Dan - Kicking Ass At TJs

pmarinho

Review by Paulo de Grana Marinho Neto

Kicking Ass At TJs: A Raw Slice of UK Hardcore Punk That Still Kicks Alright, buckle up. Let’s talk about Kicking Ass At TJs by Dan—a wild ride through the gritty, no-frills world of late ‘80s UK hardcore punk rock. Released in 1989 on Meantime Records, this album doesn’t waste time trying to impress you with studio gloss or overproduced nonsense. Nope. It’s raw, it’s loud, and it feels like someone handed you a live mic at TJ’s infamous club night. Mastered by Andy Tillison (yep, THE Andy Tillison), this record punches way above its weight for something so underground. The tracklist? Oh man, where do I even start? You’ve got bangers like “Blind Ignorance,” which just slaps you in the face right outta the gate. Then there’s “Pressure Point”—a chaotic anthem that somehow manages to sound both pissed off and oddly hopeful at the same time. These aren’t songs; they’re more like moments frozen in sweaty basements and dimly lit venues. Tracks like “Happy” and “Vicious Circle” stick with you because they don’t try too hard—they let the energy carry them. And trust me, it works. Let me zoom in on two tracks that really stuck in my brain. First up is “Poster Paint.” This one hits different. It’s not just some fast-paced mosh pit fodder—it’s got layers. The riffs are sharp enough to cut glass, but then the vocals come in, all snarling and defiant, like someone shouting poetry from the edge of a riot. By the end, your fists are clenched, and you’re ready to take on whatever crap life throws at ya. Then there’s “Army Of Fools.” Holy hell, this tune is pure fire. It starts off deceptively calm before exploding into a wall of sound that makes your speakers beg for mercy. Lyrically, it’s like a middle finger to conformity, wrapped in chains and thrown straight at society's face. Every time I hear it, I can almost smell stale beer and cigarette smoke wafting through the air. It’s messy, unapologetic, and absolutely brilliant. Now, here’s the thing about Kicking Ass At TJs: it’s not perfect. Some tracks blend together if you’re not paying attention, and yeah, the production has that lo-fi charm that might make audiophiles cringe. But honestly? That’s what makes it special. This isn’t music made for algorithms or Spotify playlists—it’s music made for people who live for chaos and catharsis. As I sit here listening to “An Attitude Hits” blasting out of my headphones, I can’t help but think… damn, this album should’ve been bigger. Maybe it would’ve been if social media existed back then. Or maybe it’s better this way—untouched by trends, left to lurk in the shadows for those willing to dig deep. So, if you’re looking for an album that kicks ass (pun intended) without pretense, grab yourself a copy of Kicking Ass At TJs. Just don’t blame me when your neighbors complain about the noise. Oh, and one last thought: whoever said punk was dead clearly never heard this beast.

Download Dan - Kicking Ass At TJs
Artist: Dan
Album: Kicking Ass At TJs
Rating: 3.75

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: dan-kicking-ass-at-tjs.zip
  • MP3 size: 83.6 mb
  • FLAC size: 951.9 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
A Kicking Thought
Shake Your Foundations
Et Amour
The Howlin' Wind
Pressure Point
An Attitude Hits
Happy
4 More Years
Army Of Fools
Poster Paint
Christian Fantasy Land
Madman And The Fool
The Cull
1970
Go With The Train!
Into The Field
Vicious Circle
A Dream Come True?
Blind Ignorance

Images

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Catalog Numbers

COX 013c, cox13c½

Labels

Meantime Records

Listen online

  • ouvir online
  • online luisteren
  • escuchar en línea
  • ascolta in linea
  • écouter en ligne
  • lytte på nettet
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lyssna på nätet
  • online anhören

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album Flexi-disc
  • 7"
  • Single Sided

Credits

RoleCredit
Mastered ByAndy Tillison

Notes

  • Live album recorded on 6/7/88 and 29/8/88.
  • Came with free Vic Reeves flexi-disc.

Barcodes

  • Barcode (Front Cover): 5016554601315
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A Etched): Lyn.2305.9 Scum City Surfers Rule Newport Cox 013-A
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B Etched): Lyn - 23060 Fried Squangelli For Dallas Cox 013 - B

About Dan

British anarcho punk band formed in Darlington, U.K. by vocalist Andrew Bayles and bassist in 1983. The band had a very fluid membership which included (according to an insert in the 7' EP Can You Dig It?) these 18 people prior to 1986: Dallas, Slob, Ian, Steely, Sned, Helen, Jane, Simon, Andrew (Bayles), Dave, Paul, Pete, Ian T., Derek, Mandy, Les, Georgie and Wol. It went on to say "There might have been a few more.." In an interview with website Negative Insight, Bayles states he recorded with the band on the Can You Dig It? EP but left the group after the recording of debut Where Have All the Children Gone?. (He is possibly credited on the EP as simply "Andrew" though that could be Andrew Black. "Andy the Lionhearted" is credited on Where Have All the Children Gone? though that could also be engineer .) He also confirmed and expanded on the lineup information from Can You Dig It?:"We went thru' various other singers including Helen and Jane, Dave S. and Joy and a couple of guitarists: Slob, Andrew Black. We also had a guy called Steely on drums and, after Id left, they finally got their shit together with a guitarist called Wal and started taking the band more seriously. Female singers Jools and Georgie are singing on the albums and singles, although I think Jools was the longest serving and did the most gigs."

Members

  • Andrew Laing
  • Ian Armstrong
  • Ian Wallis
  • Julie Dalkin
  • Georgie
  • Philld
  • Jim Clarke

Interesting fact about Album

Here's something cool: The album *Kicking Ass At TJs* by Dan, released in 1989, is a raw blast of UK hardcore punk energy. It was mastered by Andy Tillison, who’s actually more famous for his work in progressive rock. Crazy, right? Punk and prog worlds colliding! The tracklist reads like a chaotic journey, with songs like "Blind Ignorance," "Shake Your Foundations," and "Happy." It’s wild how one album can mix anger, rebellion, and even moments of reflection. Definitely a hidden gem from the late '80s underground scene.