"(GI)" is the debut and only studio album by the American punk rock band the Germs. Released in October 1979 on Slash Records (SR 103), it is often recognized as one of the pioneering albums in the hardcore punk genre. The title "GI" stands for "Germs Incognito," a pseudonym the band used early on to secure gigs in Los Angeles when their reputation was a barrier.
The album includes tracks like "Lexicon Devil," "Richie Dagger's Crime," and "Manimal," showcasing the band's raw and aggressive sound. Following the release of "(GI)," the Germs recorded just once more, contributing to the soundtrack of Al Pacino's film "Cruising."
Tragically, vocalist Darby Crash died by suicide on December 7, 1980, a year after "(GI)" was released. The album's entirety was later included in the 1993 compilation "MIA: The Complete Anthology." In 2012, a CD reissue of "(GI)" added the bonus track "Caught in My Eye," following "Shut Down."
