Hailing from Vancouver, the Modernettes stand as one of Canada’s consistently undersung early punk bands. They released their debut recording, the EP “Teen City,” in 1980 on Quintessence Records. Energetic catchiness is the default mode as the six songs straddle the power pop and new wave. If falling a little short of a masterpiece, the set is still a worthwhile acquisition, so it’s sweet that the 45th Anniversary Edition Custom Vinyl is out now from Porterhouse Records.
If the Modernettes don’t get enough credit, they are far from forgotten. If the discography is slim, nearly everything has been reissued at least once. The band’s classic trio lineup was in place for the debut, consisting of John Armstrong, aka Buck Cherry, on guitar and lead vocals, Mary Armstrong, aka Mary-Jo Kopechne, on bass and vocals, and John McAdams, aka Jughead, on drums and vocals.
Buck Cherry had previous experience playing guitar in Active Dog, a short-lived band that released one 45, “Rat Race” b/w “Good Filthy Fun” in 1979 and landed one song, “Fun While it Lasts,” on the compilation Vancouver Complication alongside such heavy-hitters as D.O.A., Subhumans, Pointed Sticks, No Fun, and Dishrags.
Did Active Dog land on a Killed by Death boot? Yes indeed, #17, in fact, plus Bloodstains Across Canada and Hyped 2 Death #5. Wasted Lives, with Mary-Jo Kopechne on bass, were also included on Vancouver Complication. Kopechne also played in Big Black Puppets prior to the formation of the Modernettes. A split 45 featuring Wasted Lives and Big Black Puppets was released in 1979.
The “Teen City” EP is a bolder and tighter affair. Opener “Barbra” is a pogo-ready hard charger with no instrumental weak link. “Suicide Club” isn’t as speedy, but it does a solid job of blending the Dictators with a touch of Heartbreakers. “Celebrity Crackup” is another fast mover with a pop-punk flavor, while “Confidential” flaunts a more relaxed power pop approach; if a song from “Teen City” could’ve landed some commercial radio play, “Confidential” is the one.
“Little Girls” is another fast-paced slice of pop-punk, and the title track (“10,000 teens can’t be wrong”) maintains the tempo and has the best licks of any cut on the record, ending matters with a standout. Like a lot of punk releases, “Teen City” is a grower. Full of panache but not overly polished, the EP is a worthy addition to any pre-Hardcore punk shelf.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
A
