Description

Various Artists – Vancouver Complication

Released: 1979 | Pinned Records | PIN 7933001 | Original Canadian Pressing | LP

Vancouver Complication is a landmark document of the late-1970s Vancouver punk and new wave scene, bringing together a remarkable collection of bands from Vancouver and nearby British Columbia. Originally released in 1979 on the independent Pinned Records label, the compilation captures the raw, energetic and often experimental character of the city’s emerging underground music scene.

Featuring early recordings from D.O.A., Subhumans, Pointed Sticks, The Dishrags, U-J3RK5, Active Dog, Exxotone and others, the album ranges from primitive hardcore and punk to quirky new wave and art-rock influences. For several of the participating bands, these recordings represented their first or only studio appearances, giving the album particular historical importance.

Among the highlights are D.O.A.’s Kill, Kill, This Is Pop, Subhumans’ Death to the Sickoids, The Dishrags’ I Don’t Love You, U-J3RK5’s U-J3RK5 Work for Police and Pointed Sticks’ The Marching Song. The album remains an important snapshot of Canadian independent music at the point when Vancouver’s punk scene was beginning to establish an identity of its own.

Track Listing

Side 1

1. Pointed Sticks – The Marching Song
2. Exxotone – Big Shot
3. D.O.A. – Kill, Kill, This Is Pop
4. Active Dog – Fun While It Lasts
5. Wasted Lives – Wirehead
6. Subhumans – Death to the Sickoids
7. U-J3RK5 – U-J3RK5 Work for Police
8. Private School – Rock & Roll Radio
9. No Fun – Mindless Aggression
10. The Dishrags – I Don’t Love You

Side 2

1. Biz – Pork You
2. Exxotone – Sideways
3. The K-Tels – I Hate Music
4. Active Dog – Nothing Holding You
5. Subhumans – Urban Guerilla
6. The Shades – New Clientèle
7. Tim Ray and AV – Quarter to Eight
8. U-J3RK5 – Naum Gabo
9. D.O.A. – I Hate You
10. No Fun – Old
11. [e?] – [e?]925

A highly collectable piece of Canadian punk history and an essential snapshot of Vancouver’s original underground scene.