2.14.2019

FEARLESS IRANIANS FROM HELL - Fearless Iranians From Hell

Artist:  Fearless Iranians From Hell
Album: Fearless Iranians From Hell
Year:  1986
Genre:  Punk

First off, I would make a case that Fearless Iranians From Hell is still the most punk rock name and concept of all time.  Think about it...naming yourself after America's biggest foes in the midst of Reagan-era politics, Hezbollah and the Iran-Contra Affair is rather gutsy.  Especially when you're from the humorless state of Texas. Then, on top of it, lyrics embracing bombing embassies, dying for Allah, hijacking planes, anti-American sentiments and joining the “Iranian Klan."  Plus…all sung by an Iranian man!  Everything they released followed the same theme.  How FIFH didn’t catch flack, I’m not sure.  Mike Muir got a knock on his door from the Secret Service for less.  Pretty damn bold.

Although, this is one of my favorite 7"s from the 80s, it falls into the category of nostalgia over greatness.  While I love the 4 songs contained on this EP, calling them "great" might be an over statement.  Nobody will ever group this together with Nervous Breakdown, Negative Approach, In My Eyes or United Blood.  Maybe that's unfair to compare it to icons of the genre.  The Fearless ones fell into my life at a time when everything in the punk world was new and completely exciting.  That’s the stuff that remains with you forever and this record has just stuck with me throughout the years.  The songs are angry blasts of punk rock with a super sense of humor and a mega dose of irreverence.  Their following full lengths became more concise and a bit more venomous in their delivery.   The loose, pissed off feel of this 7” is what keeps me coming back.

Listen to "Blow Up The Embassy" here.

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