AWESOME Murphy’s Law tee here from hanceartist. It’s got everything you could want: skulls, beer, weed… yet done in a way that’s somehow very summery. Makes me think of jam shorts and poolside (crucial) BBQ’s.
Funny thing to check out, if you have a moment, is the Murphy’s Law wikipedia page. I checked it out because I couldn’t recall what year Best of Times came out (yes, I was checking to see if this shirt was from that era- it’s not), and whoever wrote that page up went at it with a depth usually reserved for wiki’s on the likes of the E Street Band…
The Best of Times (1991–1992)
Murphy’s Law usher in the ’90s with a reinvigorated blast of their debauchery-laced brand of comedic punk. Stylistically, Murphy’s Law makes quite a jump on The Best of Times. The band did dabble in skacore long before it exploded, but was always pretty much a flat-out hardcore unit in the ’80s. The Best of Times finds Jimmy Gestapo and friends combining funk, reggae, ska, and hardcore into their own distinct brew, shedding any dogmatic restrictions applied to the standards of their genre in the ’80s. Production by Fishbone’s John “Norwood” Fisher and Philip “Fish” Fisher lends authenticity and diversity to The Best of Times, as does the added instrumentation by several members of Fishbone. Covers of James Brown and Stevie Wonder provide some insight into Murphy’s Law’s sometimes controversial and misunderstood affiliation with the skinhead faction, finally putting to rest any allegations that racism or fascism have anything to do with the band’s outlook. Although the group manages to shed this stereotype and expand musically on The Best of Times, the subject matter doesn’t otherwise stray too far from earlier work. Songs about pot, beer, girls, and cars showcase the glorious immaturity and quest for fun that pretty much define Murphy’s Law. When the band does get serious, which isn’t very often, it’s in the interest of unity and friendship. The title track is basically a fan tribute, thanking a small but loyal group of followers for the support that’s enabled Murphy’s Law to continue the party. The ska-tinged but heavy “1%” revels in the outcast-minded punk rock ethos, giving nod to those who embrace the good and bad of surfing the fringe of culture and society. Classic Murphy’s Law rage surfaces on “Harder Than Who,” an attack on the mindless aggression and competition that sometimes rule the hardcore scene.
Continue reading »
