Left For Dead
1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s punk and hardcore reissues + previously unreleased tracks and mixes. Limited vinyl editions with liner notes and extras for collectors, budget cd’s and downloads for everyone else.
new releases:
out october 31!
Detention was one of the first and best bands of the ‘80s New Jersey hardcore punk explosion. Their wonderfully tasteless “Dead Rock ’n Rollers” single became the college radio cult classic of 1983. The song’s 97 seconds of primal Ramones-style speed-punk mocked the demise of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Keith Moon, Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, John Belushi, and John Bonham — who “played the drug game and couldn’t maintain.” They even foretold the drug-related heart attack of Jim Carroll, famous for “People Who Died,” screaming, “What are you waiting for? Do it!” Saving the best for last, “Dead Rock ’n Rollers” raised the obvious question: “Why couldn’t it be Barry Manilow?” —Steven Blush, author/filmmaker, 2024
“These guys are fucking great!” —Jello Biafra /1983
“Detention were a confrontational hardcore band from NJ with a sense of humor and a knack for writing cool songs about current topics. In the early ‘80s, I played the shit out of their music on my college radio show on Rutgers WRSU!” —Matt Pinfield, MTV
“I remember Detention opening for the Dead Kennedys at The Showplace in New Jersey. I was standing next to Jello Biafra watching Detention’s set when Jello looks over at me and says” these guys are fucking great.” It wasn't until years later that I got to hear the bulk of Detention’s recorded music including some of the songs that were never released and I have to agree with him, Detention were fucking great. “
—Dave Scott/Adenalin O.D., Author & Sneakerhead 4 Life!
out now!
Back in the 1970s, women in punk bands were far outnumbered by their male counterparts, and women who wrote punk songs were even more rare. Ramona Jan formed Comateens in 1978 with Nick Dembling. She wrote, played guitar and sang on the 2 songs included on this new, deluxe reissue, which includes liner notes by both Nick and Ramona. Nick sings lead on Danger Zone, Ramona on Elizabeth’s lover (which was recorded at the same time as Danger Zone, but not previously released). She left the band shortly after the release of the Comateens Danger Zone single to found the more New Wave-oriented Dizzy & The Romilars (think Waitresses, B-52s, etc.), who recorded and released their own version of Elizabeth’s Lover. In between, Ramona produced the much-loved and sought-after, “Drive My Car” EP by NastyFacts (Jimboco 1981/2022 Left For Dead reissue). If you like first wave punk, pop punk and alternative music made in a time when genres were still fluid and the rules had yet to be written, you’re going to love this record.
out now!
TMA’s 1983 debut LP reissued on hand-poured white & pink vinyl, sold separately from the box set at a great price! Only 100 numbered copies produced.
“What’s For Dinner? arrived after the addition of singer David Oldfield, which necessitated the adjustment of the initials to Too Many Assholes. But this is speedy, tense thrashcore with songs like “What’s For Dinner?”, the title track: “Mrs Paul’s fish sticks! Spaghetti and meatball Chef Boyardee! Greasy Tony’s trashcan steak!” If it hadn’t already been taken, they could’ve titled this one Young, Loud and Snotty.
… What’s For Dinner? was a fun, potent burst of hardcore that… still sounds pretty cool in the here-and-now. And now you can get TMA in a limited hand-poured edition. Which is also pretty fuckin’ cool.
—Tim Stegall, Ugly Things, 40th Anniversary Edition (Nov. 2023)
out now!
Limited edition (500), random-colored vinyl 7-inch EP. Includes 5 previously unreleased songs recorded around the same time as the band’s ‘What’s for Dinner?’ LP (plus 1 song that was only available as a bonus track on the original cassette) .
out now!
Includes both TMA LPs—What’s For Dinner? (Jimboco 1984) and Beach Party 2000 (Jimboco 1987)—remastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door and packaged in new art by Punk Magazine artist Bruce Carleton. 500 copies pressed in total: 100 Hand Poured Vinyl, 100 Splatter Vinyl, 200 Colored Vinyl (What’s for Dinner? on Pink, Beach Party on Green Marble) and 100 Black Vinyl. Each copy is numbered and includes inner sleeves + inserts with lyrics and liner notes by Rob O’Connor, Eric Gladstone & Matt Pinfield. The First pressing includes a bonus black vinyl copy of the Just Desserts EP.