Minor Threat - The First Demo Tape

When one listens to Minor Threat's “First Demo Tape”, you might not realize that it actually is a demo tape. While it is indeed one of the first recordings that MacKaye and friends did under the Minor Threat moniker, you wouldn't realize it was actually a demo unless told (or if you've heard their complete discography/EPs) because of how the production quality of the tape is strikingly similar and well done just as it is with later recordings, such as their Minor Threat and Out Of Step EPs. As you take your first listen, you hear “Minor Threat, take one”, and the band gets right into it. Lyle Preslar starts ripping out with their self-titled track, soon joined by Brian Baker on the bass guitar and Jeff Nelson with his perfectly matching drum track. MacKaye soon joins the rhythm section with his loud, angry shouts, which are quite clearly heard. The band does this throughout the whole demo without having a quiet moment, with MacKaye fronting the band with his peer-angry lyrics directed towards the ones who are accusing him of the past actions of the people in America and his classmates breaking the law. The first demo tape by Minor Threat is one to check out, as it's a small sampler of what the band is like without diving head first into the world of hardcore punk.

Track Listing:
1. "Minor Threat" – 1:39
2. "Stand Up" – 0:49
3. "Seeing Red" – 1:02
4. "Bottled Violence" – 0:56
5. "Small Man Big Mouth" – 0:59
6. "Straight Edge" – 0:48
7. "Guilty of Being White" – 1:18
8. "I Don't Wanna Hear It" – 1:27

Sample:
Track 1: "Minor Threat"

- Steve