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The Rhythm Pigs were a punk band, originially from El Paso Texas later relocated to San Francisco. Their first 7" EP is a classic example of early hardcore, welding driving rock and roll with broad melodies and the varied tempos and hooks that were to disappear from the form until reintroduced by Green Day and the like. The first two studio albums showed more "big tent" punk, with varied musical styles ("Break or we'll break your face" would not seem out of place on Licensed to Ill) happily shoehorned into melodic punk songs. The first Rhythm Pigs record, "An American Activity" 7"The Rhythm Pigs were one of the most sophisticated and musically diverse hardcore bands, and remained so throught the 1980's as hardcore became more and more musically conservative. That the wistful and melodic power-balads of "El Paso" would not be considered punk by most adherants has as much to do with the shifting definition of punk as it does with the mellowing of the band's sound. Rhythm Pigs/Choke on This compiles the Pigs'first two albums for this amazing archival CD release. The first 13 songs come from the self-titled debut full of ambitious arrangements, including a post-punk cover of Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy" (the recognizable theme from numerous Peanuts television specials). The even more assured Choke on This follows the same blueprint, but a dynamic sound, tighter playing, and better songwriting results in a minor classic. The Rhythm Pigs have issues with censorship, nuclear carelessness, and American manifest destiny, common complaints all, but they tackle these serious issues with a down-to-earth maturity and humor that many of their contemporaries lacked. Check out the artist's website: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:9eom964o3ep5 Track List: 1. Conditional Love 2. Dr. Harley 3. Break New Ground 4. Human Drama 5. Six 6. Machines Are In 7. Peanuts 8. Break or We'll Break Your Face 9. Taxi Cab 10. Searchin' for Myself 11. Conscience Song 12. Electric World 13. Road Machine 14. Censorshit 15. Can't Change the World 16. Feedback 17. Elegy 18. Good for Life 19. Little Brother 20. Arkansas 21. Arkansas (Slight Return) 22. Choke on This 23. Marlboro Man 24. Too High 25. Bad Reactor 26. Hooligan Bitch 27. Fire 28. Thanks for Coming Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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