La Peste Better Off Dead

Reissue. For Fans of: Wire, Dead Boys, Zero Boys, Christian Death, Mission of Burma, Black FlagIn their brief but storied career, Boston's La Peste put out only one official record consisting of just two songs. First released in 1978, right between the golden age of East Coast punk and hardcore's takeover in the early 1980s, La Peste's "Better Off Dead" seven-inch was informed equally by raw 60s rock and roll and the dust-clearing first wave of punk in 75-76. Hugely influential to post-punk, new wave, and hardcore punk, this seminal single has a rightful place in the hands of any vinyl junkie with a taste for the harder underground offerings of the late 70s.The A-Side's needling intro bridges post punk and surf rock before crashing into a Damned-worthy power chord surge that never lets up or resolves. It's a perfect sonic balance of CBGB sleaze and proto-hardcore rebellion _ well suited to a tale of underage lust and parental disapproval. The B is a moodier, bass-driven cut that forges further out towards punk's fringe, merging Christian Death's goth menace to Gang of Four's righteous throb. "Better Off Dead" captures a regional darling coming into its own. It sounds at once intimidating and scared of its own strength.The limited run reissue offers the lost punk classic a chance to be found again, sounding as fresh as ever on vinyl, and presented with an attention to detail that pays tribute to the original artifact.