When I talk about classic French punk and Oi! bands I usually sum up the usual suspects and you can bet your ass on it they were all featured on the Chaos En France compilations released in the early 80’s. One band that doesn’t get mentioned so often is Taxi Driver, this while they are just as classic to me as any band on the mentioned compilations. Only problem is these guys came a little too late, the compilations were released in ’83 and ’84 while Taxi Driver was around from 1986 to 1990.

 

In that time one full length was recorded called “Tout Est Effacé Par Le Temps” and it originally came out in, I believe the year 2000, on the label Recidive Records. I bought the original in that year I believe and I played it over and over again so writing about this reissue released by Bords De Seine is a piece of cake for me.

 

Still, 14 years later, it’s hard to describe Taxi Driver’s sound. It’s not your typical Oi! band, nor can you label them as a punk or streetrock band. Still Taxi Driver is a 100% skinhead band, but their unique sound made them stand out from the rest of the bands I was listening to at that time of being a young skin myself. There is a lot of melody in this record, with great guitarwork and songwriting that makes “Tout Est Effacé Par Le Temps” still a relevant record 24 years after the band broke up.

 

Besides this classic French record you also get 9 bonus tracks (on the CD, not sure about the vinyl, but you get the CD with the record if buy it) that are unreleased demo recordings from both unreleased tracks and songs that were on the original album. It’s a nice addition despite the poor quality on some of the recordings.

 

If you are a fan of French Oi! and punk music, I can honestly say this is a must-have for your collection. “Tout Est Effacé Par Le Temps” is such a high quality album and the original CD is pretty hard to get your hands on these days so I suggest you go out and get this because this Bords De Sein reissue might be your last chance on getting this record.