Hole - Retard Girl

I ended up with 3 records in the mail today, and it's a slab of that lovely era that I love that I will put up tonight.



I am, of course, talking about the 90's. I turned 10 the year this record was recorded, and I wish I was into it then, but I can't even fake that I was. Shit, at 10 I didn't really listen to much music at all. Maybe The Doors and The Who tapes I pinched from my dads collection. It was at least 2 years before I got into Gangsta Rap, and 5 or 6 years before I actually started to listen to this band.



Hole's Retard Girl Single was released in 1990 on Sympathy for the Record Industry, and was the first release for the band. It's noisy, punk and just straight up fucking awesomely messy. A far stretch from the band that ended in 2002. I've always had a super soft spot for Courtney, and the start of the band is no exception. Even if Kurt and Billy Corgan wrote some of Holes best work... But we won't get into that argument in this post.



Retard girl chugs along, Phone bill song crashes though and Johnnies in the bathroom is a spoken word/noise piece.

I was really lucky and picked this up for $6 instead of the $20+ dollars I normally see it go for on eBay, so I am stoked to be able to add this little bugger to the collection, and sit down and enjoy it any time I want to.



Oh, and this is the start of my Hole collection. A couple pieces are gonna be fucking hard to get my hands on, but I'll get there.

One day.

Yummy Gummy Candy Land

No records in the PO Box this week means digging out a record for ye olde blog.

So I picked this one. Bit of an obscure one to a lot of people, but I fucking loved this band when I first started going to shows, and they were one if the first bands that I actually started talking to. Matt Ridgeway was always a super friendly dude, always put up with my chewing his ear off and talking shit.

I have a feeling that there were 330 of this pressed, with 300 with covers and 30 without.



I used to own this record without the cover (and then printed it out from an early website the band had) but sold it off for cash and it was a tough one trying to track down again, mainly because I don't actually know anyone who owns the record that is still around these days...

I'll be honest, this is one of the poorest pressed records I have seen in years. I have records that hav DIY artwork, but this just feels poorly made. This is no reflection on the band, as the music is fucking sick. Quirky pop punk with a techno vibe (2 members were techno DJ's), and it's spot on.

I think the label let this one down, but then I have had a grudge with the owner of the label from almost 10 years ago, so I'm not gonna talk this one up am I?

The vinyl colour is spot on for this record, but it is a badly pressed record, it isn't scratched but it skips and it shits me to no end.



The covers are just 80gsm printed covers, flimsy and there is no way that this would last if this hadn't been sitting in the collection that this copy came from.



I know I'm whinging, but this is a fucking good ep.

I have missed the 2 crettins puddle re-union shows and I am still fucking kicking myself, as they were a staple of the shows I went to as a kid.

This record is worth tracking down, even if it's just for the Kermit the Frog cover.

Fucking gold.

Another piece of the PMFS puzzle: PMFS - S/T 10"

Another gem arrived today.



Another one of those records that sat at the top of my Wants list for so long, finally in my grubby little paws!



The songs on this record make me think of the music I was immersed in nearly 10 years ago, finishing up one band, trying to put another together with a bunch of people I didn't know, and who didn't know each other. It didn't work out, and I haven't seen or heard from any of those people in a long time, but I still think of the couple of jam sessions we had, and the fact that I first heard Copper and Stars on a mix CD Blake gave me in reference to what he wanted the band to sound like.

The artwork on this record is fucking perfect for the vibe the music gives.



The songs on this record are all amazing, and obviously the band changed pretty dramatically over the course of their 11 years, but this is still one of my favourite eras of this band.



You can get all the songs on the 2xLP No Idea release WE RIDE TO FIGHT (The first 4 years), so you should get onto that, then buy all their other records. You won't be disapointed. And if you are, then... well, tough shit really.

So in closing, I am stoked to be able to cross this one off the list (I am not interested in colours and variations and shit...), and now I am about to close a deal on a Knife in the Marathon LP.

Awesome. Awesome to the MAX!

I'll be dead by Christmas anyway...

A public Holiday means no post, which means no new records, so I am gonna post a 7 inch that I has been in collection for almost a year, but until 5 minutes ago, it had yet to be opened and played...



Now, this goes against what I buy records for. I buy them to listen to, and to enjoy them, not just look at them on my shelf.



So last night I was hanging with my homeboy Shane, talking about and playing some of my favourite pieces of vinyl, and I pulled this Single out, and was about to bust it open and he talked me out of it for some reason, and when I went to bed last night, I was tempted many times to actually get up, bust the fucker open and play it. But I didn't.



So this evening, while the wife is watching Neighbours, I thought I would sit down, pry the tape open, try not to rip the paper bag too much and listen to what is probably my favourite Murder City Devils song ever. Dead by Christmas.



The A Side is actually on the Thelema 10", so I wasn't so worried about that, but Dead by Christmas I don't think is actually on anything else.



I was really lucky to pick this up for the price that I did, as I have seen it go for upwards of $US50 on eBay, but I got it as part of a Private Sale off of Dead Format last year with almost all the MCD Singles, and PG99 7 inches. It was a good day.

I remember when I first saw the artwork for this EP on the Sub Pop Discography, I loved it so much, when my old band, In Name and Blood (yeah, I know, we named the band after the last MCD Album, but come on, the intro to Press Gang is still one of my favourite aural experiences, and if you don't know it, stop reading and go and download the fucker and listen to it, then buy the LP!), did a split 7 inch with The Collapse, I wanted to run with the same idea. And thats what I did.

I picked up 500 brown paper bags from the supermarket for fuck all, ordered a stamp for $20 and away I went.

The artwork on this is something special though. I don't know why I love it so much, I just do.



The insert is awesome, and a rough transcript of 364 days on the back, as you can see here.



I never realised that there was actually a second sleeve on the inside, so I was stoked when I pulled it out, and the outside is replicated on the inside sleeve.



I am a massive fan of natural stock, especially when it is screen printed or stamped. Has a real homely vibe about it, and that the band or the label has actually handled all the covers and they have been made with love.



Having said that, getting chipboard covers to stick together can be a prick of a thing. But in the end, it is well worth it to see the end product.

So, that's the Murder City Devils' Bonus Xmas Single.

The label that released this says it is #1 in the Jeff & Amy's paper bag series. As far as I have been able to see, it is the only one that was ever done. In fact it was actually put out by Sub Pop, but I have no idea who Jeff & Amy are.

NB: After getting this out, I sat down and wrote this while listening to all their other singles/Splits and EP's. Seriously stoked.

"The Murder City Devils are dead. Long live The Devils."

Jawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge Therapy

Another record I am stoked to have back in ye olde record collection.



This is hands down one of the best fucking records I own. Although I did not listen to this record when I was 13, when I first got given a copy of this little gem, I was fucking blown away.



I have seen this shit go on eBay for stupid amounts of coin, but I managed to wrangle this fucker for a measley $20US plus postage. Talk about a fucking awesome deal.



Listening to this on LP (I still listen to music on my iPod, and very occasionally on my computer, I try to avoid the latter if possible these days. Yep, I'm a snob. Bite me...) really takes me back to a time when relationships with some of my friends (one in particular) were a lot tighter and just more fun, and it kind of bums me out a bit, but then the awesomeness of Blakes songwriting make it all better.

I'd say that this is my favourite Jawbreaker record, and the only LP that hasn't been given the re-issue treatment. I have got the other 3 coming in the mail, but all the re-issues as I don't love them like I do 24HRT.



So, simple black vinyl, a very 90's layout and artwork make this a real winner.



I'd suggest that you should get your hands on a copy of this album, even if you just download the fucker, get your ears around it.

Hopefully this gets the remastering and re-issue treatment soon, just so that more people can get there hands on this LP. I am a big fan of the re-issue revival. So much so I am doing 2 myself this year.

Peace out.

AC4/Suprise Sex Attack Split 7 inch

I've been waiting for this 7 inch for aaaaages.



It's a split between Sweden's AC4 (which is Dennis from Refused, so you know I am alllll over this fucking shit!) and Perth's Surprise Sex Attack.

This 7 inch fucking rips! Both bands play fast hardcore punk, and it is a very refreshing change from some of the shit I buy these days. I feel good that good hardcore is back and fast and fucking angry!

This is put out by Melbourne label Aniseed Records.

The artwork is awesome on this release, hand assembled with stitching on the paper, glued band photos on some gnarly stock.



And an insert printed on some nice paper stock.



The label have really put the hard yards into this release, and I think it really shows and I am siked to have this release on my collection.

It has also inspired me to do something a little different with release I have planned coming up...

The record is pressed on black, cut at 45, so it sounds great.

The AC4 side kinda bums me out as it's only 1 song and it's done in just over a minute, leaving me to want more (so I put the LP on straight afterwards)!



The SSA side is fucking ripping too. Fast hardcore punk with a rocky-ish side via the vocals. I am actually going to search out more of this bands stuff.



Over all a nice little post office box pick up today.

Buy the record here: http://www.myspace.com/aniseedrecords

Noice.

I hate this place, but I love these chords...

Picked up this little gem today.



This is the record store day How Water Music live 7 inch. This was supposed to be here for Record Store Day but the mail service meant that it didn't quite make it.

Always the way huh?!

I picked this up at an awesome little record store here in Melbourne called Poison City Records who also carry some classic skateboards and equipment, and Andy runs the record label of the same name. A busy busy boy.

On to the record.

A nice little 7 inch, limited to 1000 copies of transparent blue vinyl.



Awesome die cut cover too (this is the back).



The track list on this is fantastic. 4 great songs by a truly great band, back in the game, and defs on their A game.



Good on you if you picked this up, sucks if you didn't get a copy, but Poison City have a couple copies left, so head down to he shop on Brunswick street in Brunswick, Melbourne and give Andy some of your hard earned cash, because not only is he a great dude, it's a great fucking store!

Fucking Fight!

This was an elusive little fucker for me for probably close to a year. Not the rarest of records, I just missed it that many times I was starting to think I should just fucking give up.



But, the eBay gods shone good fortune on me, and I got this 7 inch for a few bucks, plus a few bucks postage. Not bad at all to be honest.

This is the first pressing with the burnt map cover on clear red. I still stand by my earlier statement that I love red vinyl. Simple, effective and just plain lovely.



Released on Dim Mak in 99, it comes with an insert stating that if you send $20 they will send you a 7 inch, the 10 inch and stickers and posters... Wish I had bought that shit back then.



Only 2 songs on this, both available on the We ride to fight 2 x LP, but I have been chasing this for a while.



Now I just need to get a copy of Knife in the marathon and I'm set.

For now....

The Get Up Kids - Simple Science EP

I wrote the Decendents post as work, and I am doing this one on my phone while my wife gets ready for dinner.

This turned up yesterday amoungst a few other records, and it's an interesting one for me.



I have loved The Get Up Kids since I saw them tour here the first time with Jebediah and play to about 30 non enthused bogans at The Hallam Hotel in the south east suburbs of Melbourne.

I picke up a copy of Something to write home abou that night and have fucking loved the shit out of that record ever since.

To be honest I was never the biggest fan of On a Wire or The Guilt Show, although they were good records.

But back to the record at hand...

I actually think that this would have easily worked as a 7 inch, but I got the 12" 180 gram version of this record.



I am stoked the band has done this record themselves, and I'm sure they will have no problems selling out all 2000 (500 on black, blue, green and pink) copies of this.

The art is really cool. Simple and understated, and works really well with the songs.



Speaking of the songs, nice quirky songs, with a touch of melancholy. I dunno what else to say really. If you like the get up kids, you'll be into this record. I'm really looking forward to a new album now!

Descendents - Everything Sucks.

So I reckon I am just going to post 1 record a day. It is gonna be a whole heap easier than trying to play catch up when I often get a couple things in a day, and I am just falling further and further behind.

So here it is, day 1 of 1 record a day…

I got this in the mail today. I had this record as a first pressing from when it was released 10+ years ago, and I have missed it since I sold the fucker.



Seriously, more bands need to embrace understated art. Milo is always a sight for sore eyes.



I am super stoked that Epitaph have repressed this again. This is what I think is the third pressing, out of 500 on Black. I am a bit bummed I slept on the white pressing, but all I really care about is actually having this amazing record in my collection again.



There are a lot of people who rave on about their earlier work, but for me, this record embodies everything that I truly love about the Descendents. Fast poppy songs, with slow poppy songs, and the classic drum combo of "The verses are played on the hi hats, Chorus' are played on the ride", which I have always loved about this era of Punk Rock.

It also takes me back to a time where I really had little to worry about (not that I worry too much these days either), apart from partying, getting laid and how much beer I could scam out of my Parents. Music was fun, skateboarding in between classes (and skipping classes to go skateboarding) was what I was all about. Even when I got my first serious girlfriend in 1996, I was still pretty much only worried about the above stuff.



I am pretty sure Epitaph still have copies of this on Black, so you should do yourself a favour and go an buy one, grab your skateboard and have a f*cking good time.

Check ya tomorrow.

Thanks Sam!

So, before the wife gets home from work, I thought I would sneak in a little post.

So, I received a package in the mail Yesterday (Monday) after being away for a few days with my band, playing some shows interstate.

I had been talking with a kid on a forum I frequent, and I had been talking about a trade for a copy of Extortions Control EP.

Nothing out of the ordinary there.

Getting back to the package, I got back from my daily trip to the PO Box on my morning tea break (1030 every weekday) and I sit down with a package I knew contained 6 copies of the Extortion S/T Reissue 7 inch and another package that I thought might be the trade I had discussed.

I bust open the package from and there are 2 copies of the Extortion Control EP (Both colours), an Integrity Sticker, a home made Mindsnare / Slayer double sided patch and a Municipal Waste badge.

With it was a note:



I have to be honest, this is one of the single nicest things that anyone has randomly done for me (excluding my ever-loving Wifer) in a fucking long time.

Seriously, who does that kind of thing these days!?

I am so chuffed beyond belief, and now the records will hold a special place for me, a special place in my expanding collection, and a fucking awesome story to go along with all of that!

Don't worry Gator, I'll sort you out somewhere down the line mate.

So, onto the records...



I have always loved Rohans art, and I think this is a really good fit for the record. Angry, pissed off and brutal.



The hand on the back is fucking rippin'!

The Salmon Vinyl.


And the Gold.

Yes, I actually listened to both in a row.

A fucking nice little package.