The hardest core punk band from San Francisco, Flipper,
came to New York City's CBGB's in November 1983 to play live and record a new release
specifically for ROIR cassettes at CBGB's brand new in-house sixteen track recording studio. Now
18 years later, and with the addition of four bonus tracks from the same session, ROIR is re-issuing
this essential recording remastered digitally for cd release.
Flipper is a band that created their own aesthetic universe and singular punk language. In the late
70's and early 80's, San Francisco, much like Los Angeles, NYC, and Cleveland, was a cauldron
for emerging punk, new wave and hardcore bands that were starting to get widespread recognition in the
underground press and to some extent in the national music media. San Francisco was possessive,
protective, outspoken and intensely proud of their own bands. There was a shared sense of regional
superiority, experimentation, and commitment indigenous to the 'San Francisco Sound',
"supercilious" would characterize the attitudes of the punters who championed and bonded with the
local bands that included The Dead Kennedys, The Avengers, The Dils, Mutants, No Alternative, The Offs
and many others.
The strangest and most strident and controversial band- a band that was brutally loved/hated and
worshipped with god-like fervor, personal allegiance and loyalty were Flipper. They were the most
arrogant, in your face, non-industry oriented, "we don't give a fuck" band of them all. Flipper had a
unique heavy bass drone "borderline" PiL sound that tapped into the headspaces of the 'Frisco
scene-makers. Their singular sounds, personal attitudes, and outrageous behavior led to the slogan
"Flipper Rules."
"Blow' N Chunks" was the second full-length album by the band, following
Subterranean Records seminal "Generic Flipper" and was an open challenge to the East Coast hierarchy
of hardcore and punk bands dominating the scene. In truth Flipper couldn't give a damn, they just were
as always their nasty selves, drunken and rockin' out
Although they were regarded the most obnoxious, rude, crude and primitive punk-hardcore band of their
era, Flipper had a sharp mind and a definite sense of humor present just beneath the chaos. Punk lore
has proven them to be a classic band to be reckoned with in any account of punk history.
"These San Francisco based grunge boys were
hardcore's most deliberately slovenly group making feedback drenched music. Essential West Coast
nuggets." - All Music Guide To Rock
"Blow' N Chunks" is a primo live tape. A stunning roar
of guitar music and bass pounding that is simply the ultimate loudest rock n' roll imaginable. A real
classic album!"- Trouser Press Record Guide
"Blow' N Chunks" captures the boys at CBGB's in
NYC in '83. Drives every cockeyed message of hope straight into the pleasure center at the base of
the skull." - Spin Alternative Record Guide
"Flipper suffered for their music Ð now it's your
turn. There was more rhythmic energy in the typical Flipper dirge than could be found on a half-dozen
hardcore albums" - Rolling Stone Record Guide
"What a treat to get hardcore that gives a fuck! These
lengthy jams really do sound like the Dead going punkoid." - Cynthia Rose - New Musical Express
UK
"It is not difficult to understand why Flipper were
dubbed "the lepers" of the US Hardcore scene" - Sounds UK
"I love 'em. You may hate them - and that's the
way Flipper planned it" - Christgau's Record Guide (80's)
"This tape admirably documents this "against the grain"
Bay Area band and serves as a greatest hits package for fans and newcomers alike." - Music
Connection UK
"The punk group Flipper have built a following while
refusing to have anything to do with established record companies and promoters. Flipper's
aggressive attitude along with existential lyrics and a sound like a tornado set to a 4/4 beat has
made this band special." - Rolling Stone
"Their unconventional approach to punk rock and their
magical droning sound left its mark on many. A virtual punk "Wall of Sound." - Goldmine
"This is one of America's truly experimental bands. - John Morthland - Music & Sound Outpost
"Ouch! This fuckin' fish bites." - Melody Maker
UK
"They have come up with one of the best, smartest, most
beautiful noises the world has ever known and stuck by it through the thick and thin. "Blow' N Chunks"
catches the cruel combo with blood on their mitts, bursting eardrums left and right." - FM
"Flipper is seductive because it is overwhelming.
Flipper is good sex, it keeps going. It goes beyond where it hurts." - Cary Tennis
"They pulsed with a strange noise like the underside of
the city. Other bands will come along and try to claim their turf - but only the guys in Flipper could
be the biggest bunch of fuck-ups in the world, and get it right! In our city (San Francisco) the band
was followed with a certain fierce pride. They were naturally outrageous rather than chic and their
music impartially combined majestic ideas with silly ones." - Rolling Stone
"Listen to the disturbed and unnatural sounds made by
these beached whales. Flipper rules!" - Sweet Potato
"A lot of cutting edge music from the turn of the '80's
that's heralded as influential today - including the Bad Brains first full length release - came out
on a cassette-only label called ROIR. "Blow' N Chunks is a recommended choice!" - James Lien - CMJ
("Flashback")
