The Specials released their first single in July 1979 which is considered the spark that caused the ska-punk fire. Though they get credit with being the ones to make it more well known they were not the only ones to mix punk and new wave with ska and reggae. Aside from Arthur Kay having already released records with the 2 Tone sound before the Specials, The Slits, United Balls, and Plastic Bertrand were incorporating ska into their music as were many bands in the UK and throughout Europe.
But in the US there were a few bands playing reggae and those that were were not mixing it with punk or new wave. Not yet anyway. But in California in 1978 there was a band called The Offs.
They mixed their punk music with r&b, soul, reggae, dub, and even German experimental music.
They later moved from the West Coast to New York but continued going back frequently to play shows in San Francisco and L.A.
Here's just about everything they ever recorded before lead vocalist Don Vinil died in New York in 1983.
"624803 / Johnny Too Bad" 7"
"Zero Degrees / Everyone's a Bigot" 7"
"I've Got the Handle" alt. version from a 415 Records Compilation
"My World / You Fascinate Me" 7"
"The Offs First Record" (Their first, last, and only full length. The cover was designed by famed New York artist Basquiat and the original is for sale on eBay with more information about it. HERE'S the auction.
3 tracks from a live compilation called "Can You Hear me? - Music From the Deaf Club"
DOWNLOAD EVERYTHING ABOVE IN ONE FILE
Live at The Mubuhay Gardens Nov. 7, 1980
This live show is actually a compilation of 3 live shows:
There are 20 tracks. The song "624803" was recorded July 5, 1980 and the songs "100 Dollar Limosine", "Johnny Too Bad", and the 2 Lou Reed covers "Sweet Jane", and "Heroin" were recorded March 1, 1980.
DOWNLOAD LIVE ALBUM
The only thing missing is
"Why Boy? / Why Boy Dub" 7" on Epiphany Records
I was lucky enough to have seen them at the Mab and other places oh so way back when. Still have my copy of "Bigot" but lost the "1st Record". Can't thank you enough for putting this out for all of us oldsters who still carry the torch.
ReplyDelete- Andy Average
Big Thanx for this stuff. Oddly enough I still had the cover art for the Johnny Too Bad 45 but the disc is long lost. Great to find these Deaf Club tracks again too.
ReplyDeleteis there any way you can re-upload this? i recently bought the LP but can't find a working link to download to my ipod!
ReplyDeleteHey guys, after decades, the remaining (still alive) members of The Offs are getting back together again to play a few select shows. Original members include Billy Hawk, Bob Morgan and Johnny Genocide (No Alternative guitarist who played with The Offs when they first started.
ReplyDeleteIs there anyway to get a reup of this please? I've been searching the net for years trying to get their music and somehow I missed this first time around. I'm so bummed. slangeug@aol.com thank you
ReplyDeleteA video of everyone's a big is now on YouTube the offs live at the Deaf Club .. with many Infamous Personalities in the background dancing and watching
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