(one of 22 different diy handmade varieties)
Some of Punk Rock’s greatest qualities lie in its immediacy. The music is fast, the words to the point, and the themes timely. “Public Utility Complaint” is the perfect example of this. Philly’s Amateur Party took umbrage with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission shutting off people’s heat in the winter months when they need it most, so they wrote a song about it. Roughly 2 months after a piece by the Philadelphia Inquirer brought light to the situation Amateur Party released a 7” echoing the sentiment. If this doesn’t speak to Punk’s immediacy I don’t know what does. It’s like when someone falls at a show and within a split second they are picked up by a bunch of fellow show goers. In Punk Rock you don’t wait for change to come or for help to arrive, you get out there and just fucking do something about it. You pick that kid up and keep dancing.
The love and attention that went into making this 7” is overwhelming. Each one comes with really sweet DIY packaging from Paramnesia Records. There are 3 colors (black, clear, and a marble sky blue). And there are a bunch of unique covers with photo inserts courtesy of Chrissy Piper (read our Three Records review for more on her awesomeness). In total there are 22 different handmade varieties available. There’s even a sweet little booklet that comes with it that has the article from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the lyrics, and a writeup by Mike at Parmanesia. Plus it comes with a download code. As a record collector you can’t ask for anything more.
I really dig this 7” too. Amateur Party are one of Philly’s best punk acts. If you are not familiar with them I suggest getting this 7” immediately. Also worth your time is their “Sounds and Halls to House Them” EP. Lead singer Mike McKee can be found elsewhere with two other Philly favorites of mine (Atom Goren and Dr. Dan) when they play as Armalite (look for their album out on No Idea).
Get this 7″ while they last at the Paramnesia Records Website.
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