Poison Idea

Poison Idea were a hardcore punk band from Portland, Oregon in the 1980s and 1990s, notable for their extreme nihilism and longevity despite epitomizing the life-fast-die-young ethos of other notables such as th

Poison Idea were a hardcore punk band from Portland, Oregon in the 1980s and 1990s, notable for their extreme nihilism and longevity despite epitomizing the life-fast-die-young ethos of other notables such as the Germs. Their debut EP, 1983's "Pick Your King" was a short and lo-fi blast of subminute furiosity, noted for the cynical and articulate lyrics and tight performance. The cover art appropriately displayed two self-proclaimed kings, Jesus and Elvis Presley.

The follow up 12", "Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes" (guitarist Tom "Pig Champion" Roberts own collection is depicted on the front) was self-released on the bands own Fatal Erection label, and showed the band switching things up and incorporating a subtle rock element to their music, which was further honed on their contributions to several compilations from the same year. By the mid-1980s, Poison Idea had already outlasted a great many seminal US hardcore outfits and was ready to release what many regard as their best record, but what was undisputably a turning point in their sound. The thick, rock-fused LP on Pusheads own Pusmort label, "Kings of Punk", showcased the band at their tightest and most intricate to date, sacrificing none of the adrenaline or power of their earlier efforts in writing longer and more menacing material.