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F-Minus

F-Minus
1999
Hellcat

F-Minus - F-Minus (Cover Artwork)

Review by: joeg
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Published on January 14th 2005

Pop in the record and this is what you first hear: guitar feedback...some guy says “Slave Labor”...someone shouts "1-2-3-4!" And southern California hardcore punks F-Minus are off and sprinting like it's 1981 again, bashing your skull in again and again and again, courtesy of twenty old-school hardcore blasts in 17 minutes. That’s right, you can play this fucker three times in an hour and not get bored of it. Taking a cue from Victim In Pain-era Agnostic Front and Minor Threat while adding grind and street punk elements, this is a band intent on maximizing the bedlam factor by being as insanely fast, loud, confrontational, and ugly as possible.

Producer Tim Armstrong lets the band do their thing as dueling slurrers/screamers/shouters Brad Logan and Jen Johnson spit out politically-charged rants as fast as they can in a contest of who can sound more indecipherable and pissed off. Future screamer Erika Daking joins the riot with blistering guitar work while Adam Zuckert’s jackhammer drumming gets the job done.

Perfecting the art of getting their message across by cutting out every single ounce of conceivable fat that can be found in a song, the first three songs go by so fast, even combining them into one song would still make for an incredibly short track. But F-Minus are experts here at making up for lack of length with sheer force. And before you get any chance to realize what the hell you just heard, they've already blitzed through another song, so be prepared. Jen Johnson’s first stab in the 39-second “Better To Die” maintains the manic intensity established by Logan as she screams “It's better to die, than live a fucking lie!” Other examples of F-Minus’ mostly bleak and distorted outlook on politics, life, and society (for God's sake, the cover is F-Minus typed three times in red on a black cover) can be found in the street punk-influenced song “Class Machine” as well as “Empty” which is all of Logan yelling “empty, I’m so empty!“ Subtle they ain’t.

The back to back of “Class Machine” and another Johnson-led song “Spit At The Truth” should make you want to start circle pitting with anyone in your immediate vicinity. My favorite track “Someone’s Dream” starts off with a "1-2-1-2-3!" before blasting into another sub-minute crusher. “Ruined,” in what seems to have been recorded in a cave, gives you generous two second pauses to breathe before slamming you with another fast as fuck track.

F-Minus and bands like F-Minus are an acquired taste for sure and that’s why what I’m about to say should not make you question my mental health. Underneath all the chaos, F-Minus incorporates actual groove and dare I say it, a hint of melody, in enough of their songs to give them an extra edge and a step up on other hardcore bands. They take those ingredients and take another step forward on their next record. Their weapon of choice is speed and while a bit repetitive at times, still makes some powerful shit.

Yea, they would’ve fit in perfectly opening up for Black Flag and Minor Threat.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 25, 2005 at 1:22 AM (EST)
My Score:

please help me out http://www.los-angeles-casino.com/lanir/casino-directory-2005.htm l

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 10:17 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This is the kind of hardcore that i like

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 9:39 AM (EST)
My Score:

the CD is awesome its short its fast and you don't get sick of it, listen to it on the bus you'll just wanna break out moshing

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 6:57 AM (EST)
My Score:

Good review, keep em coming.

-Strewtho.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 2:58 PM (EST)
My Score:

So, BSuckD,
The guy who wrote "Got some great photos of her too asnd erica too" must be gay too, huh?

fucking neuter pussy.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 2:54 PM (EST)
My Score:

Score is for a total size queen like BSD calling ME gay. Just because I let you suck me off doesn't make me gay, you shlub.

Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-01-17 13:23:38
My Score:

Everyone loves this album

Posted by IheartAdam on 2005-01-16 16:25:15
My Score:

Dissenting opinion.

Posted by joeg on 2005-01-16 12:05:39
My Score:

"yes, i was happily surprised to see Jen when i saw them a couple months ago. Got some great photos of her too asnd erica too"

so i guess it goes without saying that Joe is out of the band? or maybe it just a temporary replacement for a few shows?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 6:24 PM (EST)
My Score:

yes, i was happily surprised to see Jen when i saw them a couple months ago. Got some great photos of her too asnd erica too

Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-01-15 18:16:54
My Score:

Jen wasn't inWake up screaming, but i guess shes back. That good to hear

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-01-15 16:46:27
My Score:

Hell no, Wake Up Screaming is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Posted by joeg on 2005-01-15 13:47:05
My Score:

"Yo, was anyone else really dissappointed with Wake Up Screaming? Put this record in and then put in Wake Up Screaming. Agree? "

I don't know if i was necessarily disappointed. I do like their faster songs but I also like how they changed it up and still made it work. And giving Erica more chances at the mic is always good.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 2:29 AM (EST)
My Score:

Yo, was anyone else really dissappointed with Wake Up Screaming? Put this record in and then put in Wake Up Screaming. Agree?

-ken

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 2:06 AM (EST)
My Score:

Fuck yes. F-minus seems to grasp the concept that killer fucking punk doesn't need bullshit like solos, melodies, slow parts, breakdowns, clean parts and all that crap. F minus also seems to realize that you can fully get your point across on a 17 minute record as opposed to wasting 45 minutes on the aforementioned bullshit.

Does anyone who bought this (for a whopping $10...ooooh!) feel ripped off because its so short? Not me.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-01-15 01:41:11
My Score:

"Love is Just a Tool" is a Middle Class cover.

Posted by joeg on 2005-01-14 19:21:03
My Score:

" F- will put their first 2 7"s on CD someday: "Failed Society/Won't Bleed Me"

I'm looking forward to that one. And its good to see Jen back in the band, if not at least playing on the GETB song.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 6:57 PM (EST)
My Score:

whoever called brad logan a rockstar p.oser...the band doesn't have anything to do with the pricing. They sell their own stuff at show ptetty cheap. I bought this album and a shirt from the band for $5 apiece when they opened up for NOFX and Rancid when the bands played together.

O, and F-Minus kicked major butt when they played with Leftover Crack like 2 months ago at the knitting factory. ikt was nice to finall see them with a crowd who liked them (ffirst time was with hot water music like 3 years ago, second was mentioned above)

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 6:53 PM (EST)
My Score:

http://www.blacknoise.net says that F- will put their first 2 7"s on CD someday: "Failed Society/Won't Bleed Me"

Yep, old school F- with some Jen Johnson and Sara Lee action. (The way I say it sounds really dirty...)

Plus, Chris Lagerborg does drums on it which is also cool.

Tom McClintock
California State Senator
19th District

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2005-01-14 18:17:18
My Score:

That split has some of the best stuff from both bands. "Love is Just A Tool" might be my favorite F-Minus song.

I actually think I listen to that almost as much as any other CV/LC or F-Minus records.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-01-14 18:04:34
My Score:

And best of all, Jen Johnson played on the track, so now they're a five piece, three guitar monster.

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2005-01-14 17:56:15
My Score:

The stuff on the Crack Rock Steady 7 spilt is my favorite, I think. The song on the new GETB is also really really really good. Heavy as hell.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-01-14 17:32:55
My Score:

They would only get better with each succesive release, and this is a pretty damn high starting point. I love it.

I have this, Suburban Blight, and the split with Crack Rock Steady 7 on one cd (I got it from EMusic.com, so it's not illegal). 50 songs, 58 minutes, and it goes by like a blur.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 2:13 PM (EST)
My Score:

So you call Brad Logan a "rockstar poser", then objectify women... (You're Gay)

-BSD

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 1:48 PM (EST)
My Score:

I will amend my last comment and give a 10 for Jen and Erika being so fuckin' HOT and hardcore. Sexist? Sure. Sue Me.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 1:45 PM (EST)
My Score:

Score is for Hellcat charging full price for what is really an EP. I don't know about you guys, but after seeing F-minus live (with the good crizzack) I've come to the conclusion that Brad Logan is a rockstar poser.

Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2005-01-14 12:46:53
My Score:

"If I never had to listen this cd again, I'd be happy."

I think you made a mistake. That comment can't be meant for this review, right?

Joeg seems to have almost identical taste in music to me.

Posted by skajester on 2005-01-14 11:32:30
My Score:

If I never had to listen this cd again, I'd be happy.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 11:18 AM (EST)
My Score:

one of the few hardcore punk bands worth listening to

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 8:56 AM (EST)
My Score:

wake up screaming was great as well. real hardcore by a band that has something to say, which isnt to common in punk and hardcore anymore.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 8:31 AM (EST)
My Score:

classic record! 21 songs in 17 minutes!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 3:42 AM (EST)
My Score:

F-Minus fucking rules.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 2:53 AM (EST)
My Score:

I've recently really got into this band, his voice is great

Joe

Posted by dazed on 2005-01-14 02:50:34
My Score:

Everything this band has released has been great.

Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-01-14 02:28:52
My Score:

Good shite.

Posted by crossfiyaaa on 2005-01-14 01:54:00
My Score:

I like this band.