McG's punk CD pick: Offenders - Wanted by Authority

Amsterdam's finest punk label, Kangaroo Records has recently issued "Wanted by Authority: 1981-1985," a 31-track CD compiling the work of Texas punk badasses, Offenders.

The band is most well-known for the track, "Face Down in the Dirt," which appeared on the legendary P.E.A.C.E./War compilation. This caustic cut is representative of the band's fury-filled venom. Offenders reigned in the Texas hardcore scene in the early '80s and displayed some of the most fierce bass playing, astonishingly fast drumming and complex punk rhythms of the day.

While this isn't the first CD to compile Offenders material (see Grand Theft Audio's "Died in Custody" CD), this CD does offer a more comprehensive overview of the band's studio output with both of their LPs and both 7"s including the misanthropic thrasher, "I Hate Myself."

Offenders - "I Hate Myself"

The highlight is the "Endless Stuggle" LP, their second full-length, because it's so well-recorded. This hardcore classic was way ahead of it's time and sounds like as if you mixed the Big Boys' most hardcore songs with the velocity and explosiveness of Black Flag. In short, the album fucking shreds in the same way that Suicidal Tendencies' debut does; even 20-plus years after the fact, it's still vital punk.

Offenders - "Face Down in the Dirt"
Offenders - "Endless Struggle"
Offenders - "Side by Side"

The band's first LP, "We Must Rebel," is comped here as well and while it's somewhat rough around the edges compared to "Endless Struggle," there are plenty of examples what made Offenders great: ripping fast bass lines, improbable thrash beats and insanely intense punk attitude all over the place.

Offenders - "We Must Rebel"

As great as this CD comp is, it's worth noting that the tracklisting is completely screwed up. While a fan like me was able to piece together the proper running order (the 1st LP, the second LP, the "I Hate Myself" 7"), there are several tracks that are most likely from the "Fight Back" 7", but it's difficult to make out which songs are which, as there is at least one unaccounted-for track.

Also, the liner notes and CD booklet design (with the requisite flyers and photos fare) are by Welly, who publishes the acclaimed zine, Artcore , which chronicles the history of many unsung U.S. hardcore bands, such as Offenders.