S.C.U.M.

S.C.U.M. Born Too Soon… LP reissue

Discovering a great band or album you’ve somehow missed over the years never gets old, especially when it’s a record as killer as this. Underrated hardcore heroes S C.U.M. from Montreal get the reissue treatment for their excellent 1985 LP Born Too Soon…if only I could go back in time and give this to my high-school self. Oh well, better late than never. S.C.U.M. (who bastardized the Montreal Urban Community police name and logo at the time) played hard and confrontational punk similar to J.F.A. and BAD BRAINS, with some cool satirical Jello Biafra-esque vocals. Lyrically, the band hits every touchstone of punk that was as relevant then as it is today: politics, war, skateboarding (although truthfully, I could do without the sort of corny “Pool Hunt”), and of course, hating the police. Ragers like “Go to War,” “Exit Death,” and “So Much Hate” rattle with power and are so well-produced, it really is a shame these guys haven’t received more recognition.

• Reviewer Eric Anderson
• Label Porterhouse
• Issue MRR #479 • April 2023

S.C.U.M. Born Too Soon LP

This is really weird. Here’s a really great debut from this Canadian punk band who is socially and politically aware, and they inject all that into their songs. The thing I can’t get used to is the vocalist, who sounds amazingly like a clear-headed Darby Crash. Weird but cool.

• Reviewer Dogtowne
• Label Psyche Industry
• Issue MRR #36 • May 1986

S.C.U.M. So Much Hate cassette

A three-song demo from Canada. It’s powerful, slower punk stuff with very strong vocals and intelligent lyrics. Even though S.C.U.M.’s music isn’t too contemporary-sounding, their commitment makes this tape sound very up-to-date.

• Reviewer Tim Yohannan
• Label self-released
• Issue MRR #10 • December 1983