Description
Lemonheads – Hate Your Friends – Yellow Vinyl Record
Released in 1987 on Taang! Records, Hate Your Friends is the debut album by The Lemonheads, a band that would later become known for their blend of alternative rock, folk, and power pop. However, at this early stage, their sound was heavily rooted in punk rock and hardcore, with short, fast, and aggressive songs that reflected the raw energy of the Boston underground music scene. The album captures the band’s youthful angst, sarcastic humor, and rebellious attitude, marking the beginning of their evolution from DIY punk upstarts to mainstream alternative rock darlings.
At the time of Hate Your Friends, The Lemonheads’ lineup consisted of Evan Dando (guitar, vocals), Ben Deily (guitar, vocals), Jesse Peretz (bass), and Doug Trachten (drums). The band formed in 1986 while Dando and Deily were attending high school in Massachusetts, bonding over a mutual love for punk rock, garage rock, and melodic pop hooks. Unlike later Lemonheads albums, where Evan Dando became the primary songwriter and frontman, Hate Your Friends is a more democratic effort, with Deily taking on a significant songwriting role and lead vocal duties on several tracks. His influence, along with Dando’s, gives the album a dual personality, bouncing between sarcastic, bratty punk songs and moments of surprisingly melodic introspection.
The title of the album, Hate Your Friends, perfectly encapsulates its attitude. The lyrics are filled with themes of frustration, broken friendships, and teenage alienation, often delivered with an ironic or humorous twist. Songs like “I Don’t Wanna” and “Sneakyville” embody the classic punk ethos of rejecting authority and societal expectations, driven by raw, fast-paced guitar work and shouted vocals. Meanwhile, tracks like “Second Chance” and “Don’t Tell Yourself” hint at the melodic sensibilities and emotional depth that would later define The Lemonheads’ best-known work in the 1990s.
Musically, Hate Your Friends is a mix of garage punk, hardcore punk, and hints of power pop. The production is rough and unpolished, which adds to the album’s raw energy and authenticity. The guitar work is simple but effective, delivering buzzsaw riffs and fast-paced chord changes, while the rhythm section keeps everything tight and relentless. The band’s influences are evident throughout the album, drawing from early punk pioneers like The Ramones, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, and Descendents.
Despite its punk aggression, the album also reveals a playful, irreverent side. One of the most unexpected tracks is their chaotic, tongue-in-cheek cover of “Amazing Grace,” which transforms the traditional hymn into a sarcastic, punked-out mess. This kind of humor and willingness to not take themselves too seriously would remain a defining characteristic of The Lemonheads throughout their career.
One of the album’s strongest qualities is how it straddles the line between punk’s raw aggression and the melodic sensibilities of alternative rock. While the tempos are fast and the guitars are loud, there are moments where melodies shine through, foreshadowing The Lemonheads’ future transition into a more accessible, radio-friendly band.
Track Highlights
“I Don’t Wanna” – A short, fast, and bratty punk anthem, perfect for moshing and screaming along.
“394” – One of the most aggressive tracks on the album, showcasing their hardcore punk influences.
“Nothing True” – A song that hints at the band’s future melodic direction, blending punk energy with catchy hooks.
“Sneakyville” – One of the album’s strongest tracks, combining sarcasm, social commentary, and garage punk swagger.
“Don’t Tell Yourself” – A rare introspective moment, offering a glimpse of Evan Dando’s later songwriting style.
“Amazing Grace” – A hilariously chaotic punk take on the classic hymn, emphasizing the band’s irreverent sense of humor.
While Hate Your Friends didn’t gain much attention outside of punk circles at the time of its release, it has since become a cult favorite among fans of early alternative rock and punk. It’s a snapshot of The Lemonheads before they became indie rock darlings, showcasing their raw, unfiltered beginnings. Over the years, the album has been reissued with bonus tracks, including outtakes and demos from the same era.
For those who only know The Lemonheads from their ’90s alternative rock hits like “It’s a Shame About Ray” and “Into Your Arms,” Hate Your Friends might be a surprising listen. It lacks the polish and tunefulness of their later work, but it makes up for it with raw energy, humor, and pure punk spirit. The album is a great example of late-’80s underground punk, fitting alongside records from Dinosaur Jr., Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, and early Green Day.
While The Lemonheads would soon evolve into a more refined and melodic band, Hate Your Friends remains an essential document of their early years. It captures the energy, frustration, and rebelliousness of youth, delivered with a blend of punk snarl and self-deprecating humor. For fans of raw, fast-paced punk with a touch of melody, this album is a must-listen.
Record Store Day 2021.
Limited to 1000.
Yellow vinyl
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic seal
Track Listing
Glad I Don’t Know
I Like To
Rabbit
I Don’t Wanna
394
Nothing True
Second Chance
Sneakyville
Amazing Grace
Belt
Hate Your Friends
Don’t Tell Yourself
UHHH
Fed Up
Rat Velvet
Fucked Up
Ever
Sad Girl
Buried Alive
Gotta Stop
