If you were a fan of Bob Mould‘s Hüsker Dü follow-up band Sugar (who just recently announced a reunion and new album on the way), then you might have heard the band Mercyland, fronted by Sugar‘s David Barbe. Formed in 1985, the band had the same raw power and melodic punk sound that made Hüsker Dü the beloved scene icons they were. While most of the band’s music was been available to stream, one key track from the group was missing until just recently.
Originally released as a 7: vinyl single in 1987, “Black on Black on Black” is a fuzzy punk rock nugget. The vocals imitate British punks like The Buzzcocks, creating that instant nostalgia factor, while lyrics like “You’re going no place, you’ve got no place left to go” fit perfectly into the classic punk vibes.
It’s time for Mercyland to get the same attention as Mould’s many projects. This song, and the band’s other tracks, are an important piece of 80’s punk music canon. Listen to the found gem “Black on Black on Black” here.
The Indy Review 