Lost & Found: Terminal Mind
Thirty-seven years after breakup, debut LP hits
By Kevin Curtin, 11:20AM, Mon. Jan. 8, 2018
The anthem on Terminal Mind’s sole release, a self-issued 7-inch stamped with the universal “no” symbol that routinely fetches more than $100 on eBay, spun a nihilistic punk declaration: “I Wanna Die Young.”
Instead, the short-lived Austin band (1978-81) has aged to a vintage in which there’s now demand for a long overdue retrospective. Friday, homegrown reissue specialists Sonic Surgery Records unveil the bluntly titled Recordings, a remastered collection of the band’s four-song EP, quality live cuts, and previously unheard demos.
Grayscale art-rock with punk desperation channeled through instrumental and songwriting legitimacy, the triad of bassist/vocalist Steve Marsh with twins Doug Murray and Greg Murray on guitar and drums, respectively (they later added synth player Jack Crow), remains an act locals still celebrate despite a short lifespan and being under-recorded. Historically, Terminal Mind’s music hasn’t been easy to come by – save for those who’ve nabbed copies of the rare EP or Live at Raul’s compilation – so Recordings is a worthy dive into a crucial and obscure sliver of the cap city catalog.
The melodic “Refugee,” from the original EP, demonstrates Marsh’s penchant for meaningful rock songwriting. The chorus spells it out:
“Refugee, that’s the way the real world treats you. Did you think such a person could exist? In a war, there are winners and there are losers. I’m in between.”
Before Recordings drops Jan. 19, give “Refugee” a spin here.
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March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024
Terminal Mind, Steve Marsh, Doug Murray, Greg Murray, Jack Crow, Sonic Surgery Records, Live at Raul’s