V.A. We Got Power

Besides being given a high profile by SST Records (Black Flag, Hüsker Dü, etc.), the early-'80s hardcore scene was well-documented by several D.I.Y. labels and fanzines. LA's Mystic Records and its sister magazine, We Got Power, certainly kept the faithful up to date on the latest gigs, police fracases, and LP releases. This 40-track (!) roundup from the label spotlights bands both legendary and obscure and gives listeners a ratty and fascinating look at the music's early years. Faithful to punk's demo-tape sound aesthetic and penchant for ultra-brief musical statements, the sampler abruptly segues from one living-room produced track to the next: The roster includes now-iconic groups like the Big Boys, the Minutemen, Red Kross, and 7 Seconds, as well as forgotten but intriguingly named outfits like Crank Shaft, Putrid Girls, and Deranged Diction. The mix roams freely too, with a mix of grade-A hardcore, girl-group punk, proto-speed metal, and some Kraftwerk-inspired messiness. A fine collection of hardcore lowlights tailored made for the historically minded punk fan.