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THE REVIEW
Ok, this is the EP where Henry Rollins sings when he wasn't yet Henry Rollins and when Black Flag weren't yet those Black Flag - those of the broken mirror, if you know what I mean. And yes, it’s the second record released by Dischord after "Minor Disturbance" (The Teen Idles) by boss Ian MacKaye, when his label was throwing out spitballs of scarcely 9 minutes. And there's also Michael Hampton, a guitarist who will know how to navigate the vast sea of Washington, since he'll end up playing in the fundamental Embrace of the head honcho (he had previously met his brother Alec in The Faith) and then he'll meet Guy Picciotto and Brendan Canty (Rites of Spring and Fugazi) in One Last Wish - yes, there was a certain scene. And there’s much more. But "No Policy" is first and foremost, and perhaps only, the genuine desire to get angry. To scream. To kick ass. It's fucking primal hardcore confined in 500 very dense seconds.
Henry Rollins, as mentioned. Who here is still called Henry Garfield, begins to shred his vocal cords (not as much here, but he's well on his way) and in that same 1981 will take his ass to California to appear in one of punk's timeless masterpieces, to which he was introduced by his friend Ian.
Black Flag, as mentioned. Well, udìo, without exaggerating: here Ginn's guitar masturbations aren’t there, and the only experimental aspect of the group consisted, during the concerts, in spending more time messing around haranguing the crowd than playing. However, however... on closer inspection, there’s a bit of Black Flag in the making: the non-idyllic relationship with the pigs, the rebellion, and that sense I'd define as asymptotic impotence that frustrates any ambition of concrete change ("Every day seems the same, I might as well die...I can't get what I want, what's the fucking point?", from "Blackout") which, though in different forms, in the opinion of the writer is also found in bands that have now gone beyond hardcore, like Rites of Spring and Hüsker Dü. Not to mention anarchism - the title says it all. But there are also straight edge hints and so much, so much fury that tastes of blood and street.
And so 5. Because there's Henry, and Henry is cool. Because there's Henry, and Henry calls the bassist crazy. Because Hampton is delightfully filthy. Because I like it more with every listen. Because at the beginning there's the "onetwothreefour". Because these guys, within nine months, have in their own way created what is essentially a small essential compendium of classic hardcore. Chapeau.
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Summary by Bot
The No Policy EP by State of Alert showcases a primal and furious hardcore punk energy that captures an important moment in punk history. Featuring early performances by Henry Rollins (then Henry Garfield) and guitarist Michael Hampton, the EP is a dense compilation of raw emotion and rebellion rooted in the Washington D.C. punk scene. Released by Dischord Records shortly after its founding, this record is a foundational piece connecting punk icons and themes of frustration, anger, and social dissent. It remains a vital introduction to early hardcore punk.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
09 Public Defender (01:12)
You see a cop coming
You better look quick
He's gunna hit you with a stick
It doesnt matter what you've done
Youre just a summer full of fun
Man in Blue he's coming for you
Sirens red, youre gunna be dead
Man in Blue, He's coming for you
Sirens red, Youre gunna be Dead
Got yoor car he looks inside
Asks you where you've been tonight
He dont like you, everyone knows
He dont like your hair, he dont like your clothes
State of Alert
State of Alert (S.O.A.) was an American hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C., active around 1980–1981. The group recorded the No Policy EP for Dischord and featured vocalist Henry Garfield (later known as Henry Rollins) and guitarist Michael Hampton.01 Reviews
