frontier records Archives - Vinyl From The Vault

The Flash Hits “Growths”

sfilzen — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:23:16 +0000

The Flash Hits “Growths” 2022. Frontier Records on gold vinyl. Four piece arty psychedelic-ish post-punk from L.A. Growths is their second of three total LP releases (their first was on cassette and I’m guessing sort of self-released). I’m fairly certain this is my first ever listen to The Flash Hits and so far I’m intrigued. It vacillates between atmospheric dreamy lo-fi psych (“Brat-Scam“), groovy Velvet Underground-meets-They Might Be Giant nerdy drone-pop like on my top track “Fake Pepper” plus the sorta exotic “The Extra Special,” another top pick, and Sgt. Pepper era Beatlesque psych-pop (“Stay Tops” which also veers into danceable garage rock as does the angular “Hobo Cloak”). The overall sound is dense buzzy guitars backed by sparse rhythms, overlaid with delightfully (slightly) off key vocals. There’s even some goth-flute! (“With“) (I’m guessing it’s not really a flute – or horns – but the thought of that makes me laugh) All in al, a bit weird and nerdy. From their Bandcamp site: “The Flash Hits Are Now! Born of a love for colorful guitars, hypno-groovy bass, fascinating rhythms, found sounds and sweet-dream sidewalk talk, Flash Hits row merrily through streams of post-punk, art rock, and micro-psychedelia, weaving a backdrop to deliver their neorealistic Oulipo-laced narratives.”

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Suicidal Tendencies “Suicidal Tendencies”

sfilzen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 19:29:04 +0000

Suicidal Tendencies “Suicidal Tendencies” released on this date, July 5th, 1983. Probably the best-known hardcore punk album ever (even folks who never listened to punk likely know the widely-quoted line “All I wanted was a Pepsi”), the s/t debut album is generally considered to be the first thrash LP, combining punk and metal into an album of speed and fury. My friends and I listened to Suicidal Tendencies pretty much non-stop throughout the mid-80s so I’m not surprised I still can whip out most of the lightning-speed lyrics, especially on my favorite tracks. Besides the iconic “Institutionalized” of wanting a Pepsi fame (released as the sole single from the LP, it was the first hardcore punk song that MTV aired, appeared in films like Repo Man, and its re-recorded version in ‘93 by ST was nominated for the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1994. One critic sums up by saying “Institutionalized” is “the era’s quintessential expressions of teen dislocation, it converts generation gap misunderstandings into a complete communications breakdown, encapsulating all the punk sociology…in four minutes”), I also love “I Shot the Devil” (originally titled “I Shot Reagan,” the band was forced to alter the title after the government suggested it might be in their best interest, allegedly), “Subliminal” (“They’re fucking with me, subliminally”), “Possessed” (a fun game is to try to spit out the verses and chorus in one breath – it’s not easy), the horrible and hilarious “I Saw Your Mommy…” and “Fascist Pig.”

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Circle Jerks “Group Sex”

sfilzen — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 20:21:02 +0000

Circle Jerks “Group Sex” released 40 years ago today, October 1st, 1980. Frontier Records. Fast and short (14 songs, about 15 minutes) classic hardcore punk, Keith Morris’ first release since leaving Black Flag in ‘79. Circle Jerks included four tracks that Morris had co-written and recorded while in Black Flag: “Wasted” (one of my favorites), “Don’t Care” (another great one), “Red Tape” and “Behind the Door.” Former Red Kross guitarist (then later for Bad Religion) Greg Hetson also brought a track from his old band that Circle Jerks reworked for Group Sex: “Live Fast Die Young” (yet another fave). I also really like “I Just Want Some Skank,” “Operation,” “Back Against the Wall,” and “Paid Vacation” though all the songs are so quick that if you blink, you’ll miss them. I find this review from Allmusic hilarious: “As such things go, it’s tight, reasonably well played, the songs kinda sorta have hooks, and Keith Morris is a pretty good frontman, but if you’re looking for nuance, you’re pretty much out of luck. Then again, if you were looking for nuance in a Circle Jerks album, you’ve obviously been misinformed as to how this punk rock stuff works.”

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Adolescents “Adolescents”

sfilzen — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 22:21:19 +0000

Adolescents “Adolescents” 1981. Frontier Records. Yesterday the punk world lost legendary Adolescents founder, bassist, occasional singer and only consistent member Steve Soto. He also was in Agent Orange’s original lineup (with Mike Palm and Scott Miller), Legal Weapon (with Adolescents guitarist Frank Agnew when the Adolescents first broke up in ‘81), Joyride (with Adolescents drummer Sandy Hanson after the second band breakup in ‘89), 22 Jacks and the “supergroup” Punk Rock Karaoke (with Eric Melvin of NOFX, Greg Hetson of Bad Religion and Circle Jerks and Derek O’Brien of Social Distortion, D.I., Agent Orange and Adolescents) before reforming Adolescents a third time in 2001.

Adolescents (or The Blue Album as it is commonly referred to) was the band’s debut record and became one of the first hardcore punk albums to be widely distributed throughout the United States one of the best-selling California hardcore albums of its time. “The debut from these five Orange County kids established the mid-tempo, punk-pop ‘Southern Cal sound,’ led by the long, great, pummeling, Johnny Thunders-derived solos of the two Agnew brothers, Rikk and Frank. These soaring, ripping parts still sound great today. As important, songs such as the anthemic “No Way,” the classic “Amoeba,” the schizophrenic “Kids of the Black Hole,” and the glorious “Creatures” endure precisely because they’re not just aggressive and speedy: they’re super-catchy, heavy-riffing rock & roll, proving again that punk was the true heir to the likes of Chuck Berry, Larry Williams, Bo Diddley, and Eddie Cochran.” (Allmusic)

I saw Adolescents play in Green Bay in 1988 and either Steve Soto or Rikk Agnew had vocal responsibilities during that show – I honestly have no idea, it was almost exactly 30 years ago and most of the punk shows I saw at Kutskas Hall kinda blend together in my brain (there were a lot of them).

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Redd Kross “Born Innocent”

sfilzen — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 16:43:26 +0000

Redd Kross “Born Innocent” 1982/1986. This copy is the ‘86 reissue on Frontier Records (originally released on Smoke 7 Records). California punk (original members of the band included Greg Hetson of Circle Jerks and Bad Religion and Ron Reyes of Black Flag) at its grittiest, chaotic and dark Hollywood/pop culture obsessed – including a cover of the fictional band Carrie Nations from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls “Look On Up At The Bottom” and odes to Linda Blair (“Linda Blair”) and Charles Manson (“Charlie”). Though not listed on the either the back cover or the vinyl label, this LP also includes the bonus track and Charles Manson cover “Cease To Exist.”

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