Description

Gang Green – Older Budweiser – Cassette

Gang Green’s Older… Budweiser is a seminal album in the hardcore punk scene, particularly within the skate punk subgenre. Released in 1989, this album continued the tradition of Gang Green’s high-energy, fast-paced style, characterized by humorous and often irreverent lyrics, with a focus on themes like partying and alcohol consumption.

Formed in Boston in the early 1980s, Gang Green was part of the first wave of hardcore punk bands in the United States. They quickly became known for their fast, intense music and party-centric lyrical content, distinguishing themselves from the more politically charged punk scene prevalent at the time.

The album Older… Budweiser plays off the name of the popular American beer brand Budweiser, showcasing Gang Green’s typical blend of humor and hardcore punk energy. It serves as a follow-up to their 1986 album ‘Another Wasted Night,’ and it continues the themes of alcohol-related antics and raucous behavior.

Older… Budweiser is marked by its thrashy guitar riffs, rapid drum beats, and shouted vocals, which are hallmarks of the hardcore punk genre. The album is aggressive yet catchy, with a strong melodic sense that makes it accessible despite its fast tempo and abrasive style. Key tracks include:

‘We Can Go’: A fast and furious opener that sets the tone for the entire album.
‘Just One Bullet’: This track exemplifies the band’s ability to mix hardcore punk with elements of speed and thrash metal.
‘Church of Fun’: Capturing the band’s party ethos, this song is indicative of their irreverent take on societal norms.

Upon its release, Older… Budweiser received mixed reviews from critics who often focused on its thematic content centered around partying, which could be seen as less serious or substantive compared to other hardcore punk bands dealing with political or social issues. However, the album holds a special place in the hearts of fans who appreciate its raw energy and the fun atmosphere it encapsulates.

The legacy of Older… Budweiser lies in its embodiment of the skate punk culture of the late ’80s and early ’90s, influencing later bands within the genre who sought to combine high-energy music with a carefree, rebellious attitude.

Gang Green’s ‘Older… Budweiser’ remains a cult classic within the punk community. It’s celebrated not just for its musicality but for its unabashed embrace of fun and hedonism, a reminder of the diversity within punk rock and its ability to capture the spirit of youthful rebellion in various forms. For those exploring the evolution of hardcore and skate punk, this album is a quintessential listen, offering insight into the less serious, yet vibrantly energetic side of the punk spectrum.

As the album name would suggest, Gang Green was not about to retreat from, or apologize for, the very pro-drinking stance that the Boston band had constantly taken over its long punk tenure, which had provided the group with the nickname ‘King of Bands.’ All the fast-paced odes to partying that fans might expect are present yet again on Older…(Budweiser), with one notable exception. The track ‘Ballad’ stands out with its orchestrated accompaniment of vocalist Chris Doherty’s lyrical brew-worship.

While the theme remains the same, Gang Green takes a musical leap into the great punk rock musical unknown by incorporating violins and other string instruments on the aptly titled cut. Of course, the intent is to only to deepen the irony (or at least that’s what most listeners will assume). Perhaps the bandmembers became aware of the extremely repetitious nature of their catalog. But, by dedicating their first musical foray beyond the realm of racket to drinking, they make an assertive philosophical comment that is not only made clear through their consistent lyrical images, but reinforced musically during the remaining 90 percent of their material: There is no such thing as too much of a good thing.

Emergo Records

Song List
Church Of Fun
Just One Bullet
We Can Go
Tear Down The Wall
Flight 911
Bedroom Of Doom
Casio Jungle
Why Shoud You
Im Still Young
Ballad