Poison Idea

about

Poison Idea was formed in 1980 in Portland, OR by vocalist Jerry A. (aka Jerry Lang). The initial lineup consisted of Jerry A., Tom “Pig Champion” Roberts (guitar), Glen Estes (bass), and Dean Johnson (drums). Inspired by Black Flag and other early Southern California hardcore acts, they were further influenced by Discharge and Los Angeles's the Germs. Germs singer Darby Crash was a strong influence on singer Jerry A.—vocally, lyrically, and philosophically—was monumental, and Poison Idea followed the Germs’ extremist punk ethic. PI’s classic debut, 1983's Pick Your King EP was a short, lo-fi blast of hardcore fury. The jacket featured two self-proclaimed kings, Jesus (front cover) and Elvis Presley (back cover). In 1984, the band replaced Glen Estes with Chris Tense and released another classic album, the Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes 12” (the cover features Pig Champion’s substantial vinyl collection). The record found the band incorporating subtle rock elements into their music, which was further honed on their contributions to two 1985 compilations, “Laughing Boy” on the Drinking is Great EP, and “Typical” and “Die on Your Knees” on the legendary Cleanse the Bacteria LP (compiled by Pushead for his own Pusmort label), while still keeping the thrashy hardcore foundation of their debut. With the release of 1986’s Kings of Punk LP, Poison Idea had fully moved beyond the breakneck hardcore of their early records to a potent, driving and ultimately more intrica

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top songs

albums

Pick Your King E.P. / Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes (The Fatal Erection Years: 1983-1986)

Feel the Darkness

Feel the Darkness (2018 Reissue)

Kings of Punk

Pick Your King

Best of Poison Idea

Punk-O-Rama 2

Darby Crash Rides Again

War All Time

Blank Blackout Vacant

War All the Time

Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes

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