Middle Class

Middle Class were a hardcore punk/post-punk band from Santa Ana, California that formed in 1978 and broke up in 1982. They are perhaps best known for their debut EP Out Of Vogue, which is often cited as being one of, if not the first "hardcore" album ever put out, along with others such as Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown and The Germs' Lexicon Devil. Unfortunately, Middle Class never gained the notoriety of many other bands that came out in that era. This is probably also partially due to their changes in sound that came quite quickly after their first EP. On 1980's Scavenged Luxury, the band shifts to post-punk, by taking influence from the punk-funk of Gang Of Four and the artful melodies of Mission of Burma. By the time their sole full-length came out, Homeland, they've evolved into a slightly more upbeat Joy Division. All their work is definitely solid, regardless of what niche it falls into. If you're looking for late 70's/early 80's punk, here you go. Also, the compilation A Blueprint For Joy features both of their two EP's in addition to demos and unreleased songs. If you want more straight-forward punk from these guys, give the compilation a listen too. Enjoy.

Out Of Vogue (1978)

1. Out Of Vogue

2. You Belong

3. Situations

4. Insurgence

Scavenged Luxury (1980)

1. Home Is Where

2. A Blueprint For Joy

3. Last Touch

4. Introductory Rites

Homeland (1982)

1. The Call

2. A Skeleton At The Feast

3. Out Of My Hands

4. Listen

5. Shaken

6. Mosque

7. Restless Young Men

8. Ritual And Deceit

9. Everything

A Blueprint For Joy (1995)

1. Out Of Vogue

2. You Belong

3. Situations

4. Insurgence

5. Love Is Just A Tool

6. Above Suspicion

7. Archetype

8. Home Is Where

9. A Blueprint For Joy

10. Last Touch

11. Introductory Rites

12. Be Contemporary

13. Language Of Paradise

14. Love Is Just A Tool

15. No Time

16. Blue Movie

17. Red Light Sexes

18. Concession To The Enemy

19. Taken By Force

20. Failure Of All Pop

21. Misery Loves Company

22. TV Photo Life