No one should really need an introduction to 7 Seconds. In case you've been hiding under a rock for the last 20+ years and have never heard of them, well,
shame on you.
7 Seconds started in the 1980s in Reno, Nevada as a hardcore band. Many releases and relentless touring made 7 Seconds a staple in the hardcore music scene. The music is political, relentless, powerful and was in many ways a blueprint for American hardcore music of the 1980s. Never one to miss a chance to talk to the kids (see: preach), Kevin Seconds always has something positive to say to the crowd about respecting. In this way, Ian MacAye from Fugazi is very similar to Kevin Seconds- they both want the scene to grow, mature, improve, and get past petty bickering and elitism.
It is both ironic and disappointing that so many straightedge kids latched on to 7 Seconds in their hey day. Don't get me wrong, I spent quite a few years as a straightedge vegan and never did anything stupid like the infamous sXe'rs got attention for- so I know that not everyone was like that. It was just sooo disappointing that enough people were that those who decided not to do drugs etc became so "tough-guy." Wasn't that part of the point of punk to avoid shitty attitudes and tough guys? sigh.
Ah, anyway- I digress.
It is both ironic and disappointing that so many straightedge kids latched on to 7 Seconds in their hey day. Don't get me wrong, I spent quite a few years as a straightedge vegan and never did anything stupid like the infamous sXe'rs got attention for- so I know that not everyone was like that. It was just sooo disappointing that enough people were that those who decided not to do drugs etc became so "tough-guy." Wasn't that part of the point of punk to avoid shitty attitudes and tough guys? sigh.
Ah, anyway- I digress.
Live: One Plus One is a live recording (duh) released in 1987. 12 awesome tracks, accurately capturing the energy 7 Seconds puts into every show. I've had the distinct pleasure of seeing 7 Seconds live many times, and somehow the shows never get old, slow, or boring. The live version of "99 Red Balloons" is their cover of the English version of Nena's hit from the 1980s, with snippets from 2 other songs thrown into the mix by the end of the song (bonus points for anyone knowing the non-obvious second song borrowed from at the end). The album will leave you worn out, sweating, and calling out to the band to play one more. The next time they come anywhere near you, do yourself the favor and see them. Any punk veterans will likely have owned this at one point already, but the cassette and vinyl have gotten scratchy with age.
Re-up your music, punx.
Track Lisiting:
1. You Live and Die for Freedom
2. Siren
3. Catching
4. Praise
5. Somebody Help Me Scream
6. Opinion of Feeling
7. Trust
8. Calendar
9. Regress, No Way
10. The Save Ourselves
11. Walk Together, Rock Together
12. 99 Red Balloons
Live:One Plus One
Buy it from Amazon
Buy it from NetSoundMusic
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