Born to Lose

Compilation producers: Doug Cawker, Patrick Boissel, Greg Shaw.
Includes liner notes by Doug Cawker.
Personnel: Art Jackson (vocals, guitar); Dino Everett (vocals); Kim Quinlan, Dave Matke (guitar, background vocals); Frank Meyer (guitar); Ronnie Smith, Baba Chenelle, Roy J. Morgan, Mitch Dean (drums).
Audio Mixers: Michael Bosley; Jon Newkirk; Mike Wolf.
Recording information: Annex Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (1973-1997); Divo Garcia's Studiio, North Hollywood, CA (1973-1997); Los Angeles, CA (1973-1997); Music Box, Holywood, CA (1973-1997); Mystic Studiios, Hollywood, CA (1973-1997); R & R Studios, Hollywood, CA (1973-1997); Raw Dog Studios, Atwater, CA (1973-1997); Rock's Cool Studiio, LA, CA (1973-1997); Sandbox, Hollywood, CA (1973-1997); Sound Affair, Sants Ana, CA (1973-1997); United Sound, Detroit, MI (1973-1997).
Photographer: Pat Murphy.
The soundtrack to a film inspired by the L.A. underground rock scene is a respectable compilation of hard-rocking, largely old-school chord-driven punk tunes by the Lazy Cowgirls, the Zeros, White Flag, and bands (the Joneses, Streetwalkin' Cheetahs, the Bees) who make those minor groups seem like celebrities in comparison. It actually feels a bit retro with the occasional power-poppish hooks, but that's not necessarily a drawback. The compilation is bookended by punk oldies -- the Stooges' "Tight Pants" and the Modern Lovers' "I'm Straight" -- that, inadvertently or not, tower over the rest of the tracks in both power and quality. ~ Richie Unterberger