Napalm Beach

**Napalm Beach** was a gritty, influential punk rock band that emerged from Portland, Oregon, in the late 1970s. Founded by Chris Newman (formerly of The Lewd), the group became a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest’s underground scene, blending raw garage-punk energy with sludgy, psychedelic riffs. Known for their chaotic live shows and DIY ethos, Napalm Beach released scrappy, lo-fi recordings like *Rock & Roll Hell* and *Teen Dream*, which later gained cult status for their unapologetic rebellion and outsider charm. Their sound—a messy collision of The Sonics, The Stooges, and garage rock obscurities—laid groundwork for the ’90s garage-punk revival.

Despite lineup shifts and periods of obscurity, Napalm Beach’s recordings, including *Curiosities* and *Liquid Love*, were rediscovered by later generations, cementing their legacy as pioneers of unfiltered rock chaos. Chris Newman’s snarling vocals and fuzzed-out guitar work remained the band’s signature until their eventual dissolution, leaving behind a discography that feels like a time capsule of pre-grunge Pacific Northwest grit.