possible in the 15+ years since they’ve been active (they’re still touring and played a show this past New Year’s Eve), maybe even at X-Ray opening for another band. Anyway, this is mostly a plug to come to Punk Rock Yoga on Sunday: xrayarcade.com/calendar/2024/02/04/yoga