Angry Samoans
Inside My Brain

THE REVIEW

C, C sharp, D sharp, G. These four chords encompass one of the most irresistible riffs composed by a punk band. It's the opening of the renowned "Right Side of my Mind", the opening track of this "Inside my Brain", a 1980 EP on Bad Trip Records.

The record represents the debut of the "Furious Samoans", a Californian band active since 1978.

Even if this EP is not the Samoans' best work (clearly overshadowed by their devastating debut LP "Back from Samoa"), this record stands out, not just for the superb title track, but for an authentic and very original "punk n' roll" vibe and for a hardcore sound that's never too aggressive with a marked sensitivity to the "77 American" sound.
The 6 tracks of the original EP version indeed contain excellent examples of proto-hardcore that shine due to innovative stylistic solutions ("Hot Cars", "Get Off the Air"), but also ooze Metal Mike and Gregg Turner's passion for American rock ("You Stupid Asshole" and the title track itself).

The mini LP "Yesterday Started Tomorrow" and the album "STP not LSD" would later make explicit the classic rock vein that is only outlined here. Regarding the band's personality, it must be noted that the entire first part of their career was characterized by extremely incorrect and outrageous lyrics and "attitude", which made it difficult for the band to find gigs and nights at Californian clubs (unlike bands with a "tougher" image but more adaptable to the music business's demands).

Although they certainly didn't achieve the fame of other renowned bands in the Californian HC scene, the Angry Samoans managed to gain a good following with this "Inside my Brain" and the subsequent "Back from Samoa", even in Italy.
Even today, the numerous reissues that have followed over the years and the good evaluations of the original records on the collectors' market testify to the group's value.