Murphy’s Law “Back With a Bong” 1989. Profile Records. Clear vinyl. New York melodic hardcore, Back With a Bong is the band’s second album and had an almost completely new lineup from their s/t debut in ’86 – save vocalist Jimmy Gestapo (James Drescher) – that included Agnostic Front and Warzone guitarist Todd Youth (Todd Schofield). The revolving door of members continued throughout subsequent years – drums, guitars and bass have seen around 20 different players each. And then with the addition of a ska/horn sound on this album (on the aptly titled “Ska Song“) and other records following, there’s been about 80 Murphy’s Law musicians. Even though Murphy’s have been around forever (since ’82 and they have concerts scheduled in New York later this month) I never really listened to them; this record was part of a collection a friend gave to me awhile back and I’m finally getting around to spinning it. It’s hardcore punk with more than a little speed metal so it’s loud, fast and really adolescent in content. The song “Panty Raid” is both offensive and hilarious. Same with “Cavity Creeps.” As the album’s title suggests, Murphy’s Law clearly likes their weed, that sentiment also punctuated with the tracks “Quest for Herb” (link here to a 2020 livestream during the shutdown) and “Bong.”