Album of the Day

Among the vanguard of late-1970s Los Angeles punk bands, The Flesh Eaters were the brainchild of poet Chris Desjardins, aka Chris D, who enlisted some of the city's leading musical lights to join its rotating line-up. Check out the credits on A MINUTE TO PRAY, A SECOND TO DIE; the group's 1981 album includes John Doe and D. J. Bonebrake of X as well as Dave Alvin, Bill Bateman and Steve Berlin of The Blasters – none of whom play as though they're merely moonlighting. Vocalist and primary lyricist Chris D has a dark vision that leans toward psychobilly in places (“Digging My Grave” and “Satan's Stomp” are a couple of the titles here), though his bandmates' affinity for intense roots rock can be heard throughout. Surely The Flesh Eaters' finest hour, A MINUTE TO PRAY, A SECOND TO DIE is a testament to the power and possibilities of the first wave of punk.