Description

Compilation – DIY Mass Ave The Boston Scene 1975-83 – Cassette

DIY Mass Ave: The Boston Scene (1975-83) is a compilation album that encapsulates a vibrant and influential period in Boston’s music history, focusing on the punk and new wave scenes that flourished in the city from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. This compilation serves as both a historical document and a celebration of the DIY ethos that defined the music of this era.

The compilation features a variety of bands from Boston’s punk and new wave scenes, showcasing the diverse sounds that emerged from this fertile musical ground. During this period, Boston was a hotbed for punk rock, post-punk, and new wave, with bands known for their raw energy, innovative sounds, and independent spirit. The tracks selected for this compilation includes a mix of well-known hits from prominent bands as well as lesser-known gems from underground acts.

DIY Mass Ave features influential bands such as:

Nervous Eaters – Often considered precursors to punk and new wave, with their minimalist style and forthright lyrics.
Mission of Burma – Known for their complex song structures and pioneering use of feedback and tape loops in punk music.
The Neighborhoods – A band that won WBCN’s ‘Rock & Roll Rumble’ in 1979, exemplifying the vibrant local scene.
Human Sexual Response – Noted for their eclectic style and sexually frank lyrics, a hallmark of new wave’s broader artistic explorations.

Reception and Impact

Compilations like ‘DIY Mass Ave’ are critical for understanding the evolution of local music scenes and their impact on national and international levels. By collecting and curating these tracks, such albums highlight the innovative spirit of a particular time and place, offering listeners a snapshot of the creative explosion that was Boston’s music scene in these years.

These collections are often celebrated for their educational value and nostalgia, providing new listeners with an entry point into the music of the era and offering those who experienced it firsthand a chance to revisit the soundtrack of their youth.

The legacy of Boston’s music scene during this period is significant, with many bands going on to influence wider music trends or cult followings in later years. Compilations like ‘DIY Mass Ave’ help preserve this legacy, ensuring that the music and the spirit of the era continue to inspire and entertain future generations. They are invaluable resources for music historians, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the roots of punk and new wave music.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

Rhino records

Band Listing
Mission Of Burma
Lyres
Thrills
Atlantics
Del Fuegos
Outlets
Human Sexual Responses
The Neighborhoods
The Cars
La Peste
Unnatural Axe
Nervous Eaters
Real Kids
Willie Alexander