The Weirdos

The L.A. punk scene's best kept secret (much to the perpetual frustration of their fans), the Weirdos have continued to be kept unjustly arcane over the years. There are probably a number of reasons they are always absent from the all time greats list. But what it really comes down to is that they never put out a proper album. However, the one EP and handful of singles that are included Weird World, Vol. 1 exhibit a band with authentic ability.

First of all, one has to respect that the Weirdos were doing it before most. They formed in '76, and from the earliest of several various stages of their short time as a band, they were one of the most explosive groups in any of the infantile punk scenes. The first half of the album draws from their earliest stage, which bares a truly unique angularity in their melodies. Dix Denney's guitar blisters and whales, and the harmonies are sporadic and brief, but carry that heavily taut and in-your-face style that is so brilliant in later L.A. punk bands.

John Denney's lyrics are insightful and intelligent. His lyrics range from being passionately scornful ("For U.S.A.") to synically hilarious ("Helium Bar"). His voice sounds like a compound of Jelo Biafra and Jack Grisham. The second half of the album would be a little easier to listen to for people looking to simply add to their catalogue of L.A. punk. Starting from "Fort U.S.A.", the melodies are a little more controlled, and the songs are generally less manic. "We Got the Neutron Bomb" is brilliant song, both lyrically and musically, combining the deadpan with the serious.

For anyone looking to add a lesser known essential to their punk catalog, Weird World is a must have.