Murphy's Law (Murphy's Law album)

Murphy's Law
Studio album by Murphy's Law
Released	1986
Recorded	July, 1986 Sound Ideas and Evergreen Studios, New York City, U.S.
Genre	Hardcore Punk
Length	23:15
Label	Profile Records Another Planet 1994 reissue
Producer	Robert Musso
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Murphy's Law chronology
Bong Blast (1983) Murphy's Law (1986) Back With A Bong (1989)
Re-issue cover
1994 Another Planet re-issue – with Back With A Bong on same disc

Murphy's Law is the second album from American Rock band, Murphy's Law.

It was released in 1986 on Profile Records which was attempting to broaden its horizons from the rap genre it was generally known for at that time.

It follows the band's debut, Bong Blast in 1983, and was re-issued by Another Planet records in 1994 with Back With A Bong on the same disc.

Overview

Murphy's Law were at the forefront of the New York hardcore movement in the early 1980s – but there was something inherently different about their sound.

They did have the hallmarks of their peers – fast paced, short songs with mosh sections which pleased the crowds – but they also managed to blend in some laid-back Californian punk sounds, mutant rock and roll, even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems.

Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax and S.O.D., whose Speak English or Die album pre-empted this release.

However, whilst they shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of Boston hardcore band, Gang Green – another trait which separates them from the socio-political leanings of fellow NYHC bands – they were never going to go down the metal road, although on later albums they did diversify into experimentations with ska.

This album spawned a few live favourites which were devised to "get the party going" – "Fun", "Beer", and "Care Bear" being just a small selection – but it also had a track which caused some controversy with "Skinhead Rebel". It was seen by some sectors of the community as a fascist infused song, but those in the know in the genre knew it was a reference only to the "crew-cut" hairstyle and attitude adopted by followers of the hardcore scene and there was nothing sinister behind it.

Highlights on this album include the self-titled opener, "Care Bears" and the Iggy Pop cover version, "I Got A Right".

Track listing

• All songs written by Murphy's Law, unless stated

1. "Murphy's Law" – 1:48
2. "California Pipeline" – 1:33
3. "Sit Home And Rot" – 1:35
4. "Fun" – 2:06
5. "Beer" – 1:55
6. "Wahoo Day" – 0:32
7. "Crucial Bar-B-Q" – 2:30
8. "A Day In The Life" – 1:50
9. "Care Bear" – 2:56
10. "Ilsa" – 2:38
11. "Skinhead Rebel" – 1:16
12. "I Got A Right" (Iggy Pop) – 2:36

Credits

• Jimmy "Gestapo" Drescher – vocals
• Alex Morris – guitar
• Petey Hines – drums, backing vocals
• Pete Martinez – bass

• Recorded July, 1986 at Sound Ideas and Evergreen Studios, New York City, USA
• Produced and engineered by Robert Musso for Action Entertainment Group, Inc
• Assistant engineered by Dary S
• Mixed at 39th Street Studios and Quadrasonic, New York, USA
• Cover illustration by Alex Morris
• 1994 re-issue remastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music

External links

• Murphy's Law official website