V.A. - Flex Your Head

The "Flex Your Head" compilation was released by D.C. independent punk label, DISCHORD, in 1982. If you are looking for an insight into the roots of Hardcore, this is it my friend.

DISCHORD RECORDS was founded by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson of MINOR THREAT to release records by their bands, friends bands, and to document the explosive D.C. punk music scene of the day. All of the important early D.C. punk bands (except for BAD BRAINS) appear on this compilation: TEEN IDLES (Ian and Jeff's first band), UNTOUCHABLES, STATE OF ALERT (the first band of HENRY ROLLINS, then known as Henry Garfield), MINOR THREAT (the most important HC band from the eastern US?: maybe), GOVERNMENT ISSUE, YOUTH BRIGADE (not the band from ANOTHER STATE OF MIND... this is the OTHER YOUTH BRIGADE), RED C, VOID, IRON CROSS, ARTIFICIAL PEACE, and DEADLINE.

Most of the recordings are a bit thin, but the adrenalized suburban kid angst cuts through. Highlights include the UNTOUCHABLES "nicfit" which was later covered by SONIC YOUTH, Henry Rollins singing "I Hate the Kids", the two MINOR THREAT classics, and the three VOID tracks (VOID being one of the most underrated HC bands of all time!)

The CD issue reprints all of the original lyric inserts from the LP, as well as the artwork from the four different album covers (the "wheat sleeve", the "violin sleeve", the "xxx sleeve", and the "guy wearing a hat" sleeve). If you enjoy any of the other bands listed, or have a historical interest in the roots of American Hardcore... this is a rocking little history lesson. D.C. punk 101.



Genre: Hardcore
Year: 1982





Tracklist:

Teen Idles
01. I Drink Milk
02. Commie Song
03. No Fun
Untouchables
04. Rat Patrol
05. Nic Fit
06. I Hate You
State of Alert (SOA)
07. I Hate the Kids
08. Disease
09. Stepping Stone Party
Minor Threat
10. Stand Up
11. 12XU
Government Issue
12. Hey, Ronnie
13. Lie, Cheat, & Steal
Youth Brigade
14. Moral Majority
15. Waste of Time
16. Last Word
Red C
17. Jimi 45
18. Pressure's On
19. 6 O'Clock News
20. Assassin
Void
21. Dehumanized
22. Authority
23. My Rules
Iron Cross
24. Wargames
25. New Breed
26. Live For Now
Artificial Peace
27. Artificial Peace
28. Outside Looking In
29. Wasteland
Deadline
30. Stolen Youth
31. Hear the Cry
32. Aftermath




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