Bright Coloured Lights "Open Your Eyes" 7 inch (Slumberland Records/2000)

Seriously who doesn't love Pam Berry? I have been following her music and projects that she has been involved with for a long, long time and I can safely say there isn't a single one that I am not really into. And the only 7 inch from this Pam Berry related project is no different. Open Your Eyes was the only release from Bright Coloured Lights which is a band Pam and Mike started after Black Tambourine folded. The single contains two original tracks and a Desperadoes cover. Musically speaking, Bright Coloured Lights sound like a marriage of two of Berry's projects- the noise pop bliss of Black Tambourine mixed with the peppiness of one of her later projects, The Castaway Stones. Seriously just download the damn thing already..

Oh yeah this 7 inch was originally issued on A Turntable Friend Records and then later re-mixed and re-issued in this form on Slumberland Records.

Bright Coloured Lights Open Your Eyes track listing
1. Open Your Eyes
2. Leave You Behind
3. Count The Raindrops

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Amp "Beyond/Lutin" 7 inch (Wurlitzer Jukebox/1996)

Here is a band that outside of this single I don't know a whole lot about but to my ears it strikes me as the type of shoegaze that is less traveled by bands staking claim in that genre. And by that I mean sounding less like My Bloody Valentine and Swirlies and more like lovesliescrushing and Flying Saucer Attack producing more lush, ambient sound scapes and minimal melody. Funny thing is that upon further investigating some background info on Amp and I learned that the band's found Richard F Walker was indeed a collaborator with David Pearce of Flying Saucer Attack so the similarities between the two certainly make sense. The only other track I have by Amp is on a four way split 7 inch compilation on Wurlitzer Jukebox that also includes The Summer Hits, Third Eye Foundation and Dear. I shall be sharing that 7 inch shortly but in the mean time if you are into ambient, droning type of shoegaze then I recommend you give Amp a spin.

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v/a "Ow, Quit It! Volume 2" double 7 inch (Volvolo Records/1994)

I have made it no secret that my favorite type of music is music that is recorded at home. Some see it as romanticizing but for someone like myself with a background as a publicist and a writer for a variety of music magazines where I every mediocre band was touted as the best thing since sliced bread, music that is recorded at home is simply a breath of fresh air. Music that is personal and just made to simply pass the time or express one's self. No one is selling you anything-well except for a record, or tape or whatever but I think you all know what I mean. And a double 7inch release like Ow, Quit It! Volume 2 is great as it documents a nice cross section of the type of stuff that people were recording during the whole home taping explosion of the 90s. There are great tracks from Lou Barlow's Sentridoh, Portastatic (Mac from Supercbunk's solo project), Tugboat 3001ad (Darren Rademaker of Further/The Tyde),  Soul Junk, O (from Fluf), Back Off Cupids, The Yak, Fellaheen, and Steve Fisk. The sounds captured on these two pieces of vinyl are lo fi bedroom pop, folk, bedroom and experimental stuff. I also must say that regardless of how off sounding the song starts out "I Stopped Singing" may possibly be my favorite Sentridoh song. I'll just shut up so you download the darn thing already.

Ow, Quit It! Volume 2 track listing
1. Tugboat 3001ad "One Planet From Home"
2. Back Off Cupids "Painted Half a Picture"
3.Portastatic "Weighted Raft"
4. Steve Fisk "To Abide in the Flesh Pt. 3"
5. Soul Junk "Matthew 5:13-16"
6. O "Little Lamb"
7. Sentridoh "I Stopped Singing"
8. The Yak "You're Breaking My Fucking Heart"
9. Fellaheen "Mor-X (A Tribute to Darren)"

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Kicking Giant "Halo" cd (Spartadisc Records/1993)

I am actually surprised it has taken me such a long time to share one of my more "rarer" cds on this blog. I have been focusing so much on my vinyl and tapes that I haven't acknowledged the fact that I do have a large amount of obscure cds in my collection. And this cd Halo by the noisy indie/art rock duo Kicking Giant is certainly quite obscure, at least these days. This cd which is packaged like a 45 with a hard plastic sleeve, however the sleeve folds out to be a intricate 3-D structure of sorts with the inserts acting as "stands".  This cd version was released on Spartadisc while a cassette version was released on the band's own Loose Leaf label. Halo is a lengthy effort at that with 22 tracks!!! Remember this was the day of lo fi indie rock excess. Our parents generation had double and triple albums-our generation had Guided By Voices Bee Thousand! A few of the songs on Halo also appears on a few of their self released cassettes, namely Present and Secret Teenage Summer but given the even greater scarcity of those cassettes Halo was and is the only game in town for most folks to hear these tunes. While Kicking Giant's Alien ID on K Records showed off the duo's more noisier side I think it is safe to say that Halo documents the pure indie pop side of the band. The tunes on Halo prove that the song "She's Real" wasn't a indie pop fluke, Kicking Giant were superb pop songwriters. Halo does find the duo delving into more abstract, noisier elements at times but at that heart the album is pure pop. To me Kicking Giant were a perfect amalgamation of all that I loved about the 90s independent music underground. They were indie rock, bedroom pop, riot grrl, art rock, and punk rock all in one.

As a side note if anyone out there in blog land has a rip of the Present cassette please send it my way as it is the only Kicking Giant release that I *know of* that I don't have.  And as I was saying, releases that *I know of* that is reference to something I came across last year. I was looking through old college radio single play lists and I came across one from WCKS Fm from back in 1995. And on their list is a Kicking Giant 7 inch called Monogahella on Generator Records. I have never seen this record or it mentioned elsewhere. I was getting into Kicking Giant in 1994 and was able to snag most of their releases as they were coming out but this single is something that I never heard of until a year ago. So if anyone has information on this record actually existing or even a rip or (gasp!) perhaps a copy to sell drop me a line.

Kicking Giant Halo track listing
1. Satellite
2. Wierd
3. Three
4. Throw
5. Five
6. The Way That You Are
7. Rocket
8. Ruby Red
9. Suck
10. Go Girl (Riot)
11. Rachel's Song
12. Fuck the Rules
13. 13 13 13
14. This Sex
15. Mario
16. If Not You
17. Halo
18. Hi
19. Rocket Dreams
20. Stereo Hi Fi
21. Love Science
22. Come in Colors

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v/a "Ghost of a Rollercoaster" 7 inch (Shrimper/1991)

How I miss the days of Shrimper compilations. Shrimper released so many compilations like Ghost of a Rollercoaster that were a revelation of sorts to me growing up getting exposed to all this great homemade music that was all over the map. From lo fi bedroom pop, indie rock, folk, experimental-Shrimper always showcased a wide variety of genres on their compilations, yet there was always a sense of unification in the over all presentation. Well at least to my ears and eyes. This comp crams nine artists all on one 7 inch with something for everyone. There are wonderful tracks from Franklin Bruno and Refrigerator as well probably my favorite Wckr Spgt track as well. There is a really strange Sentridoh tune as well that is nowhere near Lou Barlow's finest hour but for for die hard Barlow fans it certainly provides itself as a interesting curiosity in his discography. If you are not familiar with the legendary Shrimper label, they were/are best known for releasing tons of cassettes throughout the course of the 90s. When people talk about the lo fi home taping explosion of that era this is the label that is primarily responsible for influencing a lot of that. However, through the years they started releasing vinyl as well as cds. Ghost of a Rollercoaster gives a pretty idea of what the Shrimper "sound" was all about.

v/a Ghost of a Rollercoaster track listing
1. Halo "L Wheel"
2. Refrigerator "Map to the Stars"
3. Shoeface "I Hate the Government"
4. Franklin Bruno "Lifetime Seance"
5. Satnam Puppets "Guitar in Room P. 7"
6. Wckr Spgt "Fluffy Cat"
7. Guffey "Creepy"
8. Sentridoh "Me and My Arrow"
9. Jim Bishop "O 5"

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Dump "International Airport" 10 inch (Smells Like Records/1994)

This past Sunday night I made the trek into Brooklyn to see Dump play a show so in spirit of the show today I shall be sharing with you fine followers of this blog a nice long play effort from Dump called International Airport. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the lengthy title track of this record was played Sunday evening and yes, it was awesome. Earlier in this space I posted a rare single from Dump but in case you missed it, Dump is the long running solo project of James Mcnew who is better known for his "day job" in Yo La Tengo. Since the early 90s Mcnew has been sporadically recording music on his 4 track in his home and releasing it in various forms over the years. This 10 inch record was released Smells Like Records, the label run by Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley. Dump has been one of the bigger influences on my own bedroom recordings over the years as Mcnew never just settles into one style as he deftly switches back and forth from bedroom pop, ambient, drone, folk, and even what can be described as lo fi new wave or dance music. Fans of the New York City indie rock band Versus should take note as International Airport features a great re-working of their song "Flax". Some of Dump's releases are tough to come by but his full length cd albums A Plea for Tenderness (Brinkman Records) and Grown Ass Man (Shrimper Records) can be found rather easily and most likely on the cheap due to the cd format not being "cool" anymore or whatever the fuck. Both of those albums are probably the best starting off points in the Dump discography so I highly recommend you seek them out.

Dump International Airport 10 inch track listing
1. Words
2. International Airport
3. Flax
4. The Way Love Used to Be
5. Memorial Trauma #1
6. Laurdine

Download HereDownload Here

Sleepyhead "Fairyboat" 7 inch (A Picture Book Artifact/1991)

I can't believe it has taken me this long to post something by Sleepyhead. This a band who was responsible for some of my favorite tunes of the 90s. While the band lost me a bit with their later material, their first two albums, Punk Rock City USA (Slumberland) and Starduster (Homestead) are some of the best noisy yet infectious guitar indie pop the 90s had to offer. I have fond memories of driving around with my girlfriend in high school listening to the Half Cocked soundtrack and cranking it every time Sleepyhead's "CB" came on.  And in addition to those two great albums they released a whole bunch of singles and appeared on just about every cool compilation. Sleepyhead were originally based out of New York City though at some point relocated to Massachusetts, and they played really uptempo indie rock that to my ears was a cross between My Bloody Valentine, The Shop Assistants and Dinosaur Jr. Noisy guitar stuff but not in obtrusive, tuneless manner-make no mistake Sleepyhead is way catchy. And I say "is" because Sleepyhead is still together writing and releasing new music as well as playing shows when the can. I am still mad that I missed their show at The Cake Shop a couple years back. Nothing like finding out about the show two days later.

The single I am sharing with you all today is pretty awesome. The version of "Fairyboat" here is different than the version that appears on Punk Rock City USA and on the b-side is a great rendition of My Bloody Valentine's "Thorn". My one gripe is that no matter what I did the record ripped a bit on the noisy side but quite frankly that is what the actual record sounds like more or less. Distortion, shoegaze over load in all its glory. I shall be uploading the rest of my Sleepyhead singles over the course of time. They are a truly great and in my humble opinion a sorely overlooked band from that era.

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Diskothi-Q "Lane Discipline" 7 inch (X-Mas Records/1995)

I have been so busy with school the last several weeks that the blog has been neglected so I apologize to those faithful readers out there! So to get back on track let me kick things off with a request of sorts. I received an email to post some more Diskothi-Q which I planned on doing and well here is one of the releases in that said plan. Lane Discipline is a great four song 7 inch that was released by X-Mas Records- the label run by Brent from Further/Beachwood Sparks/etc. There are two original tunes and two absolutely fantastic covers, the first being "Heartland Feeling" by Beck. That is a great old obscure Beck tune that appears on two old Beck cassettes Fresh Meat and Old Slabs as well Golden Feelings, the latter of which was released on Sonic Enemy, a wonderful label run by Diskothi-Q's Peter Hughes. As a side note Golden Feelings which was originally released on cassette was later reissued as a cd and as the story goes Beck was completely unaware of that and thus asked Sonic Enemy to cease manufacturing the cd version. Only 2,000 of those made it into circulation and can fetch serious cash on Ebay. Anyhow back to Diskothi-Q's Lane Discipline- the second cover tune on this 7 inch is a rendition of "Javelin" by the one, the only and sorely under appreciated Simon Joyner. The originals on this single are the title track and reprisal of that tune to close out the 7 inch. Even though two of the songs are covers Diskothi-Q really makes them their own and this is one of my favorite singles from the band's discography.

Diskothi-Q Lane Discipline track listing
1. Heartland Feeling
2. Lane Discipline
3. Javelin
4. (Reprise)
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Sonic Youth "Live in Dusseldorf, Germany 4/7/96" cassette (MGR Records/1997)

I am going to assume that everyone reading this blog listens to Sonic Youth or at least as aware of who they are and that sort of thing so I will refrain from any sort of write up about the band itself. Instead I will direct attention to this actual release itself. I have plenty of Sonic Youth bootlegs in my collection some official and some not, but this is the first one I ever bought. If I recall correctly I ordered along with some Afghan Whigs t-shirt through some mail order in the back of the old CMJ or Magnet. Sonic Youth has always been a band that has been supportive of bootlegs being out there, some have been authorized by the band and others have not. And honestly I have no idea where this one sits with them, it isn't even listed on the bootleg lists on the Sonic Youth website. This cassette came with a photo copied sleeve with no song titles or info inside (in true bootleg fashion) so I took it upon myself to make my own liner notes (see picture below). This bootleg comes from the Washing Machine  era of the band so with the exception of the band opening with "Teenage Riot" and "Sugar Kane" all of the material comes from Washing Machine as well as Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star. Official or not this is a great sounding, soundboard bootleg. The version of "The Diamond Sea" that closes out that set is just incredible.

Sonic Youth "Live in Dusseldorf, Germany 4/7/96" track listing
1. Teenage Riot
2. Bull in the Heather
3. Starfield Road
4. Washing Machine
5. Junkie's Promise
6. Saucer Like
7. Becuz
8. Sugar Kane
9. Skip Tracer
10. Skink
11. The Diamond Sea


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v/a "In A Lonely Place" 7 inch compilation (Four Letter Words/1993)

I am not sure if I have mentioned in this space but if you couldn't tell from my Blogger profile picture, I am a huge fan of the band Further. And this record was one that I thought would certainly be a white whale in trying to put together a complete collection of all the band's releases. (for those looking to help complete my collection listed at the bottom of this post is what I am looking for.) But to my surprise I was able to locate this rare compilation several years ago and somehow very cheaply at that too. This compilation from the wonderful indie pop label Four Letter Words is called In a Lonely Place and it features four exclusive tracks from Allen Clapp & His Orchestra, Kevin, Further and Six Cents & Natalie. I have written about Allen Clapp & His Orchestra in this space before and he is a pop song genius. The song here "The Apple of My Eye" is a lo fi slice of indie pop greatness. As far as I know the song was never re-recorded. Up next is "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" by an artist by the name simply Kevin. It is fuzzy, noisy guitar indie pop and I would like to hear more. I am curious if this is Kevin from  DiskothiQ or not. If anyone out there knows let me know. I just made that assumption due to the relationship of the bands and also that DiskothiQ has a song called "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" On the flip side Further kicks things off with a earlier version of the noisy pop gem of "Going to Glendora" which was later re-recorded for Sometimes Chimes. Closing out the compilation is "Sea Scout" by Six Cents & Natalie which is the lo fi and sporadic home recording project of Sean Tollefson of Crayon and Tullycraft. He released a bunch of cassettes and singles as well compilation appearances in the early 90s and later on released a few cds. "Sea Scout" was later re-released on the CD Show Me the Honey on the excellent label Blackbean and Placenta Club.. In a Lonely Place is a pretty nice cross section of what sums up my interests in indie rock, indie pop and lo fi.

So for those of you looking to assist in completing my Further collection here is what I am looking for. If you have any of these and are interested in selling/trading please drop me a line.
-Further /DiskothiQ Race For the Brass Turd (live) cassette (Sonic Enemy)
-Further Overrated/Beautiful Feeling 7 inch (No Guff Records)
-v/a Pop American Style double 12 inch (Flavour Records) *has the Further track "Day to Day"

v/a In a Lonely Place track listing:
1. Allen Clapp & His Orchestra "The Apple of My Eye"
2. Kevin "What I Did on My Summer Vacation"
3. Further "Going to Glendora"
4. Six Cents & Natalie "Sea Scout"

Download Here

The Castaway Stones "In the Devil's Garden" (Boa Records/1997)

Shame on me for not sharing something Pam Berry related in this space sooner. Pam Berry is probably known for her work in the highly influential American noise pop band Black Tambourine but she has also contributed to her wonderful voice to a plethora of other projects such as Glo Worm, The Shapiros, Belmondo, Bright Coloured Lights, and this project her The Castaway Stones. Musically, The Castaway Stones can be identified as pristine indie pop much like Glo Worm but mixed with stuff like Belle & Sebastian and some Comet Gain. I can also detect elements of stuff like Love and even Free Design. Pam Berry's voice is beautifully hypnotic and I personally can't get enough of it. The Castaway Stones were active in the late 90s releasing this single in addition to a few others as well as a wonderful full length CD Make Love to You. This single features what I do believe is the same version of "Rose in the Devil's Garden" that appears on the full length but the version of "Autumn" that is presented here is different. Regardless, this is a wonderful slice of indie pop, enjoy!

The Castaway Stones In the Devil's Garden track listing
1. Rose in the Devil's Garden
2. Autumn

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Blaise Pascal "Foreword" 12 inch (Cave Canem/1994)

It has been several days since my last upload so I figured to make up for it that I would share with everyone a full length. Fair trade? And this full length that I am sharing with y'all today is quite a rare indie rock gem from super obscure Canadian indie rock band Blaise Pascal. They existed in the mid 90s, did some touring with Pavement and in addition to releasing this full length Foreword on their own Cave Canem Records they also released the E-Filter CDEP (once again on Cave Canem) as well as contributing the song "Library" to the wonderful A Day in the Park compilation on the Now Sound. I have looked high and low but I am fairly certain that this is all the band ever recorded. Blaise Pascal played disjointed, lo fi indie rock that was definitely reminiscent of early Pavement but at times it was a bit darker sounding, dare I say Slint-esque at times. Guitarist/vocalist Nicolas Bragg has gone on to play guitar in the rather successful indie band Destroyer. Bragg himself was also the inspiration as well as name to a song by fellow Canadian, super cute indie pop band Cub. Foreword is a wonderful collection of loose indie rock tunes that ebb, flow and totally rock. If you ever are fortunate enough to find this record out in the wild grab it, supposedly less than 300 of these were made. For those interested I just spotted a copy on Ebay as a Buy It Now for $19.99. Worth every penny.

Blaise Pascal Foreword track listing
1. Forecast
2. New Lamps
3. Segue
4. Demilo
5. Only the Stars
6. The Right Bank
7. Restoration
8. Victory Church
9. Algiers

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Gaze "So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" 7 inch (Septophilia Records/1997)

What a dreary day isn't it? I need something to brighten up my day so why not some indie pop?? Today's offering comes from the band Gaze who in addition to writing super catchy tunes were probably best remembered for being a Rose Melberg project as she played drums and provided backing vocals for the band. Gaze sounds like Tiger Trap (duh!) meets Bunnygrunt, making quintessential K Records styled female fronted indie pop. The band lasted for a few years but issued a decent amount of material in that span. In addition to So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) they released the Seedless 7 inch as well as two full length cds Mitsumeru and Shake the Pounce all on the one and only K Records. There was another 7 inch but I have only ever seen it on Ebay once and I have no idea what label it was released on. Everything they released was stellar but aside from starting off with this download I'd recommend that you seek out their first full length cd Mitsumeru as I think that is their best release hands down. It should be noted that on this 7 inch, So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) that there is an excellent cover of a indie pop classic-Crayon's "Pedal". Nice!

Gaze So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) track listing
1. Dragon's Lair
2. Pedal
3. So Sad

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Franklin Bruno "A Sand Dollar Relief Map" 7 inch (Shrimper Records/1995)

Shame on me for taking so long to post a release from my favorite label, Shrimper Records. This label inspired me so much growing up and still continues to inspire me in how I approach doing my own label. Fear not, I will be certainly be sharing some more Shrimper gems in this space shortly. Today's upload comes from none other than prolific indie pop song- smith, Franklin Bruno. In addition to churning out records with his indie rock/power pop band Nothing Painted Blue, Bruno was consistent with releasing singles, full lengths tapes (later cds) and compilation appearances with his wonderful solo music. Franklin Bruno with a doubt gives John Darnielle a run for his money as the best American born song writer to come from this era. Quite honestly I do think that Bruno's work in the 90s far outshines the early Mountain Goats stuff. But it is all a matter of opinion I suppose. All that matters is that Bruno pens fantastic bedroom pop/folk music that has catchy melodies and is filled with really well written, smart lyrics. If you dig the Mountain Goats and have never listened to Franklin Bruno's music you  are doing your ears a disservice. Need further convincing-Bruno has played on a few Mountain Goats records and even done a project with Darnielle called The Extra Glenns. Check it out.

Franklin Bruno A Sand Dollar Relief Map 7 inch track listing
1. News From Cupid
2. The 101st
3. No 119
4. Pointless Triangle
5. Coupon

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Belt Buckle "Judas Suicide" 7 inch (Sonic Bubblegum/1993)

The band the owned my teenage years was without question Sebadoh.  The aesthetic of the recordings and the artwork were so inspiring, and I would be absolutely lying if didn't outright steal some of those said aesthetics in my own early musical attempts. To put it simply I absolutely idolized Lou Barlow and everything he did whether it was Sebadoh, Sentridoh, Folk Implosion, Deluxx Folk Implosion and this very short lived project that I am sharing today, Belt Buckle. To my knowledge the only thing Belt Buckle ever released was this 4 song 7 inch single on Sonic Bubblegum called Judas Suicide. The band consisted of Lou Barlow on guitar and vocals, Bob Fay (Sebadoh/Deluxx, Unconvinced) on drums, bass and vocals and Eric Matthews on bass, drums and vocals. The 4 songs definitely have some slight Sebadoh-esque qualities to them which is to be expected, but I'd say the songs are a bit slower at times.  I will never tire of these four songs or anything Lou Barlow related I imagine either.

Belt Buckle Judas Suicide track listing
1. Judas Suicide
2. Pocket Skylab Love
3. Mary Hair
4. Girl Who Reads

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Mirror/Dash "Electric Pen/Gum" 7 inch (Ecstatic Peace!/1992)

In the spirit of the new that broke earlier this week that Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore's marriage is coming to an end and that the future of Sonic Youth is up in the air as a result, I thought I'd take this opportunity to upload one of my Sonic Youth related rarities. Sonic Youth has been my favorite band since I was like 14 or 15 and I have seen them live seventeen times, but still the thought of them not being around anymore creating great music is a strange thing to me. I have a bunch of bootlegs, fan club releases, and various side projects which I plan on sharing on this blog as time progresses. This two song 7 inch that I am sharing today is the Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore duo side project Mirror/Dash and this single released on Ecstatic Peace in 1992 is the first that the duo released. The project laid dormant until 2003 when they released the Sweetface/Rom Supply Co. 12 inch. In 2006 the mini album I Can't Be Bought was released and then followed in the next few years by a couple of singles. The music is best described as Sonic Youth (lame I know... but come on now what did you expect??) trying to do Royal Trux. It is really striped down. "Electric Pen" feels a bit more Trux-ish than the b-side "Gum" which is a bit more krautrock-ish but it still has that sparse Royal Trux feel to me.

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Archers of Loaf "Jive Kata" 7 inch (fan club single/1997)

Really does anyone need an introduction to this band?? Archers of Loaf is Indie rock! 'Nuff said! I saw Archers a bunch back in the day and I couldn't have been happier that they reunited this year for a tour. I saw them twice on this current reunion tour and they were just phenomenal. Most of the Archers of Loaf records are fairly easy to locate but this one I guess is considered a rarity. It is a two track fan club single that I purchased when I saw them in 1998 or 1999 at Tramps Cafe in NYC with Vehicle Birth, Knapsack and At the Drive In which was easily one of the best shows I have ever been to. The two songs included are tracks that are exclusive to this single, a unreleased studio cut "Jive Kata" and a awesome live version of "Slow Worm" that was recorded at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA in 1996. This record usually fetches a pretty penny when it does show up on Ebay so go ahead, be thrifty and download these tunes. GO LOAF!

Archers of Loaf Jive Kata track listing
1. Jive Kata
2. Slow Worm

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The Apricots "Everyday" 7 inch (Septophilia Records/1997)

To say today's upload is very poppy and happy is an absolute understatement. But you know what that is fine with me. I love my pop music very poppy. The Apricots were a side project of Karen Ried, drummer/vocalist of the wonderful cult indie pop band Bunnygrunt. Though with The Apricots Ried left the drum kit to play guitar and sing. As far as I can tell this is the only release that The Apricots had. I have looked high and low and have come up with no other information regarding this project. And Tweenet which is usually very on point is only showing this 7 inch in the band's discography. It is a shame because it is a very enjoyable three tracks of indie pop that The Apricots offer on this 7 inch. In fact it isn't too far off from what Bunnygrunt's sound. It should also be noted that this 7 inch was put out on one time Bunnygrunt bassist, Jen Wolfe's label Septophilia Records. Anyhow download and get ready to smile and dance.

The Apricots Everyday track listing
1. Everyday
2. Wonder Boy
3. Anxious Surfer

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Nothing Painted Blue/Refrigerator "split-Nipple Hardness Factor #8" 7 inch (Misha Records/1995)

Ahhhh, the good old days of zines coming with 7 inch records how I miss you. It was so awesome to read a kick ass zine and have a nice vinyl record or flexi to throw on your turntable at the same time. Nipple Hardness Factor was a zine in the mid 90s that did record reviews, interviews and also published play lists from college radio stations around the country so you could get an idea of what people were listening to. Remember this was years before electronically shared play lists Last FM or Spotify.  Radio play lists from college radio stations, who were bar none the taste makers in underground music in the 1980s and 1990s, were shared to let people know what the pulse was like across the country. It was how you found out about new bands.

So each issue of Nipple Hardness Factor came with a 7 inch and would feature interviews with the two bands who were on the record. In issue number 8 the two bands featured were Nothing Painted Blue and Refrigerator, two bands generally associated with the Shrimper Records label and scene of bands. Nothing Painted Blue started out in the late 80s and was a indie rock/power pop band fronted by none other than Franklin Bruno- a man who most say "who?", but to those in the know recognize Bruno as one of the most prolific and brilliant song writers of the 90s indie rock movement. Aside from fronting Nothing Painted Blue, Bruno has had a storied solo career releasing several albums and singles throughout the 90s. He is also known for his guest appearances on Mountain Goats albums in recent years as well as his collaboration with John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats called The Extra Glenns.  Bruno is currently a visiting professor in philosophy at Bard College

Refrigerator is a band who I have shared here previously and once again they are generally known as the Shrimper Records flagship band as they were headed up the Callaci brothers, Dennis and Allen. Dennis is the owner and operator of Shrimper Records. Refrigerator play disjointed yet somehow catchy indie rock that is a cross between between Half Japanese, Red Krayola and WCKR SPGT. If you missed the upload of their Louder Than Goodbye 7 inch be sure to download that.

Nothing Painted Blue/Refrigerator split track listing
1. Nothing Painted Blue "Anti Nomination"
2. Refrigerator "Signal"
3. Refrigerator "Adoby and Jim"
4. Refrigerator "Spooky"

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Poastal/#Poundsign# "split" 7 inch (Small Fi/1994)

I am not sure why but I can get the orientation right for the photo and that annoys me. In any event...as promised here is some more from the wonderful obscure indie pop group Poastal. If you missed my last post from them where I shared their incredible Here single I highly recommend that you go back I download that. Especially if you like fuzzy guitar pop with female vocals in the vein of Velocity Girl and Lush. I will be sharing all the Poastal tracks that I have and if anyone out there in indie pop blog land know of any tracks or releases that I am not aware of please drop me a line. My next Poastal related post I think I shall throw the remaining tracks I have from them in one bundle which would include their two compilation tracks from the Over the Wall 7 inch and Pure Spun Sugar CD.

On this 7 inch Poastal splits the record with another equally awesome San Francisco based indie pop band called #Poundsign#. To my ears they sound like a cross between Crayon, early Tullycraft and Rocketship-well at least on this release. The band as they evolved definitely implemented more of synth driven style of indie pop which isn't too far off from   sounding like the latest Rose Melberg project, Brave Irene.

Poastal/#Poundsign# split track listing
1. Poastal "Dizzy"
2. #Poundsign# "Disaster"

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Tugboat 3001ad "First Tell Me Your Name" 7 inch (Little Mafia/1996)

Anyone who knows me well knows that this was bound to happen...a Further related post! Next to Sonic Youth who will always  be numero uno in my book, the 90s indie rock band Further is one of my favorite bands. I have been listening to them since high school and feverishly collecting all of their records. As if that dive into obscurity isn't enough I have also devoured just about every note unleashed by the Rademaker brothers (Darren and Brent). From The Summer Hits, Beachwood Sparks, The Tyde, Frausdots and even the pre Further outfits Shadowland and A New Personality. But it doesn't stop there as almost on cue with other bands from the 90s- a home recording solo project was a must and Further's Darren Rademaker was no exception. In the lo fi 4 track home recording spirit Darren gave the world Tugboat 3001ad. In what I usually refer to as the "Shrimper style" Tugboat 3001ad released several cassettes, vinyl and compilation appearances throughout the 90s that explored lo fi sound collage, bedroom pop and folk. Fans of Further, specially the Sometimes Chimes era of the band, should absolutely love the sounds of Tugboat 3001ad.

This 5 song 7 inch single, First Tell Me Your Name on Little Mafia Records was released in 1996 and as far as I know is still available from the label so I strongly recommend if you like what you hear to drop them a line. I have been regularly stocking the record in my distro for the last two maybe three years. Gianni is a super nice dude and I am sure would love to hear from you! I generally sway from sharing releases that may still be available but for documentation's sake I think that it is important as I don't believe most Further fans are even aware of Tugboat 3001ad. So Further fans get on it! A few notes about this 7 inch is that there is an earlier version of the song "The Fakers and The Takers" which was on the last Further ep. And also there is a "joke" song if you will dedicated to John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats called "I Was Almost a Mountain Goats Song" which is an absolute gem.

Information about Further on the internet has increased over the last few years which is great because it is indeed exposing a great band and great music to a whole new generation of fans. On the flip side information about Tugboat 3001ad is nearly non existent so with that being said here is my attempt at putting together a complete Tugboat 3001ad discography. Obviously if anyone has any input feel free to share.

Discography:

Beyond the Solar System Beyond the Stars cassette (Ecto Tapes/1992)

How Long Has Rock Got? cassette (X-Mas Records/1993)
Get Offerman EP cassette (X-Mas Records/1993)

Pacific Splashdown cassette (Flannel Banjo/1995)
First Tell Me Your Name 7 inch (Little Mafia Records/1996)

Compilations appearances:
Ow! Quit It: Volume 2 double 7 inch (Volvolo Records/1994)
Belly Up and Down For Davey Jones cassette (Flannel Banjo/1995)
The Pleasure Fair Volume 1 7 inch (Motorway Records/1997)

First Tell Me Your Name  7 inch track listing
1. First Tell Me Your Name
2. Indian Rocks
3. The Fakers and The Takers
4. Teenage Boys Need Revolution Too
5. I Was Almost a Mountain Goats Song


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lowercase "Mail Order Freaks Singles Club" (Kill Rock Stars/1998)

Just recently I was having a discussion about Unwound with some folks on Facebook  and a friend wisely recommended that anyone who likes Unwound should certainly check out a band that called lowercase that touched upon some of the same things that Unwound did sonically. And considering I was going to be sharing some lowercase on this blog as I have some rare-ish singles of theirs I figured why not get rolling. So today the first single that I will be sharing from lowercase is their entry in the Mail Order Freak Singles Club series from Kill Rock Stars- a label that should need no introduction. lowercase was a two piece post punk/slo core band featuring Imaad Wasif on guitar and vocals and Brian Girgus on drums. The duo formed in Palm Desert, CA before relocating to San Francisco. Their music shifted from being dark and dirgy 'ala Unwound and bands on the Amphetamine Reptile label whom issued a single and two full lengths for the band- All Destructive Urges...Seem So Perfect and Kill the Lights. Sonically, lowercase also touched upon sounds that would generally go hand in hand with bands that are generally affiliated with "slo core" such as Seam, Codiene, Radar Bros, and early Karate. At times lowercase dipped into more "pop" realms 'ala Built to Spill and early Modest Mouse. As a rule lowercase juxtaposed loud bombastic, noise inducing romps with serene, moody head shakers. It is also rather how impressive the duo was able to create such an expansive sound with their limited palette to work from. In their short history lowercase from 1994 to 1999 were rather prolific releasing five singles, three full length albums and a handful of compilation tracks. Wasif himself has continued this tradition of being prolific as he has gone on to play in Alaska!, The New Folk Implosion, as well as pen three critically acclaimed solo albums under his own name. Additionally, he has been playing guitar live with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for several years now as well. So go ahead download some lowercase and I assure you there will be more from them in this space in the near future.


lowercase Mail Order Freaks Singles Club track listing
1. The Open Sea
2. Don't Cry No Tears


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Diskothi-Q "Hit the North" 7 inch (Volvolo Records/1993)

Unlike the vast majority of records and bands I am posting here Diskothi-Q is band who I really didn't get into until many years after the fact. I imagine there were a few compilation tracks over the years that stuck with me but I must admit that it wasn't until I learned that this was the pre-Mountain Goats band of Peter Hughes that I decided to investigate further. And when I did I found some top notch indie rock which ultimately has turned on the record collector nerd mode where I have had to obtain every bit of music they ever released. Diskothi-Q played jangly yet driving indie rock that in some ways isn't too far off from what Mountain Goats is doing currently with the full band lineup albeit with a little more distortion at times. Throughout the 90s Diskothi-Q released a bunch of albums, singles and a compilation tracks. The earlier cassette releases were released on Hughes' own Sonic Enemy Records (Delicious Homemade, Dummy, and Race For the Brass Turd:live split w/ Further) as well as one on Shrimper Records (Harmless But Ultimately Unloveable.Loveless But Ultimately Unharmable). These early cassette releases are damn near impossible to find and I have been fortunate enough to find kind folks out there in the internet to at least share the wonderful content of these releases but the nerd in me still longs to have them in my hands. Their two best full length albums, in my opinion at least, The Wandering Jew and Waterworld were also released by Shrimper Records and are still available to this day through Shrimper's distributor/mail order Midheaven. Additionally, Hughes has made available both The Wandering Jew and Waterworld as well as the unreleased but fantastic Sad Truths and the 2 volume The Football Albums up for free download here. So what are you waiting for??

You can view the entire Diskoth-Q discography at I Hear Strange Music. As for any fellow record collectors out there this is big focus in my collection so if anyone is looking to part with any of their cassette full lengths please drop me a line. I have all of the vinyl (minus the split 7 inch with Massengil) and cds and most of the comps, just those darn tapes are thwarting my possession. Also I have rips of everything except Dummy so if  anyone would car to share....

Diskothi-Q Hit the North 7 inch track listing
1. Hit the North 3
2. Dwell On This
3. Theme From the Adventurers

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Kicking Giant "She's Real" 7 inch (K Records/1993)

If there was one band that epitomized the type of aesthetic that I myself as a teenager was emulating, that would without question have to be Kicking Giant. This duo consisting of Tae Won Yu on guitar and vocals and Rachel Carn on stand up drums created a tuneful racket that was shifted stylistically back and forth from feedback drenched art rock to cuddly AM jangle pop. How they brought the two together was actually rather remarkable as sonically they were able to explore different territory yet it still sounded like Kicking Giant. The band had a very staunch artistic yet not pretentious do it yourself vibe to their music, recordings, releases and just overall aesthetic of the band. Both Tae Won Yu and Carns were artists/graphic designers themselves and created a very strong visual  statement with the artwork on their releases, show posters and in zines. Kicking Giant went hand and hand with the whole indie zine and tape trading culture of the 90s, which was essentially how I was introduced to them. They first broke onto the scene self releasing a handful of cassettes on their on Loose Leaf Records label (Boyfriend Girlfriend, Secret Teenage Summer, and Present) and through a tight network of tape traders, tape labels, zines and specifically the riot grrrl movement, word about Kicking Giant's raucous yet infectious music spread like wildfire. Eventually the cassettes, some comp tracks and some newer tunes were releases as indie rock excess style full length album on cd called Halo. The band transplanted from New York City where the duo met while students at Cooper Union to Olympia, WA where they eventually hooked up with K Records to release this single as well as a full length called Alien ID. Additionally whil in Olympia they contributed a few more obscure compilation tracks and a split tape with Long Hind Legs on the Punk In My Vitamins label, which was run by Vern Rumsey of Unwound. Not much longer after the band eventually broke up with Carns becoming a member of The Need while Tae Won Yu focused on his graphic design career. Chances are if you go through your record collection you have at least one album with his artwork-especially if you are Built to Spill or Versus fan. However, it should be noted that Tae Won Yu did continue to record music under the name The KG. From what I understand their was a cassette release, some comp tracks and the lone release that I own by the project a cd called Nature Morte, an album that I would like to share at one point so I will refrain revealing too much but let's just say on the cd their is a nice surprise for Kicking Giant fans.

As far as this single She's Real is concerned, it is most likely the band's trademark song though if you ask me  I'd have to cast my vote for "Satellite". But anyhow She's Real contains an alternate version of the title track then what appears on Alien ID, and honestly I am kind of torn at times as to which version is better. Both are really solid for different reasons. Don't even ask me to compare the two versions to the wonderful cover Built to Spill and Caustic Resin do of the song... Also on the single is a song called "Funny Face" as well "Dubious", which the latter once again is a different version then what appeared on Alien ID. Download and enjoy but I will strongly recommend that you pick up Alien ID if you can as it is still available from K Records and it can be found on the cheap side on Amazon and similar outlets. The earlier non K releases are most likely next to impossible to locate so I will be sharing those in the near future.

Kicking Giant She's Real track listing
1. She's Real (version)
2. Funny Face
3. Dubious (version)

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Refrigerator "Louder Than Goodbye" 7 inch (Squealer Records/1995)

Anytime anyone mentions the word "lo fi" hands down the first thing that should come to mind is Shrimper Records, the label who might've not been a house hold name but for anyone that followed the home recording/tape label explosion of the 90s is well aware that Shrimper was the label that defined that era. And one the bands that is synonymous with Shrimper, Refrigerator- a noisy, yet tuneful lo fi indie rock band that featured Shrimper Records founder Dennis Callaci on guitar and his brother Allen on vocals with a host of other members through the years. Throughout the 90s Refrigerator released several cassettes, singles, cd/lp albums and an inordinate amount of compilation tracks. And their music could be best described as marriage of noisy, disjointed art rock 'ala Half Japanese and Red Krayola mixed with the jangly indie rock, pop goodness of  other Inland Empire bands such as Wckr Spgt, DiskothiQ, Nothing Painted Blue, etc. They were bizarre at times, with the eccentric vocals at the forefront and clanging guitars but damn at the same time you'd find yourself tappin' your toes. While not a being a touring band in many years, Refrigerator continues to write and record music, albeit the music they have done in the last several years has changed considerably. It is a bit closer to folk than lo fi indie rock. Their brand new full length cd on Shrimper, Dangerous was released this spring. The single I am sharing with you today was released on Squealer Records and the tunes I think serve as a good introduction to the band as each song captures some of the things I like best about the band.  I will be sharing more Refrigerator in the coming months and I am excited as they are a band that unfortunately I feel as if time has forgotten.

Refrigerator Louder Than Goodbye track listing
1. Meantime
2. Thinner Than Skin
3. Louder Than Goodbye
4. Housing Fires

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Red Dye No. 5 "Not You Again" 7 inch (Candy Floss Records/1995)

If you happened to dig the Poastal Here 7 inch that I posted earlier than this 7 inch by San Diego based Red Dye No. 5 maybe of interest to you as they play the same type of female fronted, fuzzy guitar indie pop that meshes together the sounds of early Velocity Girl and Lush. In Red Dye No. 5 I also detect some Dinosaur Jr and Madder Rose. Regardless, they are another band of this ilk that I wish I knew more and subsequently had more tunes of theirs to rock out to. To my knowledge in addition to the Not You Again 7 inch they released the Fuzzbomb 7 inch on Silver Girl Records as well contributing tracks to the Pop American Style and Pure Spun Sugar. However, according to this website there was to be a split 7 inch w/ Red 5, a stand alone 7 inch on Darla (which I asked the label, they never released it), and a full length lp/cd on Flip Records but I searched high and low and have yet to find tangible proof that these records ever actually came out. If they did I'd love to hear them. Anyhow check out this offering from Red Dye No. 5, the b side even has a cover of the Blondie classic "Heart of Glass".

Red Dye No.5 Not You Again track listing
1. Not You Again
2. Heart of Glass

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Bratmobile/Tiger Trap "split" 7 inch (Four Letter Words/1992)

What a great documentation of two very influential 90s bands coming together for a split one record. I feel like every knows about or should know about these bands. Bratmobile helped spearhead the riot grrrl movement and the song they contribute to this split is an early version of the song "Throwaway" which was re-recorded for their 1992 album Pottymouth. Meanwhile, the Sacramento based Tiger Trap's offering as earlier, more lo fi version of the indie pop classic tune "Words & Smiles" which was later re-recorded for the self titled debut on K Records. The most noticeable difference about this version of "Words & Smiles" is that the bridge is played completely different, as opposed to a cascading build  there is more of a pick me up vibe. Chances are you know these bands and songs but just not these versions. Enjoy!

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Poastal "Here" 7 inch (Candy Floss Records/1995)

Today's post  comes from a absolutely wonderful yet obscure west coast female fronted indie pop that touches upon the same style of noisy guitar yet tuneful sounds that made bands like Velocity Girl and Lush household names among indie rock fans in the 90s. As far as I have been able to dig Poastal didn't release much material which is a shame because after listening to all their tunes I simply want more. In addition to the magnificent two song single Here that I am sharing with you here today Poastal also released a split single with #Poundsign#, a three way split 7 inch with Further and Diskothi-Q for Over the Wall Fanzine and lastly a contribution for the amazing Candy Floss Records compilation Pure Spun Sugar.  A friend of mine claims that there was a demo tape in existence as well though neither of us have ever actually heard so it may very well not exist though it wouldn't be out of the question. I hope it does because I want to hear more. This is indie rock done exactly the way I like it-noisy yet tuneful guitars, crisp vocals and super catchy. I wish I knew more about this great band so I could share more info with you all. However, I do own all of the actual records I have cited here and shall share them over time. One fact about Poastal is that the drummer is none other than Yoshi Nakamoto who has also been in such noteworthy indie pop bands as The Aislers Set and Scenic Vermont.

Poastal Here track listing
1. Here
2. The Absolute Magnitude of Negative Five

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Allen Clapp & His Orchestra "A Change in the Weather" 7 inch (Four Letter Words/1991)

Here is a quick little post before I have to start my day getting ready for classes. And perhaps it is a little wishful thinking asking for a change in the weather? But all that aside Allen Clapp is an absolute indie pop genius who has been writing and recording since the late 80s but under the Allen Clapp & His Orchestra name he has been at it since the 1990 with A Change in the Weather being his sophomore release. The two song one sided single was released on the cult, no frills indie pop label Four Letter Words who in their short existence released one indie pop essential after another. Clapp like many other artists of the era opted to document his songs via a four track tape recorder but unlike the usual fuzzy, lo fi excess that was to be expected of the day Clapp instead tried to get as much as he possibly could from a production value standpoint out of the machine to record works that couldn't be mistaken for anything other than pop music. In a way it sounded as if Clapp was trying to bring The Beatles, The Raspberries and even later Jam to the world of lo fi indie music. There is absolutely also a great influence of C-86 stuff like The Shop Assistants and Dolly Mixture present. The title track and the second tune "Advice From Mr Leary" are super short stabs of pop wonderment that get stuck in your head and beg for the needle to be brought back to the beginning. Throughout the years Clapp and His Orchestra released several great songs on compilations and full fledged stand alone releases, perhaps none were better than 1994's full length effort One Hundred Percent Chance of Rain which for my money is one of the greatest, and unheralded albums of the 90s-simply put it is indie pop perfection. Clapp over the years has continued to write and record music with his band The Orange Peels who are a indie pop band as well but a bit more polished than the four track Allen Clapp & His Orchestra stuff. In 2006 The Bus Stop Label issued a collection of all the Allen Clapp & His Orchestra singles/comp tracks and I just heard recently that Clapp has a new album coming under the Allen Clapp & His Orchestra moniker.

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Edith Presler "Drag" 7 inch (Little Mafia Records/Cactus Gum/1996)

I am so excited to share this gem of a 7 inch with you all today. Influenced by the lo fi home recording explosion of a few years prior from the mid to late 90s Denver based Edith Presler took the ball and ran with as the lo fi bedroom pop trio churned out song after song. They appeared on countless compilations, many of which came out via the cassette format but also were able to release two solo efforts- a full length cassette For the Love of a Texas Cheerleader on the legendary cult tape label Cactus Gum and this 5 song 7 inch called Drag which I am sharing with you today. Edith Presler possessed all of the novice charm that drew so many people to the whole lo fi movement of the 90s. Musically they were a cross between early Pavement and Guided By Voices as well as Silver Jews and even stuff like Crayon.

Back then it felt like bands like this and tape labels were starting up everyday though it wasn't as easy to identify as it is these days with the ease of technology allowing to spread the word in seconds. Back then it took a little bit longer to find out about stuff. And when I first was exposed to the whole 4 track/home recording/tape label culture it blew my mind that kids all over the country where making an awful racket just like I was in my bedroom and putting out on their own tapes, distributing and trading them all over the world. I was first exposed to the world via Lou Barlow and Shrimper Records and from there I found out that really personal, home recorded music that spoke to my interests was being released on a countless number of  tape labels like Cactus Gum, Catsup Plate, Flannel Banjo, Sonic Enemy, Car in Car Disco Product,  Sing Eunuchs!, etc. For me it was a very influential period that sticks with me to this day.

But back to Edith Presler-good luck tracking down the actual releases since most of their songs were released on cassette comps or 7 inches that are long gone. You can still order the Drag 7 inch from Little Mafia  so I implore you to buy the dang thing if you like it. Also I actually have a copy or two still in the Rok Lok distro. And you can actually download the full length cassette For the Love of a Texas Cheerleader at Dial Square Tapes, which is a new-ish private press tape label run by the fine fella who used to do Cactus Gum. Download and enjoy!

Also for more information on some tape labels/bands from the 90s (and even current) I'd highly recommend you check out this site that is pretty much the only resource online for this stuff called I Hear Strange Music. There you can find a complete discography for Edith Presler as well as many of the tape labels I mentioned here.

Edith Presler Drag 7 inch track listing
1. Drag
2. Alcan
3. Seconds
4. For the Love of a Texas Cheerleader
5. Midfall

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Dump "Easter Dress/Almost Home" 7 inch (Favorite Things/1997)

For those unaware Dump is the solo home recording project of James Mcnew of Yo La Tengo and since the early 90s he has released a litany of releases ranging from full length albums, eps, singles and comp tracks all on obscure tiny boutique labels under this moniker. He released a few things on the legendary Shrimper including the notorious indie cult classic That Skinny Motherfucker With the High Voice which is an album entirely made of Prince covers. Early on he released a 10 inch called International Airport on Steve Shelley's ( of Sonic Youth fame) Smells Like Records. The music of Dump I think is best summed up in Mcnew's own words as the liner notes of the album A Plea for Tenderness, "Recorded mostly while wearing pajamas on a Tascam Porta 5 cassette machine...".  So namely Mcnew's Dump project is a home recording project that showcases lo fi bedroom pop with forays into drone and ambience.Through the course of the Dump discography one can certainly hear the Yo La Tengo sound pouring into this side project's overall sound but that is to be expected. Dump's releases while scattered and for the most part obscure can certainly be found and we you can you can find them on the cheap side. A browse through the Amazon or Ebay turns up several copies of the cd releases while vinyl and cassette releases seem a little bit harder to come by. I highly recommend any of Dump's music but I would say the best place to start would be with the aforementioned A Plea For Tenderness on Brinkman Records. Or with this post...

And in regards to this offering the 7 inch that I am sharing today is a imported single from the Japanese label Favorite Things. The packaging is just like the music on the record- bare and warm. Mcnew excels in penning sincere, fragile pop music that captures a spirit of longing and a heart pouring out. The song "Easter Dress" musically is a bit more jangly and upbeat than the flipside of "Easter Dress" which a somber series of droning chords but both songs pull on the heart strings, hard.

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Versus "Go Tell It on the Mountain/Frog" 7 inch ( K Records/1994)

So here we are...another blog. This is My Life and You Can Have It is a blog dedicated to sharing what essentially has been a large part of my life, listening to and collecting music, particularly music in the indie rock/indie pop/lo fi/post punk genres. Also it is me paying homage to the great indie pop band Veronica Lake and their song 'This is My World and You Can Have It". I won't be sharing my entire collection but just things that I am interested in discussing and also pieces that are rare and aren't elsewhere on the internet. So with that being said shall we?

In getting this blog off the ground I'd like to share the first 7 inch that I ever bought from a record store (not counting local band records that I purchased at shows). How I miss you Music Den of Port Jefferson... This 7 inch was also my introduction to the wonderful K Records label and their wonderful International Pop Underground series. I had already been introduced to the New York City based Versus by way of their incredible full length album The Stars Are Insane on Teenbeat Records. This two track single continues in delivering what I had come to expect from the band, driving yet jangly melodic indie rock with outstanding male/female trade off vocals. The sleeve features trademark artwork from indie artist extraordinaire Tae Won Yu (also known for his work in the band Kicking Giant). As the years have gone on these two songs "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and "Frog" remain some of my favorite in the band's catalog. When the band started playing again a couple of years ago, I caught one of their first shows back with the original line up and I absolutely lost my shit when they closed their set with "Go Tell It on the Mountain". If you are a fan of indie rock from the 90s chances are you are familiar with Versus and if you are not you owe it to yourself to check out one of the era's best.

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