I've been waiting a quarter century for someone to have the good sense to give the greatest '77-style Brit-punk band of the '90s (that was actually based in Southern California) the proper compilation album treatment. I always thought that if you collected all of Bladder Bladder Bladder's singles along with some choice comp cuts, you'd have something that could stand toe-to-toe with just about any punk rock album released in the '90s. Finally, in 2025, Marco from No Front Teeth Records has proven me right! NFT had previously reissued Bladder Bladder Bladder's lone LP, 2000's
On the Job. But I always maintained that the band's odds and sods were just as good if not superior to the album. Now
Giving Punk a Bad Name collects most of that stuff, and it's essential listening for any human who never tires of listening to first wave UK punk rock. Yes, these tracks were recorded in the late '90s in California, but this album will practically transport you to 1977 London. As British expats who relocated to the U.S.A., the Bladder lads stood out like a sore thumb in the '90s SoCal punk scene. In classic tracks like "White American National Killer," "Crime Pays," "Living a Lie," "U.S. Dole Queue," and "No Go Girl," you can hear the influence of the music these guys grew up on. They simply ignored two decades of punk rock's evolution and wrote songs that today's algorithms would lump in with the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, Chelsea, Cock Sparrer, Generation X, and The Damned. Mick Bladder was the larger-than-life front man — a big, brash personality with a sharp wit and sense of humor that was unafraid to offend. Sterling Paramour was the guitar hero and occasional lead vocalist. Bassist Alex Creith wrote and sang a fair number of ace tunes as well. This was a band willing to engage in serious social commentary but never willing to take itself seriously. These guys had swagger in spades and the tunes to back it all up. Their songs were meant to be enjoyed under the influence of alcohol and were most likely written that way as well. In my book, Bladder Bladder Bladder should have been massive.
In today's sprawling digitalized underground music scene, Bladder Bladder Bladder has been largely lost to history. As you may imagine, Google searches for "Bladder Bladder Bladder" mostly turn up unpleasant medical information. Outside of the band's contributions to High Society International's The British Punkinvasion Vol. 5, its music cannot be found on streaming sites. The release of Giving Punk A Bad Name on perhaps the planet's preeminent punk rock record label will introduce the band's music to a whole new generation of fans — and delight old ones like me who have been wishing this record into existence for decades. Bladder Bladder Bladder was one of a handful of bands that I'd describe as the soundtrack to the very worst years of my life. And when life is at its bleakest, the music matters the most. As I listen back to these songs, I'm encouraged to discover that they really hold up — that I wasn't 100% full of shit when I championed these hooligans the first time around. Included here are tracks from 7" releases on Pelado Records and 77 RPM Records as well as a number of cuts from compilations you may have forgotten about (who remembers the Battle For The Airwaves Vol. 1 7" on Radio Records?!). It has all been remastered for your listening pleasure.
What I like about reviewing music in the streaming era is that I can absolve myself of any responsibility for you spending money on music you end up not liking. I'm merely asking you to hit that play button and invest a few moments of your time in something you might want to buy. But with Giving Punk A Bad Name, it's a tougher sell. I'm asking you to fork over some of your hard-earned cash for a record you cannot listen to first. Some of you will have to pay exorbitant overseas shipping fees. But trust me: you will not be disappointed. And it's not like No Front Teeth has ever let you down. Bladder Bladder Bladder are giving punk a band name, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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