Even Worse (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music |
Even Worse was an American punk rock group originating from New York City, established in 1980. The band's sole consistent member throughout its four-year existence was drummer Jack Rabid, who also founded the music publication The Big Takeover. The lineup saw numerous changes, featuring vocalists such as John Pouridas, John Berry, Garth Ripton, Rebecca "R.B." Korbet, and Ken "Tantrum" Tempkin; guitarists including Dave Stein, Robert Weeks, Thurston Moore, and Steve Waxman; as well as bassists Nick Marden (who later joined the Stimulators), Eric Keil, and Tim Sommer.
History
In April 1980, Even Worse was created by punk musicians Rabid and Stein from Summit, New Jersey, alongside bassist Marden. Their initial performance was as an opening act for the Stimulators at New York City's Tier 3. With John Berry on vocals—who would later become associated with the Young Aborigines and Beastie Boys—the youthful four-piece played various Manhattan venues, supporting bands like Bad Brains. Following Marden’s departure to join the Stimulators and the exit of Berry and Stein, Rabid brought in vocalist Korbet, bassist Keil, and guitarist Weeks.
The lineup active between 1981 and 1982 participated in significant New York City punk events and made their recording debut on New York Thrash, an influential cassette capturing early '80s NYC punk and hardcore scenes released by ROIR. This compilation also showcased fellow acts such as the Stimulators and Bad Brains. In November 1981, Even Worse recorded a full-length studio album that remained unreleased until 2002. This notable lineup dissolved in early 1982, prompting Rabid to form a new ensemble featuring Tempkin, Waxman, journalist/DJ Sommer, and Moore—who contributed guitar while concurrently involved with Sonic Youth.
Their debut 7" single, "Mouse or Rat?", was recorded live in August 1982 at City Gardens in Trenton with the Rabid/Moore/Sommer/Waxman/Tempkin lineup but was not issued until 1984 through their own Worse than You!?! label. A follow-up single titled "Leaving" came out in 1988; its A-side included Rabid (drums/vocals), Sommer, and Stein, while the B-side "One Night Stand" featured Rabid, Sommer, Moore, and Tempkin.
After his tenure with Even Worse from 1982 to 1984, Sommer went on to establish the post-punk group Hugo Largo, subsequently worked as a host for MTV and VH1, and took on a role as an A&R executive at Atlantic Records.
Rabid later created the post-punk trio Springhouse, which released two albums via Caroline Records: Land Falls in 1991 and Postcards from the Arctic in 1993. Springhouse reunited to produce a third album titled From Now to OK, released in 2008 by Independent Project Records.
The "classic" lineup of Rabid, Korbet, Weeks, and Keil from 1981-82 reunited for a New York Thrash reunion show at CBGB in 2002. This event coincided with the release of You've Ruined Everything, a CD containing their previously unreleased thirteen-track album from 1981 alongside a live recording from August 1981 at Max's Kansas City, which included the song "We Suck," previously featured on various Mystic Records compilations.
Studio albums
- You've Ruined Everything CD (2002, Grand Theft Audio)
Singles
- "Mouse or Rat?" 7" (1984, Worse than You!?! Records)
- "Leaving" 7" (1988, Autonomy Records)
Appearances on Various Compilations
- New York Thrash cassette (1982, ROIR) features: "Emptying the Madhouse," "Illusion Won Again"
- You Cant Argue With Sucksess LP (1982, Mystic Records) contains: "We Suck," "Contaminated Waste"
- Mystic Sampler #1 LP (1984, Mystic Records) includes the track: "We Suck"
- The Sound Of Hollywood - Du BEAT-e-o LP (1985, Mystic Records) features: "We Suck"
- New York Thrash CD reissue (1998, ROIR) includes: "Emptying the Madhouse," "Illusion Won Again"
- CBGB Punk from the Bowery DVD (2003, Music Video Distributors) presents: "Major Headache"
- Mystic Sampler #1 & 2 CD (2006, Mystic Records) contains: "We Suck"
External links
- Official Even Worse website
- Even Worse discography at Discogs
- Even Worse profile on BeastieMania
- King of Punk, documentary featuring Jack Rabid