Step Forward - 10 Song EP

Why can't more 7" have 10 songs on them?! 

With the lack of record purchases that I've made recently, I had to go back to the collection and pull out another favorite to keep the ball rolling.  Step Forward are probably my favorite band to come out of Boston within the last 10 years.  I was surprised when I looked to see that this record came out in 2006, oh how times flies. When I went to check the pressing info on this, I was excited to see that they are going to put out a new record next year!  6 years between releases...better late than never!  Considering that these dudes are in a million other bands, it comes as no surprise that it's been that long.  Hopefully they will tour after the record is released?!  I've never had the pleasure of seeing them.   

Black out of 418 or 350. There was no difference between the first and second pressing, so no way for me to know the difference. 



Violent Femmes - Self Titled

Post #50!!

I pulled the Violent Femmes "self titled" record out a few weeks ago, having not listened to it in years.  I forgot how much I love this album.  I also wasn't expecting as many memories to come rushing back to me when the record was playing (I'll get to that in a bit).  Honestly, this record would probably have to be in my "Top 10 Records Of All Time" list. No joke. 

As I mentioned before, this record brought up lots of old memories from my youth.  Most of them having to do with my time spent as an exchange student.  Not going into to much detail, when I was in highschool I was a Rotary exchange student, I lived and went to school in Kristansand, Norway for a little over a year.  While I was at school there I was involved with a theater / art group that had their own room at the school.  I spent a lot of time there hanging out rather than going to all my classes.  In that room was a small, shitty stereo and three albums to chose from.  Faith No More's "Epic", Bob Marley "Legend", and Violent Femmes "Self Titled".  Out of the three, I definitely listened to the Violent Femmes the most.  Thus began my love for this record. 

It's sad for me to say, but this really the only Violent Femmes record that I've ever listened to.  For loving a record so much, I don't know why I've never sought out more of their material.  I mean, they have 8 studio albums!  Recently I was given their sophomore record "Hallowed Ground", so I don't have any excuses now not to listen to it (other than time constraints). 

If you've never listened to this, do so, right now!  You won't be sorry. 



American Nightmare (Give Up The Ghost) - Year One

I still can't call them "Give Up The Ghost", but really, who does? 

I could go on and on about this band right now, but I wont.  I'm to freakin tired to write that much now.  Let's just say that I'm a fan. 
I picked this record up from Boo Boo's a few weeks ago while the family was out of town.  I missed out on the most limited variation of this record when B9 put them up on their web store.  So, I lagged on even ordering it, figuring I'd get it from my local record store when ever I had the chance.  Maybe someday I'll get around to getting the other variations, but I doubt it. 

Black and Blue out of 1,500

Bridge 9 is doing and awesome job with these represses.  Carry On, American Nightmare.  I'm crossing my fingers that they are going to repress "Ill Blood" next!  

Alkaline Trio - From Here To Infirmary

My "Black Friday" this year was spent checking out the special pressings done specifically for the indie record stores ala record store day at Boo Boo Records in beautiful San Luis Obispo ,CA.  I had no idea that this was going on until my buddy Frank told me that Boo Boo Records was having a Black Friday sale, and to check out the recordstoreday website to see what was being sold.  There were a few records that seemed cool to me, Soundgarden, Candlemass, Nirvana, Tom Petty & The Heart Breakers.  That was about it.  I didn't end up getting any of those releases, the 50$ price tags on some of them was to steep for me.  And I hate the 10" record (both the Soundgarden and Nirvana "box sets" were 10").  The don't fit well anywhere, and I don't have enough of them (maybe 3?) to have their own shelf or box.  The worst. 
Anyways, what I did end up getting is one of my all time favorite records, by a band from my all time favorite city. 

When ever I start missing home (Chicago) I'll put on whatever Alkaline Trio record, get nostalgic, and feel better.  I love Alkaline Trio, and always will.. No matter how much their sound changes, I will always support this band.  They remind me of a much simpler time in my life, and I feel like a kid again whenever I listen to them. 

I had never owned this record on vinyl, so I was happy to see that it was going to be repressed. I'm not sure the full pressing info on this.  I know that there is a clear red version that is limited to 500, but that's all I know. 

"I was just a stupid kid back then, I take back every word I said"

Morrissey - Viva Hate

This is going to be the last Smiths/Morrissey related post for awhile, hope it wasn't to much of a change of pace.  If it was, tough tits.  Not much to really write about this record, either you like Morrissey or you don't. 

"Viva Hate" came out in 1988, and was Morrissey's first solo release.  I've always liked Morrissey's later records better than "Viva Hate", but I was beyond happy to get this. Musically it's not much of a change from the final Smiths album.  I'm not sure if this is an American or UK pressing.  I was under the impression that the U.S. version contained "Hairdresser On Fire", and as you can see, that track isn't on this record, which leads me to believe that this is maybe a UK pressing.  "Hairdresser On Fire" was on the B-side to the "Suedehead" 7" single that was released in the UK.    



The Smiths - Louder Than Bombs

Out of all the records that I got from my co-worker, this was the record that I was happiest to receive.  "Louder Than Bombs" was my introduction to The Smiths, so needless to say I'm stoked to have it on vinyl.  For some reason, this record reminds me of when my wife and I were first dating.  Maybe it's because I was listening to this album a lot, or maybe it's because we used "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" as our wedding song.  So yeah, I love this record. 

As I mentioned in my post from yesterday, this would be my recommendation to anyone who hasn't listened to The Smiths before.  "Louder Than Bombs" contains all the singles that The Smiths released as well as most of their B-sides.  For what it's worth, Rolling Stone magazine named this #365 on their "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time". 

Again, I wasn't able to locate any pressing info on this, but I'm sure it's a lot.  



The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

Last week at work, a co-worker of mine unloaded her entire record collection on me.  She was a teenager in the 80's and was into punk, new wave, and ska.  We were talking about music last week, more specifically, we were talking about if she ever collected records.  She told me that she was never a serious collector, but still had quite a few records at her house.  She then went on to tell me that she no longer had any use for them (no turntable, taking up space, etc)  and that if I wanted them, they were mine.  Score!  Nothing beats free records.  All in all there were about 50 records that she brought in, and I ended up keeping 25 or so of them.  The next few posts will be on the records that I think the readers of this blog will enjoy, or at least appreciate their place. 

I first started listening to The Smiths after reading a book called "Hairstyles Of The Damned" by Joe Meno.  Basically it's a coming of age story about a young kid growing up in Chicago and him discovering punk rock.  Very relate able to me.  Anyways, some of the kids in the story are into The Smiths, and me never having heard The Smiths at that point decided to check them out.  I'm glad that I did because they went on to become one of my favorite bands.  Although it took me awhile to really get into them, but aren't some of out favorites like that? 

"The Queen Is Dead" is The Smiths 3rd studio album and is probably my favorite of their studio releases, as it is also re guarded by other fans.  If you've never listened to The Smiths before, I would recommend you start here, or with the "Louder Than Bombs" compilation album. 

I've never had this album on vinyl until now, so, I was pretty psyched to get this. 

I attempted to search out pressing info, but was unsuccessful.  I'm pretty sure it's the first press, released by Rough Trade records.  If anyone knows the pressing info on this, let me know. 

Trapped Under Ice - Big Kiss Goodnight

The wife and kids have been in Colorado since Thursday visiting my in laws. So this weekend I was able to do some uninterrupted, no time constrains record shopping!  It's literally been years since I was able to do that.  I almost forgot what it felt like. 

I've been a big fan of Trapped Under Ice since I saw them at Sound & Fury a couple of years ago.  TUI don't disappoint yet again.  A hardcore band doing not one, but two good LP's?!  How cool is that.  There is just enough progression on this record to keep things fresh and interesting without getting weird.  There is a high probability of this being on my Top 10 this year.  Oh, and I love all the "Cry Baby" clips. 

Clear Vinyl out of 1,000

TUI TILL I DIE!  

Take Offence - Tables Will Turn

This record is a fairly recent pick up for me (3 months ago maybe?)  I've only listened to it a handful of times. It's turning out to be one of those records that takes multiple listens to really get into.  That's becoming more of the norm for me now with hardcore LP's.  Maybe it's the old man in me. 

Bringing back the hardcore skinhead

So this record has much more of a Suicidal Tendencies feel to it than their first few releases.  And when I say "much more", I mean ALOT more.  Not so much the the music, but the vocals.  I almost thought they changed singers when I first heard the record.  I still prefer their first 7", but regardless this is a solid release. 

700 on Purple & Black Marble



  

Miles Away - Endless Roads

Normally I wouldn't do a post on a record before listening to it.  But as I mentioned before I don't have a steady flow of new records right now, nor do I have much time to listen to a lot of new stuff (especially a full length LP).  So for this post I decided to make an exception to my "rule". 

I was able to pick up this record last week when Miles Away stopped by Arroyo Grande, CA to visit with mine and Dennis' families before heading to their show in Bakersfield, CA.  Miles Away are on a US tour right now with Bane, Defeater, and possibly Rotting Out?  Sadly we weren't able to make it to their show (work, work, work).  Next time! 

I love the cover art to this record.  I think it sums up the bands overall vibe pretty well.  AAnnnd, that's really all I have to say about this record right now... I need to go listen to it, not write about it. 

Hand numbered #20/161 (weird number)

Clear Red Vinyl.  Has some white or grey streaks in it that don't show up so well in the picture.  The center label is also hand stamped. 



The Trouble - Nobody Laughs Anymore

In celebration of my wife getting us tickets to the American Nightmare show on New Years Eve in LA, I decided to post up my favorite piece of AN vinyl.  Then I realised that I don't actually own any AN vinyl.  Oops.  I love American Nightmare, but I haven't had the chance or cash to start collecting their records.  When AN was still an active band, I was at college studying my brains out, and didn't have time to go to many shows..  So needless to say I missed the boat the first time around when their records were still in print.  Maybe someday I'll search them out, but for now I think I'll just stick to the represses that B9 and Deathwish are doing. 

So since I don't have any AN records, I give you... The Troubles "Nobody Laughs Anymore".  American Nightmare covered a Trouble song on their "The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter" 7".  See what I did there...

The Trouble were a punk rock band from Boston, MA.  They lasted from 1995 to 99, then front man Gibby went on to sing in Panic.  I discovered The Trouble through Panic.  I'm a big fan of their first two 7", and when I found out that Gibby had a band before Panic I tried to track some of their stuff down.  It wasn't until years later when Painkiller and B9 repressed their LP that I actually heard them.  And when it's all said and done, I ended up liking The Trouble more than Panic..but just barely. 

Black out of 920

Here is the link to the other versions on Painkiller records site.  



Stop And Think - Both Demos

So my last post was the first using my new iPhone 4 for pictures.  Before that I was using my 3G.  Hopefully the photo quality will be improved, and noticeable. 

I haven't had a steady enough flow of new records lately to keep the blog going on just my new pick ups, so recently I've been digging through my collection to post some of my personal favorites or records that I haven't seen on other blogs before.  Stop And Think "Both Demos" falls into the personal favorite category.

I got this record from Big Joe's record disto on the word from a friend that it was good.  That was an understatement.  I love this record.  The only bummer about my copy is that the center hole is small and getting it off and on my record player is a bitch.  The first time I took it off my record player I thought I was going to have to break it in half.  Needless to say, most of the time I listen to this on my iPod.  Anyone else ever had this same problem? 

Black out of 748 (weird number huh?)

There was also a Straight Ahead parody out of 300 that was sold at Posi Numbers '03.  Check it here. 



Never Healed - Self Titled EP (S&F '07)

Continuing with my "underrated" band theme I've had going for these last few posts, I give you NEVER HEALED!  Never Healed hail/ed (not sure if they are still an active band or not) from San Fransisco, CA.  Their singer used to play in Look Back And Laugh, and now plays bass in The Old Firm Casuals.  Like the title says, I got this record at Sound and Fury '07.  I'm not sure if this was the first S&F I went to or not..don't remember if  I was at '06. 

I really can't compare Never Healed to any other band.  They sound like if Hardcore Punk and Black Metal had a baby.  Musically Hardcore Punk, vocally Black Metal.  That's probably why I liked this band so much. They don't sound like any other band I'm familiar with.  If you haven't listened to Never Healed before, do yourself a favor and pick up their records.  You won't be disappointed. 



I attempted to find pressing info on this record, but couldn't find anything.  If anyone out there know, lemme know!