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Hello, and thanks for reading. I mentioned previously I would write about a killer reissue next time I wrote, but I spoke too soon. This week I am writing about THE COMES, specifically this recent live 12” Ballroom of the Living Dead. I assumed pretty much everyone reading this knows THE COMES. If you haven’t ever really listened to them, then you should stop reading this right now and listen to their 1983 debut No Side. This album is excellent. I don’t think excellent is a strong enough word, but I think it is safe to say a copy belongs in every single collection. If you like this record and don’t own it for some odd reason, you can pick up this nicely done reissue we have in stock. I think a big reason this LP stands out so much is cos it came out pretty early on for Japanese hardcore. Some of the most popular Japanese bands like THE STALIN, GAUZE, or GISM (whose debut was also on the same label as THE COMES) were also active 1982, but most of my favorites like ZOUO, CONFUSE, THE SEXUAL, HEADLESS, ANTI-SEPTIC, etc did not exist until the years that followed. Aside from existing early on the hardcore timeline of Japan, the vocalist of THE COMES was a woman. I guess a part of me feels silly to point this out, but I think it is significant for the time and place. I’m not super well read on Japanese hardcore, but I know a bit of this and that. When trying to think of 80s bands with women, almost none come to my mind. NURSE would be an obvious one. That band it was all women. Holy shit, we have this in stock too, very sick. NURSE’s debut was also in 1983, actually. It is definitely a cool release, but it certainly does not rip like No Side. GAS is another one that comes to mind. Their 1982 flexi No More Hiroshima is so good. Insanely good. Damn, I never really thought about how early this record it is, and how DISCHARGE the sound is. That’s probably why the flexi sells for like $2k, haha. Oh yeah, but important note; their first flexi doesn’t have the line-up with a woman in it; it is the following one where she takes over vocals. Oh yes, there is also OUTO SYOJODAN. This shit is pretty cool. It also seems pretty obscure. It’s later 80s and the band is all women. My boy Rich showed it to me. (What up Rich!!!) Too bad this rip kinda sounds like shit with a low rumble like the entire time. Maybe Rich could hook me up with a better one, hehe. Okay, I think that’s all that is really coming to mind right now for women in 80s Japanese bands. I’m probably forgetting one or possibly two I might know. Anyway, THE COMES’ sound is super original to me. The songs (on No Side) are a nice mix between hardcore rippers and very slightly pulled-back catchy ones. When I really think about what they sound like, it kind of reminds of THE STALIN around Stop Jap, but more hardcore sounding. I have never once thought this before, but I think I hear some elements of USHC in there too. Am I crazy? Maybe I am just high. I think what really elevates their sound is the vocalist. I’m not sure what she does, but it sounds so unique and pissed off at the same time, it’s too good. They follow No Side in 1986 with Power Never Die. I think this record is sick, but if you compare it to No Side, you are going to be disappointed. The vocal style and song writing are completely different, but it’s still a great record. On this LP, it is the original vocalist and drummer alongside a new bassist and guitarist. I wonder why it’s never been reissued. Does the band think it sucks? (Like that KALASHNIKOV 12" that will probably never be reissued, haha).
Alright, I need to start talking about the live LP. It’s sold out, that sucks. I still wanted to write about it, though. This thing was pretty expensive at $40. I mean a higher retail price is always to be expected when dealing with Japanese imports. However, often Japanese releases are some of the nicest ones. The first thing I noticed was the badass tip-on sleeve. Hell yes. Isn’t there like one place in the world that makes these still? Inside, the thick ass jacket is a very nice booklet that’s printed in full color. Oh man... I’m not sure where to start with this. They give you a timeline of every show THE COMES played in their existence. I had no idea they were playing so many gigs in 1982! But I guess duh that makes sense. Bands usually gig a fair amount before their first record comes out. It’s also pretty insane their first gig is with GISM, GAUZE, and EXECUTE! Wow. Honestly, tons of the bills you see on the flyers in the booklet are just nuts. Alongside the flyers and timeline, this thing is loaded up with photos. I read Tom from General Speech said that a lot of these photos are unreleased. There is a lengthy interview with the bassist and drummer included as well. The band started with childhood friends, and slowly they grew from playing rock like QUEEN or KISS to shit like DISORDER, DEAD KENNEDYS, and DISCHARGE. I could be mistaken but I think they said the vocalist was super into glam shit and SOUXIE AND THE BANSHEES, but they were all exposed to hardcore punk via one member traveling to London. I could have totally misread that though, but they definitely mentioned London and punk, haha. Maybe they just meant punk fashion? They talk about the history of the band more or less, but I’m not sure why they broke up. They may have covered it and I just missed it. I got all this info from using a shitty translator, haha, better than nothing though. Yeah, the interview is in Japanese only. Going back to Tom from General Speech, he did a great job describing what kind of live audio we get here. “Well done archival live audio document...A side captures the band early in 1982 with a 17 song live set with several rare and unreleased tracks from before the No Side era. The B Side captures the band a year later and a bit more mature, but still early era and sound. The audio on both sides is above average quality audience recordings, not soundboard quality, and for those keeping close tabs, these are different, and in my opinion better live sets than the ones documented on the reissue live CDs 10-15 years ago.” Given that this isn’t studio sound, if you aren’t that familiar with THE COMES then I would definitely suggest checking out No Side first. But if you think THE COMES rip, then you are gunna be stoked about these tracks! They aren’t soundboard, but man they hit the spot for me. Their live performance fuckin’ rips. It sounds like they don’t stop once the entire set. Damn. Three of these songs have actually already been released on the Outsider compilation, I think. I think the sound is maybe a bit better than what you hear on that compilation. Side 2 has a handful of the same songs as side 1, which I think all appear on No Side, but the band’s playing is noticeably different. They seem tighter yet groove more. It’s cool to hear the evolution in sound, and especially the unreleased tracks from side 1. Overall, I think this is a great release. I am really loving the booklets labels have been going all out with. Yeah, sucks if you missed out, I’m sorry. I have no idea if we will be able to get more. I hope they will repress it! Alright it’s getting late I should go. Thanks for reading and thanks to everyone for your support!