When the Ramones lost it, the Zero Boys found it; Adding a slam brigade fist to the Blitzkrieg Beat. The Zero Boys managed to come with one of the best early 80s punk records, or one of the best records ever, period.

From 1979 to 1983, the Indianapolis-based Zero Boys were the finest hardcore blitz in the Midwest if not all the lower 48 states. Compiled and released as a post-mortem following the bands breakup, History Of is the proof, if more was needed, that their take of American hardcore wasnt all white bread numbers. Yeah, they played shows with Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, Subhumans, and others but in Terry Hollywood Howes guitar there was harmonious terror and unstoppable cadence. Terrys licks and chops a leap beyond two or three chord punk offered a zone and measured count for drummer Mark Cutsinger and bassist David Tufty Clough, a rhythm unit in par with the Minutemen if not The Meters, to run lines like quicksilver. Meanwhile, frontman, Paul Z Mahern provides a constant wash from beginning to end.

Originally released in 1984 with a limited-edition reissue in 2009, this 40th anniversary edition includes the original LP of History Of and a 7 featuring four live recordings never previously pressed to vinyl and recorded at iconic hardcore/punk venue Crazy Als in 1980: Livin In The 80s, Stick To Your Guns, Commies, and Im Absent.