Something I Learned Today

Punk Rock and Other Assorted Bullshit

Black Market Baby - Potential Suicide

October 21st, 2004 | Posted by: Eric | Category: 80's Hardcore, 80's Punk

Torn tonight between posting Scream and Black Market Baby. Guess BMB won.

Black Market Baby - Potential Suicide.mp3
I don’t know where to even start with BMB. I’m still amazed at how a band this good couldn’t break out from the pack, especially in DC. Of course they didn’t sound like traditional DC hardcore. A nice blend of driving, melodic punk, hardcore energy and a touch of ‘77 style britpunk. “Potential Suicide” is the A-side to their 1982 debut, and it is tough to top. Propelled by stun guitar and crash drumming, you can practicly feel the barely contained raw power of the song.

I think all of the BMB release are OOP. I’d love to see one release encompass the 7″s, 1983’s Senseless Offerings LP, and the never released second album. Years ago Bitzcore had released (or booted?) two albums (Baby on Board and Baby Takes), consisting of most of the material, but they were haphazard at best.

4 Comments so far

  1. Jim H October 22nd, 2004 4:11 am

    They did pretty well in DC — I remember them headlining shows at the old 930 — they played alot of shows with the Velvet Monkeys. Had a following, pretty much the older black-hair, black leather jacket types. The question might be mroe why didn’t they break out of DC - I dunno, but I’m guessing there wasn’t alot of motivation or drive.

  2. eric October 22nd, 2004 3:14 pm

    Jim… my question should read why weren’t the big outside of DC, I knew they had a loyal local following. YEars later I’m still intrigued why some great bands are relatively unknown, and mediocre ones are “world famous” for lack of a better term. You’re probably right about “drive”…

  3. Boyd Farrell February 15th, 2005 9:40 pm

    Thanks for the kind words..I was the singer for BMB..The drive was there for awhile , but personalities and that old cliche “Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll” all took their toll…There are discussions going on now with Dr. Strange records about a BMB compilation with everything on it, for a summer release..In the meantime, I have a band now with BMB member Mike Dolfi called “Rustbuckit”..Check out our MP3’s on {www.30underdc.com}

  4. John E Dugan October 16th, 2005 6:35 pm

    BMB were one of the first true punk bands that I fell for growing up in the DC area. I thought they were easily among the best of the era, although I never saw them live. I’d love to see a CD compilation come out and would gladly suggest some labels that would up to the task. Respect.

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