Something I Learned Today

Punk Rock and Other Assorted Bullshit

Surgery

October 19th, 2005 | Posted by: Eric | Category: Noise Rock

Another one of my favorite noise rock bands, Surgery originally formed while students at Syracuse University before relocating to New York City in the late ’80’s. In NYC they became part of the underground rock scene that produced the likes of Helmet, Unsane, and Boss Hog. Surgery’s sound wasn’t as pummeling as some of their contemporaries, instead infusing a blues/boogie backdrop with shards of noise guitar, feedback, and growling vocals. Like Helmet, they would join the Amphetamine Reptile stable and go on to release 3 singles, an LP, a 10″ and numerous compilation cuts before signing with Atlantic to release 1994’s Shimmer. The two proper albums (the aforementioned Shimmer and 1990’s Nationwide) are the best starting point for the curious. Personally, I always preferred the singles, especially “Little Debbie”/”Queen To Queens Level Three”. I finally tracked down the “Not Going Down” single this year after years of searching. Funny how this things work, it seems I’m finding “Not Going Down” everywhere now. As far as I know these things are all out of print, and can usually be found on Ebay for reasonable amounts.

from their 1989 debut 7″
Surgery - Not Going Down.mp3
Surgery - Blow Her Face.mp3

1990 - Scale 27
Surgery - Feedback.mp3
Surgery - Fried.mp3

1992 - Scale 45 also released on CD5 with an extra track (”Exquisite”)
Surgery - Little Debbie.mp3
Surgery - Queen To Queens Level Three.mp3

Notes:

  • Singer Sean McDonnell passed away in 1995 as a result of asthma attack
  • Surgery also released a 12″ called Souleater in 1989 on Circuit/Glitterhouse. I can’t remember my source, but AmRep apparently rejected the album due to poor production and weak songs. A listen to the record confirms this [EDIT - a very informed source states that this wasn’t true - Surgery entered into an agreement with Circuit before signing to AmRep]
  • AmReps pictorial discography
  • TrouserPress on Surgery
  • Buy Surgery releases
    • While we’re talking AmRep, can anyone help me out with the following ecords? Prefer vinyl but mp3’s are fine…
    Lonely Moans - Scale 14
    Gear Jammer - first 7″
    Thee Headcoates/Lollipop Split 7″
    Silver Salute - 4 Song 7″ on Teenage Burrito
    Bludgeon - AmRep #1 that came with an issue of Your Flesh magazine

    9 Comments so far

    1. J_Biz October 19th, 2005 11:18 pm

      Yeah, f*ckin’ Surgery were good…My preference is for the Nationwide LP on AmRep.

      The Trim, 9th Ward High Roller album didn’t do it for me, but they were a good band….

      Sorry I can’t help ya locate any of those AmRep 7″s I’m still looking for Vertigo and Helios Creed records myself…

    2. G October 20th, 2005 1:36 am

      There’s a couple users on S/S who seem to have ALL the AmRep stuff- I’ll try to ferret those out. I used to have that Bludgeon flexi- it was kinda a one-off joke but was some great Venom/Warhead metal thrash.

    3. Marty E. October 20th, 2005 6:57 am

      Thanks for posting the “Little Debbie 7″…I’ve been looking for these tracks for quite some time….

    4. skritchy October 20th, 2005 2:12 pm

      thanks as always for yer great picks… that Surgery stuff is cool…

      BTW ooooh Unsane! I’d love it if you could post some of their stuff :+)

      you could do an AmRep theme week!

    5. narlus October 21st, 2005 2:13 pm

      hey - thanks for that Surgery debut…i’ve been looking for that one too, but have always been to late or low on the ebay game…

      if i ever get around to digitizing my lonely moans AmRep single, i’ll email ‘em to you.

    6. Dave Martin October 21st, 2005 5:17 pm

      Hey
      I’ve got some of those records (Lonely Moans, Gear Jammer and maybe Silver Salute) E-mail me.

      Dave

    7. Troy October 23rd, 2005 9:45 pm

      I have the Gear Jammer…

      tc85@hotmail.com

      The Bludgeon flexi is on ebay right now

    8. Joyce November 5th, 2005 7:14 am

      Do you know what happened to the surviving members? Did they end up in other bands?

    9. Bill Weisner January 1st, 2006 3:53 pm

      I have the Souleater tracks if you are interested. I actually just found the record in a used bin of a nearby record store. Also have the first couple of Gear Jammer singles.

    Leave a reply