The next edition of Cool vs. Tite sets side-by-side two bands that are each legends of punk! No matter how you’re introduced to punk rock, its usually a given that you come across either the early, influential UK punks, Wire, or the aggression of DC straightedge hardcore from Minor Threat. A look at the song “1-2-X-U” shows how punk rock evolved and spread to be the expansive genre it is today.
Wire released their debut album, Pink Flag, in 1977 on Harvest Records. While the album never charted or saw major success, it quickly became one of the most influential albums of that era. Their sound was fresh, and combined passion with aesthetic, and the result is what would later be described as “post-punk.”
“1-2-X-U” comes up last on Pink Flag – track 21 – and is quite the highlight! It’s crunchy and catchy, energetic and political, all while leading you to want to shake your fist in the air and shout along.
got you in a corner,
got you in a corner,
got you in a corner,
got you in a cottage,
got you in a corner,
got you in a corner,
oh no no no!!
1-2-X-U!!!
After releasing a couple EPs and a demo in 1981, the next year Minor Threat recorded their take on “1-2-X-U” for a Dischord Records compilation called Flex Your Head. What you’ll hear is Ian MacKaye and company take the song, shorten it from 2 minutes to just over 60 seconds, and turn it into a full-on, in-your-face sonic assault. This version doesn’t hold back – and that’s a big part of how hardcore music evolved from the punk pioneers!
Taken side-by-side, it’s cool to see the state of punk rock can change in just five years! Hope this gets stuck in your head all day! 😉
(one of four covers to the Flex Your Head comp)