This DC punk band (1980-83) retrospective exhumes their best tunes smouldering from the ashes of locals The Penetrators, and inspired by The Ramones/Sex Pistols golden years.

16 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Punk, ROCK: Hard Rock



Details:
Washington DC 1978-83

In the spring of 1978 the Penetrators (guitarists George Dively and Scott Logan, drummer Tommy Carr and Mike Crosson on bass) exploded on the DC scene and - along with a handful of other young, raw bands - were determined to drive a stake into the heart of the stumbling, make-believe Disco era. What sign were you, baby?

In 2 brief years the Penetrators helped put DC on the global punk map (opening for bands like The Cramps and Stooges guitarist Ronnie Ashton's Destroy All Monsters) and before anyone caught up with them, disintegrated. Fortunately, their part in the burgeoning music scene was noticed: kilt-clad future Dischord Records' co-founder Ian MacKaye (FUGAZI) witnessed the on-stage implosion and took home part of a smashed guitar, a souvenir of their final night...

In the fall of 1980, along with brothers Matt and Mark McMullen, Dively formed The New Standard. The combination was musically exhilarating and destroyed any preconceived ideas that one might have for the phrase "power trio." Matt (drums and vocals), Mark (bass and vocals) and George (guitar and vocals) gigged every local club in the metropolitan Washington area, as well as CBGB and others in NYC, blasting their brand of pop/punk songs to anyone who would listen. The New Standard did shows with Black Market Baby, Iron Cross, Scream, Tru Fax & the Insaniacs, Slickee Boys, the Insect Surfers, Tiny Desk Unit, and most of the alternative, wave and punk bands of the day. And they were well served by their songwriting's unique blend of "bent" poetry and non-commercial ballads.

In 1981, they released a 7-inch 45 single that was distributed through area music stores and played on regional commercial and college radio stations like WHFS, WGTB and DC101's local music show. Press interviews, articles, reviews and billings appeared in fanzines such as NY Rocker, NME, Unicorn Times, Washington City Paper, DIY as well as mainstream media like The Washington Post and the book Discography of the New Wave [1982 Edition].

Playing for fans who enjoyed their stark, intense style (and avoiding the punk-band-cleans-up-and-becomes-mainstream trend of the early to mid 1980s) they played under assumed names at places like (9:30 Club's predecessor) The Atlantis at 9:30 F Street in Washington and others. It became an inside joke with the band to "re-invent" themselves weekly - in name at least. But in December 1983 they released an LP under their new name Mapping The World. Although the album can be seen as a radical departure in some ways, many of the songs dated from the 1978-80 formative era and any newer tunes were carved out of real-life experiences since that time, becoming something of a personal diary - open to all.

The New Standard churned through 3 years of music-making at the beginning of a new era, the effects of which are still felt today. This CD retrospective exhumes their best tunes inspired from the ashes of The Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Generation X epoch. Solidly rooted in 60's and 70's rock, they rip through 11 original cuts from their beginnings, PLUS five bonus tracks from an unreleased EP recorded in 1982. Experience this collection from one of Washington, DC's most obscure punk bands. It'll blow your wig hat off!

“Wow, this CD brought back some great memories!” Ian MacKaye, FUGAZI

“Totally crankin’!” Pete Stahl, SCREAM