Murphy's Law (Murphy's Law album)
Encyclopedia
Murphy's Law is the second album from American
Rock
band, Murphy's Law
.
It was released in 1986 on Profile Records
which was attempting to broaden its horizons from the rap genre it was generally known for at that time.
It follows the band's debut, Bong Blast in 1983, and was re-issued by Another Planet records in 1994 with Back With A Bong
on the same disc.
movement in the early 1980s – but there was something inherently different about their sound.
They did have the hallmarks of their peers – fast paced, short songs with mosh
sections which pleased the crowds – but they also managed to blend in some laid-back Californian punk sounds, mutant rock and roll, even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems.
Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal
scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax
and S.O.D., whose Speak English or Die
album pre-empted this release.
However, whilst they shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of Boston
hardcore band, Gang Green
– another trait which separates them from the socio-political leanings of fellow NYHC bands – they were never going to go down the metal road, although on later albums they did diversify into experimentations with ska
.
This album spawned a few live favourites which were devised to "get the party going" – "Fun", "Beer", and "Care Bear" being just a small selection – but it also had a track which caused some controversy with "Skinhead Rebel". It was seen by some sectors of the community as a fascist infused song, but those in the know in the genre knew it was a reference only to the "crew-cut" hairstyle and attitude adopted by followers of the hardcore scene and there was nothing sinister behind it.
Highlights on this album include the self-titled opener, "Care Bears" and the Iggy Pop
cover version
, "I Got A Right".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law (band)
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox, Danzig, The Bouncing Souls, Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Hanoi...
.
It was released in 1986 on Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
which was attempting to broaden its horizons from the rap genre it was generally known for at that time.
It follows the band's debut, Bong Blast in 1983, and was re-issued by Another Planet records in 1994 with Back With A Bong
Back With A Bong
Back With A Bong is the third album from New York hardcore punk band, Murphy's Law.It was released in 1989 on Profile Records and subsequently re-released on Another Planet Records in 1994 with the previous self-titled album on the same disc....
on the same disc.
Overview
Murphy's Law were at the forefront of the New York hardcoreNew York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
movement in the early 1980s – but there was something inherently different about their sound.
They did have the hallmarks of their peers – fast paced, short songs with mosh
Mosh
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
sections which pleased the crowds – but they also managed to blend in some laid-back Californian punk sounds, mutant rock and roll, even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems.
Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and S.O.D., whose Speak English or Die
Speak English or Die
Speak English or Die is the first studio album by the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death .After Anthrax finished recording Spreading the Disease, there was still some studio time left, so Scott Ian and Charlie Benante called some friends, practiced some songs, and recorded it all within...
album pre-empted this release.
However, whilst they shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of 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 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...
– another trait which separates them from the socio-political leanings of fellow NYHC bands – they were never going to go down the metal road, although on later albums they did diversify into experimentations with ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
.
This album spawned a few live favourites which were devised to "get the party going" – "Fun", "Beer", and "Care Bear" being just a small selection – but it also had a track which caused some controversy with "Skinhead Rebel". It was seen by some sectors of the community as a fascist infused song, but those in the know in the genre knew it was a reference only to the "crew-cut" hairstyle and attitude adopted by followers of the hardcore scene and there was nothing sinister behind it.
Highlights on this album include the self-titled opener, "Care Bears" and the Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
, "I Got A Right".
Track listing
- All songs written by Murphy's Law, unless stated
- "Murphy's Law" – 1:48
- "California Pipeline" – 1:33
- "Sit Home And Rot" – 1:35
- "Fun" – 2:06
- "Beer" – 1:55
- "Wahoo Day" – 0:32
- "Crucial Bar-B-Q" – 2:30
- "A Day In The Life" – 1:50
- "Care Bear" – 2:56
- "Ilsa" – 2:38
- "Skinhead Rebel" – 1:16
- "I Got A Right" (Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
) – 2:36
Credits
- Jimmy "Gestapo" DrescherJimmy GestapoJames Drescher, better known as Jimmy G or Jimmy Gestapo and also known as Jimmy Spliff, is the lead singer for New York based hardcore punk band Murphy's Law....
– vocals - Alex Morris – guitar
- Petey Hines – drums, backing vocals
- Pete Martinez – bass
- Recorded July, 1986 at Sound Ideas and Evergreen Studios, New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, USA - Produced and engineered by Robert Musso for Action Entertainment Group, Inc
- Assistant engineered by Dary S
- Mixed at 39th Street Studios and Quadrasonic, 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 - Cover illustration by Alex Morris
- 1994 re-issue remastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music