Histeria: Discografa 12″

Description

Histeria began in mid-1984. It is made up of July (voice), Jarocho (guitar), Caballo oi! (bass) and Hippy (drums). With this lineup they play for a year in holes and clubs on the local circuit, to later disintegrate for a while, since July decides to get back on track with new members, leaving the formation as follows: Tex (voice) Jarocho (guitar) ) Thrasher (Bass) and July (drums). They recorded 2 demos in a totally DIY way in their rehearsal room in 1984 and 1986 with both formations, the first of them barely distributed and remaining semi-unreleased until today. A total of 25 songs collected on this LP including these 2 demos and some live songs, includes a 32-page fanzine with lyrics, history of the band, photos, posters and the original fanzine included with the 84 demo. All translated to English.

Our take: This release collects the 1985 and 1986 demos from this Mexican punk band. I knew of Histeria more than I knew them I cant remember where Ive checked them out in the past, but I knew their material was very raw and lo-fi. That is indeed the case, but Fuego a las Fronteras and Bam Bam Records illustrate how a well-done reissue can give you a new appreciation for a band. Like the labels other reissues, this comes with a full-color booklet in both English and Spanish, which tells the bands story and provides lyrics and graphics from the bands original era, including a full reproduction of a very rare illustrated lyric booklet that only came with a handful of original copies. I listened to the record before I read the booklet, and it surprised me how much the 1985 demo reminded me of European hardcore these recordings sound a lot like early Wretched, whom Histeria covers on their 1986 demo. Early Mexican punk has a reputation for being raw and chaotic in much the same way early Italian hardcore does, and that comes across here. Weirdly, the 1986 demo sounds even more lo-fi and crazier, though I think some of what made that 1985 demo so special gets lost in the lower fidelity. As for the booklet, it just pulled me into the bands world so effectively Im very thankful for it. Histerias lyrics are great (and filled with the same radical politics you get from a lot of European punk), and learning about the conditions under which they made these recordings was powerful. When they recorded the first tape, only the drummer owned equipment, so they rehearsed with whatever they could borrow. And that rawer second demo? They recorded it with a tape recorder strapped to the singers chest to get his un-amplified voice closer to the microphone while he stood surrounded by the rest of the band. You dont get more punk than that. Again, Im so thankful for Fuego la Fronteras excellent reissue, which allows