OFF! - OFF! (CD, Vinyl LP)

It's hard to not like OFF! even though a) they're on Vice b) they have a member of Burning Brides in the group (he's also their manager) and c) they are suspiciously popular for a straightforward hardcore band. I mean why these dudes and not someone else? Is there anyone else out there making kick-ass straight forward hardcore in this vein? Stoopid question - I know there is. I'd speculate that it's nostalgia based, after-all, there's a lot of old punks in the record industry nowadays and I'm sure Capper (Dead Wrong singer and editor/head honcho at Vice) is chuffed to have a childhood hero like Keith Morris on the label. I mean this guy is the shit!!! That's why they rule!!! Morris's vocals are classic and he's lost none of his spite and vitriol over the years (...though he's packing dreads now, which is odd). Can't listen to this without thinking of 'Group Sex' or the early Flag singles and the impact they've had on me. That shit is fucking awesome - simple as. OFF!'s debut is everything you'd expect it to be. 16 tunes in 16 minutes. It's not as fast as they make out but it's certainly short and to the point with tracks like 'King Kong Brigade', 'I've Got News For You' and 'Zero For Conduct' being some of the best they've produced so far. To an extent these guys are like a handbook or bible or summat - please follow these clear and concise instructions for quality results. It's still weird they play Pitchfork festivals though...what about the Vans tour!!! OH!