Victoria’s pioneers of hyperactive speed-punk, critically acclaimed as one of the very first of their kind. As lead-up to our soon to be released “Three Teens Hellbent On Speed” discography LP, Supreme Echo presents this 25th anniversary reissue from the original John Golden stampers. Blistering fast, raw and wild Canadian hardcore insanity recorded 1982-83. 18 songs, including “Sleeve” which is the only recording to reappear on their upcoming LP, maintaining this EP as a rather unique collection. Housed in its original multi-panel fold-over cover which folds out into a 14” x 21” collage poster.
Our take: If you don’t know the Neos, here’s the quick version: they were from Victoria, British Columbia and they released two 7”s in the 80s: End All Discrimination and Hassibah Gets The Martian Brain Squeeze. They are both brilliant, singular records. One of the Neos’ claims to fame is that they were one of the fastest bands of the time, up there with bands like Siege and Deep Wound, and similarly influential on later genres like grindcore and power violence. This isn’t grind or power violence, though, just really, really fast hardcore. The tempos might be historically important, but when you listen to the Neos, you realize they’re not just a historical footnote… they’re one of the best bands hardcore has ever produced. The records that stick with me are ones that capture something unique, and the Neos’ precocious teenager vibe combined with the music’s blistering speed—which evokes a hyperactive child’s tantrum—was the kind of genius that it would be silly and fruitless to imitate. Anyway, Fight with Donald came out in 1995 and compiles rehearsal and live recordings. Neos’ two early 80s 7”s are not lacking in rawness, so I could see feeling like you don’t need this record, but I enjoy it every time I throw it on. And for those of you who only need the EPs, note this serves as a teaser for an official Neos discography LP coming later this year. Even if you think you don’t need Fight with Donald, you definitely need that.
Our take: If you don’t know the Neos, here’s the quick version: they were from Victoria, British Columbia and they released two 7”s in the 80s: End All Discrimination and Hassibah Gets The Martian Brain Squeeze. They are both brilliant, singular records. One of the Neos’ claims to fame is that they were one of the fastest bands of the time, up there with bands like Siege and Deep Wound, and similarly influential on later genres like grindcore and power violence. This isn’t grind or power violence, though, just really, really fast hardcore. The tempos might be historically important, but when you listen to the Neos, you realize they’re not just a historical footnote… they’re one of the best bands hardcore has ever produced. The records that stick with me are ones that capture something unique, and the Neos’ precocious teenager vibe combined with the music’s blistering speed—which evokes a hyperactive child’s tantrum—was the kind of genius that it would be silly and fruitless to imitate. Anyway, Fight with Donald came out in 1995 and compiles rehearsal and live recordings. Neos’ two early 80s 7”s are not lacking in rawness, so I could see feeling like you don’t need this record, but I enjoy it every time I throw it on. And for those of you who only need the EPs, note this serves as a teaser for an official Neos discography LP coming later this year. Even if you think you don’t need Fight with Donald, you definitely need that.