The hardcore scene that emerged out of DC in the ‘80s was not exactly what you would call fun. Fugazi, Minor Threat, Rites of Spring et al. all have that we-take-ourselves-too-seriously vibe. Out of that un-fun scene though came Dag Nasty formed by Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker who arguably invented a new more lighthearted genre of hardcore. The band burned through a revolving door of singers with very distinct and possibly controversial takes on vocals (we’ll get to that later). Also to make things confusing there are currently two active versions of the band that play different eras of their catalog.
Well, what can we say? We wigged out on some Coke and Doritos and had a field day listening to all their albums and came up with the definitive ranking of them all.
6. Minority of One (2002)
You’d think one of the most beloved DC hardcore bands reuniting with fan-favorite frontman and putting out the first album in ten years would’ve been a huge deal but this mostly went under everyone’s radar. Why? It could be because musically it is a slightly bland retread of their earlier stuff but most likely it’s because Dave Smalley came out with his “Gonzo Conservative Punk” ideology during the height of the Bush-is-a-literal-war-criminal era and alienated their audience. Dag Nasty fans don’t really want to hear about politics and they definitely don’t want to hear how supply-side economics is “actually really punk when you think about it.”
Play it again: “Ghosts”
Skip it: “Your Words”
5. Dag With Shawn (2010)
This is basically “Can I Say” originally recorded in 1985 with their first singer Shawn Brown and shelved for decades. I’m probably going to lose punk points for ranking it so low but I have a perfectly valid response: Come onnnn. This is a fine album and if you like “Can I Say” you’ll like this but it’s just not the same with Shawn’s vocals. He would go on to front Swiz which was a much better fit for him.
Play it again: “Circles” Still a solid song even if it is not the version most prefer
Skip it: Honestly, just go listen to Swiz instead
4. Field Day (1988)
Remember on “The Simpsons” when Milhouse’s dad got divorced and recorded a demo song “Can I Borrow A Feeling”? There are moments on “Field Day” that sound a lot like that. This might honestly be the weirdest fucking album you will ever listen to. It’s like every genre being played all at once. That said, there are some really outstanding moments, and the instrumentation at times is super catchy even if the vocals sound like they were recorded by someone who didn’t want to wake their parents in the next room.
Play it again: “All Ages Show”
Skip it: “La Penita” Kirk Van Houten, is that you?
3. Four On The Floor (1992)
Their first reunion album after the initial break up with Dave Smalley returning on vocals and Brian Baker taking a break from his questionable decision to form his cringey bar rock band Junkyard. Seems like the band as a whole got out of their system whatever the fuck it was they were attempting to do on “Field Day” and returned with a mostly great album. Arguably their most fun album with a number of songs that seem like they were custom-made for early ‘90s snowboard videos.
Play it again: “Million Days”, “Still Waiting”
Skip it: “Roger”
2. Wig Out at Denko’s (1987)
The title track is the anthem for the straight edge kids who have to deal with drunk friends at parties and “The Godfather” sounds like the soundtrack to an ‘80s movie training montage for those same kids except instead of training for the big race where they beat the blonde rich kid bully or whatever they are just trying to get past the stage in “Mario Brothers” with all the cannons. Yes, drugs are bad but a steady diet of Coke and Doritos isn’t the clean-living flex you think it is.
Play it again: Pretty much the whole thing
Skip it: Coke (both kinds)
1. Can I Say (1986)
You could have a healthy debate about what the greatest melodic hardcore album of all time is. There are a lot you could mention but it would probably come down to Gorilla Biscuits “Start Today” and “Can I Say.” Travis Barker has “Can I Say” tattooed on his chest and not “Start Today” so I’m not sure if that helps the cause or not for this album but Dave Smalley’s earnestness and the sing-alongability not to mention Smalley’s “I walked by you on the street the other day” monologue put this in the hardcore hall of fame for sure.
Play it again: Yes
Skip it: No