Die Kreuzen
 

Another one of the best punk acts out there (first album, at least), and not a thread. Their 1984 self titled album is one of my favorite punk albums ever released. It's 21 sick as sh*t hardcore tunes that rip through your face in a half hour.



With their next album, October File, they began moving further toward alt. rock/punk. Later albums incorporated shoegaze and stuff.



I like them, but the s/t holds a special place in my heart.

These guys blew the doors off some Seattle venue in the early '90's. If I sound vague about that, well...I drank back then. I've never heard any recording that measured up to that show

Saw them in Detroit with Laughing Hyenas in the early 90s.

Mr. Smeenus, very nice to see you here.

I saw Die Kreuzen in Michigan in 1986, I really like "October File"

I was too young - or, indeed, not born - when they were playing shows. But their first couple of releases were outstanding. Cows & Beer - **** yes.

Some of the best music that emerged from the hardcore punk thing in the US.

It seems to be a common sentiment, from what I've read, that their shows usurped the recordings. A blistering live band apparently. Oh well, I'll make do with the records.

I agree that this band is an essential component of US hardcore.
I got into them too late, myself, but I think they beat most of their contemporaries. Way too unknown/underrated. Please listen

I always wondered if his vocal approach was an influence on all those screamy sounding "extreme metal" bands, die kruezen did pre-date most of that stuff didn't they?

Not really. It all came about around the same time. Venom had been around since '79 and some proto-black metal groups were starting up in '82 but most of those groups didn't get into full swing until '84 (even then it was Celtic Frost, Bathory, and Mayhem. I wouldn't even say extreme metal had taken off off until '88 with like Old Funeral and stuff but my knowledge is biased towards Norway.)

I always fucking loved the vocals though. Too much hardcore just apes Black Flag or Bad Brains and this album stuck out like the sexiest of sore thumbs.

Vocals definitely were what drew me into this band