alternative tentacles. virus 27 / 13 tracks / 1982

UK: statik records. stat lp 11 / 1982

RI: UK: virgin. 205571 / 13 tracks / 1987 (??)

F: new rose records. rose 19 / 1982

ES: statik / alternative tentacles. vlp 33 22l0509 / 1982

POR: statik. / 1982

GR: ? / 1982 (??)

YU: statik/alternative tentacles. ll 0925 / ?

CAN: fringe product / alternative tentacles. fpl 3008 / ?

AUS: statik / stunn. stun 504 / 1982 (?)

RI: AUS: virgin/aim. stat lp 11/11x / 1989 (?)

RI (CD): statik. cdst 11/ep2 / 21 tracks / 1985

RI (CD): JAP: teci 21139 / 21 tracks / 2002

RI (LP,CD): UK: decay. dks 9 / 21 tracks / 2001

RI (LP,CD): manifesto. mf 042901 / 22 tracks / 2001

+ lyric / artwork booklet and label catalog. Produced by Thom Wilson. #1 - US version on Alt. Tentacles; early promos still on Faulty/AT. #2 - UK press on Statik, some on green vinyl. Reissue on Virgin. #3 - French pressing on New Rose. #4 - Spanish press on Statik. #5 - Portugese pressing. #6 - Greek pressings; test pressings with generic test press labels. #7 - Yugoslavian press. #8 - Canadian press. #9 - Australian pressing. Australian reissue pressings on pink and green vinyl on Virgin/AIM, also on purple and yellow, probably also on Aim. #10 - Mid/late 80s CD reissues (US and UK) include in God We Trust 12”. UK (Statik) CD mispressing has a Johnny Cash(!) album instead of DK music (printing on the CD says DK’s). #11 - Manifesto reissue CD includes In God We Trust 12”, a first track is inserted before Government Flu called “Advice From Christmas Past”.

I wrote before that this was possibly their best LP; well, I guess history has proved me wrong as Fresh Fruit and In God We Trust seem to be the more popular consumer choices; and if I’m completely honest, I rather listen to Fresh Fruit myself. Anyway, there’s no doubt that this is another great LP, it’s a little calmer again than the ultrafast In God We Trust 12”; they’re still tough and aggressive but more controlled again; a great blend of melodic, cynical punk rock (like on their first LP) and fast hardcore. It’s amazing that there are almost no bands that have ever attempted to copy the DK’s music (unlike the Ramones, Misfits etc.) - probably because their music was highly complex and sophisticated. [10]

Was habe ich auf diese Platte gewartet… In meinem damaligen Lieblings-Plattenladen (“Silo”, R.I.P.) hing ein Plakat aus, auf dem die Tage bis zum Erscheinen gezählt wurden. Nun ja, das Warten hat sich gelohnt, der Rest ist Geschichte. Etwas kontrollierter als die In God 12”, was aber der Härte und Aggressivität keinen Abbruch tut. Auf dieser LP hat die Band wohl die beste und wirkungsvollste Synthese aus Härte, Schnelligkeit, Eingängigkeit und Abwechslung gefunden; die Musik hat zwar immer Spannung, aber jeder Song ist völlig eigenständig und anders als alle anderen. Noch ein Klassiker, vielleicht die beste LP dieser genialen Band.

Tracks: government flu / terminal preppie / trust your mechanic / well paid scientist / buzzbomb / forest fire / halloween / winnebago warrior // riot / bleed for me / i am the owl / dead end / moon over marin