"...five for pure atmosphere. This is not the band that would later record "Germs(GI)"; this is four kids screwing around, having fun. There are hints of talent in songs like 'Forming' and 'Let's Pretend', but most of the set is a mess. Still, the importance of the moment that "Germicide" documents--the infancy of America's most influential punk scene--cannot be diminished. For a frightening contrast(and I'm not using "frightening" in a hyperbolic way), listen to this CD and then watch the documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization" in which the late-period Germs appear. It will give you an idea of the dark depths plumbed on the L.A. punk scene in the space of two and a half years."
Germs - 'Germicide: Live At The Whiskey, 1977' (Bomp)
Mike Reed | USA | 10/05/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is only the second Germs release I've ever heard. How many 'actual' albums did they put out? Was very impressed with the sincerity of the Germs. They're a true-to-the-roots all out American punk band. They're dirty, rude, mean, offensive and have a totally violent additude. Perfect! Tracks I found myself looking forward to on this CD were "Sex Boy", "Sweet Dream", the slamming "Suicide Machine" and "Teenage Clone". Line-up: Darby Crash (R.I.P.)-vocals, Pat Smear-guitar, Lorna Doom-bass and Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go's) believe or not on drums. Should draw in old school followers of Dead Kennedys, Social Distortion, Black Flag and Circle Jerks to name just a few. A should have."
Time Travel
Harold G. Meeks Jr. | raleigh nc | 05/16/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, the reviews are either 1 or 5. I give it a four because I bought it, ignored it on my iPod for almost a year, and have listened to it three times all the way through in the last 24 hours.
It is loud, sloppy, bratty and at times great. It is the definition of the whole DIY punk thing, like The Mekons first album (different for sure but with the same attitude). You can hear bits of pieces of trashy metal, Bowie, etc. Suicide Machine is my favorite track, but the insults, hurled bottles and trash are all there as well."
I love the Germs, but really...
הצהצה | 02/21/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"OK, let`s get one thing straight. The Germs are one of my favorite punk bands ever, and I really like their music, as they recorded some of the best stuff the L.A -scene had to offer. But really, can anyone say that they like listening to this album? Admit it, the Germs were pretty disasterous as a live group. I`m not saying this about the band, in their last active years (circa 1979-80) the band was a tight gang, and everyone knew how to play their instruments. But even in their "heyday" (can you say that about the Germs anyway?) their live shows were a complete mess. For God`s sake, Darby had to consume a crapload of drugs to perform! And if Darby was the reason that their live shows were a train wreck in their best days, this one, this album was recorded in 1977. That was when the Germs couldn`t even play. Add to that the wasted performance by Darby (in the time of this album, Bobby Pyn) and you`ve got yourself a very, very bad live album.
If you`re a fanatic Germs -fan, then I assume you already have this, but really. For a band this self-destructive and short-lived, all you need is the essential (MIA) The Complete Anthology. It has almost everything they recorded, plus a couple live tracks."