Bad Religion didn't release it out until 1990 because Chameleon Records owned How Could Hell Be Any Worse?. The date on the back of the record says 1991, while Against The Grain dated 1990, yet the former came out first.
Hetson's notes in it are incorrect in places. Greg and Jay think he did that deliberately.
The photo of the punk boots was taken by Edward Colver at Oki Dogs on Santa Monica blvd, Hollywood, late 1979. The boots belong to (left to right): Reid Campbell (of Modern Industry), Linda Kurd and Monty Harrison.
A punk compilation exists with the same cover.
The liner notes were witten by Greg Hetson:
"First off, let me warn you now that this is not a new Bad Religion album! If you thought it was, take it back and trade it in for the new Skid Row disc. Better yet, listen to it, tape it, then trade it in. It is however a comprehensive rethrospective of classic Bad Religion music from 1980 to 1985 (hence the tirtle "80-85").
It illustrates the Bad Religion recorded legacy, starting with the first album "How Could Hell Be Any Worse?..." Then in true B.R. fashion the first e.p. which of course should've been first on the CD because it was released before "How Could Hell?..." Anyway getting back to "How Could Hell?" I was fortunate enough to be a part of that having played a solo on "part III". It was recorded on the seedy end of LA's trendy Melrose Ave. at late hours. You know 10pm to 6am type of deal where you gotta drink alot of coffee to stay awake for the sessions. Well as the history books tell it, Mr. Brett (back then he was less formal and was just plain Brett) couldn't think of a solo, so there I was, thinking to myself "this is a great opportunity to horn in, steal the spotlight and maybe even replace him as guitarist!" You see I was playing with the Circle Jerks back then and thought I had clout.
Well I played a bit, got special thanks but no full-time employment.
It became an instant LA harcodre classic which is revered by many vinyl collectors.
Next comes the first e.p. which I rambled on about briefly before. It contains the first of not one, but three count 'em, versions of "Bad Religion" (which we affectionately refer to as "Theme Song"). There was ony a limited number pressed and this too is very hard to find in its original package. It's the most bootlegged of all B.R. records.
Some of the songs were first on a demo that the Circle Jerks debuted on the "Rodney on the ROQ" radio show in 1980.
Before continuing I must add that conspicuously absent in this collection is the entire second B.R. album "Into the Unknown" which I of course had nothing to do with. Neither did Jay come to think of it, having quit during the very first song they started recording. Well after that album was released, the band wasn't heard from for some time. Brett quit, Greg Graffin moved to Wisconsin, Jay vegged out, Peter, well he's Peter and that's tough enough. Oh yeah, he went to study in England for a while!
In 1984 Greg Graffin moved back to LA and I came up with the idea of resurrecting the band and playing some shows. So me and Greg recruited our pal Tim Gallegos to play bass and did some gigs and recorded "Back to the Known", famous for the sloowww version of "Bad Religion".
If you listen carefully towards the end of the song, you'll hear some sour background vocals during the fade out!
Last, but not least, are the cuts from "Public Service". It was a compilation that featured Circle One, RF7, Redd Kross and Disability. It came out in 1981 and was famous for the front cover which depicted a man stealing a purse from a fallen girl while the police looked on. Well the purse snatcher had two right hands! Oh well it's only punk rock right?
Well, I've rambled enough and used "anyway" and "well" much too much so I gotta bail. Enjoy the CD and it was an honor to write the liner notes. I envy me.
Greg Hetson"
| 10/23 | Added details about Ed Colver's photo. - By Marty |