Doug & The Slugz – Skinhead Faction

Randale Records

 

Before The Generators - and even before Schleprock, there was Doug & The Slugz. Formed by Doug ‘Dagger’ Kane, the charismatic front man of all of the above mentioned bands, in 1983, The Slugz (who became The Risk in 1984) were without a doubt one of America’s earliest Oi! bands around, certainly of the West Coast. Because it never came to an official release – just a self-released cassette, the band was just bound to be ‘just’ a memory of the skins, thugs and punks who happened to be at the right place and the right time, and are still alive to this very day… Until now that is!

 

Because Randale Records just released an ‘official’ 1983 ‘bootleg’ of Doug & The Slugz’ recorded material and I must add – they did a pretty damn good job doing so! Definitely exceeding my expectations of when this release was first announced, this 10” just looks and sounds amazing! Now either these demo-recordings were really well produced and preserved to begin with, or they did a mighty good job mastering these six songs at Master & Servant, because these recordings don’t sound 35 years old(!) – at all!

 

From the opening band-anthem “Doug & The Slugz” to the finale that is entitled “Lebanese Crisis”, all six songs on “Skinhead Faction” simply sound great! It’s also funny to hear the similarity between The Slugz and Doug’s better known bands that came around the road later on, definitely making this release worthwhile for fans of Schleprock and The Generators as well! Besides five original sluggers, there is also one cover on this slab of wax. Looking at the tracklist you might get fooled, thinking it’s “Drinking & Driving”, but it actually is a take on The Last Resort’s “We Rule OK” – and indeed, Doug & The Slugz rules! Ok?

 

Along with the excellent artwork – that looks spot on – and the 16-page, photocopied fanzine that is stuffed with information – but especially photo’s, this is an absolute must. Not just because it’s another piece of the puzzle on America’s history of Oi! and punk, but also because Doug & The Slugz still stand their ground 35 years after! Excellent!