The Wuffy Dogs

Boys Went South reissue

scum stats: 15 test pressings with alt sleeves, 109 “band copies” on brown vinyl (this), 424 black vinyl copies

Seemingly known by only the deepest punk rock collectors, originals of the Wuffy Dogs single have notched respectable four-figure sale prices.

Lyrics tread the familiar territory of Ronald Reagan’s military policy on “Boys Went South”, the inane on “Things Dogs Do”, the megalomaniacal on “I Must Be Lou Reed” and group think on “Going Backwards.”

Musically it’s not as PUNK as I was originally expecting, but touches of Dead Kennedy’s delivery, Buzzcocks poppy-ness, and the nonsensicality of Black Randy and his godhead “Pass the Dust, I Think I’m Bowie” make this a respectable outing for this one-and-done band.

Seems like Cali records that are in this echelon in regards to rarity and price are things I would imagine to be way weirder or wilder. Like Opus, Rock Bottom and the Spys, John Vomit and the Leather Scabs, Jackie Shark and the Beach Butchers…they’re good, but I tend to think the rarity unnaturally inflates the prices people pay for them. #rantover

For my money, you still can’t touch the god head shit like Misfits, Death, Germs, Black Flag, the Fix, Bad Brains. Thems are the heavy hitters, the known quantities, and, arguably deservedly so.

Reissue is done nice and slick, complete with song book containing lyrics. As many reasons as I bemoan the outsourcing of vinyl manufacturing to the Czech Republic, I cannot argue that they make a STURDY product. Jackets stiff. Vinyl heavy.

If you dig any of the references I’ve made here, even slightly, it’s probably worth grabbing the reissue. I wouldn’t say it’s essential, but it is enjoyable and it certainly beats paying $1600 to hear the tunes on a 1983 pressing.