Customer Reviews

Negative Trend

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For anyone interested in good late-70s American punk, look no further than this. Many will find their way here because two members of Negative Trend were also in Flipper. There is a similarity in sound between the two bands, but it's just in the crunch of the music. There is an overall feel to this that sounds like punk, but owes more to the Stooges than other first-wavers.

"Mercenaries" starts things out rockin, with a very concise stab at the role that soldiers for hire play in African wars (even way back in the 70s). I think it's the EPs best track. "Meathouse" keeps the energy going with what sounds like a hyperactive take on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. "Black and Red" slows things down for one of the best rock n' roll despair dirges since The Stooges' "Dirt". In my opinion the set closes on the weakest number, "How Ya Feelin'". But in the end, an awesome disc. And I love the fact that it's engineered by a guy called Stu The Hippy.

As the other reviewer said, we have Henry Rollins to thank for this things existence. Go to his website. It's cheaper there

along with bands like Black Flag (pre-Rollins), and the Dead Kennedys, Negative Trend was also a respective contender in the late 70's era of the west coast US punk bands. thank Henry Rollins for resurrecting this long out of print e.p. and releasing it on his 2.13.61 label. Negative Trend only lasted for a few years, then in the early 80's, two of it's members would go on to form the now legendary band, Flipper. but you can listen to this snapshot in time to hear the raw, urgent punk fury of a truly under-rated band that came and went in the blink of an eye.

The title of my review says it all. This ep is a great peice of punk history and I actually prefer it to Shatter's later work with Flipper if you can believe it.

From my understanding, Negative Trend was one of the opening bands for the last ever Sex Pistols concert at San Francisco's Winterland in 1978. So, that in itself is cool enough reason to buy this. The thing that makes it better is that Negative Trend is the band that gave us Will Shatter and Steve DePace of Flipper. So this is what half of Flipper sounded like before they were in Flipper. Learn why they were chosen to open for the Pistols on that fateful night through this music. Know that this was one of the first volleys by us Americans in the realm of "punk rock." Short and sweet. An EP rather than an LP. Nevertheless, elements of the truth, later told by Flipper, are visible here. Buy it. Keep Will Shatter's name alive and in lights.