Gang Green – We’ll Give It To You
Gang Green – We’ll Give It To You
Cherry Red Records
Release date: 13/01/2023
Running time: 02:49:00
Review by: Alun Jones
8.5/10
As a teenaged skateboarder in the late 80’s, Boston hardcore legends Gang Green were definitely on my playlist. They appeared on a Thrasher Skate Rock tape, what more do you need to know?! Merging Hardcore Punk with a more metallic edge, Gang Green added a technicality and Rock’n’roll, beer drinking party vibe to their unique take on Crossover / Thrash. It was mostly fun, though sometimes dumb, times – with a fast and crazy energy. Eventually finding a home on Roadrunner records in 1987, the albums Gang Green recorded for that label are collected here by Cherry Red Records.
Working through the discs chronologically, we’ll start with the first Roadrunner release, “You Got It”. Featuring what is possibly the worst album cover all time – the band in a sewer? Why is (vocalist / guitarist) Chris Doherty jumping through a fence? And where are his legs?! This atrocious shot always bothered me, so I’m delighted I get to bitch about it now (though it only appears a small pic!). Music wise, “You Got It” is chock full of belters: the storming Thrash of ‘We’ll Give it to You’ setting out Gang Green’s goods; ferocious Hardcore with ‘LDSB’ and ‘Born to Rock’. There’s even a surprise social conscience (and mellow intro) on ‘Another Bomb’. Plus, bonus track ‘Skate to Hell’ is worth the price of admission alone.
If Roadrunner were relieved that they’d done the right thing signing this bunch of unruly punks after that first record, ‘Older… Budweiser’ went even better. Armed this time with a great cover / title (thankfully), Gang Green delivered more of the same, but amped up even further. ‘Church of Fun’ bolts out of the gates; ‘Just One Bullet’ and ‘We Can Go’ show exactly how to meld Hardcore and Thrash into a furious, fun time. The Rock’n’roll edge that began on the previous record becomes more prevalent, adding a distinct flavour to the band’s sound (see ‘Tear Down the Walls’). The humour misfires on ‘Bedroom of Doom’, but the does-what-it-says-on the-tin ‘Ballad’ is a nice attempt to branch out musically before closing time.
On disc three, we have the live album “Can’t LIVE Without It”, recorded at the Marquee Club in London in 1990. Most of the live tracks appear already on this compilation, but it’s a solid recording of an energetic, relentless show. There are a bunch of non-Roadrunner tracks which add value for money; plus, the inclusion of the “I81B4U” EP and ‘Living Loving Maid’ single, which is great news for obsessive nerds like me.
Finally, the compilation album “King of Bands” rounds out the collection. If you’ve not had enough of hearing some of these songs twice already, prepare to experience some of them yet again with this “greatest hits” set. Although, there are two new tracks and three from Gang Greens first album on Taang! Records for VFM. The two tracks – ‘Thunder’ and ‘Rub It In Your Face’ are OK, but not up to the standard of older material. Still, this last disc seals the lid on this barrel of good times very nicely.
The history of Gang Green proves to be a fascinating tale. Predating Jackass by some years, the party hard doctrine of the band remains resolutely in place. Some of the lyrics are juvenile at best, out right sexist at worst (‘Cum In You’, oh dear); but if you can forgive that, the attitude and fun remains infectious. Yes, it’s all about partying and beer, but the music is still great. Not as Metal as COC, or as Punk as Circle Jerks, Gang Green added a rockin’ flare to their brand of crossover and brought the party home.
A great compilation featuring tons of interviews, info and photos, “We’ll Give It To You” is a comprehensive guide to beer-soaked thrash punk. It’s time to get out on your skateboard, rock out to Gang Green, and celebrate with a few beers. Afterward, that is. Ever Metal wants you to take care: don’t drink & skate.
TRACKLISTING:
DISC ONE – You Got It
01. Haunted House
02. We’ll Give It To You
03. Sheet Rock
04. Ballerina Massacre
05. Born To Rock
06. Another Bomb
07. L.D.S.B
08. Whoever Said
09. Party With the Devil
10. Somethings
11. The Climb
12. Sick, Sex, Six
13. Skate To Hell* (bonus track)
DISC TWO – Older… Budweiser
01. Church of Fun
02. Just One Bullet
03. We Can Go
04. Tear Down The Walls
05. Flight 911
06. Bedroom Of Doom
07. Casio Jungle
08. Why Should You
09. I’m Still Young
10. Ballad
DISC THREE – Can’t LIVE Without It
01. Let’s Drink Some Beer (live)
02. Bartender (live)
03. Lost Chapter (live)
04. We’ll Give It To You (live)
05. We Can Go (live)
06. Have Fun (live)
07. Last Chance (live)
08. Just One Bullet (live)
09. Born To Rock (live)
10. Rabies (live)
11. Voices Carry (live)
12. Sold Out (live)
13. Bedroom of Doom (live)
14. Bomb (live)
15. Alcohol (live)
16. Bartender *
17. Lost Chapter *
18. Rent *
19. Put Her On Top *
20. Cum In U *
21. Living Loving Maid **
DISC FOUR – King of Bands
01. Thunder
02. Alcohol
03. We’ll Give It To You
04. Bartender
05. Ballad
06. Fuck In A
07. Just One Bullet
08. Another Wasted Night
09. Bomb
10. Put Her On Top
11. Church of Fun
12. Rub It In Your Face
LINE-UP:
Chris Doherty – Vocals, Guitar
Fritz Erickson – Guitar
Joe Gittleman – Bass (You Got It / Older… Budweiser / King of Bands)
Josh Pappe – Bass (Can’t LIVE Without It)
Brian Betzger – Drums
Chuck Stilphen – guitar (King of Bands)
Mike Lucantonio – guitar (King of Bands)
Glen Stilphen – bass (King of Bands)
Kevin Brooks – bass (King of Bands)
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Alun Jones and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
