Poison Idea

Poison Idea are a hardcore punk group from Portland, United States, active from 1980 to 2019. The band forms around vocalist Jerry A., also known as Jerry Lang, with an initial lineup that includes Tom “Pig Champion” Roberts on guitar, Glen Estes on bass and Dean Johnson on drums. Their early sound draws on Black Flag and other early Southern California hardcore bands, while Discharge and the Germs also shape their approach. Jerry A. is strongly influenced by Germs singer Darby Crash, and the band follows that group’s extremist punk ethic.

Early releases

Their first key release is the 1983 Pick Your King EP, a short, lo-fi hardcore record. In 1984, Glen Estes is replaced by Chris Tense for Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes, which begins to add subtle rock elements. The band also contributes “Laughing Boy” to the 1985 Drinking Is Great EP and “Typical” and “Die on Your Knees” to Cleanse the Bacteria, a compilation assembled by Pushead for his Pusmort label. These recordings keep the speed and aggression of their early hardcore sound while widening the musical range.

Hardcore, rock and metal influences

By 1986’s Kings of Punk, Poison Idea move further from their earliest breakneck style into a harder, more developed mix of hardcore and hard rock. After that release, the band goes through several rapid lineup changes, mainly in the rhythm section, and adds a second guitarist, Vegetable Olsen. This period leads to War All the Time in 1987, which brings longer songs, more varied tempos, more detailed guitar solos and a Hawkwind/Motörhead cover. Their sound continues to draw together punk, rock and metal elements.

American Leather Records and later 1980s material

After dissatisfaction with the availability of their records and the royalty payments from earlier labels and distributors, the band members found American Leather Records, named after a Germs song. Through 1988 and 1989 the label issues a series of Poison Idea singles and EPs, including Filth Kick, Getting the Fear and Discontent / Jailhouse Stomp. The pre-Pick Your King demo also appears on vinyl as Darby Crash Rides Again, showing the band’s continued link to its earliest influences.

Feel the Darkness and the 1990s

By this stage Poison Idea have a more stable lineup including Jerry A., Pig Champion, Charley “Myrtle Tickner” Nims on bass and Steve “Thee Slayer Hippie” Hanford on drums, with second guitar duties shared between Mondo and Aldine Strychnine. Their hard living and drinking are also part of the band’s reputation. In 1990 they release Feel the Darkness, which becomes their best known record and is widely regarded as a major hardcore punk and hard rock release. The album is noted for its technical playing, forceful delivery and dark lyrics. Afterward the band continues to release albums and singles that follow the same basic formula, while frequent lineup changes, drug problems, side projects and financial difficulties disrupt their activity.

Later years and Pig Champion’s death

On 30 January 2006, guitarist Pig Champion dies in Portland of kidney failure. A new Poison Idea record is already complete at that point and is released in May 2006 as Last Will and Testament on Farewell Records. The band continues to perform after his death and remains associated with regular touring in Europe and the United States.

Selected discography

Other releases listed for the band include Punish Me, Dutch Courage, Live in Vienna, Official Bootleg, the cover album Pajama Party, Blank Blackout Vacant, We Must Burn, Religion and Politics Part I & II, The Early Years, Learning to Scream and The Best of Poison Idea. The group also appears on several compilations, including Grievous Musical Harm and Punk’s Not Dread.