Off The Wagon is the first release from Belligerent 86, formed in Austin in 1997. Intentionally sequenced to resemble a long weekend of drunken debauchery, the CD grabs you by the blue collar and clocks you out of work on Friday with "Punch Out Time"...A few beers, brawls, break-ups and STDs later and you're out on "Saturday Night"...A rowdy pub version of the Sam Cooke Classic. The songs in between will have you pumpin' your fists, singin' along and slammin' your beers...Sunday then comes and drops you off at home safely after swerving out of the Sunday Drunk Club Ball with "Been Drinkin' ". Just in time for work on Monday morning. Be sure to sleep face down!!
Belligerent 86 was formed in Austin, TX in 1997 by Houston Ritcheson (guitar, vocals) and Bobby Fuentes (drums, vocals) after the demise of their ska/oi/punk band the Contradicks, which was formed in 1994 along with Dynamite Boy guitarist Sean Neil. Going for a harder edge and a sound to go along with their reputation for being 86'd from most reputable clubs in Austin, the name Belligerent 86 was taken. Along with Josh Nash on bass,(replaced shortly after by Josh "pink" Purpurra previously of Endless Struggle) the band was originally a trio and began practicing in South Austin's infamous practice space/party spot/show venue The South House along with notable Austinites The Lower Class Brats, The Chumps and The Oi!strs (who Fuentes also played drums for). After breaking up in 1999 shortly following the band's Austin appearance on the Social Chaos tour, Houston went on to form Brewtality Inc. and Bobby went on to front the Austin hardcore band Blunt Force Trauma. When local interest in Belligerent 86 was rekindled by heavy airplay on pirate radio station KAOS 95.9, the band decided to give it another go. This time with Doug O. from Route 23 taking on lead guitar duties, and Mike "Danger" Conklin on bass. The result was the first release in the bands 10 year history, Off The Wagon.
Perhaps a more fitting bio is found in the lyrics of the song Belligerent 86 itself:
Well we ain't the best of punk rock bands and we damn sure ain't the cleanest.
We're always up for a good bar fight but our music ain't the meanest.
We're the first to tell that greedy nightclub man to suck our dicks.
And we've got a rep in our hometown for gettin' 86'd.
So don't yell out 'last call' for us, cuz we intend to stay.
Just line 'em up, we'll knock 'em back like we did yesterday.
You can bet we won't be picking up awards for good behavior.
Don't need approval, don't need no praise...Don't do us any favors.
There's no one out there in the same league with Belligerent 86.
And next time our shit hits your fan, we'll make sure that it sticks.
From Shelly Dread Houston says he will start chemo next Wednesday and it will last till Friday. At the current time, he is overwhelmed with phone calls, and though he does appreciate the support and well wishes, he does need to leave his line open for test results etc. He asks that you PLEASE check the website for new information or just to check how he's doing, and ONLY call him if it is an emergency. This whole ordeal is very stressful and having his phone ring every 5 minutes is only making it worse. Please spread the word to everyone!! http://houstonsangels.webs.com/
You guys rock!! I'd drive to Texas from Wisconsin to see you guys..err wait, why don't you visit us here and bring some kick ass bands with you, I can set you up a night or two to play!
Check it out! We got our new website up and running. Visit www.throwuprecords.net and see everything we have going on. We have new videos and our latest release, the Dry Heaves compilation, available for pre-sale. Let all of your friends know!!!
![THROW UP Records [Dry Heaves NOW Available Online]](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/97/s_70b20ec23ddb4e538447bfdbd912d08b.jpg)
![HaNdSoMe DoRks CoOcHiE™[GEeKsRePtAr]](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/36/s_097fe59936784749b21f75e85c489727.jpg)
