Here’s a rad short set from EXCEL, a crossover thrash / punk band from Venice, California.  This show was the release of a compilation called Don’t Look Back, which I’ve never heard.  Tons of rad bands were on the bill, Phantasm, Hirax, Stikky, and Cryptic Slaughter played, along with a few others.  Everyone seems to play super short sets at this show, probably because of how many bands played, but it really gets taken to an extreme with Excel.  After their first song, they are told that they have time for one more song.  Vocalist Dan Clements doesn’t seem too pleased, and vows the band will just keep playing.  And that they do, ultimately playing four.  It’s a super short set, and the band is obviously annoyed, but it’s still a pretty cool look at the band before they had any albums released.  Turn the volume and start that pit, yo!

- Dan HASHTHRASH

EXCEL
November 8th, 1986
Long Beach, CA
@ Fender’s Ballroom
Total run time:  18:10
Recorded by:  unknown

Set:

• tuning  (00:00)
• Introduction  (02:32)
• Social Security  (03:46)
• Split Image  (07:14)
• Your Life, My Life  (12:28)
• Insecurity  (15:44)