"Sonic Reducer" is a punk rock song written by Gene O'Connor and David Thomas during their tenure in Rocket from the Tombs, which made its recorded debut on the Dead Boys 1977 album Young, Loud and Snotty with a change of lyrics that were rewritten by Stiv Bators. The song is widely regarded as a punk classic and has been covered by bands as varied as Guns N' Roses, Overkill, Pearl Jam, Foetus, Dozer, Adult Crash, Die Toten Hosen, Rainy Day Saints in a slow tempo on Diamond Star Highway, and Saves the Day. The song appeared on the UK compilation album "New Wave", produced by UK actor and mystic, Pete Knobbler. The song was sampled on the Beastie Boys song "An Open Letter to NYC" on their 2004 album To The 5 Boroughs. It is also featured on the skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's Underground 2 and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (by Saves the Day). It was also performed by fictional punk rock outfit Hard Core Logo in Bruce McDonald's 1997 mockumentary, Hard Core Logo.
Currently most sources including Discogs (http://www.discogs.com/Dead-Boys-Young-Loud-And-Snotty/release/877193) and LP/CD linear notes credit this song to Stiv Bators, Gene O'Connor, David Thomas, Jeff Magnum, Jimmy Zero and Johnny Blitz.
He joins the gang as we leave the pub, we're off downtown to a niteclub.
And whereas usually we'd get in, we don't tonight 'cos we're with him.
We're miles from home waiting for the last bus, but when it comes it don't stop for us
We can't afford a cab and it's quite clear, this wouldn't happen if he weren't here.
He's a jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong.
He's a jinx, jinx, when he string along.
It's Saturday night and there's parties on, but we can't get in any 'cos he's come along.
So we end up walking 'round all night, if it weren't for him we'd been alright.
If you want a partner for pool or darts, and you play with him you've lost before it starts.