What is "public service"

n. 1 (context US English) A service asserted to be for the public good provided by a for-profit enterprise or trade association. 2 (context UK English) A service, usually provided by the government, for the general public or its specific section.

1. n. a service that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions [syn: community service]

2. employment within a government system (especially in the civil service)

Public service is a service which is provided by government to people living within its jurisdiction, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus (usually expressed through democratic elections) that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income. Even where public services are neither publicly provided nor publicly financed, for social and political reasons they are usually subject to regulation going beyond that applying to most economic sectors. Public policy when made in the public's interest and motivations can provide Public services. Public service is also a course that can be studied at a college and/or university. Examples of public services are the fire brigade, police, Royal Air force, and paramedics.

Public Service is a compilation EP released in 1981 on Smoke 7 Records with songs by Hardcore punk bands Bad Religion, Circle One, Disability, RF7 and Redd Kross (here still named "Red Cross"). The album was re-released in 2003 on the Puke & Vomit label.

The EP contains alternate versions of the Bad Religion songs 'Bad Religion', 'Slaves' and 'Drastic Actions' from their first, eponymous EP ( Bad Religion). These songs are available at the end of the 80–85 compilation, and also on its 2004 re-release as How Could Hell Be Any Worse?

Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth supposedly was a big fan of the EP and read lyrics from the EP during spoken word shows at the 1993 Lollapalooza. This can be seen in Dave Markey's short film, Grunge Pedal. Part of this film, as well as the EP itself, were shown on MTV's 120 Minutes when Moore was guest hosting.

The EP was reviewed in issue #18 of the Touch and Go punk zine. The review read: "Great sampler (the months of the sampler have arrived) featuring some of LA's finest...the only shit is Disability...all else kicks dink...the Bad Religion is produced songs that appear on their 7' ' but are tons better here...Circle One kick my ass...this is a little too unheralded don't you think you should've bought this along time ago? It aint too too late...write Smoke 7 Productions 7230 DeSoto Ave Suite 104 Canoga Park Ca. 91303"

Public service may refer to:

• Public service, a service provided (directly or indirectly) by a government to its citizens
• The services provided by a public utility
• Public Service, the system of governmental departments, agencies and employees in the public sector; also called Civil service
• Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, a defunct streetcar system
• Public Service Enterprise Group, a diversified energy group internally calling itself "Public Service"
• Public service broadcasting
  • Public Broadcasting Service, a US public television network (PBS)
• Public Service (EP) (1981), an EP by punk rock bands Redd Kross, RF7, Circle One, Bad Religion and Disability
• Public service announcement
• Parks and Recreation (spin-off of The Office (U.S. TV series))