Crime
I’ve been on the road for work the past couple of days, and my iPod is a saving grace for those long car rides and boring nights in the hotel. Sometimes, I forget what I actually have on the damn thing - I put it on shuffle and am usually pleasantly surprised by the stuff that I’ve forgotten about. Case in point, Crime and their first two singles. You can find the full band history and discography here. I’ll let others fight over whether Crime was really “San Francisco’s First and Only Rock ‘n Roll Band”, and where their legacy stands in the annals of punk history. Listen and decide for yourself. I know I think the first two singles still sound fucking fantastic. If you haven’t already checked out 2004’s San Francisco is Still Doomed then hurry out and get it. It compiles two studio sessions by the band from 1978 and 1979, and alternate takes of the first single. It’ worth it just for first 12 tracks alone, which are fucking hot.
from 1976’s debut single
Crime - Hot Wire My Heart.mp3
Crime - Baby, You’re So Repulsive.mp3
from their 1977 follow up
Crime - Frustration.mp3
Crime - Murder By Guitar.mp3
And because I’ve been gone for so long I’ll throw out the much maligned, new wavish final single from 1980.
Crime - Gangster Funk.mp3
Crime - Maserati.mp3
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Welcome back from “the road.” The iPod really has changed the road trip, nicht wahr? Put the damn thng on shuffle, and it’s like having a (virtually) unending mixtape that you forgot you had made, full of surprises from past and present. There is still a bit of novelty left (I’ve only had the iPod for a couple of years), but I have to wonder if the medium hasn’t changed forever the way I listen to music.
your spice rules!!!
These are great!
I am returning to San Francisco (my old home turf) in two weeks. These songs will provide a great soundtrack!
I’ve always WANTED to like Crime. I mean they look cool the name is awesome but the music dosen’t move AT ALL. Boring rock n roll.
“Hot Wire My Heart” still sounds as vital today as it must have 30 years ago, I really must get a copy of “San Francisco’s Still Doomed”, don’t why I haven’t already. First time I’ve heard the 3rd 7″, the jury’s still out?
I LOVE Crime, but have always had trouble tracking down the singles. Thanks big time for posting them. Now if that long promised Crime box set would finally come out …
Finally got to hear that 3rd single - Thank you!
Wow, I’d never heard “Gangster Funk” / “Maserati”… Not sure if I’m a better man for it now that I have. I think I definitely liked the b-side better. There’s a great Crime video (live at San Quentin) up on YouTube now:
http://tinyurl.com/je8xp
Thank you! I have not heard these since 1984.
Great guitar sound on the first two singles, although their sound seems to outshine their songwriting skills. I like Gangster Funk–how can you not love a song that starts out by namechecking James Brown, Iggy Pop, Jesus Christ and Redd Foxx?
I dunno. I like “Hot Wire My Heart” for its in-your-face atonality, but “Baby You’re So Repulsive” is one of the longest 2:12 songs I have ever heard. Thanks for the primer, though.
CRIME:
the greatest rock n roll band in the history of the world! Scorpio Rising in audio.
sonic youth coverd hot wire my heart on the album sister
Thanks for posting the “much maligned” third single. I remember buying this when it came out and thinking “Eh? I thought these guys were punk?” But it grew on me…
love ganster funk but cannot find where to get it from (anyone Know)
Wow. kkk.
“Gangster Funk” very good.
I’m Korean.
:) off the kswiss ad innit
Crime are ok. Most of these songs are a little crazy for me, but Gangster Funk rules!! Great song, 10/10. I’m more of a funk man!!
I love Crime, the first two punk bands I heard were The Ramones & Crime in 1976. I ended up doing sound at Mabuhay Gardens for quite a awhile. Just saw Johnny & Hank at Dirksen’s Memorial in December. Long Live Punk Rock.
I see you’re giving away their music for free, is that kosher?
Ted Oliphant
www.mabuhayrecords.com
tedoliphant@hotmail.com
7602.353.9482
Love Crime - loved ‘em from the first time I saw ‘em at the Mab and while I lived in SF. I thought Murder by Guitar and Hot Wire my Heart were both classics - I thought they rocked SOLID. Where the hell am I?
[…] Like collector scum sez: “Right up there with the Urinals and Insults in the spazz punk hall of fame. Some of the worst/best drumming ever waxed.” Man…that is true. This makes Hotwire My Heart look like By-Tor and the Snow Dog. […]
[…] The Next - Kick AssLong rumoured to be one of the worst follow-ups in the history of punk rock. Is it? Well, it’s worse than Gangster Funk, thats for sure. Given to me a long time ago by the great Malfeitor of Dressed For The H-Bomb fame. A guy that grew up a few blocks away from me. Pretty weird that we never knew each other considering we both grew up and started kbd-style blogs. […]
[…] Long rumoured to be one of the worst follow-ups in the history of punk rock. Is it? Well, it’s worse than Gangster Funk, thats for sure. Given to me a long time ago by the great Malfeitor of Dressed For The H-Bomb fame. A guy that grew up a few blocks away from me. Pretty weird that we never knew each other considering we both grew up and started kbd-style blogs. […]
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