Damian Abraham is possibly the most instantly recognizable figure in hardcore punk music today. The image of Damian’s full frame, drenched in sweat, blood, saliva, beer and (more than likely) even more blood, has a tendency to remain seared upon the retinas and subconscious of the musically aware and casual observer alike.

Through his role as mouthpiece for Fucked Up’s wholly idiosyncratic and uncompromising synergy of traditional hardcore anger, speed and force, Damian has become the focal point of a band that has always been much more than just a band.

Fucked Up are a movement– a band to believe in that have always threatened to convert listeners from every margin that recognize in their music, ethical outlook, and modus operandi are something beyond carbon copy reproduction of the current scene. The band recently signed to indie label Matador in a worldwide deal that makes this threat an ever-growing reality.

As far as they stray from the confines of perceived notions of punk “normality,” the band’s stringent adherence to the 7” record is perhaps their only concession to hardcore conventionality.

It is no surprise then to discover that the whole band are vinyl obsessive. Abraham, aka, “Pink Eyes” is the group’s self-confessed crowned record nerd. PsychoPEDIA caught up with Damian to source his rarest little circles of wax and find out which of these precious commodities he would sell his left leg for:

How old were you when you bought your first record? I would have been would have been three or four. It was the Madness "Our House" 7". I fell in love with that song because it was on the radio and TV back then. I can’t remember the exact store I got it in, but I guess I would have bought it somewhere with my dad.

How old were you when you realized that you were a “record collector,” as opposed to someone who just bought and listened to records?
I would have been about 17. I was a late bloomer. I didn't get ‘real’ about it until I was 19 though. That was when I started trading and digging. I can remember going to a friends house, and he was flipping a bunch of punk singles to focus more on reggae and jazz. I bought a ton of stuff off him and just thought to myself: "Well this is my life now."

Can you remember what the first punk record you ever bought?
I think it would have been a Swingin' Utters “Nothing To Rely On” 7".

What came first for you: punk obsession or record obsession?
Punk was first. I bought records about a year or two after, but it was more for ‘the music’ then. I swiftly became pretty obsessed though. The two go hand in hand. I think it’s because punk, by its very nature, is outsider music that appeals to marginal personalities. These types of personalities often tend to be hoarders. If it wasn't punk I'm sure I would be collecting Star Wars toys or something else nerdy. I mean, as well as records I collect old ‘zones, tapes, fliers, the odd t-shirt. Basically: anything punk related.

What is your favorite ‘punk record?
h100 – ‘Dismantle’ 7"

What’s the rarest record you own?
I have a DRI test press of the ‘Violent Pacification’ 7" that has the wrong band on the b-side and the Integrity acetate. Or the acetatesof the first Teenage Head 7" and LP. All that stuff is pretty hard to get hold of.

What have been your biggest bargain finds?
My wife gave me a copy of The Subhumans ‘Death To The Sickoids’ 7". I’d wanted that forever, but I didn't really find that, so maybe we can’t count it. I once found a copy of the Action 12" with the sleeve as they were putting it in the windowdisplay of a store and bought it for a quarter. It was a bit of a mythical record to me, and to find it like that made my day. I have been lucky enough to have been given some amazing records by friends over the years, but I couldn't count those as bargains. I would say the Project X single for a few bucks or the Integrity 10" on pink with the alt sleeve for $10 are my biggest scoops.

On the flipside, have you ever had to sell chunks of your collection in hard times?
I have sold stuff, but always to buy other stuff. I guess it is more like reinvesting.

Which single record do you own the most variants of?
I want to one day have all the various version of the Confront 7". I'm one away now, and I have six already on the h100 7". I'm a huge loser.

No you aren’t. You’re my hero. Which single record that you do not own do you wish that you did?
The Fix ‘Vengeance’ 7" It is such a mythical record, but apart from that, most of the stuff that I want now is just cool records I didn't know about. Not so much heavy hitters. I long for the purity of obscurity.

As someone who still digs in crates, what are your feelings towards eBay as a forum for record exchange and collecting?
I don't use it anymore, but that is only because I enjoyed it too much at one point. I think it has leveled the playing field and forced collectors to step up their game up.

Finally, do you have a favorite ‘non-punk’ record?
“Phantom Of The Paradise” Soundtrack .

~James Knight


To search from some of Damian's favorites, check out these record shops:
Rough Trade East, 91 Brick Lane, London
Princeton Record Exchange, 20 South Tulane St, Princeton NJ
Singles Going Steady, 2219 2nd Ave Suite C, Seattle WA
Sonic Machine, 143 rue St-Maur, Paris
Core Tex Records, Oranienstrasse 3, Berlin
Bleecker Bob's, 118 West 3rd St, New York