Roger Miret & The Disasters – 1984

Roger Miret has been a quintessential part of the New York City punk/hardcore scene for a lot time, he was an important player in the movement of the genre all over the world as he led the famed Agnostic Front. In 2002 he decided to attempt to go on his own with Roger Miret & The Disasters as they released their debut self-titled album to great reception. After two years of solid touring on the album The Disasters are back with their sophomore album, 1984, which is full of that classic punk/hardcore sound Miret has become known for.

Within these thirteen tracks you see real old fashion punk. None of that emo/screamo/whiny stuff, just true, honest, hardcore punk that is lacking in the scene today. The songs are simple but intense. Uncompromising, straight up street punk that brings up images of The Clash, Sex Pistols, US Bombs, and of course, Agnostic Front. Miret’s vocals are strong and gravelly and come through with a sense of honesty as he sings about rebelling, rioting, being a hooligan, hating everyone, a rebel female, and remembering old times in New York back in 1984 among other things. The sing-along choruses are backed up perfectly by Miret’s band mates, and is almost always a perfect fist punching tune to rock to. Even the slower, ballard-like song New York City succeeds in getting you to sing along as you wave your lighter back and forth.

Roger Miret & The Disasters are one true punk band amongst an unknown amount of emo bands, making for a nice break in the monotony of the same song over and over again. The album is not ground breaking, but it doesn’t have to be. It is simple, direct, honest, and fun; an amazing street punk album for any street punk fan. And one that will get played countless times in the future without ever getting stale, boring or repetitive.