Naked Raygun existed from 1980-1991 and is perphaps the most revered of all Chicago punk bands to have come and gone in the 80's (maybe ever). I was only seven years old when they released Throb, Throb so I never got to experience their brand of blazing midwest punk firsthand, but listening to their records, it is evident why so many other Chicago punk musicians cite them as a major influence.
Influenced by such bands as Buzzcocks, Wire, and Stiff Little Fingers, Naked Raygun's hardcore punk rock didn't sacrifice pop accessibility. Their sound was fast, tight, agressive, and melodic and melded anthemic sing-a-longs into their political protests. When John Haggerty left to form Pegboy in 1990, the band lost their trademark buzzsaw guitar sound and called it quits a year later. Former singer Jeff Pezzati is now fronting The Bomb.
While most of their albums went out of print in the mid 90's, Quarterstick Records reissued the entire Naked Raygun catalog in 1999. This is classic Chicago punk rock.
MP3 | Naked Raygun - I Lie Basement Screams
MP3 | Naked Raygun - Rat Patrol Throb Throb
MP3 | Naked Raygun - Rat Patrol Throb Throb
2 Comments ↓
Great stuff. This was before my time in Chicago, but you're right when you say they're revered here today as giants of 80s punk.
Now I can hear their influence on J. Robbins. Thanks for posting this.
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