Introduction

Welcome to my blog, ‘Tipping Cows’, 

a site for fans, bands and scenesters from the 80’s Connecticut punk and hardcore scene, circa 1980-1989. I felt there was a void where it came to documenting and appreciating the Connecticut scene (Joe Snow’s UConn exhibit not withstanding) that was easily accessible. My goal is to not only review the myriad of music that came out of the scene, but also to secure some interviews with band members, collect anecdotes from gig attendees and participants, and hopefully provide a little well of fond memories from a time in our lives that was likely special to us in some way.

Rules for the site are: all music and shows reviewed/discussed must be from 1980-1989, though I’ll allow reunion shows or records from bands that were primarily active during those years (i.e. a band maybe released a comeback record after 1989, or something was repressed, etc.) If you submit a show anecdote, I reserve the right to edit for space, etc. Otherwise let’s have some fun here!

If anyone has a direct line to any of the band members that I could interview (Bones, Joey Diaz, etc.) please let me know. I’d love to talk to them about the scene: jamesrobertcreative@gmail.com

Thanks, Jim.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 27, 2023 at 1:57 PM

    So happy you are doing this blog. I just discovered this via your recent post on the Anthrax FB group, and I've enjoyed reminiscing and posting comments RE some of my favorite CT bands and records. I graduated HS in CT in 1990 so I think our memories largely overlap RE bands, shows, etc. For a great look back, check out the Incas 2006 Up All Night comp of CT bands, most of which never got official releases. I recall taping radio shows off WWUH on Fridays from 3-4pm in the mid-80s, and I even have an interview with The Descendants when they were in studio there prior to playing Enfield. WESU and Trinity also had some great DJs and I still have many of those recordings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mindsite09November 5, 2023 at 12:02 PM

      Thanks, glad you like the blog. I'll have plenty more to come, and am working on an interview with Jim from Vatican Commandos. I thought it would be great to create an archive like this for posterity's sake.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
It's The Music:   Top 20 CTHC Releases These are my personal picks for top 20 Connecticut Punk and Hardcore records, in alphabetical order. Your list may vary. 1. Big Gulp - Hard To Swallow: New Britain’s own, Big Gulp lasted into the early 90s, later taking on more of a groove oriented, funk punk sound. Their first 7” had more of a traditional HC sound, but had enough of it’s own style to keep it interesting. Lyrics were a mix of serious and funny (for the era). Very hard to track down the original, but is currently up on Bandcamp, thanks to Micke Mansfield, bassist extraordinairre. Favorite track: Fascist Youth - a tuneful anti-fascist anthem that sticks.   Worst Track: Rock - pokes fun at homosexuality and the A.I.D.S. epidemic. Booooooooo! Funniest Track: Anorexia - Inappropriately makes fun of eating disorders, but I’m sorry, the track still cracks me up. 2. C.I.A. - Gods, Guts, Guns: Classic, no frills ripping HC from 3/5 of the soon to be formed 76% Uncertain. Kenny's...
Read more
Image
  Interview:  Micke Mansfield (Big Gulp) Micke Mansfield, bass player extraordinaire for two of Connecticut's most beloved HC/Punk bands Chronic Disorder and Big Gulp recently agreed to do my first ever interview for this blog. In this interview, I focused the interview on New Britain's Big Gulp, one of the funner bands on the scene, who had some serious but also fun takes on everything from eating disorders to titz.  They were sort of like Connecticut's Gang Green, maybe? Their discog was short but memorable, including the hard to find first 7", a track on the Better Yet Connecticut Hardcore 7", a cassette only release (time to get this on Bandcamp or something, dudes) and a final 7" (Which I just ordered from the Netherlands(!) They love our hardcore over there). Two of my favorite Big Gulp moments come from two of their many shows: the infamous New Britain VFW show that got shut down by the police, and the Bridges Café show with two soon-to-become-huge ban...
Read more
Image
Spotlight: Enfield Roller World Enfield Roller World, aka Studio New York was where I saw the bulk of my 80s Hardcore Punk shows. I didn’t get to all of the shows, but I saw enough to know this was my scene. I even got to play on stage as Jack Tragic’s late 80s drummer.   We were supposed to open for Cro-Mags and Underdog, so it was a young skinhead’s fantasy. Alas, it was not to be, as both Cro-Mags and Underdog pulled out of the show for some still unknown reason. Still, we were treated to a last minute replacement, Dresden, Joey Dias’ post Lost Gen metal outfit, stepped in to headline. My parents showed up to cheer me on, not knowing I had taken some caffeine pills before going on. Not a great mix with adrenaline and nerves. Luckily, I didn’t barf on their shoes when I got off the stage, but I almost did. Crazy night. All and all, we made 5 bux. Enfield Roller World was no Anthrax, but it had it’s share of great shows. I met plenty of cool people there, and had some great times...
Read more