N.r.a. - Leaded (Coloured Vinyl LP)

NRA is a group of friends from Amsterdam that was widely regarded as one of the bands that revived the punk spirit in the 1990s. Formed in 1989, the band broke through definitively after their debut Is This For Real? (1992) and Surf City Amsterdam (1993) with Access Only (1994), a milestone in melodic pop-hook punk. 1994 was the year of Green Day and The Offspring, and together with Undeclinable Ambuscade and the Heideroosjes, NRA became a leading force of this pop-punk movement in the Netherlands. Their reputation was further strengthened by numerous energetic live shows across the Benelux, France, Germany, Austria, and a U.S. tour in 1996. Then came Leaded in 1997. After a deal with Epitaph fell through, the album was released via Virgin in Europe. Leaded is a hyperactive and melodic punk record full of ultra-short anthems and compelling pop songs. With tracks like Fuel, Not Today, and I’ll Get By, the band made clear what they stood for: simple, honest punk rock played with maximum energy and no compromises. The single She’s Driving, with a video directed by Peter Pontiac and Roel Smit, received heavy rotation on TMF, leading to sold-out shows across the Netherlands. The album went on to become a punk rock classic both domestically and abroad. Leaded was released in a limited vinyl pressing and has been unavailable ever since. Reason enough to reissue the record on vinyl with new mastering (!).