The Offenders
Anthology 1981-1985 (Just 4 Fun)In the era of Austin’s Woodshock and Raul’s, the Offenders dominated the local hardcore scene. Picking up with the arrival of second vocalist J.J. Jacobson, this anthology from Sweden’s Just 4 Fun details who, what, where, when, and why atop teenage riots like 1981 blitzkrieg tantrum “I Hate Myself” and “Fight Back,” an 83-second call to arms originally pressed for the 1983 regional compilation Cottage Cheese From the Lips of Death. Like Black Flag, the Offenders quickly evolved out of standard three-chord punk, with bloody Sabbath undertones, a relentless low-end rumble from late bassist Mikey Donaldson, and an uncanny technical sophistication that allowed the quartet to turn on a dime in standouts “When Push Comes to Shove” and “Bad Times.” The band’s Spot-produced second LP, 1985’s Endless Struggle, still holds its own against the SST Records canon, but its staggering here makes for an off-balanced listen. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” serves as the swan song, bruising the Supremes by way of Vanilla Fudge and foreshadowing Donaldson’s departure for Gary Floyd’s Sister Double Happiness.
This article appears in July 23 • 2010.