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FLIPPER
Blowin' Chunks (ROIR)
Reviewed by Melanie Campbell
They may be one of the dumbest, silliest punk bands to ever emerge from the late '70s-early 80s hardcore scene, but San Francisco's Flipper had every move sussed. They were loud, obnoxious and completely politically incorrect, and the critics loved them. Never mind they weren't as nasty and evil as bands like Fear and Black Flag. Never mind that they didn't play their instruments so fast that the songs would disappear in a cacophony of noise. Never mind that they turned in a seven-minute, one-lyric epic called "Sex Bomb" on their debut, titled "Album", they ruled, man. And as time went on, they even learned how to play their instruments. Well, kind of. Try and think of 'em as a Left Coast version of the Velvet Underground, without all the pretentious arty-farty lyrical blather, or later Stooges records, right before they self-destructed.
Blowin' Chunks was originally released in 1984. This is a live compilation of two sets played at the infamous CBGB club in NYC on Thanksgiving Day, 1983. The first set is standard Flipper: often annoying, extremely loud, and in-your-face. Like the liner notes state here, they didn't give a rat's ass if you liked 'em or not, they were there for a good time and some free beer. Having fans was a bonus. For the strong of constitution and the musically open-minded, highlights here are "The Lights, The Sound", "Ha Ha Ha", and "Life Is Cheap." And you have to love the latter's lyrics: "People cling to things - to make their life seem real - Crawling like bugs - at some fool leader's heels. Boasting of freedom - when they're tied down with chains..." "I Wanna Be Your Dog" this ain't, folks. At least Flipper were thoughtful in their loud obnoxiousness, anyway.
The second set here was apparently an encore set from the same night. It's listed here on the CD as "bonus tracks", and they're the best of the lot, including the Flipper classic "Life", and "Ice Cold Beer." By this time the guys were drunk as hell, and were begging the CBGB staff to bring 'em some more brewskis. According to the liner notes, "Ice Cold Beer" is a lyrical reworking of "You Not Me." It was rather hard to ascertain this, though. Be forewarned; Blowin' Chunks is only for real fans of the band, or hardcore collector junkies. If you don't fall into either category, you may not enjoy this thing too much. But if you've been known to like these guys--ever--don't miss it, it's a right classic slab of aluminum that deserves the critical praise that's been heaped upon it thus far.
Track List:
Way Of The World * The Lights, The Sound, The Rhythm, The Noise * Shed No Tears * Love Canal * Ha Ha Ha * In Your Arms * Life Is Cheap * In Life My Friend * Get Away * Life * Sacrifice * If I Can't Be Drunk * Ice Cold Beer
© 2001 - Melanie Campbell