The Lewd – Complete Discography?

The Lewd were an early San Francisco band around from 1978 – 1982, although I believe they originated in Seattle. I have to admit I don’t know much about them.

This is a vinyl LP that I guess I bought sometime in the mid-90s that claims to be a complete discography although I’ve noticed there is an (unavailable) CD version which contains an extra eight or so tracks – which I must admit I find slightly irritating.

I was one of those vinyl purist collector types who refused to switch to CD for years, until I finally admitted defeat about 2001. It always bugged me when you used to see CDs with extra tracks. Although there were also a few pro-vinyl groups who would release LPs with bonus tracks.

Anyway, this Lewd collection is made up from the Kill Yourself 7″, American Wino LP and three compilation tracks.

The Lewd

01. Kill Yourself
02. Trash Can Baby
03. Pay Or Die
04. Mobile Home
05. Suburban Prodigy
06. M 17
07. American Wino
08. Justice/Liberty
09. I’m Not Pretty
10. Climate Of Fear
11. Magnetic Heart
12. Suburban Prodigy
13. Beyond Moderation
14. Polluted Brain
15. Fight
16. Mobile Home
17. Cold & Numb
18. Dressed In Black

‘Merry’ Christmas from the Murder City Devils

The Murder City Devils are one of my favourite groups of all time.

They were around from 1996 to 2001 and came from Seattle. They were on Sub Pop records but certainly didn’t have the typical grunge sort of sound. Instead they had a much more punk/garage/rock ‘n’ roll style to them and the inclusion of keyboards gave them an added uniqueness.

But what really made the Murder City Devils stand out in my mind were the lyrics and how on many of the songs they conjured up all these images of heartbreak, broken dreams, heavy drinking and loneliness.

As an example just take the track 364 Days from their last EP, Thelema. Only the Murder City Devils could take Father Christmas and imagine him as sad, lonely and drinking for the rest of the year when he isn’t wanted by anyone.

So as my Christmas post here are two Christmas related tracks by the Murder City Devils – the above mentioned 364 Days plus Hanoi Rocks cover Dead By Christmas, as well as eight demo tracks by the proto-Murder City Devils outfit, The Hookers, including a couple of tracks that would go on to appear as Murder City Devil’s songs.

Murder City Devils/ Hookers

01.Dead By Christmas 02.364 Days 03.What You Need 04.Officer 05.Crush 06.Broken Glass 07.Finger Tips 08.Fire 09.Devils Blue 10.Tell You Brother