Feel It Records – FEEL IT 45
The Zits were a short-lived phenomenon, forming in February 1981 and
disbanding upon graduation from Oakton High School in late May.
Initially dubbed Nic Beery and The Zits, the group quickly shortened
things to The Zits while rehearsing and playing a mix of basement
parties, high school events, and community centers. Within a few months,
The Zits had a solid repertoire of punk originals and covers, which
included The Ramones and The Undertones (see track 5 for a great version
of "Can't Get Over You"). Inspired by a classmate who had pressed a
solo 45, The Zits pre-sold copies of their very own single, and booked
time at Eastern Recording in Glen Burnie, Maryland to record their two
strongest tracks. Produced by Scott Watson of regional new wave act The
Intentions, the two tracks - "Sick on You" and "Beat Your Face" were
quickly mixed and sent off to be released as a 45 on singer Nic Beery's
own Olympic Records. Both tracks are total teen punk hits with great
snotty vocals, crunchy guitar, keyboard, and some of the best dry heaves
ever committed to tape! Nearly 40 years later, the single - and it's
appropriately low-brow picture sleeve - has gained a reputation as a
bonafide Killed By Death/Bloodstains-comp level hitter, and appears here
remastered from the original 8 track tape.
But that's not all! The Zitmusic archives yielded an incredible cache of
unreleased cassette material taken from rehearsals and live shows.
"Back in Blackhead" also features 7 previously unheard cuts, including
what could have been the second Zits single - the killer "Bertha Was a
Slut", the warped twelve bar "No Dough Blues", and several other
exuberant teenpunk anthems. The Zits may have not had the sex or the
drugs, but they certainly tackled the rock'n'roll better than most other
class of 1981 bands can claim. After receiving a promo copy of The Zits
45, Greg Hawkes of The Cars replied via postcard, "I played your record
and thought it was pretty ridiculous." Thankfully that ridiculousness
has been preserved on "Back in Blackhead"
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