Astoria, Queens’ Kraut were arguably the first proper hardcore band to have a video played on MTV (a fact that armed their purist detractors at certain later points). I’d initially warmed to the band via the inclusion of “Last Chance” on ROIR’s New York Thrash compilation cassette, but upon seeing the endearingly crude, low-budget visuals for “All Twisted,” I immediately snapped up their debut LP, An Adjustment to Society and became a rabid fan of theirs.
I’ve written about them a few times here (notably here), but I’ll always defend Kraut. They may have gotten relegated to b-list antecedent status in the wake of their more well-known NYHC peers like the Cro-Mags, Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law et al, but I have nothing but fond memories of blasting both of the band’s LPs (including their more user-friendly Whetting the Scythe). I found a great blog post a little while ago penned by someone who’d chased down the sculpture of David brandishing the severed head of Goliath that appears on the cover of Whetting the Scythe, but I can’t for the life of me track it down now, alas.
In any case, imagine my joy upon discovering the clip below of a live Kraut show, filmed in Los Angeles circa 1985. Even if you’re not an especially huge fan of Kraut’s particular blend of hardcore, it’s an interesting glimpse back into the since-vanished golden age of the genre. Elder punks will enjoy the cameo by storied Sex Pistols guitarist and Kraut-comrade Steve Jones (he played a few parts of the Adjustment LP).
Turn the calendar back to 1985, put your boots back on and enjoy a bit of vintage hardcore punk, New York City style.
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