Lookout For Monsula

I was first introduced to Monsula a few years ago, based on a recommendation of their Nickel EP. I played the shit out of that four song 7 inch...but as much as I loved it, I didn't really venture too far beyond that. I downloaded both the Structure and Sanitized albums, but really, all I needed at the time was that first Monsula EP.

Being stuck in an early 90's frame of mind recently, it got me to blow off the three years of digital dust from the downloaded copy of Structure. Holy shit. I honestly can't believe how great this band was...and I can't get my head around the fact that I'm about 25 years late to this party. How did I miss out on this for so damn long?

This album was an easy $8 purchase through the Discogs Marketplace. Hmmm...it might be time to check out the follow up album, Sanitized, as well.

Razors Never Die

I've heard the name Monsula thrown around since the early 90's. I remember getting a copy of No Answers #9 because of the Judge interview in there. On the front of the zine, was an essay that started out with "I hate drugs, I hate alcohol, I hate cigarettes, I hate the users, and I hate the manufacturers.". I loved it and read it from cover to cover, over and over again...absorbing every word that Kent McClard said. That one zine, and his Ebullition By-Product distro, blew the doors open for my introduction to the Hardcore/Punk scene. If he gave a positive review for a record, or had a picture of a band in his zine, I was sure to check them out.

One band that I never got around to was Monsula. He gave a great review for their Nickle EP in No Answers #9, and a cool looking photo of the singer tearing into the mic...yet, for one reason or another I never had the chance to check them out.

Back in May, Pim from Said and Done, posted the video for the Monsula song Razors on his Facebook page. I'd long forgotten the name Monsula, but seeing Pim's post had me interested and after over 20 years, I finally decided to check it out.

Wow. I couldn't believe how great they were. I played that youtube video for the Nickle EP a couple of times, and I was suddenly desperate to own a copy. I frantically searched eBay for a copy of the EP on red vinyl. Weeks turned to months, but by August I finally scored one for $8.50.

Here we are five months later and I am absolutely in love with this 7 inch. I can't listen to it without feeling the need to turn up the volume and sing along. Definitely my find of the year.