Various - Groucho Marxist Record Co:Operative

More of that gold standard archival work from the Sealed crew with this eight band, 15 song collection documenting the brief but incendiary lifespan of Paisley's Groucho Marxist label. Paisley is certainly not the first place anyone would turn to when tracing UK punk history, but what Tommy Kayes' label produced between 1979-1981 does speak very clearly of the universally adaptable, utilitarian nature of punk ideology and praxis. While anarchism and the Rock Against Racism initiative were central concerns, what is communicated most clearly here is the enduring power of DIY, amateur activity, voices and songs driven by a shared idea of self-empowerment and creative freedom. Much of what we understand as punk has now been codified to the point of self-parody, but these early expressions show that it was never an entirely one speed affair - the four 7"s Groucho Marxist released display eight bands working out their own idea of what punk is, be that the mod-y power-pop of the tellingly named Mod Cons, the PIL-inspired grind of XS Discharge or the mob-rule Heartbreakers rock n roll of Urban Enemies, while there's more than a few songs that would have fitted in seamlessly with the equally locale-specific Good Vibrations stable. That's punk in a nutshell, really - a universal ideal expressed very specifically. And it's mutability, whether form or function, is the reason why, unlike you and I, it'll never die. Good on Sealed for allowing Grouch Marxist the chance to breathe again.