Negative FX/Last Rights

Though Negative FX played less than six shows — and Last Rights only one — Boston straight-edge high priest Choke's outfits were nothing if not brutal. In fact, during their brief lifespans, neither band released an album, but were credited in assisting Boston hardcore onto the American map in the early '80s, along with SSD, DYS, and Gang Green. Like Henry Rollins' SOA and John Brannon's Negative Approach, Negative FX resonated with the gutteral, threatening vocals of its vocalist. Terminally straightedged — and militant to a fault — Choke was well-known for his violent streak and confrontational nature. The tracks included on this compilation certainly reflect that — the guitars and progressions are biting, the oompah drumming is insistent, and the bass is as lockstep as possible at such speed. Of the two bands, Negative FX was the most rudimentary, with Last Rights — to the limit of its abilities — attempting to slow the pace ever so slightly. This disc actually collects some of the best American hardcore made during the early '80s. Choke went on to later form Slapshot, which committed numerous recordings to disc, as well as Stars and Stripes, his Oi!-influenced side project.