STARK RAVING MAD- MX 12"EP (Slob Records, USA, 1984)
That was a good suggestion from Theun to run STARK RAVING MAD on this blog, and making it the follow up to The Insults makes sense, I guess.
Well, I bought this when it came and couldn’t believe it. So incredibly hectic and aggressive! The DRI influence is obvious (check the “dedication” to Kurt and Eric from D.R.I. at the beginning of “Capitalist Cunts”, haha), but I think it’s safe to say that STARK RAVING MAD took the whole thing to another level. What a wonderful record, we should thank the Lordi every day for this. The 2nd and last life-time release by this great Texas band was another 12″EP, called “Amerika”. I must confess that I wouldn’t wanna choose between them - “Amerika” is a monster with great Jello-ish vocals and the band’s ultimate hit, “Bloodclot”.
On a more personal level, I could add that SRM are one of the bands that REALLY REALLY REALLY can be used as a weapon against neighbours. I swear that turning this up loud will probably drive everybody (including yourself) nuts after a while.
I’ve decided to repost this since Malfeitor’s links have expired - you must however go there to read the comments section for some info directly from those involved.
One final note: Why is that STARK RAVING MAD didn’t have the same success like, say, D.R.I. or M.D.C.? What if this had come out only a year earlier? Time is merciless.
Choice.mp3
Chaos.mp3
Problem.mp3
Happy People.mp3
Rapist.mp3
Waking up is hard to do.mp3
Capitalist Cunts.mp3
Mr.Hardcore.mp3
Machine Gun Youth.mp3
Down and out.mp3
Oppression - Depression.mp3
No Reason.mp3
Fuck the Army.mp3
Somebody’s watching.mp3
Life or Death.mp3
I would like to dedicate “MR. HARDCORE” to Peter from KILLED BY DEATH RECORDS, haha.
Anonymous wrote:
not of this earth! and another amazing quality rip - sounds like a fucking cd!!!!!
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:01 am | Permalink
antid.oto wrote:
Great record and real amazing quality rip. Another excellent post. Thanks Erich
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:08 am | Permalink
Peter - KBDRecords wrote:
Thanks for the dedication sweetie :). I can choose between this and Amerika. I choose Amerika. Great Satan rules!
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:08 am | Permalink
antid.oto wrote:
..but I can’t download “problem” and “Somebody’s watching”
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:12 am | Permalink
Erich wrote:
Fixed!
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:15 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
So glad to hear this again! SRM indeed make DRI sound like the Ramones. Essential and untoppped!!
I agree - your rips are easily the best i ever heard. I guess it’s time for a donation to honor all the great work. This has become the best fucking blog!
// somebody from sweden //
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:24 am | Permalink
antid.oto wrote:
Thanks again
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 9:44 am | Permalink
adamski wrote:
When I was getting into HC (in ‘86 or so) my mate gave me a loan of a tape with this, DRI’s first & “Victim In Pain” on it. Wow! Crazy shit!! I think it’s better than the “Amerika” 12″ - more insane. I have the 2 on the re-release on Nuclear Blast (Remember when they were A HC label?!) Still kills! And I wanted to form a band called MACHINE GUN YOUTH as I loved that track so much. Ahhh, memories…
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 10:30 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
SRM have got to be heard to be believed. Insane. Posting that 2nd LP would be a great idea …..
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 10:48 am | Permalink
Erich wrote:
If you have something to say to Peter, please do so on his blog.
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 12:43 pm | Permalink
Peter - KBDRecords wrote:
They don’t dare ha ha :). Spineless little retards who don’t dare to say who they are. Long live the ever gracing punks who fights for free speech and anarchy! Yeah and faster songs too.
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 12:48 pm | Permalink
malfeitor wrote:
Glad to hear someone else loves this one as much as I do. When the bass player commented on my old blog after I posted it he seemed surprised at my obsession with this record. I’ve always thought that this release would have been more highly sought after if it was a 7″ instead of a 12″ because it seems 7″s are just naturally more collectible (it’s only 9 1/2 minutes!). I’m not sure if he mentioned it on the old site or in a personal correspondence but the inside scoop on the “this is for Kurt and Eric” is that they both got their T-shirts printed at the same place and they thought what DRI charged for theirs was a rip-off since they were aware of the wholesale cost.
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 4:43 pm | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
Maybe I’m way off base, but I always suspected this would have been more popular if it had better cover art. I missed the boat on this band but when I found it years after it came out that was my gut reaction–although the cover is truly hilarious. Why is a Nazi fighting Davey Crocket and a Union soldier fighting a Roman Gladiator, etc.? Never even seen or heard the 2nd one.
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 7:39 pm | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
unreal record. i agree, the cover art is pretty horrendous.
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 11:47 pm | Permalink
Erich wrote:
Those who haven’t got the 2nd 12″: If you like this, you’lll like the 2nd for sure. It’s currently on eBay (some u.s. seller) for 20something$ buy-it-now. My suggestions: go for it!
Posted on 04-Jan-07 at 5:27 am | Permalink
adamski wrote:
I know it says the cover art’s by “Jack”, but it’s very similar to Brian Walsby’s stuff…
Posted on 04-Jan-07 at 6:19 am | Permalink
Mars wrote:
I got this record WAY back in highschool @ Mardens in Lewiston, Me for 16 cents (!!!) along with the first Fugazi record and Buthole Surfers Psychic Powerless…
mardens was adiscount store that bought stuff that was damaged in shipping, left at the post office, etc. What a SCORE!!
Posted on 05-Jan-07 at 4:48 pm | Permalink
theun_k wrote:
my ears heart erich - excellent sound. and yes, i like stark raving mad.
Posted on 06-Jan-07 at 5:28 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
This was one of my absolute faves back in the day. It’s really great to hear it again after all these years. Such a good record. Erich…is there any chance you could re-up “Problem” and “Rapist” please?
Much appreciated!
Daz
Posted on 19-Jun-07 at 2:12 pm | Permalink
Steve wrote:
Best US hardcore band ever!!! CD is out!!!
Posted on 24-Jan-08 at 3:26 pm | Permalink
ctothemotherf ck n g wrote:
mx by srm is the best record ever recorded, handsa down way better then any D.R.I. which was great but did not have the balls of SRM. They are the best band ever to walk the face of the earth.
Posted on 03-Jul-08 at 4:24 pm | Permalink