Pain Teens was a Houston, Texas band whose music was a combination of such diverse influences as noise/industrial, goth, punk and psychedelic rock.
One of the first bands to till the not-inconsiderable territory where industrial and goth intermingle, Houston’s Pain Teens forged a signifier-heavy composite that harvested every cliché in both books but still managed to engross more often than it repelled. Maybe that has something to do with the sirenic presence of frontwoman Bliss Blood, who isn’t shy about exploiting her physical charms — it’s not hyperbolic to see her breathy, come-hither incantations as a sort of malicious, industrial-strength analogue to Traci Lords. – Trouser Press
Mostly centered around vocalist Bliss Blood and guitarist Scott Ayers, the band started out by releasing cassettes on their own label Anomie Records in the 80s. Eventually, Pain Teens signed to King Coffey’s (Butthole Surfers) label Trance Syndicate and produced 3 three full-lengths for the label, the last of which was 1995 “Beast Of Dreams”.
After Pain Teens broke up in the mid 90s, Charnel Music re-released their self-titled 1989 LP with four bonus tracks and a “mystery” track.
Selected Discography
Pain Teens (Anomie, 1988 / Charnel Music, 1998)
A collection of tracks from early tapes (Manmade Disasters, Cathy, and Pain Teens IV). Charnel Music reissue of LP includes 4 bonus tracks + a “mystery” track.
Born In Blood (Trance Syndicate, 1990)
Trance Syndicate debut. Includes contributions from Ralf Armin (Culturcide) and Austin Caustic (Concrete Violio, Turmoil In The Toybox).
Stimulation Festival (Trance Syndicate, 1992)
Second Trance Syndicate release. Includes a cover of Birthday Party’s “Wild World”.
Selected Compilation Tracks
Love & Napalm (Trance Syndicate, 1993)
Pain Teens tracks – Ituri + You Only Live Twice + It Will.
Other tracks by Ed Hall, Crust, Drain, Johnboy and Cherubs.
¡Cinco Años! (Trance Syndicate, 1995)
Pain Teens track – Manouche.
Other tracks by Crust, Sixteen Deluxe, Butthole Surfers, Starfish, Bedhead and others.
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