Manic Depressives "Silence On The Radio" single (Vinyl Solution 1980 / USA)

What better record to cope with my manic depression than the Manic Depressives single! Yes, this really is quite the punk rock masterpiece that no one seems to make it out to be and while it doesn't get weekly spins on my turntable, i'm always reminded why i think so when it does. Some would probably chalk this record up to being way too simple or kind of disposable, something i've read in various spots here and there while mentioning it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ok, i jest. It IS simple, but goddamn if it isn't the catchiest version of simple i've ever heard!


The MD's hail from the swampy gumbo known as New Orleans and like the other few locals from their area (ummmm, the Normals anyone?) they released a gem of a 45 and then just sort of faded away. A tragedy really, especially if they could have kept of the writing pace of these recordings. There's so much high end and treble on this record that you'd think it'd possibly ruin it, but it works and it just happens to make the drums and guitar tone sound mindblowing. The songs themselves are great, well written and all around are the kind that get stuck in your head, which for me is the true test of a great musical diddy. They keep it straight forward but add a nice batch of hooks, leads and the occasional solo over those trashy sounding drums that keep a great back beat and doesn't stray too far from the basics. If that wasn't enough for you, the vocalist, the back ups and all the harmonies in between just put it over the top. Did i mention that each song gets faster than the last? Great.


For the nerds keeping track, you might recognize the Vinyl Solution label from their later hardcore eps like Toxin III and Shell Shock, but surprisingly the MD's single is much easier to track down that either of those. I picked up mine at a local shop that happened to get a few stock copies in straight from the fella that ran the label, who i imagine is still holding a batch. For a record that had been released in 1980, the damn thing looked like it could have been put out yesterday. Certainly lived up to the term 'Mint' in a world where a term like that has lost all meaning. Not a single crease or tear and looked like the sleeve had never even held a record. Score. But to continue, even online i haven't seen this thing break 20 bucks which means if you don't have it, you should and there's really no excuse for you not to. I imagine this will increase in value more in the next couple years when they're harder to find and the cat's out of the bag on how great it is, but at least for the time being this is one of those few GREAT American punk records you can still find for cheap.

I should also mention that i have the sneaking suspicion that vocalist Mandeville Mike was also the singer in another great New Orleans group The Skinnies, who's 1978 'Kill The Beat' is more than worth looking into. Feel free to confirm or deny...