Local Review: Various Artists – S.L.C. Rules

Various Artists
S.L.C. Rules

8ctopus
Street: 05.11
S.L.C Rules = No New York + Yes L.A. + Salt Lake Style

In 1978, Brian Eno released a compilation on Antilles Records titled, No New York. One of the most important documentations of the NYC no wave scene (including cuts from James Chance and the Contortions, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks and others), No New York inspired the West Coasters at Dangerhouse Records to release their own left-coast version of the underground compilation amply titled, Yes L.A. Released the following year as a parody and tribute to No New York, Yes L.A featured early tracks from influential West Coast punk bands like The Germs and X. An interesting aspect about this release is that the album artwork had no discernable track order. Unless you were really familiar with the bands, it was difficult to discern what track was from which band. Insert 2007, Utah’s Eli Morrison of 8ctopus Records compiles his own tribute to the unofficial record series with S.L.C. Rules, using orphaned tracks from his label’s roster. S.L.C. Rules’ packaging follows the precedent of Yes L.A. (except for the format; CD not vinyl), complete with the indiscernable track order. The compilation showcases some of SLC’s coolest bands: Subrosa, Vile Blue Shades, Wolfs, Corleones, Morlocks, Red Bennies and others. The compilation is limited to only 1,000 copies. The track from Le Force is my personal favorite.