Although they’d worked up an LP’s worth of material, the Brooklynite teen punk band Nastyfacts (also known as Nasty Facts) only squeezed out a sole three-song 45 in 1981. But what a 45 it is, enduring as a punk standout in the Killed by Death style, meaning it’s energetic and raw and frankly a lot more interesting than assorted higher-profile punk releases of its era and hence. The KBD designation also means that Nastyfacts’ record is rare in its original form, and so, Left For Dead Records’ new remastered reissue is a welcome turn of events. “Drive My Car” is out now on limited 12-inch vinyl (200 copies black and 100 copies blue), CD, cassette, and digital.
As a queer person of color, and a young woman (who today identifies as non-binary), Nastyfacts’ bassist and singer Cherl Boyze stood out in the early ’80s NYC scene, though the camaraderie and connections they found with other outfits featuring POC, including ESG and Bad Brains, is important to note, as is the reality that Nastyfacts was a legit teen punk band, on the scene alongside the Speedies (“Let Me Take Your Photo”) and The Stimulators (“Loud Fast Rules!”), the latter featuring Harley Flanagan, soon of Cro-Mags.
At 18 years of age, Boyze was the oldest member of the Nastyfacts, their lineup completed by guitarists Brad Craig and Jeff “Range” Tischler and drummer Genji “Searizak” Siraisi. Progressing from covers to originals, Nastyfacts played both Max’s Kansas City and CBGBs, and their 45 wasn’t a self-released affair (as was regularly the case with numerous KBD bands) but was put out by Jimboco Records; their labelmates included TMA, The Nails, Dizzy and the Romilars, and The Marbles.
If rawness and energy are prerequisites for Killed by Death bands, these qualities often go hand-in-hand with a solid melodic approach, and that’s exactly what’s up with “Drive My Car,” a track likely to leave fans of the early Buzzcocks pleased as punch. Produced by Ramona Lee Jan (of the Comateens), the execution and the levels are exactly right on “Drive My Car,” recorded loud and plenty distorted (nicely complemented with revving engine, tire squeal, and crash sounds) and with the vocals up in the mix, all the better for the group-sung choruses.
Befitting that nod to the Buzzcocks, “Drive My Car” is speedy as hell, with the bass and drums hard-charging without sacrificing the catchiness. And like a lot of KBD bands, the attention to melody illuminates roots spanning back to the ’60s, a factor that particularly shines on the double-dose flip side of “Gotta Get to You,” with its gal-guy tradeoff choruses and handclaps, and “Crazy ‘bout You,” with its invigorated combo of Ramones and Blondie moves. In between, Boyze says “OK, stay where you are, we’re gonna do one more,” and let me tell ya’, hearing that just never gets old.
I’ll mention in closing how Nastyfacts’ dual guitar attack is potent throughout, with solos in all three songs, and add that the peels of feedback at the end of “Drive My Car” are the sort of thing a “pro” producer would’ve nixed, which reinforces this 45 as Killed by Death all the way. In fact, it’s A-side is right up there with other gal-sung KBD gems like Mary Monday’s “Popgun,” Shock’s “This Generation’s on Vacation,” and The Maggots’ “Let’s Get Tammy Wynette.” Nastyfacts only record is a straight-up punk classic.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
A-
