1. No Habra Paz 2. Sociedad En Decadencia 3. Asco 4. Sobrevivire 5. Ya No Formo Parte De Esto 6. Memorias

From the insert:

We started in November 1984 and our first gig was in February 1985. There has been several changes in the band's formation during these two years. There's a new singer, a new drummer and a new bassist. I'm the only one who has been always in the band. The actual formation is Silvio (singer), Fernando (drums), and me, Jose Eduardo (guitar). Right now we don’t have a bassist, 'cause Raul has quit today, one week after we recorded this single. I compose all the songs (lyrics and music) except for 2 songs, in which Silvio did the lyrics. We have a 'zine called "Ataque", which we only have one number. It is a 3 page 'zine with a message of anarchy, freedom and peace. Most of the lyrics of our songs are about feelings of personal experiences we’ve had and a couple are of politics.

Peruvian scene

We, Ataque Frontal, have decided a year ago to separate from other bands and to play with bands which have a similar attitude. This is because one year ago some people, which had nothing to do with punk, came into the scene by writing about them in newspapers and magazines. What these guys really wanted, was to use the bands for their own personal and political interests, pretending to be leaders of the people of the bands. This was an absurd situation, how come could there be any kind of leader? That's why we, Ataque Frontal, were the first and only ones to fight these guys. The result was that these guys used their media to attack us. Meanwhile we kept in our position, and we had long periods without playing, because most gigs were organized by these guys.

The other bands said that we were too radical, but we really believe in anarchy, and we cannot accept no one trying to lead us or telling us what to do or what to sing about, it's ridiculous. It had to pass a year to make the other bands realize that they were being used, recently in a concert, one of these "leaders" was beaten up by some people of the bands. And now everyone accept that we were right, when we were against these guys, at the beginning.

Situation in Peru for young kids, punks and people

Young kids in Peru, especially in Lima, are very, very alienated people, and this includes people from all social classes. There's too much American influence. Here people think the U.S. is something close to heaven, it's their dream. You see this influence everyday at T.V., magazines, etc. Some people of middle class want to be like a north American even in their way of thinking. They're completely alienated. On the other hand, some "punks" are not too different, they think that by running down the streets and breaking windows yelling "anarchy", they're being very punk. They're always watching what other punks are doing or not doing, and spreading rumours about others, just like any other assholes, fucking bunch of poseurs. They're very few punks who have a strong, clear and constructive position towards society. I say "constructive" because I don’t believe you have to destroy to create new things. It's the other way, you have to create so you can destroy.

Our name: Ataque Frontal

I put Guerrilla Urbana to the band because we try to be an attack the the mediocrity and passivity seen in the people and in the media in Lima. And the best name for this attack is Guerrilla Urbana. We believe we are a true urban guerrilla but without physical violence or terrorism.

I changed the band's name to Ataque Frontal, for obvious reasons, specially now that terrorism is getting bigger and anybody related to it in anyway goes to jail.

On Front Sleeve

It's a picture of the first declared massacre where five reporters of Peruvian newspapers and magazines were killed by countrymen, when they were looking for information about the guerrilla. It was a massacre organized by authorities and official propaganda.

I've heard many demo tapes of 80's bands that sound pretty much like Peru's Ataque Frontal s/t 7": gruff vocals, trebely guitars, an oftenly sloppy rhythm section and basic anti authoritarian themes. The main difference between them is probably A.F. vocalist's angrier (and more convincent) singing. Without being really original, Ataque Frontal 7" is enjoyable, stepping somewhere between Discharge and Wretched, with even a slight USHC influence. In places it sounds like a premature effort, but I definitely prefer my hardcore to be underproduced then overproduced, so I cannot complain too much about that. And it's fuckin' Lima, Peru, circa 1986-7 for god’s sake! The lyrics are simple yet honest, dealing with the hardships of living in such a troubled city and country. In my opinion, the band sounds best on the fastest tracks, "Asco" and "Sobrevivire".
-FEDERICO