Tiger Trap "Supercrush" 7 inch (K Records/1993)

Seriously is there someone out there who is a fan of indie pop that not only hasn't heard of Tiger Trap? If you haven't for whatever reason all you need to know is that regardless of their short tenure is that next to the Beat Happening, Tiger Trap is the most influential American indie pop band. More or less they took inspiration from C-86 stuff like The Shop Assistants and set the blueprint for American indie pop. And for better or for worse bands in the genre haven't deviated from that blue print at all. Considering Tiger Trap was a perfect indie pop band I'd say that sits just fine with me. In addition to having an acclaimed solo career under her own name, Rose Melberg who was the main song writer in Tiger Trap went on to be in Go Sailor, The Softies, Gaze, and most recently Brave Irene. So if you aren't familiar with Tiger Trap go out NOW (yes now, like right now) and get their self titled album on K Records in addition to downloading this single which features two songs from the album and one song not on the album. Seriously what are you waiting for?

Tiger Trap Supercrush 7 inch track listing
1. Supercrush
2. You and Me
3. Hiding

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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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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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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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