(GI)
Encyclopedia
is the only studio album from American
punk band The Germs. The title stands for "Germs Incognito", an alternate name the band used to obtain bookings when their early reputation kept them out of Los Angeles-area clubs. Often cited as one of the first full-length hardcore punk
LPs, it was released in 1979 by Slash Records
in the United States as SR-103 and later in 1982 by EXPANDEDMUSIC in Italy as EX-11. After (GI)' s release, the band would only undertake one more recording session, for the soundtrack album to the Al Pacino
movie Cruising
. A year after (GI)s release, lead singer Darby Crash
committed suicide on December 7, 1980.
The entire album appears on compact disc
as part and parcel of Germs (MIA) - The Complete Anthology
.
, a longtime friend and heroine of many of the band members since her time in The Runaways
, was asked to produce the album. Lead singer Darby Crash
had originally wanted former Paul Revere & The Raiders
vocalist Mark Lindsay
to produce, but while Lindsay was willing to do the job, he turned out to be too expensive for Slash Records to afford. Jett's production was initially thought to be too thin when the album was finished and released, compared to the album Crash wanted Jett to emulate (the Sex Pistols
' Never Mind the Bollocks
).
Recorded fairly quickly and released in 1979, the album's clarity proceeded to encapsulate the Germs for California
audiences who had only seen the band thrash around onstage while an intoxicated Crash avoided singing into the mic as much as possible.
A lone outtake from the sessions, "Caught in My Eye", would later appear on the posthumous EP What We Do is Secret and on the Warner Bros.-distributed cassette reissue of (GI), at the end of side one.
The album's last track "Shut Down (Annihilation Man)" was recorded live in the studio, as opposed to a live recording with an audience. Recording live is a studio technique that is usually a single take with no overdubbing
and sometimes improvisation
, as heard toward the end of this track in particular. This was most likely done to emulate the way the Germs would play the lengthy song live, usually closing with it until they had to stop. The posthumous Cat's Clause release includes a live "Never Ending Version" which was pressed with a locked groove
making it "never ending" unless manually stopping the record.
except for when noted.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
punk band The Germs. The title stands for "Germs Incognito", an alternate name the band used to obtain bookings when their early reputation kept them out of Los Angeles-area clubs. Often cited as one of the first full-length hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
LPs, it was released in 1979 by Slash Records
Slash Records
Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album...
in the United States as SR-103 and later in 1982 by EXPANDEDMUSIC in Italy as EX-11. After (GI)
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
movie Cruising
Cruising (film)
Cruising is a 1980 film directed by William Friedkin and starring Al Pacino. The film is loosely based on the novel of the same name, by New York Times reporter Gerald Walker, about a serial killer targeting gay men, in particular those associated with the S&M scene.Poorly reviewed by critics,...
. A year after (GI)s release, lead singer Darby Crash
Darby Crash
Darby Crash was an American punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear , co-founded The Germs...
committed suicide on December 7, 1980.
The entire album appears on compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
as part and parcel of Germs (MIA) - The Complete Anthology
Germs (MIA) - The Complete Anthology
- Personnel :*Chris Ashford – Producer*Nickey Beat – Drums*Don Bolles – Drums*D.J. Bonebrake – Drums*Don Bonebrake – Drums*Pat Burnett – Engineer*Ed Colver – Photography*Darby Crash – Vocals*Chris D. – Remixing...
.
Production
Joan JettJoan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, a longtime friend and heroine of many of the band members since her time in The Runaways
The Runaways
The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among its best known songs: "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin", "California Paradise"...
, was asked to produce the album. Lead singer Darby Crash
Darby Crash
Darby Crash was an American punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear , co-founded The Germs...
had originally wanted former Paul Revere & The Raiders
Paul Revere & the Raiders
Paul Revere & the Raiders is an American rock band that saw considerable U.S. mainstream success in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s with hits such as "Kicks" , "Hungry" , "Him Or Me - What's It Gonna Be?" and the 1971 No...
vocalist Mark Lindsay
Mark Lindsay
Mark Lindsay is an American musician, best known as the singer for the group Paul Revere & the Raiders.-Biography:Lindsay was born in Eugene, Oregon and was the second of eight children...
to produce, but while Lindsay was willing to do the job, he turned out to be too expensive for Slash Records to afford. Jett's production was initially thought to be too thin when the album was finished and released, compared to the album Crash wanted Jett to emulate (the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
' Never Mind the Bollocks
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols is the only studio album by the highly influential and controversial English punk rock band The Sex Pistols...
).
Recorded fairly quickly and released in 1979, the album's clarity proceeded to encapsulate the Germs for California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
audiences who had only seen the band thrash around onstage while an intoxicated Crash avoided singing into the mic as much as possible.
A lone outtake from the sessions, "Caught in My Eye", would later appear on the posthumous EP What We Do is Secret and on the Warner Bros.-distributed cassette reissue of (GI), at the end of side one.
The album's last track "Shut Down (Annihilation Man)" was recorded live in the studio, as opposed to a live recording with an audience. Recording live is a studio technique that is usually a single take with no overdubbing
Overdubbing
Overdubbing is a technique used by recording studios to add a supplementary recorded sound to a previously recorded performance....
and sometimes improvisation
Musical improvisation
Musical improvisation is the creative activity of immediate musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous response to other musicians...
, as heard toward the end of this track in particular. This was most likely done to emulate the way the Germs would play the lengthy song live, usually closing with it until they had to stop. The posthumous Cat's Clause release includes a live "Never Ending Version" which was pressed with a locked groove
Unusual types of gramophone records
The overwhelming majority of records manufactured have been of certain sizes , playback speeds , and appearance...
making it "never ending" unless manually stopping the record.
Track listing
All tracks by Darby CrashDarby Crash
Darby Crash was an American punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear , co-founded The Germs...
except for when noted.
Musicians
- Darby CrashDarby CrashDarby Crash was an American punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear , co-founded The Germs...
– vocals - Pat SmearPat SmearPat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...
– guitars, backing vocals - Lorna Doom – bass, backing vocals
- Don Bolles – drums, backing vocals
- Donnie Rose – piano on "Shut Down" (credited only on some European editions)