Hey Homes, you ready to knuckle up to another Venice style double-dipped beatdown from some beach bum cycos hell bent on motor-thrash and botom-shelf angel dust? Good, because this bit of chunked up cholo aggression comes ripping from No Mercy, a band of bandana-clad badasses with Suicidal's Mike Muir on vocals. Also appearing on this slab of vato violence is one Ric Clayton, the guy behind much of the Suicidal Tendencies artwork over the years. However the cover art of Widespread Bloodshed Love Runs Red was done by the amazing Eric Gottesman, whose bizarre airbrushings can be seen on albums by Beowulf, Dr. Know, Excel, and of course Suicidal. Put this on, get some loveboat coursin' through the ol' veins, hop on your stick and head out to crush some skulls. Pendejos just don't understand, fuck 'em.
Holy shit, I've only ever seen the "Welcome to Venice" comp, but this cover art is epic.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great album, horribly produced, but I still love it.
ReplyDeleteThe songs that went from this to ST's Master Of No Mercy EP are great on either.
A pity that a lot of the most recent ST stuff (I say recent, but I mean probably in the last 15 years) is pretty bad. Let's say I would rather he did another Infectious Grooves album than listen to another ST album now.
now yer talking!
ReplyDeleteI love this album. Hell, I love the whole Venice Beach sound.
ReplyDeleteAesop, your channeling is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe music might not be my cup'o'tea, but the writing is spot on.
Thanks!
OMG PONIES!!!1!1
ReplyDeletethank you for this! one of those records always slips thru my mind to eventually find but can never think of it when im looking. Also thanx for the Batallion of Saints post, just catching up on some of the things here. The BIPP comp on the other hand...i'm glad the kids have Tamtrum nowadays that's all ill say LOL....
ReplyDeleteI had some songs from this on a mix tape and I always assumed that it was mislabeled until now.
ReplyDeleteI really really liked ST in high school and listening to this makes me shake my head because No Mercy is waaaaaaay better.
Thanks for this and all the other shit(Batallion) I got from Cosmic this week.
I just recently got a record put out that has all the old recordings of No Mercy pre-Mike Muir. Comes with the songs from the Empty Skulls comp, Venice comp plus A whole live set + more. Check it out if you ever get the chance
ReplyDeletewhere did you get that no mercy record chris?
ReplyDeleteBen, it's called "OG No Mercy" if that helps.
ReplyDeleteUmm these animals are delicious.
ReplyDeleteAhh Excel, Beowulf, the Wasted Youth metal album, Holy Terror, just can't stop loving the 80s metal. Hell I even remember the last Suicidal Tendencies album that didn't suck, Join the Army.
ReplyDeleteMike Clark is an amazing guitarist. Thanks for putting this up.
ReplyDeletelove this album! thanks Aesop
ReplyDeletethis has been ruling my speakers for the last 3 days. thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought this (87ish? It was around the time it was released) like a dumbass I took the album cover to school...just to keep in my backpack for no. fucking. reason. One friend looked at the back sleeve and said "these guys look like punk cholos".
ReplyDeleteYes the sleeve was eventually demolished and I just THREW AWAY the well scratched disc. I suck.
I've met Clayton a few times through my ex (they're bff's). He tats in Corona now or thereabouts.
P.S.: Eric died some time ago according to Clayton. Clayton also still has the FULL (and o.g. art) version of the album sleeve chilling in his apartment. No he ain't selling...ever.
ReplyDeleteE-V-E-R.
This cover art was done by Michael Seiff. It says so right on the back of the record. That's the same Michael Seiff that did Welcome To Venice, Join The Army and the first Beowulf album (among others).
ReplyDeleteAck, Dennis would know. Swear this looks like Eric Gottesman and I know EG was down with the Suicidal crew so...
ReplyDeleteDennis, do a piece on both these insane artists.