THE COMMANDOS 1978-2008
IN 1977 MY ORIGINAL GUITAR PLAYER ,JEFF COMMANDO, AND I HEARD THE SEX PISTOLS ON SOME LOCAL TOP 40 RADIO STATION.
IT WAS A REVELATION !!
AT LAST, HERE WAS MUSIC THAT SPOKE TO OUR DEMENTED ROCK AND ROLL SOULS.
IT TOOK US ABOUT A YEAR TO LEARN TO PLAY AND FORM A BAND
THAT BECAME THE COMMANDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BANDS WE'VE PLAYED WITH INCLUDE:
BLACK FLAG,FEAR,FLIPPER, JOHNNY THUNDERS,WAYNE KRAMER,GENETIC CONTROL,GUTTER DEMONS,PROWLERS, DICKIES, GG ALLIN, THE ADDICTS,CONFLICT, TSOL,VIBRATORS,ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE,CITIZEN FISH,MDC,THE NEIGHBORHOODS,WILLIE"LOCO" ALEXANDER,JERRYS KIDS,GANG GREEN,OUTLETS,SUB HUMANS,RIPCORDZ,DREW DRED.JERRY CAN AND MANY MORE THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER
SO COME SEE THE COMMANDOS AND SEE WHAT TRUE OLD SCHOOL PUNK IS ABOUT
---------------REVIEW FROM MAXIMUM ROCKAND ROLL 2003-------------------
THE COMMANDOS looked like they never left the stage in 25 years. Singer Brian Hopper and guitarist Jeff Crane wore black leather jackets, probably the same ones they trashed parties with years ago. Hopper said they practiced one and a half times before the gig. Crane still actively plays with RICK BLAZE AND THE BALLBUSTERS, so he didn't need much warming up. The crowd was clearly in anticipation. Opening with "Fight To Win" [as reviewed elsewhere in this column], THE COMMANDOS kicked total ass. They were louder, faster and ballsier than anything on vinyl, and I think their vinyl's pretty damn good. Hopper, Crane & Co. crunched through the Ramonesy-thug of "Stay Out Tonight" and "Suburb Rock" from their debut EP. Annihilation" from their second EP also raged with high intensity. After throwing in a killer cover of "Kick Out The Jams" midway through the set, they ended the devastation with IGGYS "I Got A Right". Needless to say, the next day my neck hurt from the violent shaking.
Various interpretations of "That was amazing" could be overheard after THE COMMANDOS performance. Brian, Chuck Warner and I hung out for a while during THE CRYBABIES, a current garage band made up of longtime Wormtown scenesters. Keen "Back From The Grave"-style cover choices provided a perfect backdrop for quiet reflection. Each facing an hour's ride home, we all skipped out before the last two bands. Hell, I'll be on this COMMANDOS adrenaline high for a week.
Commandos Discography
"Stay Out Tonight/Suburb Rock" Beast Records 1979
"Too Much Pressure/Operation Annihilation" Beast Records 1980
"Hyped to Death Punk 45s 'C'" Compilation 2001
"Live Bait:Wormtown Live 1980-83" Compilation
"Hyped to Death Punk LP 'A,B,C'" Compilation 2003
"Fight to Win" vinyl LP Rave-Up Records (Italy) 2003
"Fight to Win" CD LP Empire Records 2003
"The Underground Exposed, Vol. I" Compilation, Fast Action Records, 2004
"No One Left To Blame "Compilation 2004
"Boston PunkRock/Hardcore" Compilation, 2005 Rodent Popsicle records 2005
"Salisbury Beach", NME Records, 2005, "21" Shielded by death Vol. 4 compilation on Dagger Records 2007
COMMANDO T SHIRTS ON SALE $10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEND YOUR CASH TO:20 PETERS AVE. RUTLAND MASS. 01543
SENKA from SERBIA
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