Out of Vogue
Encyclopedia
Out of Vogue EP was the first release by Californian
punk rock
band the Middle Class
. The record was distributed locally by independent label Joke Records in 1978, though it received only small local success in an era where punk had virtually no chance of radio airplay in the US. The band has achieved more recognition in recent years, being featured in the documentary American Hardcore
in 2006. According to the documentary, vocalist Jeff Atta quoted that instead of learning instruments and adopting punk
as a style, the band instead learned to play the first punk
records, also relying on precision rather than perfection.
Despite that appearance, and the fact that the EP came before most other generally recognized landmarks of hardcore punk
, their first record is rarely regarded as the first hardcore record. It is still being debated on whether it is the first hardcore release, competing with Black Flag
's 1978 7" EP
, Nervous Breakdown for the title amongst most commentators.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band the Middle Class
Middle Class (band)
The Middle Class are an American punk rock/hardcore punk band established in 1977 in Santa Ana, California. The band consisted of Jeff Atta on vocals, Mike Atta on lead guitar, Mike Patton on bass, and Bruce Atta on drums. The band achieved major success in the hardcore punk scene of Southern...
. The record was distributed locally by independent label Joke Records in 1978, though it received only small local success in an era where punk had virtually no chance of radio airplay in the US. The band has achieved more recognition in recent years, being featured in the documentary American Hardcore
American Hardcore (film)
American Hardcore is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. It is based on the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis...
in 2006. According to the documentary, vocalist Jeff Atta quoted that instead of learning instruments and adopting punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
as a style, the band instead learned to play the first punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
records, also relying on precision rather than perfection.
Despite that appearance, and the fact that the EP came before most other generally recognized landmarks of hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, their first record is rarely regarded as the first hardcore record. It is still being debated on whether it is the first hardcore release, competing with Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
's 1978 7" EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Nervous Breakdown for the title amongst most commentators.
Personnel
- Jeff Atta - lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Mike Atta - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Mike Patton - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Bruce Atta - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....