TOKEN ENTRY - Jaybird

Artist:  Token Entry
Album:  Jaybird
Year:  1988
Genre:  Hardcore

I never was a skater, but I definitely embraced the culture that surrounded it; the attitude, the music, the fashion.  I toyed around with skateboards when I was a young kid, but I kept falling and hitting stuff, and ended up majorly crashing when I attempted uneven sidewalks or (stupidly) tried to nail a ramp I built with plywood and bricks and the end of my driveway.  It just wasn’t for me.  Anyways, the point of this is that even at 51 years old, Token Entry’s Jaybird record always makes me feel as if I should go get a board and try again just to fill that tiny void that’s missing from my childhood.  For me, this album is the essence of hardcore punk.  It’s fast, fun, exciting and performed with reckless abandon.  Nothing is perfect on this record; just kids playing with heartfelt and genuine passion.  It doesn't have all the negative overtones many of the NYHC bands did at the time.  I seriously get happy any time I listen to this record.  As for a revamp of my short-lived skating career, I think I’ll just keep listening to this record and stay broken bone free.

Listen to "Jaybird" here.