Those Unknown - Contribution

Contra Records

 

Since the band’s foundation in the late 80’s, Those Unknown have been going strong for 25(!) years now. After the band switched from the East Coast to the West Coast and fired its last bullets on the “Malice And Misfortune” EP in the year 2000 everything went radio silent and the only remaining original band member, singer / guitarist Bill Owens, called in a hiatus but now Those Unknown is not only back on stage, but with brand new recordings as well! Two to be more precise, on one 7” brought to you by Contra Records.

 

The EP is entitled “Contribution” and contains “Building A Prison” and “Getting While The Getting Is Good”, both in that significant Those Unknown style that is, assuming you aren’t familiar with this band, best described as ‘that early TKO Records sound’.  This is funny, because despite Those Unknown actually having two releases on TKO Records (the EP mentioned in the first paragraph and the “And They Give Us The Scraps” compilation from 2003) in the past, they already nailed this sound before the label was even born and that way coincidentally influenced bands like The Beltones, Workin’ Stiffs, One Man Army etc…, whether they heard of Those Unknown or not. And for that reason alone I am very ecstatic that these guys are back!

 

Because this blend of true, working class punkrock mixed with Oi! influences is something I miss every now and then. These guys don’t sound like they’re trying too accepted by the masses and their record, even in 2014, isn’t over-produced, but still they make songs that are extremely catchy and nostalgic that could, and should, appeal to anyone who reads this website. All because this band can be summed up by one simple word; Genuine. A must-have on black wax and on limited transparent vinyl (148 copies) with an alternative colored cover! Grab it!