The Germs / Lexicon Devil (7″ Vinyl)

Description

7″ Vinyl / 45 rpm Single

Reissue

1978-US

Format: 7″ Vinyl

#Ref: Scam101

Release date: 2019

Release notes

First wave Los Angeles punk rock royalty THE GERMS need no introduction to anyone.

Written by lead vocalist, Darby Crash, Lexicon Devil was the band’s second single and first ever release for the notorious Slash label. The band’s second record came about when the publishers of the punk zine Slash agreed with the Germs to release an EP on their newly formed record label. It was the debut output of Slash Records, and of Geza X both as a producer and as a recording engineer.

The song “Lexicon Devil” later appeared on Germs’ only studio album, “GI,” released in 1979. It is considered a classic in punk rock history and is often cited as a key example of the raw, energetic, and rebellious spirit of the early punk movement. Despite Germs’ short-lived career, they continue to be acknowledged and celebrated for playing a key role in shaping punk music.

The EP’s title track is an apocalyptic manifesto full of fractured images, whose lyrics were written by Crash in the first person in the name of Adolf Hitler, who proclaims himself a “lexicon devil” in the song, which is featured here in its slower and tamer first version. “Lexicon Devil” might also fit Paul Beahm’s new punk persona, since Crash was an aspiring cult leader obsessed with the idea of the mind control through the rhetoric, that is, using the power of words. Crash was one of the wordiest lyricists in the early Los Angeles punk scene, hence, while it is more musically developed than “Forming”, the band’s previous record, the Lexicon Devil EP is rather remarkable for its lyrics.

“You didn’t know the words because [they were unintelligible], when Darby’d sing them live, so [I] was just astounded when [the Germs] got that first Slash record and actually [I] read the lyrics. They were great!” – John Doe, member of L.A. punk band X
“I loved to read his lyrics. You couldn’t always make them out when he sang them … Darby was one of the only performers I know of who literally used the English language as a weapon.”
– Chris Desjardins, frontman of L.A. punk band the Flesh Eaters

Conceptually linked to the lyrical content of the record, which is a reflection of the messianic and apocalyptic obsessions of Crash, the cover art for Lexicon Devil is notorious for its contentious imagery. The front cover features a Nazi propaganda painting by Hubert Lanzinger from ca. 1935 portraying a glorified Adolf Hitler; while the back cover, in ideological contrast, reproduces an anti-fascist political cartoon by Arthur Szyk from 1942.

The Germs were gaining notoriety since the release of their first single “Forming”, and their early live performances. The band’s increasing success also presented some roadblocks. They did not have a permanent drummer at the time. After Donna Rhia left, the band had a succession of aspiring drummers and part-timers taken on loan from other bands, including X’s Don Bonebrake, who filled in at a few gigs, and the Weirdos’ Nicky Beat, who took the seat in the sessions for the Lexicon Devil EP. Also, Pat Smear did not own an amplifier for his Rickenbacker electric guitar. Smear’s non-ownership of an amplifier at the time actually led to the unique guitar sound on the record. Geza X was supposed to lend him one for the recording sessions, but had forgotten, instead he strung together some effect pedals and the guitarist plugged directly into the studio’s mixing board.

A few days before recording commenced, aspiring drummer Don Bolles came down to Los Angeles from Phoenix, Arizona to audition for the group. He got the job, but it was too late for him to learn the songs in time to go into the studio. Instead, Nicky Beat kept the drum seat warm for the session, while Bolles still participated, helping chant “Non deus, non deus, non deus” and clapping his hands, along with the Deadbeats’ saxophonist Pat Delaney and the rest of the band, during the bridge in “No God”.

This reissue is replicating the original 1978 version. This edition will be made available in the same four sleeve color variations as the original with matching colored vinyl (in red, pink, yellow and orange with each color being limited to 500 for a grand total of 2000 copies). On this reissue the lyrics are printed on the inner sleeve as opposed to other side of the sleeve like on the original.

Tracklisting