Jimmy Smack – Death Is Certain

It’s such a treat to find obscure oddities from 1980s LA, especially when the newfound synthpunk movement was booming. First, we had The Screamers, then the iconic Nervous Gender, and now, this review will cover none other than Jimmy Smack.

When talking about Jimmy Smack, I can only describe him as “a ballet dancer by day, a grim reaper by night.” By his own words, he had a grim reaper tattooed on his arm and literally became one. Growing up on hardcore punk, he frequented punk shows in DIY venues while being involved in performance art, theater, and ballet. Surrounded by the political and societal aggression of hardcore punk, the aspects of Jimmy Smack’s music ultimately stood out and found a home in places like Anti-Club, among other deathrock pioneers such as Christian Death, 45 Grave, and Dead Hippie.

In his performances, he’d replace guitars, bass, and drums with his bagpipe and rhythm box. He would wear leather boots, a kilt, and don corpse paint (before it was appropriated by European Black Metal bands). His ballet dancing was macabre and confrontational in an environment where machismo was prominent. Some performances even freaked out participants, prompting them to boo him off the stage. Then the death threats came, causing him to cease activity altogether. Since then, his short-lived career has remained dormant for a long while.

Two years ago, Knekelhuis compiled his small discography—yes, two seven-inches and one twelve-inch—into an appropriately titled album, Death Is Certain. The theme of Jimmy Smack’s compositions is simple. Nine tracks (including a bonus instrumental) perfectly portray an otherworldly spiritual state of death. Electrified bagpipe drones and a repetitive, thumping rhythm box are vital in creating a trance-like, apocalyptic atmosphere. Contrary to shamanic rituals, Smack’s concept leans toward nihilism: lyrics like “Your life’s a mess / You couldn’t care less / You need drugs to function / Then, man, confess / Death is certain” from the title track and “Disrespected / Rejected / Cast aside / She stared / Who cared / Suicide” from “Hating Life” perfectly capture total indifference to nihilism and death.

It was created during the Reagan era, when Cold War paranoia and the threat of nuclear bombs were prevalent, particularly evident in “The Scarlet Beast,” which viscerally embodies the period’s abject fear of nuclear annihilation and invokes a feeling as dark as living in the haunting shadow of potential war.

Death Is Certain can hypnotize you, luring you into his realm of darkness. The entire aesthetic of Jimmy Smack’s craft is what makes his whole personality unique and ahead of its time.