Two compilations I would recommed to anyone getting into '80s hardcore for the first time would be This Is Boston Not L.A. and International P.E.A.C.E. Benefit Compilation. The only band that can boast that they appeared on both of those two seminal comps would be The Proletariat.
Citing such influences as Wire and PiL, the Boston outfit helped inspire a legion of would-be musicians back during their original run from 1980 to 1985. Since reuniting in 2016 for a series of live dates to celebrate the reissue of their classic Soma Holiday album, The Proletariat have continued to work together, writing new material and playing more shows to both older and younger hardcore punk fans.
I had the pleasure of interviewing The Proletariat's vocalist Richard Brown on the site last year and it's with great honor that I bring you the premiere of the title track to the band's forthcoming EP for the folks at Bridge Nine Records, The Murder of Alton Sterling.
Alton Sterling was a 37-year-old African American who was controversially shot and killed by Baton Rouge Police Department officers in 2016. Following the incident, Former President Obama commented, "Americans should feel outraged at episodes of police brutality since they're rooted in long-simmering racial discord."
For the EP, The Proletariat reunited with producer Lou Giordano (Hüsker Dü, Sunny Day Real Estate), also cutting another track, "Push Back," during the sessions.
The Murder of Alton Sterling EP will arrive in stores on May 18 via Bridge Nine Records and can be pre-ordered here.
Tagged: the proletariat
