Zero Boys

Widely pegged in punkzines as a mid-American hardcore landmark, this Indianapolis foursome's first full-length packed in 14 songs (16 on this expanded reissue), only four of which exceed two minutes. Still, the tunes feel fully formed, hooking troublegum melodies nonstop, while Paul Z rants with a clarity rare in the slam-pit realm about adolescents driving him nuts, bag ladies in scary streets, poor kids wanting to move to the rich side of town and Mick Jagger's old bones. He even coins a dance craze (the "slam and worm"). Bassist Tufty keeps the music in motion, no matter how fast it gets.