Saccharine Trust - Paganicons

Label: SST

Year: 1981

Hot on the heels of the Black Flag mega-post, I thought we'd keep the SST ball rolling with one of my favorite label releases, the first Saccharine Trust record, their mini-lp "Paganicons". I like this one because it still sounds like it "belongs" on the SST roster, it is effectively a punk record, but you are hearing the beginnings of a band about to go of on a wild trip. They would eventually go on to play improvised jazz-informed music before calling it quits in 1986 (apparantly they are back together and playing shows now...who knew?), but at this time you get a pretty unique blend of styles that I would still consider "accessible" for your average hardcore fan. If you like later Black Flag, the Minutemen, Redd Kross, 45 Grave, Dead Kennedys, older T.S.O.L., or the non-surfy Agent Orange stuff then you'll probably get a kick out of this one.

Jagged, sharp, driving, noisy punk rock. Does that seem right? Right enough.

DL