DEAD BOYS - YOUNG, LOUD AND SNOTTY

originally known as frankenstein, the dead boys formed in cleveland, ohio in 1976 after the breakup of rocket from the tombs. they adopted the name the dead boys when they relocated to new york city in july 1976 and became a core part of the first wave of punk, standing shoulder to shoulder with bands like the ramones and the heartbreakers. but the ramones played harmless, hooky punk rock-catchy, fun, almost safe. the dead boys? they spat venom and bile. the band was active until 1979, with brief reunions in 1986 and again in 2004 and 2005 without stiv bators, who passed away in 1990.

their style is pure snot: stiv bators singing like a brat who just got his toy taken away - whiny, taunting, and menacing. the guitars are jagged and raw, no polish anywhere. the rhythm section sounds like a dumpster being kicked down a flight of stairs. they played fast and sloppy, but with a tightness that only comes from being genuinely pissed off. this is ugly punk for people who think the ramones were too clean.

young, loud and snotty is the blueprint. it’s impossible to overstate how heavily this album has influenced punks all over the world.

from the uk82 bands to hardcore to every gutter punk with a distorted guitar and an attitude - they all owe something to these eleven songs.

“sonic reducer” alone has been covered by a hundred bands. the whole record is just essential stuff.

this album is a cornerstone and it always will be.