Poison Idea | ‘Darby Crash Rides Again: The Early Years’

A new release from Poison Idea. A sentence like that turns my black jeans white.

Once described by Kevin Sharp as “scary big men playing brutally beyond their ability”, Poison Idea have been reduced to touring band status since the death of guitarist Pig Champion (lest we forget).

This collection of demos, outtakes and live tracks is a timely reminder of how this band, for a while, epitomised punk rock.

The first six tracks make up the Boner’s Kitchen demo, which has never seen the light of day until now. Under six minutes in length, it shows a band who have just picked up their instruments and playing rudimentary USHC. But the sheer power makes this stand above most other bands of that era (Middle Class for example).

The song ‘Poser’ is a particular stand out. With this, you feel the hate that Pig Champion and Dean Johnson have for the subject of the song. The only weak spot throughout the demo is Jerry A as his vocals sound like Charles Bukowski doing an impression of Darby Crash, with none of the menace and misanthropy evident later on.

‘Darby Crash Rides Again’, the legendary demo which was the beginning of the band’s iconic status in the underground, is up next. Although it has been rereleased a few times, this version has a little more punch to it, sonically speaking.

It’s also interesting to hear it straight after the Boner’s Kitchen demo. You immediately notice the difference in Jerry A’s vocals, which is less indebted to Darby: ‘Underage’ being a perfect example. Simply put, if you’ve never owned (or even heard) this demo, you know nothing about punk rock.

The live tracks are taken from a benefit for KBOO (a radio station in the band’s stamping ground of Portland, Oregon). By the sound of it, the band were on fire that night even if the audience differed (there is a smattering of applause here and there).

Some may consider the playing a bit sloppy, but they miss the point. Poison Idea were never about playing the game: they were degenerates who never gave a shit. Just the way it should be.

The last two tracks are outtakes (most have said ‘Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes’ but I believe it’s actually the ‘Pick Your King’ 7”). ‘Town Hall’ starts off with the intro from ‘Anarchy in the UK’ and goes into one of the most frantic, deranged tracks the band ever wrote. Listen to the bassline and Jerry A’s vocals.

Then there’s their demolition of ‘Motorhead’ which needs to be heard by everyone. At least once. And then you can have an argument about whether the best cover is this or the Cockney Rejects’ version.

Normally, I’d have just pointed you in the direction of ‘Pick Your King’ or ‘Ian MacKaye’ as demos are really just for saddos. But this might persuade the ones who bought ‘Feel the Darkness’ because Pantera and Machine Head covered tracks from it to delve further into the back catalogue of one of the great punk bands ever.

Now, I’m off to wash my jeans.

4/5 – Christopher Owens ::: 05/02/12