The Left

Though located in Hagerstown, MD—a locale rarely covered by outlets following even up-and-coming alternative acts—the Left issued an EP and LP of near-hardcore punk during the mid-'80s that drew modest critical notice prior to their dissolution. Slightly broader than typical punk-hardcore groups of the period in terms of rhythmic approach, outside influences, and melodic range, they nonetheless remained aligned with the style through wiry, speedy, fuzzy songs, sarcastic angry lyrics, and surly vocals. A modestly revised lineup reconvened in 1992 to lay down several tracks, yet these stayed shelved until the 2006 CD compilation Jesus Loves the Left: The Complete Studio Recordings assembled all material from the 1984 EP It's the World, the 1985 LP Last Train to Hagerstown, and one cut that had appeared on a 1983 various-artists release.