Hellmenn-Herbal Lunacy,Bastard Sons of 10,000,000 Maniacs

The Hellmenn signed to the Waterfront label and issued the hardcore mini-albums Herbal Lunacy (December 1987) and Bastard Sons of 10 000 000 Maniacs (November 1988). The second was populated by such unhinged characters as the 'Tripping Priest' and 'Sluggo'. Yet, among the chaos, there was some semblance of order. The title Herbal Lunacy for example reflected the band's interest in herbal medicine (Hopkins is a qualified naturopath). The band contributed a cover of 'Search and Destroy' to Au-go-go's Stooges tribute album Hard to Beat (1988).The Hellmenn came blasting out of Sydney's northen beaches skate punk scene like a rocket from the tombs of hell. The bands fierce sound mixed Black Flag with Black Sabbath by the way of an environmental manifesto. The Bands original image was of a drug-crazed surf punks looking for good times and loud rock'n'roll, which said more about a desire to create mayhem as opposed to creating great art. On the otherhand, singer Ben Brown was also well known for his grotesque, demented artwork which was an extention of the bands frantic approach to music making.

Herbal lunacy
Bastard Sons of 10,000,000 Maniacs