Race Against Time - The Complete Clay Recordings
Being a fan of old-school punk, not the glossed over and refined pseudo-punk we are served these days, but authentic punk which invaded our ears back in the late seventies and early to mid eighties, I was pleased to see the release of Race Against Time, a box set capturing the compete recordings of G.B.H on the Clay recording label.. Race Against Time is a three CD set, one of which is a 14 track live CD, titled No Survivors. Overall, this collection contains 64 songs, and fully delivers more than enough bang for the buck.
The raw energy of G.B.H is ever so present, especially on the live disk. They belt through "Sick Boy", "Maniac", and a few others up to one my favorites, "Hellhole", which is played in perfection. The bass on "Generals", is the equivalent of aural Red Bull. I can feel my heart trying to keep up, when this song starts, and it leaves me with a more energy than before. Ending with "Bell End Bop", the No Survivors portion of this set leaves the listener wanting more. I wish I could have witnessed this show in person. I know it would have rocked.
Now, on to the two remaining discs of studio tracks. Every song on the live CD also resides within the discs of studio recordings. My favorite studio track is "Drug Party in 526", a catchy tune I immediately sneak a quick listen to before I listen to the whole CD. This song leads nicely into "See the Man Run", another power song. "Pins and Needles" may start out like a Rick Springfield song, but before you know it, the train jumps the track and takes you on a U-Turn.
If the Speed Channel ever needs to acquire a new theme song, I would recommend G.B.H.'s "High Octane Fuel". It lives up to its title. Meanwhile back in the ping pong pit, lurks this little ditty, "Skanga (Herby Weed)", which I like to pretend is being sung by Sweetums, that big blue hairy monster from the Muppets.
G.B.H, one of the oldest punk bands still together after nearly 30 years are still touring. Dates are scheduled in the US and Canada for August and September 2008.
