Artist: Skewbald/Grand Union Album: Self Titled 7"

Release: 1991 (Recorded 1981)
Label: Dischord

Tracklist:

1. Sorry
2. Change For The Same
3. You're Not Fooling Me

What's the best Ian MacKaye project after Minor Threat? Well, that would be Embrace. After Embrace, however, we have Skewbald/Grand Union! No, their name is not Skewbald nor is the 7" called Grand Union, but just Skewbald/Grand Union. For the somewhat convoluted and uninteresting history of the band, look no further than their section on the Dischord website. I wasn't introduced to this band until relatively recently by my friend Tommy. So, uh, thanks Tommy! How this flew under my radar, I have no idea. For the longest time, I was forced to consider Egg Hunt the third best post-Minor Threat band! Gah!

Anyway, if you haven't heard of this one-sided 7", let me attempt to describe it: it sounds like Minor Threat. So much so that it floated around pre-proper release often labeled as Minor Threat unreleased songs. This is no surprise considering how many Minor Threat dudes were in the band. It's certainly not identical to Minor Threat, as it's a bit sloppier, but that works in its favor. What you have here are three fast and occasionally out-of-control hardcore songs with Ian MacKaye spouting off his usual MacKayisms. I make it sound all so standard with my tone, but it's absolutely incredible and I just don't know how to talk about something in the ballpark of Minor Threat.

Uh...so that's my take on Skewbald/Grand Union! I didn't really say much about this release, but I did say "Minor Threat" seven times. Eight, now.

http://www.mediafire.com/?g4mqjyf22d0