S.O.A. (D.C. Hardcore Punk)
Origin: Washington, D.C., USA
Genres: Hardcore Punk
Years active: 1980-1981
Genres: DC Hardcore Punk
Labels: Dischord Records
Associated Acts: Black Flag, The Faith, Rollins Band
What makes this band unique: Known as Henry Rollins’s first band they were only together for 1year, played only nine gigs, and released but one album yet became an influence to many punk bands and a prime example of (DC Hardcore).
VIDEO: Draw Blank
Henry Rollins early days with SOA
Henry Rollins later described their performances: “All of them 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?”
VIDEO: Draw Blank Live
VIDEO: Rollins Beating up a Heckler in the Audience
HUGH SIMMS NOTES:
This band is one of the best examples of punk i can give. Not about the music, the instruments, or how good of a musician you are it’s about the message you’re bringing across. Instruments are merely the vehicle. The rough DC Hardcore sound will evoke emotions of disgust, distaste, followed by questions of overall sanity and taste in music by most. A lot of punks take pride in this reaction.
I really dig this band for the simple drum shuffles, the driving sound, strong vocals, and overall feeling that it injects into me. It took me a couple listens to warm up and shake the radio punk out of me but man when you do this stuff is intense.
Trust me take your time pick up their only album NO POLICY and go for a run or hit the gym. I love to listen to this in the car because with my lack of attention i always have one hand on the wheel and the other on the track changer but with their songs lasting only 45 seconds it’s A.D.D. friendly.
