The Wipers were the band I always needed to hear. They were frequently dropped as influences by various artists during the nineties including Blur, Nirvana, My Vitriol and more. This box-set brings you three of their most popular and well-known albums and more rarities than you could ever wish for. The first album, Is This Real?, is an enlightening and inspiring collection of classic pop-punk songs. The energy of Return Of The Rat, the alienation of D7, the anger of Mystery, the melancholy of Don't Know Who I Am and the pop brilliance of Let's Go Away. You will never fall out of love with this album. Then there's Youth Of America. It's quite different than the previous album but equally compelling. It tends to be slightly more of a challenge to get into but once you're into it, it's well worth it. The most accesible song is Can This Be, a stunning punk rocker that has some of Sage's best riffing. The title track, a ten minute-plus epic, is strange and interesting and eventually get's the listener hooked on it's unforgettable main guitar riff and great chorus. No Fair is your typical Wipers song. Taking Too Long features piano, Pushing The Extreme is enjoyable and closer (excluding bonus tracks) When It's Over is a beatiful instrumental which is well worth the listeners attention. Last is Over The Edge (my personal favourite). This has a raw production which may steer some listeners off, but is a unique blend of the two previous albums. I won't go into much more detail other than to check out absolute masterpieces like the beatiful The Lonely One, So Young and the Wipers best pop song, Messenger. If you love music, in it's purest form, more than anything else, you will adore The Wipers, one of the most passionate, energetic and inspirational bands of all time.

Wow on the reviews. They are much deserved.

I saw the Wipers live a number of times. Remember they formed in about 1977. So I wouldnt call them post punk, but maybe the first westcoast punk band.

The Nirvana connection is warrented, since Kurt Cobain was a big fan of the Wipers and saw many live shows.

I agree with the others, the Wipers arent a punk band. What is punk anyways. Im 44 and heard the Ramones in 1974, were they punk, no, they were pure Rock N Roll.

Greg Sage has a style that defines original.

Greg if you read this, I saw you a bunch of times at the Satyricon. Also some industrial part of Portland when the microphone hit you in the teeth. You missed about a half of sec, then kept singing.

Greg and the Wipers, thx for the memories.

Zenorecords.com go to buy Greg and Wipers itmes.

BTW, Roky Erickson rocks. Check his music out also.

So... the Wipers. I'm almost tempted to repeat the obvious - who they influenced, the sad lack of publicity for this work - but I won't.
Instead, what I will say is that this album may be one of the most incredible rock albums you can purchase. It's pure - the guitar is crisp and direct, the rhythm section is unbendingly solid, and the singing is more or less ideal for the tone of the songs. This is rock and roll distilled down to it's basic elements.
Admittedly, it's hard to get the first few spins. One is simply not used to hearing music like this. But, like similar discs - Raw Power by Iggy and the Stooges is the only one that immediately comes to mind - it grows on a person.
The Wipers have created an almost unique piece of work - the alienation of modern man fused with the primal energy of music. It's fascinating to listen to.
I would include Greg Sage on any list of great guitarists.