To commemorate Women’s History Month, Liberation Hall are releasing a string of albums that celebrate the feminine side of San Francisco’s vibrant alternative music scene. Following our reviews of Pearl Harbour and Shakin’ Street, we turn our attention to The Contractions, a post-punk trio who live long in the memories of those who witnessed their incendiary live show. Now we can all experience that magic via 1980, a live set compiled from two dates at the legendary Mabuhay Gardens which, along with three rare studio recordings, makes this the definitive Contractions document.

In the sleeve notes for 1980, guitarist Mary Kelley describes the group thus: “…we showed up, kicked ass and took names”, and never in the annuls of rock music have truer words been spoken, or in the case of this Californian crew shouted. In a punk scene that was powered by testosterone and toxic masculinity, The Contractions brought a more cerebral brand of post-punk to the party. That’s in no way diminishing the band’s power; as opening shot ‘Shut The Door (Slam It)’ amply proves, The Contractions could rock just as hard as the guys, yet they has a certain something that the boys lacked. It’s partly what Slits guitarist Viv Albertine calls “girl rhythms”, and this trio do indeed march to their own beat. Drummer Debbie Hopkins hits especially hard, and while Kathy Peck might not have been the most accomplished bassist (just like the Clash’s Paul Simonon), a limited style spurred her on to greater creativity. The band had a unique chemistry, and one that crackled and fizzed, and the results were unique songs such as ‘Breaking Up Is Not Hard To Do’ and ‘Shadow Boy’, the former being so futurist and far ahead of the curve, it’s frightening.

My only (minor) complaint with this collection is the fading between songs that tends to break the live spell somewhat, so it would have been nice if the songs could have been spliced together to replicate the non-stop action of actual live set. Nevertheless, this selection flows very well, and the two shows from which this disc is compiled evidence what a consistent live act The Contractions were, and the six months that separates the two shows could quite easily be six days. Nearly every track on 1980 turns up neat surprises, be it a neat lyrical turn of phrase or a unique drum pattern, and ensures this is no paint-by-numbers brand of punk, but the more measured and thoughtful variety that foreshadowed the alternative revolution of the coming decade. Like Weimar cabaret, or a piece of existentialist theatre (only updated for the 1980’s), the band’s art background comes to the fore on ‘Tribute To Industry’ (and, indeed, all these tracks) and perfectly illustrates why the band were so inspirational, and why their influence continues to echo down the years.

The three bonus studio tracks sparkle just as brightly as their live companions with ‘You Touched Me’ being the perfect vehicle for the band to show off their dexterity. However, it’s the live environment where the band earned their stripes and 1980 shows why the couldn’t be beat. Meet The Contractions, the band who gave birth to Pussy Riot, The Spice Girls and the whole Riot Grrrl movement.

• 1980 is released via Liberation Hall on 22nd March 2024 (available here).

Track List:

1. Shut The Door (Slam It) *
2. Breaking Up Is Not Hard To Do **
3. No Questions *
4. Water Beast *
5. Shadow Boy *
6. Tribute To Industry *
7. Magazine Phobia **
8. End Of The World **
9. Secretary Sacrifice **
10. Saw My Baby **
11. Rules And Regulations **

Bonus Tracks:

12. You Touched Me ***
13. Early Warning ****
14. Bewitching Me ****

* Recorded at the Mabuhay Gardens, 17th May 1980

** Recorded at the Mabuhay Gardens, 15th November 1980

*** Recorded for the Q ‘n’ D single

**** Recorded for the Trotter Records album Something Broke