Subculture - Le Chartier's Principle - 1985from the Fartblossom Records lp "I Heard A Scream"
from "How NC got its Punk Attitude" by Sam Hicks
note: Pretty soon I'm gonna have the whole article up here. Sam if you're out there get in touch with me.
The early Winston-Salem punk & hardcore scene was few and far between. In early '82, there was Cat Fight, Ill Gotten Gains and The Trash (which became Kindergarten) but with no places to play, these bands didn't last very long. Late '82 saw the high school punk band Subculture get things together. Matt "Smart-Ass" Smith, Clint Buss, Ed Marshall, K.C. and Chris "D." Philips started rocking their parents' basements in no time. It's interesting to note that a guy by the name of Simon Bob "Sinister" worked at the Hanes Mall Record Bar, had considered singing for them before he moved to Durham. Anyhow, in 1983 Subculture only performed in Winston-Salem about 5 times, since the only place to play was a deli called Pockets that had shows after hours. As usual, the more experienced bands like C.O.C. soon welcomed them into the family and began performing with Subculture in Winston while they got to play with C.O.C. in Raleigh. The "old pros" helped them with many things including t-shirts and the making of their only release, the I Heard A Scream (FBE-006) LP, which was eventually released by Fartblossom Records in '85. Inspired by their local success, the record contract and the chance to have a wild summer, this group of 16 year olds did a tour to the Midwest and back, often playing with other up and coming groups like NOFX. Their ages and their success did not make a good mix, however, and the most well recognized group from Winston-Salem rapidly disbanded.
note: anyone remember the show at Westwood pool? Also thanks to Ross Grady for the mp3 and album cover.
Band Members:
Matt "Smart-Ass" Smith - Guitar
Clint Buss - Bass
Ed Marshall - Guitar
K.C. - Vocals
Chris "D." Philips - Drums
posted by Michael Slawter | 11:00 AM
3 Comments:
I DO remember the Westwood pool show,... just barely. I was around 14 at the time and was so excited to see the band I had heard alot about. It may have been my first 'punk' show. From what I remember they played a song or two until the neighbors complained and they shut down. The band didn't seem to care, they just jumped in the pool. But my memory is foggy...is that how you remember it?
I just found this site today. I'm excited to hear some of the old stuff again. Thanks for doing it.
Also, Matt Smith ended up in Winston alt.country band the Johnsons, while drummer Chris Phillips played with Grover, Two Dollar Pistols and Squirrel Nut Zippers. I saw Subculture a lot in 84-85, and they were fantastic! They played with the Bad Checks and the Dead Kennedys at Skate Town in 85. It was phenomenal!
I loved Subculture! K.C. is Kevin Collins, who went on to play in Erectus Monotone - another great band from NC. I got to see Subculture play a few times but didn't make the Dead Kennedys show - that would have been great.
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