Jerry's Kids, from Braintree, Massachusetts, were one of the first Boston-area hardcore bands. Their earliest material is six songs on the This is Boston Not L.A. compilation. These are fast, short punk anthems in the same vein as DC bands like Youth Brigade. Jerry's Kids was fronted by Bryan Jones, the brother of bassist Rick. Bryan and rhythm guitarist Dave Aronson both left (the former under pressure from his parents!) sometime after the compilations songs were recorded, and the band was reinvented as a four piece with Rick taking over on vocals and Gang Green's Chris Doherty handling second guitar to the crazy leads of Rockin' Bob Cenci. This is lineup featured on the band's 1983 masterpiece, Is This My World?, released on XClaim records. On the LP, Jerry's Kids really found their sound: a sweeping hardcore assualt. I have to mention the hyperactive drumming of Brian Betzger, which gives this record an over-the-top energy that I haven't seen matched on a hardcore full length. Unfortunately for Boston and the rest of the HC world, the band broke up at the end of 1985 without releasing any more material.
Jerry's Kids later reformed in 1987, and followed up their XClaim LP with a total speed metal album called Kill Kill Kill on Taang! Records. It's not even that bad of a record, but it's got nothing on Is This My World? and so what's the point? It should be noted, however, that rather than "evolving" into heavy metal, 21+ shows and the like (à la SSD or DYS), Jerry's Kids were still playing hardcore when they broke up, and even after their reformation in the late '80s, played all-ages shows. If possible, try to find a Taang!, Funhouse, or Reflex Records vinyl resissue of the first LP -- it's not that rare and it's so fucking amazing.
Releases
IS THIS MY WORLD? LP (XClaim, 1983)
SPYMASTER 7" (Taang!, 1989)
KILL KILL KILL LP (Taang!, 1989)
Reissues
IS THIS MY WORLD? LP (Funhouse, Taang!, Reflex)
KILL KILL KILL CD (Taang!, includes both LPs)
Compilations
THIS IS BOSTON NOT L.A. LP (Modern Method, 1982)
UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED EP (Modern Method, 1983) "Machine Gun"
SUBURBAN VOICE 15TH ANNIVERSARY COMPILATION CD (Suburban Voice, 1998)
INFO
Lyrics for Is This My World?
Interview from Suburban Punk #3
Al Quint talks with vocalist/bassist Rick Jones in this early issue of Boston's Suburban Punk zine.
Interview from Noise #91
Here's a Kill Kill Kill-era interview from Boston rock magazine Noise - thanks Obik for giving me the interview!
