THE PROLETARIAT - Soma Holiday (Non-U/Radiobeat LP)

Not much I can say objectively here, but those of you who still insist on viewing The Proletariat in the context of "the hardcore scene" or "Boston Not LA" have alot of learning to do. The Boston area's best live band issues their first REAL vinyl. It's interesting to note that the reviewers who are talking about "guitar solos" and "heavy metal" are the ones who never go to see the band live. It's also worth noting that despite being the #2 selling local record in Boston (according to the always accurate folks at Boston Rock), The Proletariat are unable to get any paying gigs in that city. I guess The Channel can't afford to pay the thousands that Frank "rock idol" Michaels must be demanding.

-Gerard Cosloy, Conflict #34, January-February, 1984

EFFIGIES/THE PROLETARIAT/STRANGLEHOLD - The Rat, 9/23/83(Boston, MA)

Stranglehold, a tedious SLF cover band at their best, prompted me to run to the Pizza Pad after two songs. The Effigies and Stranglehold should form one band and save us an extra few bucks on the cover charge: both were redundant, boring and trite. The Proletariat performed and incredibly intense set and the crowd nearly exploded (except for the ever-present bouncers) who kept potential slammers in line)..only Minor Threat (or Burma) could've equaled The Proles tonight.

-Kathy Ahearn, Conflict #34, January-February, 1984

THE PROLETARIAT/ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - M.I.T., 10/29/83(Boston, MA)

The Proletariat always seem to play in the most compatible venues, this drunken Halloween party (attended by many M.I.T. hippies wearing makeup) being a suitable serious climate for the Prole's political message. Opening band Animal Husbandry was a delight, their snappy covers of the Romantics "What I like about you", Blondie's "One Way or Another" and (believe it or not) November Group's "We Dance" whipped the crowd into a frenzy (or about as frenzied as drunk Grateful Dead fans get). The Proletariat, always in the festive spirit, also did a few covers, "Should I Stay or Should I Go", "Maneater" (a song that Rick introduced as "written by Gerard") and "Dancing With Myself" (I played bass on that one, 'cause Peter was too embarassed to stay on the stage with these clowns). Inter-band tensions almost errupted, when Rick started playing air-guitar behind Frank's back. Good thing Tim Y. or Jed Hresko weren't there, or this whole political mystique would've gone straight down the toilet.

-Gerard Cosloy, Conflict #34, January-February, 1984

THE PROLETARIAT/MIA's

@Maverick's, 1/23/83 (Boston, MA)

The MIA's are syntho-slime of the worst variety, a blow-dryer to write songs with? Proles confirm their godlike status for the umpteenth gig in a row. Why do an interview with them? Their songs make the point sharp enough, unless your too stupid to think.

-Gerard Cosloy, Conflict #30, February-March, 1983

MISSION OF BURMA/THE PROLETARIAT

@Trinity College, 1/29/83 (Hartford, CT)

Trinity kids start the night off by dragging seats to the stagefront. Take a nap, why not? The Proletariat play a largely uneven set, marred by various equipment problems (broken snare provokes less-than cool version of "Sex Bomb", which got the biggest audience reaction of the night). Burma were even stronger than at The Channel, with monster versions of "He Is/She Is" and "Peking Spring" (finally!) impressing the drunken frat crowd. Burma could be seen after the show, signing autographs, shaking hands, and generally contemplating the Springstein-like future that might've been........

-Gerard Cosloy, Conflict #30, February-March, 1983

WILD KINGDOM/THE PROLETARIAT/AMERICANS ALONE

@Concord Scout House, 2/11/83 (Concord, MA)

Great organizing job done by Leslie Murphy, who despite a truly crummy snowstorm, pulled close to 300 kids into this out-of-town locale. Americans Alone are fronted by one Clayton Adams, a former prep-school "musical genius" who sucked up to everything Weller or Minehan ever wrote. Today, being financed heavily by daddy's checkbook, Clayton's got a highly derivative U2/Primary Colors ROCK band that rilly "rip it up." Alienation and passion are feigned throughout, but this bunch are so pathetically unoriginal and phoney, to even throw a brick at them would take too much effort. Paul Weller would be ashamed. The Proletariat play an INCREDIBLE set, punctuated at the end with a surprise encore of "Should I Stay Or Should I Go", catching much of the crowd in shock ("that's not how it sounds"). Wild Kingdom appear to be an honest effort by some ex-HSR members, but the faint impression I got was of some straining and posing backed by a loud THUD. I'd like to see them again before passing judgment.

-Gerard Cosloy, Conflict #30, February-March, 1983