Jawbreaker: "Green Sea Foam" (1994)

To close out this week devoted to Berkeley, CA, I thought I would post this song by Jawbreaker. After hearing them on Ben Weasel's Punk USA comp, I really started to get into them. Vocalist Blake Schwarzenbach was a lyrical genius. Love the line "I tried to drink you off my mind, I just got wasted".

If you can't find Punk USA, this song is also on Jawbreaker's odds-and-ends compilation, Etc.

"Sea Green Foam"

Cringer: "Step Back" (1990)

Cringer came to the Berkeley area from Hawaii, after first making a pit stop in L.A. This song is from their 7" Karin -- a nice, solid four-song record full of pop-punking goodness. Cringer, of course, eventually morphed into one of my favorite bands, J Church.
"Step Back"

Raooul: "Summer Nights" (1993)

These teenagers were one of the many riot grrl acts that got overshadowed by Bikini Kill. But unlike Kathleen Hanna and crew, Raooul didn't overstay their welcome. In fact, they only put out two or three seven-inches. This song, a Grease cover, is from 1993's Fresh and Nubile. Great stuff -- six songs in nine minutes.
"Summer Nights"

NOFX: "East Bay" (1995)

Most of the Berkeley stuff this week is gonna be from Lookout Records, since they were the major label in the area in the '90s. But here's something that's Lookout-free: NOFX's live "East Bay", where they make fun of that whole scene. Interestingly, the studio version was called "El Lay" and mocked L.A.'s heavy metal in the '80s.
"East Bay"

Crimpshrine: "Summertime" (1991)

It took me forever to track down the CD for Duct Tape Soup. Well worth the wait, though. Every track on this 16-song is awesome! I love how each instrument -- guitar, bass, drums, vocals -- are given equal billing in the mixing; truly democratic. Of course, every song sounds the same, but in a good way where it gives this collection excellent cohesion.
"Summertime"