Marginal Man: Chocolate Pudding and DC Hardcore

Marginal Man: Chocolate Pudding and DC Hardcore

It’s worth wondering whether or not the whole D.C. scene would have wound up being as well documented and revered if Ian MacKaye hadn’t gone and started Dischord Records, functioning as the endeavor’s center during its formative years in the nation’s capitol.

Lesser bands certainly got a shot at having a record recorded and properly distributed in the underground than if located in other cities. And since Dischord’s gone on to work with more fey indie styled groups in latter years, its early catalog still receives a fair amount of attention. Of course, if Minor Threat didn’t rule and MacKaye hadn’t dedicated his life to music, this conversation wouldn’t be worth having. Anyway…

Marginal Man doesn’t stink, but if the band were centered in Bloomington, its story would most likely be drastically different. Either way, most of the players in that group first came together in an ensemble called Artificial Peace, which issued a split single with Exiled back in 1982. A few years on, though, Marginal Man issued its Identity album, which has been bootlegged and reissued to no end. There’s a general consensus that the band’s following Double Image is the better record of the two, but each sports at least a few memorable moments. That being said, there’s still some overlap with “Marginal Man” appearing on each. But considering the song’s some damn catchy, there’s no point in griping about it.

Regardless of which album one prefers, Marginal Man unquestionably showcases the D.C. scene’s slow shift from a focus on speed to what would eventually wind up being pop punk. And getting an earful of just about anything with Marginal Man name on it should make listeners summon images of the nascent East Bay scene which eventually sprouted Lookout! Records and its cohort.

Setting Marginal Man apart from anyone – before or after the band existed – is it’s odd, and assumed accidental, structuring of songs. “Mainstream” and a few other offerings begin with at least a minute’s worth of music before vocals kick in. And on this track specifically, which only clocks in at about three minutes, there’re only two verses and no chorus. That’s odd no matter what kind of music you’re used to hearing. Thing is, though, the song’s arrangement only serves to make the whole thing more interesting.

There’s not really a dour moment in Marginal Man’s catalog. Unfortunately, though, there’s also not too big a catalog.