Older... Budweiser
Encyclopedia
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
. It was the last full album of new material to emerge from the band until 1997's EP, Back & Gacked
, but was followed by a live album, Can't LIVE Without It
in 1990.
After the album was released, bass player Joe Gittleman was sacked and replaced by D.R.I.'s
Josh Pappe in time to tour.
It was the first time the band had recorded outside of their Boston, Massachusetts hometown as well. Rhode Island
was the new setting, with Tom Soares replacing Daniel Rey at the mixing and production table.
saw a marked change in sound for the band, although it had the same members as had performed previously.
Songwriting was no longer a solo effort on the part of Doherty with a few token collaborations. Nearly every track was written in partnership with another member – even Joe Gittleman was the sole writer of two tracks; this may be contributing to his urge to form a new band which he was free to do after this release.
The lyrics changed from fun, beer-drinking, womanizing anthems to more socio-political themes – except "Bedroom of Doom" which reverted to form, albeit momentarily. "We Can Go" was an acknowledgement that they knew they had disappointed some fans by "selling out" or "going metal" – but it contained the message that no matter what the genre, they could still enjoy a punk or metal show as it was the music – not the dress code or hair length – which counted.
"Church of Fun" was a stab at the widespread prominence of evangelism – it was almost obligatory for bands, whether metal or punk, to write a song on this subject.
Musically, the up-beat funtime catchy melody had dissipated somewhat, making way for a more darker mood which only returns on "Bedroom of Doom" only to give way to full on thrash metal
on "Casio Jungle" – an attack on electronica music. The songs are slower, which means they are not played as fast as they can possibly go with this band.
There is even a song featuring an orchestra – "Ballad" – which although was tongue-in-cheek was still a departure in genre even for that time.
Overall, the album appeased the hardcore punk
fans with its "local" Boston Hardcore-style sound. It also still bore a certain amount of metallic attributes to keep the thrash fans happy – even they could not deny the message in "We Can Go" – and above all, proved the band had more than one dimension lyrically – this obviously being the point, according to the album's punworthy title.
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 1989, a year after the EP, I81B4U
I81B4U
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....
. It was the last full album of new material to emerge from the band until 1997's EP, Back & Gacked
Back & Gacked
Back & Gacked was an EP released by Boston, Massachusetts hardcore punk band, Gang Green. It was released on May 6, 1997 on Taang Records....
, but was followed by a live album, Can't LIVE Without It
Can't LIVE Without It
Can't LIVE Without It was the only live album release from Boston, Massachusetts hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green.It was recorded at The Marquee Club in London, UK on February 25, 1990 and was released by Roadrunner Records later that year....
in 1990.
After the album was released, bass player Joe Gittleman was sacked and replaced by D.R.I.'s
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles is a thrash metal/crossover thrash band from the United States that formed in Houston, in 1982. The band currently comprises founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Rob Rampy and bassist Harald Oimoen.D.R.I...
Josh Pappe in time to tour.
It was the first time the band had recorded outside of their Boston, Massachusetts hometown as well. Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
was the new setting, with Tom Soares replacing Daniel Rey at the mixing and production table.
Overview
A change of scenery, to Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
saw a marked change in sound for the band, although it had the same members as had performed previously.
Songwriting was no longer a solo effort on the part of Doherty with a few token collaborations. Nearly every track was written in partnership with another member – even Joe Gittleman was the sole writer of two tracks; this may be contributing to his urge to form a new band which he was free to do after this release.
The lyrics changed from fun, beer-drinking, womanizing anthems to more socio-political themes – except "Bedroom of Doom" which reverted to form, albeit momentarily. "We Can Go" was an acknowledgement that they knew they had disappointed some fans by "selling out" or "going metal" – but it contained the message that no matter what the genre, they could still enjoy a punk or metal show as it was the music – not the dress code or hair length – which counted.
"Church of Fun" was a stab at the widespread prominence of evangelism – it was almost obligatory for bands, whether metal or punk, to write a song on this subject.
Musically, the up-beat funtime catchy melody had dissipated somewhat, making way for a more darker mood which only returns on "Bedroom of Doom" only to give way to full on 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...
on "Casio Jungle" – an attack on electronica music. The songs are slower, which means they are not played as fast as they can possibly go with this band.
There is even a song featuring an orchestra – "Ballad" – which although was tongue-in-cheek was still a departure in genre even for that time.
Overall, the album appeased 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 with its "local" Boston Hardcore-style sound. It also still bore a certain amount of metallic attributes to keep the thrash fans happy – even they could not deny the message in "We Can Go" – and above all, proved the band had more than one dimension lyrically – this obviously being the point, according to the album's punworthy title.
Track listing
- "Church of Fun" (Chris Doherty, Brian Betzger) – 3:10
- "Just One Bullet" (Doherty, Betzger) – 3:00
- "We Can Go" (Joe Gittleman, Doherty) – 2:19
- "Tear Down The Walls" (Fritz Ericson, Doherty) – 3:11
- "Flight 911" (Doherty) – 3:57
- "Bedroom Of Doom" (Doherty, Ericson) – 4:16
- "Casio Jungle" (Doherty, Betzger) – 2:22
- "Why Should You" (Gittleman) – 3:44
- "I'm Still Young" (Gang GreenGang GreenGang 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...
) – 2:37 - "Ballad" (Ericson, Doherty) – 2:29
Credits
- Chris Doherty – vocals, guitar
- Fritz Ericson – guitar
- Joe Gittleman – bass
- Brian Betzger – drums
- Rich Spillberg of Wargasm – additional musician
- Ralph Petrarcha – additional musician
- Orchestra on "Ballad":
- Guido Antipastianio – cello
- Carmine Pelegrino – piano
- Stephanie Liebowitz – harp
- Antony Rizelli – violin 1
- Herbert Boletti – violin 2
- Vinny Scalisi – trumpet
- Tommy Stromboli – trombone
- Louie Bianelli – tuba
- Recorded and mixed in 1989 at Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode IslandWarren, Rhode IslandWarren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,611 at the 2010 census.-History:Warren was the site of the Indian village of Sowams on the peninsula called Pokanoket , and was first explored by Europeans in 1621, by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins...
, U.S. - Produced and engineered by Tom Soares
- Assistant engineered by Jamie Locke