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I owned this compilation, but in a relatively recent record purge sold it to a friend. 

I should stress how happy I am that I sold it to a friend because it was a cool find to me on a personal level. I came across this gem in the late Second Coming Records in NYC. I was fortunate enough to spend most of my time from the age of 19 to 21 in Manhattan and as such, went to record stores like it was a paper route. Fortunately I didn’t have the desire nor temperament to really invoke any sort of “oh god, this kid again” sentiment from any of the record stores or their employees. I went in, was perhaps acknowledge (but most of the time not) and kept my head down, swept through all of the vinyl around, made a purchase or not, and went on my merry way. 

This story probably rings true to many who read this blog – we share this. Some of you were the naggy kid who wanted to chat up any and all, and maybe a few of you were never vinyl hounds at all. But I bet a great many of those who read were much like myself, where my obsession was not something I wanted to impose on anyone, and I certainly didn’t want to be a bother to any potential record source. For me, this time was anytime from 1998-2003,  after I had gotten into hardcore but before I really had built up any sort of collection. I hope there’s still kids out there with this same experience. 

I came across the Big City: One Big Crowd Compilation there one day in the summer and was really excited. I was only familiar with a few of the bands, Sheer Terror, Adrenalin O.D., Bedlam, and 76% Uncertain, and then familiar with names of a few of the others. What I did know was the label, and the (relative) importance of Big City to the early 80′s NYC punk hc scene. So when I saw it marked for $15 I picked it up. The big bonus was that it came with the full size booklet which is as cool as they come – oversized and the “hey just give us what you want on the insert” to each band that almost emulates the cacophony of a hardcore compilation in the visual element. Not sure if this copy comes with the insert, but I would ask. 

Other than that, I’d say this isn’t a must own NYHC record – it came out in 1985 and features just as many NJ bands as NYC bands- but it is the only vinyl appearance of The Psychos. I consider Adrenalin O.D. a very important band and I’m also somewhat fascinated by the early (pre-LP) era of Sheer Terror. And it features The Psychos. So, maybe you need to evaluate what a must own NYHC record is on your own. I might need to call my friend about a reacquisition.

The Psychos.  

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