Various Artists – Busted at Oz LP (1981 Autumn Records)
Since New York and Los Angeles had their own regional compilations, it seemed only fitting that Chicago should have one too. In the early days of punk, there were a few clubs that catered to this new style of music and they became regular hangouts for the people. Sadly, I was a little too young at the time and would discover punk for another couple years, so I missed out being involved in the first wave of the punk scene as my exposure didn’t happen until around 1983.
There was O’Banions, there was La Mere Vipere, there was Space Place and there was Oz, and Oz, and Oz. Yes Oz was in three different locations throughout the years, and it was the third and final one (on Broadway Ave) that a young Timothy Powell would record a bunch of local bands for a live compilation record.
The lineup was a who’s who of local punk, featuring such bands as The Effigies, Strike Under, Subverts, DA, Silver Abuse, and Naked Raygun. Autumn Records also put out both DA records, and the first Effigies album. Sadly, with the exception of The Effigies record, none of this stuff has ever been reissued. There were folks trying to get a proper reissue together of this compilation, but sadly infighting, greed, and other issues seemed to have doomed its existence forever.
My favorite track on here is “Libido” from Naked Raygun. This version features the earliest lineup of NR, and was far superior to what they later recorded for the Throb Throb album and Flammable Solid 7″. Hopefully someday the parties involved will work it out to make a CD reissue happen, with the rest of the material that was recorded for the album but not released. It would be a shame if these recordings were lost forever and the only people that can enjoy this punk artifact is a handful of record collectors.
Centro-Am Social Club was another one, 4001 N. Broadway if I remember correct. It was a Mexican banquet hall upstairs of some businesses just north of IPR on the NE corner of the street.
I remember Big Boys, CH3 and other stuff there, the best was Minor Threat. There were a lot of other good venues maybe right after Oz etc closed. West End on Racine was another, the original Exit, along with Cubby Bear before it turned evil. It was cool seeing Circle Jerks etc in a small venue like a neighborhood bar.
And NONE of those shows was more than $3. Bands were all original and creative, and generally decent musicians. Really different than today.
Good pick with Busted at Oz!
Ah yes, I have a short video of Negative Element and Articles of Faith playing at that venue. One of these days I’ll make it available on the site.
I remember Tuts being one as well, which later became the Avalon, which is now a beauty salon or tan place I think, right by Dennis Place for Games on Belmont.
Awesome post. Why have I not heard of this record before now?
The record tends to get a bit overlooked/forgotten for more “high profile” punk comps and rare records. Luckily it has kept the price of the record from going thru the roof like other stuff from its time.
Great record. The Strike Under and Effigies tracks absolutely kill. I’m bummed to hear that the CD reissue is dead.
I used to grease myself up with bacon lard and slam dance with my little sister in my grandparents’ basement. Busted at Oz was our favorite.
I got a bunch of old flyers from Centro Amer. Social Club, OZ, O’Banion’s, etc you guys would probably enjoy looking at. Old photos and stuff too.
http://www.chicagopunkpix.com/flyers/