I81B4U
Encyclopedia
I81B4U was an oddly named EP
from Boston
hardcore punk
/ speed metal
band, Gang Green
. It was released in 1988, after the previous year's debut for Roadrunner Records
, You Got It
and before 1989's release, Older... Budweiser
.
The title is a reference to Van Halen
's album, OU812
released in the same year. I81B4U translates phonetically to "I Ate One Before You".
compounded the band's position comfortably occupying the ground between hardcore punk
and speed metal
– known as crossover thrash
in some circles, too.
Five short and fast songs featured the band's trademark melodic mutant rock and roll style, with "Bartender" and "Lost Chapter" emerging as the stand-out tracks in all their live sets since. Sing-along choruses and memorable riffs, coupled with capable guitar solos, kept both camps happy – but perhaps leaving the hardcore punk
fans of theirs wondering what was coming next.
Tracks 3 and 5 displayed the band's other hobbies – other than drinking Budweiser
– the love of loose women. The lyrics, including titles, were straight out of the AC/DC
sexual innuendo handbook.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
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...
/ speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
band, Gang Green
Gang Green
Gang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
. It was released in 1988, after the previous year's debut for Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
, You Got It
You Got It (album)
You Got It was the second full-length album from Boston, Massachusetts hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green.It was released in 1987, a year after their previous release, Another Wasted Night, in 1986...
and before 1989's release, Older... Budweiser
Older... Budweiser
Older... Budweiser was the third full-length album released by Boston, Massachusetts hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green.It was released in 1989, a year after the EP, I81B4U...
.
The title is a reference to Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
's album, OU812
OU812
OU812 is the 8th studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1988. The album title is allegedly a joke on Van Halen's previous lead singer David Lee Roth's 1986 album Eat 'Em and Smile . However, "OU812" was also seen in the 70s sitcom Taxi written on a wall...
released in the same year. I81B4U translates phonetically to "I Ate One Before You".
Overview
The release of this EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
compounded the band's position comfortably occupying the ground between 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...
and speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
– known as crossover thrash
Crossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
in some circles, too.
Five short and fast songs featured the band's trademark melodic mutant rock and roll style, with "Bartender" and "Lost Chapter" emerging as the stand-out tracks in all their live sets since. Sing-along choruses and memorable riffs, coupled with capable guitar solos, kept both camps happy – but perhaps leaving the 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...
fans of theirs wondering what was coming next.
Tracks 3 and 5 displayed the band's other hobbies – other than drinking Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
– the love of loose women. The lyrics, including titles, were straight out of the AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
sexual innuendo handbook.
Track listing
- All songs written by Chris Doherty, unless stated
- "Bartender" – 3:16
- "Lost Chapter" (Joe Gittleman, Doherty) – 2:59
- "Rent" – 2:07
- "Put Her On Top" – 3:42
- "Cum in U" – 3:02
Credits
- Chris Doherty – vocals, guitar
- Fritz Ericson – guitar
- Joe Gittleman – bass
- Brian Betzger – drums
- Recorded and mixed in 1988 at Newbury Sound, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Tracks 1, 2, and 4 produced by Daniel Rey
- Tracks 3 and 5 produced by Ross Humphrey
- Engineered by Drew Townson
- Mastered by Tom Coyne at Frankford/Wayne, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA - Illustrations by Joel Adams