Top Five Hits: TKO Records in Fountain Valley

5. R.K.L., Keep Laughing LP reissue (Mystic Records)

Rich Kids on LSD have been around since the '80s.  Based in Southern California, R.K.L. was part of the movement known as Nardcore; they establish the theme of this week: hardcore punk. The reissue of Keep Laughing takes the number five spot this week.

4. ANTiSEEN, Blood of Freaks - Singles 1989-1992 LP (TKO)

Going along the trend of veterans of hardcore or punk, ANTiSEEN makes an appearance on the list this week. Though more on the hardcore side with their scuzzed-out guitars, the TKO-ites' recently released LP features a few out-of-press recordings on tri-color vinyl. The limited press Blood of Freaks compiles singles over three years and takes number four.

3. The Templars, Dans les Catcombs du Studio de L'Acre LP (TKO)

The Templars occupy a genre called Oi!, which is something I honestly hadn't heard of until today. TKO revamped the cover of their re-release of this collection of singles, rarities and compilation tracks, and the new record sleeve has silver foil and black vinyl. These New Yorkians land number three this week.

2. The Normals, So Bad, So Sad LP (Last Laugh)

Contrary to their name, The Normals are anything except mundane.Their Ramones-esque punk managed to stay relatively under the radar, though a categorically different breed than R.K.L. or ANTiSEEN. Their LP of studio demos gets them to number two, although finding an album cover for this one wasn't easy.

1. The Necros, Ambionic Sound 7" (Alona's Dream)

Not the right album cover, but it's the best I could find!

The Necros' name might connote an association with necrophilia, but weirdness gets them attention, and their hardcore sound fits right in with TKO's vein of precious punk gems. Though they're pretty obscure, the Alona's Dream release of 1980's Ambionic Sound is the top seller at TKO this week!