# Negative Trend (EP)

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1978 EP by Negative Trend

Negative Trend EP by Negative Trend Released September 1978 Recorded June 1978 Genre Punk rock, hardcore punk Length 11:26 Language English Label Heavy Manners Producer Debbie Dub Negative Trend Alternate cover art 1983 reissue as We Don't Play, We Riot.

***Negative Trend*** is the debut [EP](/source/Extended_play) and the only stand-alone official [release](/source/Music_release) by American [punk rock](/source/Punk_rock) band [Negative Trend](/source/Negative_Trend).

## Production

[Produced](/source/Record_producer) by Debbie Dub and the band, *Negative Trend* was [recorded](/source/Sound_recording_and_reproduction) and [mixed](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) in June 1978,[1] in a [process](/source/Studio_recording#The_process) which took only two days.[1]

## Release

*Negative Trend* was originally released in September 1978 on the [label](/source/Record_label) Heavy Manners in [7-inch vinyl disc](/source/Gramophone_record#Common_formats) format.[nb 1][1][2][3][4] Only 1,000 copies of this edition were [pressed](/source/Record_press).[1]

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [5] Punknews [6]

Matt Whalley of [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) retrospectively lauded the EP as being some of America's finest punk music and credited it as being "a surprisingly powerful and gifted piece of American punk history". He gave it 4 out of 5 stars, concluding that *Negative Trend* "is a complete package that puts one of America's least appreciated punk bands on display".[5]

## Reissues

In December 1983, *Negative Trend* was [reissued](/source/Reissue) by [Subterranean Records](/source/Subterranean_Records),[nb 2] this time in [12-inch vinyl disc](/source/Gramophone_record#Common_formats) format, under the title ***We Don't Play, We Riot*** and featuring alternate [cover art](/source/Album_cover),[7][8] taken from a Negative Trend [flyer](/source/Flyer_(pamphlet)) designed by band's bassist Will Shatter[1] for a gig, shared with Readymades and [Avengers](/source/Avengers_(band)), held at [the Mabuhay Gardens](/source/Mabuhay_Gardens) on December 30, 1977.[9][10]

In April 2006,[1] a new edition, [remastered](/source/Remaster#Music) by Steven Tupper at [Fantasy Studios](/source/Fantasy_Studios) in [Berkeley](/source/Berkeley%2C_California), California, was released on [CD](/source/Compact_disc) via [Henry Rollins](/source/Henry_Rollins)' label [2.13.61 Records](/source/2.13.61).[nb 3][1][11][12]

In 2005, Rollins commented about this release:

"About 25 years ago, I found a single ... that has remained one of my favorite 7" records of all time: The Negative Trend EP. ... Over the years I would see the Negative Trend record here and there, mostly [bootlegged](/source/Bootleg_recording) versions of the 7"[13] and the occasional copy of the 12" re-release. At one point in the late 1990s, I asked the band's drummer Steve DePace what was happening with the Negative Trend record and told him if I ever found out where the [master tapes](/source/Mastering_(audio)#Emergence_of_magnetic_tape) were, I was going to put that record out so everyone could hear it. Early this year, I found them and we're releasing the EP on CD. ... The tape held up over all these years and the [mastering](/source/Audio_mastering) is fantastic. The Negative Trend EP never sounded better. I am so excited to be releasing this record on my label."[14]

All previous editions would eventually go [out of print](/source/Out_of_print).[1] However, as of 2006, individual [tracks](/source/Album#Music_track) were made available as [digital downloads](/source/Music_download).[15]

In late 2013, 35 years after its debut, *Negative Trend* was remastered, again at Fantasy Studios but this time by its chief mastering engineer George Horn,[16] for a reissue in its original 7-inch vinyl disc format and cover art[nb 4] on Superior Viaduct,[nb 5][11][17][18] an archival record label.

## Re-recordings

In November 1978, "Mercenaries", "Meathouse" and "Black and Red" were re-recorded, along with the new songs "I Got Power" and "Atomic Lawn", all of them as [demo versions](/source/Demo_(music)), by the third lineup of Negative Trend, featuring Richard Elerick (pka Rik L Rik)[nb 6] on vocals, and [Tim Mooney](/source/Tim_Mooney) on drums,[nb 7] in a six-hour [session](/source/Studio_recording#The_process) produced by Robbie Fields from [Posh Boy Records](/source/Posh_Boy_Records)[21] at Media Art Studio in [Hermosa Beach](/source/Hermosa_Beach%2C_California), California. This was the last time the band went into a [recording studio](/source/Recording_studio).

In mid-1979, the [L.A.](/source/Los_Angeles)-based [Upsetter Records](/source/Upsetter_Records_(American_record_label)) [issued](/source/Music_release) the [*Tooth and Nail*](/source/Tooth_and_Nail_(various_artists_album))[nb 8] [compilation](/source/Compilation_album), featuring [Chris Desjardins](/source/Chris_D.) and Rik L Rik's [remixed versions](/source/Remix)[nb 9] of the Posh Boy demo recordings of "Mercenaries" and "I Got Power".[19]

Following that, Posh Boy decided to remix[nb 10] all five demos from the November 1978 session, adding [bass](/source/Bass_guitar) [overdubs](/source/Overdubbing), as well as a new [guitar](/source/Guitar) track on "Atomic Lawn", by Jay Lansford. Shortly after, Posh Boy issued the [single](/source/Single_(music)) "Meat House",[nb 11][nb 12] initially conceived for Negative Trend, as the first Rik L Rik stand-alone release after he quit the band. This 7-inch [pressing](/source/Record_press) on white [vinyl](/source/Gramophone_record) featured the Posh Boy remixed versions of "Meathouse" and "I Got Power". In the summer of 1979, the five Posh Boy remixes were included on the label's compilation [LP](/source/LP_record) *[Beach Blvd](/source/Beach_Blvd)*.[nb 13] The recordings were [credited](/source/Credit_(creative_arts)) to Rik L Rik.[19]

In 1982, Rik L Rik, backed by members of the [Gleaming Spires](/source/Gleaming_Spires) (an offshoot of the [Sparks](/source/Sparks_(band))), re-recorded "Mercenaries" and "I Got Power" for the [soundtrack](/source/Soundtrack)[22] of a [horror](/source/Horror_film) [short film](/source/Short_film) titled *[The Bishop of Battle](/source/Nightmares_(1983_film)#The_Bishop_of_Battle)*, starring [Emilio Estevez](/source/Emilio_Estevez) as a [video game-addicted](/source/Video_game_addiction) teenager who listens to punk rock.[23][24] Written by Christopher Crowe[25] and directed by [Joseph Sargent](/source/Joseph_Sargent),[23] the story was originally conceived and shot for the short-lived [Universal Television](/source/Universal_Television) TV series *[Darkroom](/source/Darkroom_(TV_series))*,[23] but it was never [broadcast](/source/Broadcasting) because its producers deemed it too intense for TV audiences.[24] However, in 1983, the following year after the show was canceled, the tale was included, along with other three never-aired *Darkroom* episodes, in Sargent's [anthology film](/source/Anthology_film) [*Nightmares*](/source/Nightmares_(1983_film)),[24][26] [released theatrically](/source/Film_release) in September of that year.[23] The music featured in the movie[22] has never been released on a [soundtrack album](/source/Soundtrack_album).[21]

In 1997, Rik L Rik re-recorded "Meathouse" and "I Got Power" with [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey) band [Electric Frankenstein](/source/Electric_Frankenstein) for their [album](/source/Album) *Rock 'n' Roll Monster*[nb 14] released by [Australian](/source/Australia) label [Au Go Go Records](/source/Au_Go_Go_Records).[21]

The following year, the [live](/source/Live_album) EP *Electric Frankenstein with Rik L Rik*,[nb 15] issued by the [Spanish](/source/Spain) label Munster Records, featured live versions of "Meathouse" and "I Got Power".[21]

In November 2011, Posh Boy compiled the two Negative Trend tracks on *Tooth and Nail*, along with their five cuts (credited to Rik L Rik) from *Beach Blvd*, as a downloadable digital audio collection titled *November 1978*.

## Track listing

Side A No. Title Lyrics/Music Length 1. "Mercenaries" Will Shatter/Craig Gray 2:51 2. "Meathouse" Shatter/Gray 3:05

Side B No. Title Lyrics/Music Length 1. "Black and Red" Gray 3:38 2. "How Ya Feelin'" Mikal Waters/Craig Gray 1:52 Total length: 11:26

## Personnel

**Negative Trend**

- Mikal Waters – [vocals](/source/Lead_vocalist)

- Craig Gray – [guitar](/source/Guitarist)

- Will Shatter – [bass](/source/Bassist), [backing vocals](/source/Backing_vocalist)

- Steve DePace – [drums](/source/Drummer)

**Production**

- Debbie Dub – [co-production](/source/Record_producer)

- [Negative Trend](/source/Negative_Trend) – co-production

- Stu the Hippy – [engineering](/source/Audio_engineer)

**Additional production**

- Steven Tupper – [remastering](/source/Remaster#Music) (2006 CD edition)

- George Horn – remastering (2013 7" reissue)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Heavy Manners #HM-1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Subterranean #SUB 32

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** 2.13.61 #213CD1705

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Although it didn't come with the original disc labels and lyrics insert.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Superior Viaduct #SV038

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Former lead singer of the short-lived [West Covina](/source/West_Covina%2C_California) band F-Word![19][20]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Former drummer of [the Sleepers](/source/The_Sleepers_(San_Francisco_band)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Upsetter #UP WR 1&2

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Done at Media Art Studio in Hermosa Beach, California. "I Got Power" was also overdubbed with new vocals by Rik L Rik.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** At Media Art Studio in Hermosa Beach, California.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Posh Boy #PBS 4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** "Meathouse" is spelled "Meat House" in Rik L Rik's releases.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Posh Boy #PBS 102

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** Au Go Go #ANDA 245

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** Munster #MR7115

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-NT2_1-7) ["Negative Trend Two"](http://negativetrend.net/nt-two.html). Negative Trend. Retrieved September 29, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Negative Trend 7""](http://negativetrend.net/7-inch.html). *Negative Trend*. Retrieved April 7, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Negative Trend* (EP), 1978 7" EP release cover art](http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/negativetrend/mercenaries7.jpg). *Record Collectors of the World Unite*. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Negative Trend 7" Insert"](http://negativetrend.net/insert.html). *Negative Trend*. Retrieved April 7, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-allmusic_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-allmusic_6-1) Whalley, Matt. ["*We Don't Play, We Riot*: AllMusic Review by Matt Whalley"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r214592). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved August 9, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Sideleau, Brandon (February 4, 2005). ["Negative Trend: *We Don't Play, We Riot* (1982)"](https://www.punknews.org/review/3698/negative-trend-we-dont-play-we-riot). *Punknews*. Retrieved February 5, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [*We Don't Play, We Riot*, 1983 12" EP release cover art 1](http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/negativetrend/riot12.jpg). *Record Collectors of the World Unite*. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [*We Don't Play, We Riot*, 1983 12" EP release cover art 2](http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/negativetrend/riot12splatter.jpg). *Record Collectors of the World Unite*. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Negative Trend One"](http://negativetrend.net/nt-one.html). *Negative Trend*. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Negative Trend, gig flyer (December 30, 1977)](http://negativetrend.net/images/nt-one/Dec%2030%203%20copy.jpg). *Negative Trend*. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SV_NTEP_2013_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SV_NTEP_2013_14-1) ["Negative Trend - s/t 7""](http://www.superiorviaduct.com/collections/negative-trend/products/negative-trend-s-t-7-inch). *Superior Viaduct*. Retrieved May 4, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [*Negative Trend* (EP), 2006 remastered CD EP edition cover art](http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/negativetrend/trendcds.jpg). *Record Collectors of the World Unite*. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [*Negative Trend* (EP), 1996 7" EP bootleg cover art](http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/negativetrend/mercenaries7boot.jpg). *Record Collectors of the World Unite*. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Sideleau, Brandon (December 3, 2005). ["2.13.61 releases Negative Trend EP"](https://www.punknews.org/article/14701/21361-releases-negative-trend-ep). *Punknews*. Retrieved May 28, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [*Negative Trend* (EP), 2006 MP3 files release](http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/negative-trend-mr0003869365). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved May 4, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["News"](http://negativetrend.net/news.html). *Negative Trend*. Retrieved May 5, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Tolmach, Beth (October 28, 2013). ["Negative Trend: "Black and Red""](http://adhoc.fm/post/negative-trend-black-and-red/). *AdHoc*. Retrieved March 14, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [*Negative Trend* (EP), 2013 remastered 7" EP reissue cover art](http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/artists/negativetrend/mercenaries7rerelease.jpg). *Record Collectors of the World Unite*. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TP_FWord_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TP_FWord_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TP_FWord_24-2) Rabid, Jack. ["F-Word"](http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=f-word). *[Trouser Press](/source/Trouser_Press)*. Retrieved August 3, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** MXV (February 6, 2006). ["Selections from The Punk Vault (F-Word)"](http://www.punkvinyl.com/2006/02/06/selections-from-the-punk-vault-f-word/). *The Punk Vault*. Retrieved July 18, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NT3_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NT3_28-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NT3_28-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-NT3_28-3) ["Negative Trend Three"](http://negativetrend.net/nt-three.html). *Negative Trend*. Retrieved May 12, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IMDb_Nightmares_Soundtracks_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IMDb_Nightmares_Soundtracks_35-1) ["Nightmares (1983)", Soundtracks](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086014/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd). *[The Internet Movie Database](/source/IMDb)*. Retrieved December 8, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HorrorFilmsFAQBook_pp332-333_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HorrorFilmsFAQBook_pp332-333_36-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-HorrorFilmsFAQBook_pp332-333_36-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-HorrorFilmsFAQBook_pp332-333_36-3) [Muir, John Kenneth](/source/John_Kenneth_Muir) (2013). *Horror Films FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Slashers, Vampires, Zombies, Aliens, and More*. [Applause Theatre & Cinema Books](/source/Hal_Leonard_Corporation). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781557839503](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781557839503). pp. 332-333.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ADC-Nightmares_37-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ADC-Nightmares_37-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ADC-Nightmares_37-2) Carlson, Zack. ["Terror Tuesday: Nightmares"](https://drafthouse.com/show/nightmares). *[The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema](/source/Alamo_Drafthouse_Cinema)*. Retrieved December 8, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Christopher Crowe"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0189610/). *[The Internet Movie Database](/source/IMDb)*. Retrieved December 8, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["Nightmares (1983)"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086014/). *[The Internet Movie Database](/source/IMDb)*. Retrieved December 8, 2015.

## Further reading

- Dub, Debbie (July 1984). *We Don't Play, We Riot*. *[Maximumrocknroll](/source/Maximumrocknroll)* (15).

- Addison, Anne (Early 1985). *We Don't Play, We Riot*. *Unsound* 2 (1).

## External links

- [Negative Trend, official website](http://negativetrend.net/menu.html). *Negative Trend*.

- Sideleau, Brandon (December 3, 2005). ["2.13.61 releases Negative Trend EP"](https://www.punknews.org/article/14701/21361-releases-negative-trend-ep). *Punknews*.

- [*Negative Trend* (EP)](http://www.discogs.com/Negative-Trend-Negative-Trend/master/305922). *[Discogs](/source/Discogs)*.

- [*Negative Trend* (EP)](http://punkygibbon.co.uk/bands/n/negativetrend_neg7.html). *Punky Gibbon*.

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Negative Trend (EP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_Trend_(EP)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_Trend_(EP)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.