Manic Monday.

So after the drought that was last week, I have had the pouring of the Vinyl rains! I like to call it Manic Monday.

Only 1 record here I haven't listened to a hundred times before, So I guess I will start with that.



The first Pygmy Lush LP, Bitter River.

This is a band I didn't get onto straight away, and I have no idea why, as I love most things that Chris Taylor does, but sometimes that's just the way it goes.

I was a bit taken aback when I first dropped the needle onto this one, as the first song reminds me a lot of some of the PG99 stuff, and I actually thought the whole record might be a screamo record. Then it mellowed the fuck out and was what I thought it was going to be.



Having said that, the first song kinda got me wanting to go back and listen to the PG99 stuff I have (lots of 7 inches, but only 2 of the LP's). The artwork and vinyl colourway all go together very nicely, so this is actually an awesome package to look at.



The insert is actually a lot of fun, one side being all the info and the other being a collection of goodies.

I picked this up on eBay for a buy it now price of $8 plus $10 for postage. Can't argue with that.

Next up was a record I really should have bought about 7 years ago, as they are one of my favourite bands, but I did have the limited Digipak CD, so I guess that counts for something.



The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site.

The art alone is reason alone to own this on LP. It actually makes a lot more sense in the larger format.



The back of the sleeve is a lot of fun.



More illustrations on the Insert, and the backside of the insert has the lyrics and some quotes from books, authors, newspapers etc.



And good old Black Vinyl. I haven't got a great deal to actually say about this record. I am listening to it as I type this, and I can't help but grin like an idiot as I remember the show they played here but a few weeks ago, and the immense amount of joy I got from this band. Seriously, just go and buy a Weakerthans LP today. Pure poetry and fun folky/country rock tunes.
C'mon, John K Sampson did the best Propagandhi song ever. Letter of resignation on the Split 7 inch with FYP.

And the last of my PO Box scores for today was this little bastard.



Another record I used to own, and one I am fucking happy to finally have in my collection again.
I am not all about different colours of each recording and each pressing, I just want one to listen to, and this was on the list of wants from many moons ago (I still need to get Degenerate again, but I am still hoping for a repress at some stage).

I really love the art on this one. Typical Rohan Harrison art (for this kind of stuff he does, he actually does some amazing stuff in other styles too, you should check out his stuff by going here: Weiffenbach, he also just did a shirt design for my band, The Omen), but it has lovely colour work, using water colours, which really gives it a softer side to the actual art, but still upholding what it needs to get across.



I am extremely jealous of how well they pulled off this concept record. It's very well written, fast and fucking angry, with just the right amount of mosh parts. Totally Radical.



The back side of the insert has all the lyrics laid out. Very simple insert, but so fitting.

With the Suffer LP about to drop next week, listening to this this evening was great. It's getting me even more amped on the Suffer release. They're like a young Extortion. So fucking angry.

When I got home, I came inside and sat down before heading off to have dinner at my Mums joint, and my Wifer came in holding 2 more packages. I don't often get records sent to home, unless I forget to change the details in my eBay account, which I must have done in this case.



The 10 inch version of Lagwagon - Let's talk about feelings on Black vinyl.



Not my favourite Lagwagon record, but a very welcome addition to my collection.



Pretty standard stuff really. Nothing jumps out at me about this release...
Just being honest.

Then, something my wife bought for me.

A painted LP from an artist in the UK.



It combines 2 of my favourite things, Art for our lovely house and records.

It seems to be a mix of ink, marker and paint. I love it, and my wife buying me a record of any sort, is a big step.

Ah love, ain't it so fucking grand!

Converge, Breather Resist & Millions of Them.

So I had planned to post earlier on in the week, but it has been a fucking hectic one.

On Thursday I went and saw Converge play at the Corner Hotel, and I have been waiting for this show for a Bloody long time, and I can only say that it was everything that I had hoped it was going to be.

To top it off, they played Jane Doe as the encore. Seriously, so fucking awesome.

So, to celebrate the awesomeness that was, I am gonna post about one of my favourite records of all time...

Converge - Jane Doe.



I have to be honest and say that I slept on this record when it first came out, and it took me a few years to actually "get" it.

Once it sank in, I realised that it is truly a work of genius. From the songs, to the production, to the artwork, it is probably at the top of my favourite heavy music records.



I picked this up from a kid in Canberra after years of trying to get it, while not spending too much on it, and picked it up on Black for about $80 all up. Gotta love the BUY IT NOW button on eBay sometimes... I also got another of my fav records from this guy, but I'll post about that one another time.



The artwork in the centre of the gatefold is actually really good too, but I think it is a little bit under noticed given the now iconic image on the front of the record.



The next thing I want is an actual Jane Doe print, and not one of the water damaged ones, but a lovely low number print to hang in my lovely house.

There has been talk of the re-issue of this for over a year now, with it appearing on the Deathwish site as an upcoming release, and there is always a lo of talk around this, I just hope I am quick enough to get onto it when it does drop, as I have read it will have expanded artwork, which would be a great addition to my collection.

Onto the records from this week...

I got a few bits and pieces in the mail this week, one package from Merge Records with a She & Him single, and their first LP, Volume One, and this score from eBay.



The Breather Resist - Only in the morning 10 inch Picture Disc. Limited to 1000 pieces, I picked this up for $4.99 on eBay, which I think is a good buy. Postage wasn't too hectic either, which is always a nice change.



To be honest, I do love a good Picture Disc. And a good 10 inch, so there is a lot for me to like, even before you start to talk about the tunes on this one.



The tracks were recorded live (from what I can tell) over 2 nights, and they sound fucking awesome. The art on the record is understated, which is nice.

I like this record, and will be buying the Cruciform Coffin shaped picture disc next up, but I am really after a copy of Charmer on LP, if anyone wants to sell me one, or hook up a trade, then get at me!

Next up is a tape I got in a trade with a new friend from Belgium, Rik from Millions of Them.



I first heard about this band on Dead Format, where I saw a post about a limited demo tape, and when I had a look, the image was Ned Kelly on the front. I found this a little strange, and decided to hit the bands myspace up and have a listen. I really dug what I had heard, and dropped them a line to see what they were about, and Rik got back to me, we talked about a possible record release at some stage and then I sent him a couple 7 inches and he sent me this tape.



I really liked the artwork on this. It is a printed overhead transparency that is painted gold on the back. Really simple, but still awesome.

The demo is out of pirnt, but the band has an LP out real soon, Mixed by Kurt Ballou.

Check out the band here: http://www.myspace.com/millionsofthem

And that's me for today.

Steadfast - Whine 7 inch EP

So, my wife is watching a recorded episode of Neighbours, and I am in the study listening to some old music, getting siked on releasing some Melbourne classics and decided I'd take a couple pics with my iPhone, hope they look ok and post about a great EP by a band that (I believe) were short lived and only put out this and a demo tape.



The band is called Steadfast and all I really know is that it had Steve from One Inch Punch/Mid Youth Crisis singing and playing guitar on it.



It is quite similar to early One Inch Punch stuff. Awesome fast punk stuff, with Steves trademark vocals.

I picked up this record at a record fair, probably close to 10 years ago, for a measly $4 (you can still see the sticker on it), and I was there with my old mate Gabe Delaine (Jungle Fever/SXWZRD), and I went to look through the LP's, but he bumped me out of the way so he could have first look, so I moved over to the 7 inches, and pulled out this EP. You should have seen his fucking face drop. I had seen him animated, but he was deadset gutted at me picking this up, and for $4 too.

I only really knew about it because another old mate of mine, Alex, worded me up on it;s existence, and how much he wanted one. I wasn't going to let this one go (but I did find a copy second hand for $10 in Sydney about 3 years ago, and picked it up for him then), and I was so stoked with my purchase, I really lost interest in any other records that day.



The artwork is awesome. It really fits the who vibe of the record.



The insert itself is also a lovely piece. Not too many bands do this kind of shit with Inserts anymore. A good package all over.

I had heard so talk of other stuff that had been recorded, but had no vocals being out there, and that Steve did Vocals for it when MYC did the first re-union shows, but then I never heard anything about it again. It's a pity really, but then again, having this awesome collection of 4 songs is also a nice little reminder of the early 90's Melbourne Hardcore/Punk scene.

I might try and get this ripped onto my computer and upload it at some stage too.

This is also the first release by the amazing DIY label, Spiral Objective, that was (and still is I think) based in South Australia. There is an insert about the label in the EP too.



Spiral Objective was an amazing Label/Zine/Distro. Looks like the site is no longer there, but I just found out that the back catalogue of zines was acquired by the State Library of Victoria Zine Collection in 2009.I might have to drag my ass down and do some investimagationing!

Well, that's all for today, hopefully I get some records in the mail this week...

Nirvana "Live at Reading" & Slayer "Reign in Blood".

So, I picked up a couple things over the weekend, and couldn't wait to post about them, as they involve 1 of my all time fav bands and of of my top ten of all time records...

First up, Nirvava's LIVE AT READING 2 x LP.



This recording has been bootlegged many many times over the years, and it is really nice to see it get the treatment it deserves with this release.



It has a great set list, from the bands output up to 1992, and it is one of those shows where Kurt was fucking on!

The artwork on this is awesome, on reverse board stock and on super thick card (the same as the Bleach Re-issue) so there is little chance of fucking this packaging up easily.

The layout is really nice, but it would have been awesome to have had some more info on the show, maybe Dave and Krist's memories of the show (as I heard Kurt refused to go on stage unless someone scored dope for him, and no one wanted to given his fragile state), or a bit of the story of how they played really early in the day on the first the year before, and then in 1992 they headlined the last night.



The photos are really nice, but I would have loved to have them in a booklet like the re-issue of Bleach (more so because I wanna bootleg one of the images and make myself a t shirt of Kurt in the hospital gown)



Once again, the vinyl is lovely 180 Gram, this time on black. The sound quality is amazing, such a good live recording, as is the case with the Bleach re-issue, and it is really nice to have such quality live recording s getting the proper release, as the bootlegged versions were always a bit lacking.

My only complaint on the actually live recording is the omission of the line Kurt sings before he "collapses" at the start of the set (The first line of "THE ROSE" by Bette Midler). Would have been a nice touch I think.

As a whole though, this is a fucking kickass package, and I am really happy to have it in my collection.

Next up...

Slayer's Reign in Blood LP.



I'm not sure on the pressing info on this one, what year it was issued etc, as there is nothing to indicate what pressing it is. I picked it up at Missing Link and I am sure I paid too much for it, but I have wanted this for ages, and I can now cross it off my list of wants.

The sleeve on this one is really flimsy, and has already shown signs on wear at the top of the sleeve, but as long as I keep it nice and tightly stored, I shouldn't have any issues with it.



The insert is a one sided black and white, and I imagine when this first came out it would have had a printed inner sleeve, so that's a bit of a pity, but it is what it is.



The vinyl is black, and the sounds is awesome, but I have one criticism (surprise, surprise).
There is actually a gap between Postmortem and Raining Blood, so you get the start of the thunder and rain, then a 2 second gap, then it comes back in. Not a fade in and out, but an actual gap. Super weird, and makes me want to email Geffen/Def Jam to find out what the fuck happened with this pressing. I guess I will have to do some snooping on this one...

So, there you have 2 Geffen releases, both awesome records, but one done really really well, and the other falling a little short of the mark.

Still, who can say they don't love to sit down and listen to Reign in Blood from start ti finish and then wanna go out and either break something, break someones face or thrash the fuck outta ya skateboard!

Cheers.

No records this week = Pig Destroyer "Terrifyer" post!

So this week, I had no records turn up in the mail.

For someone like me, and I would assume some of you out there, this is terrible thing.

Sometimes the ostal system just works against you man, they're trying to bring you down man, it fucking sucks maaaaan.

So in lieu of new records, I am posting about one of my all time favourite records.

Pig Destroyer "Terrifyer".

From the artwork, to the mysoganistic lyrics about girls, violence and death to the heavy vinyl and the crushing songs.

I just fucking love this record.



The art on this one was handled by Chris "Crude" Taylor, who is one of my favourite artists (I have a piece of his tattoo'd on my forearm. The Darkest Hour "Undoing Ruin" LP artwork), and this is no exception to his true awesomeness.

The back piece is something I had wanted to get tattoo'd on me also, but I couldn't figure out the best way to get it sorted out, and I was worried it would lose it's appeal on my ever shifting skin.



The gatefold art is a photo that has been retouched by Taylor, and I was going to rip this idea for the last Seduction 7 inch, but we never did a photo for it, so maybe when we do the The Omen 7 inch, I'll do it then...?



I used to own 3 copies of this LP, 1 on white, 1 on Grey and this one, the 180 Gram Black Vinyl.



I sold one copy to some dude, gave one copy to one of my best mates, and kept this one for myself.

When I had to sell all my shit, this is one of the very few LP's that stayed with me, because I was worried I wouldn't be able to get it again. I don't see this album pop up much on eBay, maybe because it is actually such a kick ass record, no one sells the bloody thing.

The 2nd LP is the awesome doom/noise track "Natasha" spread out across both sides of the LP. I really like it in this format, as it is less hassle to listen to that the 5.1 surround sound DVD audio version, although it is a pretty fucking awesome thing in surround sound.



This record was my first real Grindcore love, and I still listen to it almost weekly. It gets me really amped up and makes me want to fight. Totally awesome.

I also have a solo project/band called Terrifyer that I have been working on for years.

After listening to this again on LP, I reckon I have to get off my ass and actually do something soon...

Until next time.

Milemarker & Cursed

I got a shitload of records over the last few days, but I'll start with these...

Both of the main records in this post are part of me re-buying records I used to own.

First off was a record I haven't seen in ages, probably because most people don't really give a fuck about this band, but I loved them at the time. In fact I am listening to this LP right now.

Milemarker were one of those bands that changed over the course of most of their records, and I have to say that this is my favourite of their full length records.



When I saw a kid on Dead Format selling this as part of a set priced sale, I was stoked. Took me a few days to pay him, then he went away and it took a couple weeks to get posted, and then good old Canadian mail took 3 months to get it to me (it is post marked 16th December 2009)...

When it turned up, I saw the Canadian postage on the front, knew what it was and was so pumped to bust it open and get it home for a listen. I was a little worried as the packaging was pretty beat up, but I hoped it was packed nice and tight inside to make sure it didn't shift around...

I busted this sucker open at my desk at work, and my heart sank...



Not that you can really see it in the photo, but there is some serious ring wear on the top and bottom of the front of the sleeve, and it;s stained black too, which means it is even more noticeable. There is also a split at the top of the sleeve, which was probably caused by the record being shipped inside the sleeve, instead of separate as they really should be (unless an LP is brand new and sealed).

Then I pulled out the LP, and the there are tears on all three closed sides of the printed inner sleeve.

Seriously such a let down. But it will do until I find a better quality copy.

A really nice poppy mellow record.

That was the cheese, now time for the chalk!

I got this in a Private trade/sale with an old good friend of mine, Dan Futile. He now runs a label in Newcastle called Ritual Failure.

Cursed II on black vinyl.





I used to have so many copies of this LP when I did my distro, and I had it on Clear and Black in my collection too.

I kinda sniped a kid on a forum for this one, and I paid a few bucks and traded a couple test presses to get it, but it sits proudly in between One and Three and it makes me happy.

Thanks heaps Dan, it gets a good spin and you have kept it in lovely condition, especially when so many copies of this LP had their covers ruined in transit. I constantly read about people looking for a clean copy of this record as so many are in shit condition.

I was gonna end it there, but I have pix for these too, so why not.

Cursed - The Last Session 2nd.

5 songs spanning the 3 albums, played faster and heavier and recorded live in the UK on the bands final (nail in the coffin) tour.



The artwork is the same, but has been printed on silver stock. Makes it look a bit slicker, and to be honest, I like it better than the off white paper stock of the 1st press.

The vinyl colours are much nicer too. A lot cleaner colours.



The red is a lovely rich red, and the pink reminds me of the first INAB LP, which was a nice hott pink!

I have copies of this 2nd press for sale in my distro too, which you can suss out here if you like?

http://midnightfuneral.bigcartel.com/

Thanks heaps for reading.

Night then.
Craigos.

Hope Con - Hang Your Cross

A record I really should have picked up when it was released, but slept on it, and it has taken me until now to actually pick it up.

Had I bought it when it was released, I probably would have been all over the record that followed, Death Knows your Name, as it is the perfect teaser for the release of an album.

I just wish it was this easy to do for Australian bands, and then maybe more Aussie bands would be into putting out their albums as LP's.

Anyways...



The artwork on this release is fucking awesome. Another fantastic image by Aaron Horkey, and on a nice heavy maroon stock. The only thing that lets this art down, is when they were folded, the printing cracks because it was such a heavy print.

This came on 4 different colour ways, with different colour art.




But this'll do me for now.