Something I Learned Today

Punk Rock and Other Assorted Bullshit

The Wipers

August 17th, 2005 | Posted by: Eric | Category: 70's Punk, 80's Punk


Given that they are one of my all-time favorites, it’s high time I got around to doing a proper post on The Wipers. Of course, other bloggers haven’t been as derelict in their duties. Check out StrangeReaction’s post for some songs and Vinyl Mine’s excellent writeup for some knowledge. I personally don’t have much to add to the discourse. Basically, when the subject of the Wipers comes up I’ll recite talking points on the following:

  • How Greg Sage is one of the true guitar heroes of the underground
  • How the first three albums are (Is This Real? , Youth of America, Over The Edge) are essential listening.
  • How there is no excuse to not own the 3 disc box set containing those three album that was released by Sage in 2002.
  • How Sage deserves props for managing to keep his material available in the face of all the record label bullshit he has endured.Sure, some of the later albums were sketchy, but I’ll let it slide based on the above and on the fact that even the weakest of albums (i.e. Silver Sail) managed to include a couple of diamonds in the rough. Below are a couple of compilation tracks and live tracks that I’ve always dug

    Wipers - Same Old Thing.mp3
    originally released on the 10/29/79 compilation on Sage’s Trap label. Reissued in 2002 on the History of Portland Punk Volume 1

    Wipers - The Story.mp3
    released in 1981 as part as of the Trap Sampler compilation

    Wipers - Nothing To Prove.mp3
    recorded live in 1982 but released in 1986 as part of Sub Pop 100 compilation.

    Wipers - Moon Rider.mp3
    Wipers - Tell Me.mp3
    recorded live in 1984, released as the Wipers Live. These songs were never included on any studio releases.

    Now visit Zeno Records and buy some stuff!

    • 11 Comments so far

    1. john y August 18th, 2005 10:30 am

      yet another great post.I know some of the people that ripped off Sage here in my home town in England,and what hippie c#nts they are…they had a record shop for years after their label folded,and they never bought or sold 7″s,one day i noticed they had a box of about 5o records in(Dickies banana splits on the top),i ask if i can take a look at them and “malcolm”just gives me a coked up look and says no he cant be bothered to reach over the whole 3ft to get them-now hes in huge debt and he no longer has his stinky shop.

    2. jon August 18th, 2005 12:00 pm

      Great band, great post! Have you heard Mission of Burma’s cover of “Youth of America”? You can get it on iTunes. MoB did a great job on a Wipers classic.

    3. ben August 18th, 2005 1:34 pm

      The Wipers are in my top 5..always have been. Check out some of the live shows that Sage sells on his site…can’t lose @ $8 for a CD-R.
      I still like Land of the Lost just as much as the first 3 and Is this Real. Also, Follow Blind. Considering they were released in mid-late 80s, when there was nothing but crap out there…they’re pretty good.
      excellent site as well…now, can you post the Left’s ‘last train to hagerstown’?
      Or some Plugz rarities????

    4. marcdark August 18th, 2005 2:10 pm

      Again another fabulous post and big props to you and your blog for not only bringing back great memories but educating and informing. Blogs like yours, Vinyl Mine, Buddyhead, Lost Bands on the New Wave Era and countless others have re-ignited the passion for music in me and I’m sure other readers feel the same.

    5. Jason August 18th, 2005 5:03 pm

      yes yes yes. please support greg by buying the boxset. according to him this is the only “official” way to get those crucial records. the somewhat recent “import” (gift of life) releases are bootlegs.

    6. Anonymous August 18th, 2005 7:33 pm

      The link arent working????

    7. j marinelli August 18th, 2005 8:54 pm

      thanks for putting these gems up — the wipers are one of my favorites!

    8. Chardman August 18th, 2005 11:42 pm

      Thanks for covering one of my all time favorite bands.
      Thou Art Godlike.
      Maximumrockinroll did a radio show about the Wipers a few years back. Lots of interviews with folks that were there.
      I think this link is still active:
      http://www.maximumrocknroll.com/radio/specials/Wipers.mp3

    9. Mr. Beer N. Hockey August 19th, 2005 3:40 am

      The Wipers were very, very good - for an American band!

    10. Slobodan Burgher August 1st, 2006 5:14 pm

      Hi thanks for that mxmrnr interview. That was cool. Great Wipers post. Great site in general. The Wipers + Dead Moon are imo the 2 best bands EVER. I think that is quite fair actually…LOL

    11. chuck abbate September 25th, 2006 1:42 pm

      man first off great web site. i passed it off to other in my circle….listening to same thing..awesome..got to see them on their last tour in boston at the paradise back in 89′…..greg kept having give his amp a knock,but what the fuck he built em himself..and do check out zenorecords.com

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