Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Double Nickels on the Dime, the third studio album from the American punk trio Minutemen. The California band consisted of D. Boon (vocals and guitar), Mike Watt (bass and vocals), and George Hurley (drums and vocals). Additional musicians on the record included Joe Baiza (guitar), John Rocknowski (guitar) and Dirk Vandenberg (guitar).

Metallica - Ride the Lightning

Yesterday (July 27th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Ride the Lightning, the second studio album from Metallica. This multi-Platinum seller went to number 87 in the UK, number 78 in Switzerland, number 40 in Norway, number 38 in Australia, number 32 in New Zealand, number 22 in Sweden and number 9 in Finland. Here in the US, it spent fifty weeks on the Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 100.

Quiet Riot - Conditional Critical

Following their smash 1983 album Mental Health (click here for that review), the Los Angeles heavy metal band Quiet Riot returned to the studio to record their fourth studio album. The result was 1984’s Condition Critical which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary today (July 27th).

Lita Ford - Dancin' on the Edge

Following her 1983 solo debut Out for Blood (click here for that review), Lita Ford returned to the studio to make Dancin’ on the Edge. This 1984 release spent sixteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 66. It also hit number 96 in the UK.

Scandal - The Warrior

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Warrior, the only full length album from Scandal from the 80’s. After the promotional tour ended, Patty Smyth left the group and the rest disbanded until 2004. Fueled by a hit single, this one spent forty-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 17.

the Dream Syndicate - Medicine Show

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Medicine Show, the second studio album the California alternative-rock band the Dream Syndicate. The group’s line-up included Steve Wynn (guitar and vocals), Karl Precoda (lead and rhythm guitars), Dennis Duck (drums) and Dave Provost (bass). Additional musicians on this record included Tom Zvoncheck (piano and organ), Sid Griffen, Stephen McCarthy, Paul Mandl and Gavin Blair (all four on backing vocals).

Sammy Hagar - VOA

Today (July 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of VOA, the eighth solo studio album from Sammy Hagar and the last one he did prior to joining Van Halen. The Platinum seller spent thirty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 32.