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

Download Here

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

Download Here

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

Download Here

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.

Download Here

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

Download Here

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

Download Here

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"

Download Here

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"

Download Here

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


Download Here

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


Download Here

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

Download Here