No Rules / A Fuckup // Up Against The Wall / NYC Tonight
Label: Orange Records (ORA-71 • 209065)
Recorded: mid-1982, Active Sound - Dedham, MA
Released: Fall 1982 (matrix indicates September 1982 pressing)
Lineup: GG Allin (drums, vocals), Alan Chapple (bass & lead guitar), Steve Spenard (guitar)
Test pressing labels
One-off, hand-drawn sleeve
Various inserts
The “No Rules” EP marks the last vinyl outing for the Jabbers, and also marks the last time GG recorded in an actual studio for quite some time. The crisp uptempo poppunk captured on this release would soon give way to the lewd basement slobber-trash he’d revel in during the mid-80s. GG’s drumming here is tight and spot-on. The opener “No Rules” lifts the instrumental break between verses from the Plasmatics’ “Tight Black Pants” — the first of two “appropriations” on this record and, for that matter, many to follow throughout the years. “NYC Tonight” applies new lyrics to a live staple which was previously called “You’re Wrong, I’m Right.” GG also snuck in an uncredited cover of the Ohio Express’ “Up Against The Wall” (from their 1969 “Mercy” LP). Looks like our man was a quite the bubblegum afficionado! Generally this EP did not come with an insert, however, a former DJ’s sleeveless copy came with a previously unseen autographed insert/hype sheet.
Note: This is the first release using the new "PO Box 54, Hooksett, NH" address. GG and his wife Sandy had moved back to Littleton, N.H., circa August/September 1982, at which time GG rented the PO Box just outside of Manchester to keep a steady address.
Reviews
This dude has a lot of records. Seems like he just tried to jump on the hardcore bandwagon though. The tunes are good, but there is really no balls no balls no balls!
— Assassin Of Youth #6 (Roselle Park, NJ)
Scan courtesy of Chris Minicucci
Yes, it's the latest offering from the most abrasive man in music, the Don Rickles of rock & roll, it's GG Allin. This plat is in typical GG Allin style — angry, abrasive, loud and delightfully stupid. The biggest change here is the pop stylizations are gone and Allin is more raw in his vocals and the band is more hardcore in their playing. This stuff is loud and fast and just rough enough around the edges. Although GG has been around for awhile, this presents a concerted change in direction with speed and shrieking vocals carrying the emphasis. And it's not badly done. I think the Boston hardcore movement has accepted Allin in his own right and he's beginning to make some good changes in response. This is definitely tongue-in-cheek and is done with the heart of a true hammy showman. GG certainly has set himself apart from the crowd with this raucous plat.
— Chainsaw #8 (Bethlehem, PA) 1983
On the opening cut of this typically hapless record, GG tells us that there are "no rules" ... I'm not so sure about that though ... off the top of my head I can think of a few quick ones which seem to apply here ... Rule #1: GG Allin records are invariably dreadful ... Rule #2: His lamentable punk-pop mixture will cause upheavals within your system quicker than a swift kick to the gut after gulping down about 3 Big Macs ... Rule #3: Nowwhere, but nowhere, will you ever find records that consistantly contain such abhorrent cover artwork as these do ... Rule #4: GG Allin is not an animal but rather just a sad example of a talentless though highly persistant buffoon ... Rule #5: You're pretty stupid if you buy this record...
— Forced Exposure #5 (Watertown, MA) January 1983
Scan courtesy of Chris Minicucci
Hey, this is even better than GG's usual garage punk offerings, being faster tighter, and minus sexism. Amazing! The background choruses turn "No Rules" into a classic, but this guy still serves as a constant reminder of how absurd people can be. That's a recommendation.
— Maximum Rock N Roll #4 (Berkeley, CA) January/February 1983
Scan courtesy of Chris Minicucci
He never gives up. GG Allin is obviously not going to just go away. The stream of raucous vinyl from his demented quarter is virtually endless.
A lotta people never got past the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Some guys (nudge nudge, wink wink) stop at the MC5. And in these vinyl corridors, that’s just what you’ve got. Loud, scratchy and punk-like. GG as proto-punk.
The sleeves get progressively worse, as well. Like they got some wino a Flair pen and set him loose to do whatever he liked. Weird. If you enjoy the rest of his recorded catalogue, be sure to grab this. It’s a continuing story, the way I figure it.
— The Newpaper (Providence, RI) Dec. 15-22, 1982
Yes, GG is back with yet another release! The opener, "No Rules," catches public animal #1 at his best: shouting his rebellious stance. Militaristic shouts of "No Rules" behind him paint a picture of the heroic agitator leading his angry followers. No more sweet guitar solos (my previous beef with GG). Now they're right out of the garbage can and catch the spirit of his popish hardcore. The rest of this obscene EP can't compete with "No Rules." "A Fuck Up," "Up Against The Wall" and "NYC Tonight" are all average cuts offering nothing to provoke a relisten.
— The Noise #11 (Boston, MA) Christmas 1982
More garage punk from our lovable delinquent, summed up on "Fuckup," wherein Allin explains how he's always been unloved and then lashes out, "Who needs you anyway? ... Suck my bone" etc.
— OP (Olympia, WA) The "P" Issue, March/April 1983
Side A dumb lyrics — Side 2 better
From the public animal No. 1 of New Hampshire
— Open Mind #1 (Hadley, MA) 1983
The new scribble cover EP has four songs” “No Rules” sounds like old Plasmatics with a male singer. “A Fuckup” throws in an early Damned guitar solo and Ramones/Dead Boys lyrics. “Up Against The Wall” is a cross between Symbol Six and the Readymades. “NYC Tonight” sounds a lot like the Gears. Not very original or outstanding.
— Ripper #8 (San Jose, CA) January 1983
Scan courtesy of Chris Minicucci
This is hardcore “No Rules” lyrics set to a Ramonesy beat. I don’t really like him, but someone must cuz he puts out a lot of records. He must own a record company or something.
— Smashed Hits #7
Scan courtesy of Chris Minicucci
OK garage punk from up north. There's 4 songs here, all of which are pretty basic in style. This is a bit too predictable for my tastes.
— Suburban Relapse #8 (Miami, FL) February 1983
Actually this four song single doesn't really have a title, so I arbitrarily chose one. In the title track, Allin sings, "I like to make noise, I hate to be quiet." That pretty much sums up the man's philosophy. Add to this the fact that he is quite wrathful about everything and you get the picture. So what makes this better than the usual post-punk, hardcore stuff? Well, for one thing, Allin has been doing this for a long time and I think he should get points for longevity and tenacity. You can also understand what he's saying. And although Allin beats you over the head, he doesn't make a federal case out of it. Which means these songs are more fun than work to get through. "Up Against The Wall" turns the tables on that phrase and the possibly semiautobiographic "A Fuckup" has a charm that we can all identify with. Let's call this spleen with a sheen.
— Sweet Potato (MA/NH) December 1982
Since I’m really not in the position of giving a fuck wat people think about me and my taste — I like this moron’s records… sure he’s the kind of guy who gets abused by the crowd wherever he goes — probably screams back to New Hampshire and butt fucks his sister — no he did that last issue… he no doubt is a sick puppy but this sort of regressive era of Max’s sound on his records pleases this old coneseur (sp?) … besides … he gets more than his share of bad press — which means he’s doing something right … right??? (Hay he writes back)
— Touch & Go #21 (Lansing, MI)
Yet another four-song EP, this from our old pal GG Allin (Orange ORA-71). He continues to rant, rave and generally act the animal over a buzzsaw thrash, to little or no avail.
— Trouser Press (New York, NY) April 1983
The GG in GG Allin must stand for Giant Gonzo. This guy is fucking mental!!!! Yet he's still managed to crank out one of this year's best garage-metal 45s. So go out and buy this before GG becomes a superstar and ya have to pay 10 bucks to see him at the Civic Center. A killer effort!
— What If fanzine (Maine)
Scan courtesy of Chris Minicucci
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