Released in May 1979 on Small Wonder Records, "The End. Spring 1979." is the second 7-inch single by English avant-punk band The Cravats. Produced by Bob Sargeant, the three-track vinyl features "Burning Bridges," "I Hate The Universe," and "The End," showcasing the band's signature, chaotic "jazz-punk" sound characterized by prominent saxophone and surrealist lyrics.
"The End. Spring 1979." is a seminal masterclass in avant-garde punk that firmly distances The Cravats from the generic three-chord thrash of their contemporaries. Anchored by the lead track "Burning Bridges," the single introduces a thrillingly off-kilter musical blueprint. Dissonant, twangy guitar lines clash violently with a heavy, stomping bassline, while Svoor Naan’s sharp, renegade saxophone injections twist the tracks into what critics frequently dub chaotic "jazz-punk". Bob Sargeant’s clean production captures the band’s sparse, slightly uneasy energy without polishing away the raw, jagged edge that made them a standout act on the Small Wonder Records roster.
Where most 1979 punk bands leaned into predictable political rage, this release shines through its embrace of sheer absurdist theatre. The B-sides, "I Hate The Universe" and the title track "The End," anchor the single in a distinctively British, surreal humor that plays out like a macabre Dadaist performance. The Shend’s deep, booming vocals alternate between an authoritative carnival barker growl and an eerie, deadpan croon, perfectly delivering lyrics that are equal parts cosmic nihilism and silly, dark comedy. It is an uncompromisingly weird, delightfully alienating 7" single that remains a vital milestone for fans of early post-punk exploration.
Ripped to MP3
A: "Burning Bridges"
B1: "I Hate The Universe"
B2: "The End"
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