D.C. Folks: On April 11th a number of D.C. bands – including Passing Phases, Cain & the Sticks, and Title Tracks – will perform a benefit at Comet Ping Pong for the family of Windian Records founder, Travis Jackson. More information can be found here.

Those who live outside of the area but still want to help out can donate here or purchase this covers record by Dan Sartain, the proceeds from which will be donated to Travis’ memorial fund.

NEW RELEASES

Curtis Seals/Christian D'Orbit - The Scandalizer/Drive Me Crazy

Originally released in 1980, this split features the only non-Penetrators single that Fred Records would released during its short, but very important existence. A ’50s-style soul ripper with screaming saxophones and some slightly punkier stuff on the flip.

The Ar-Kaics - Why Should I/Slave to Her Lies

Well written and executed fuzz/jangle/dropout pop from Richmond, VA. Features members of The Shirks and Chain & the Gang.

Killer Bees - Buzz'n the Town

Two underappreciated Washington, D.C. punk tunes that were originally issued in 1979 by local label, Limp Records.

Penetrators - Shopping Bag

The great unreleased 45 from Syracuse, NY-based garage/punk band, The Penetrators. Recorded in 1981, the single was ultimately shelved when the band opted to use the pressing funds in order to shoot a video. Now it can finally be heard in its intended format.

BACK IN STOCK

Bizarros - Complete Collection

Crushed Butler - It’s My Life

Minutes – Roland

The second full-length LP from Kalamazoo, MI/Washington, D.C. post-punk collective, Minutes. Twelve songs that were recorded in a basement on a Tascam 388 ¼” tape machine. Features long-time Dischord office regular Ryan Nelson (Most Secret Method, Soccer Team) sharing drum, guitar, and vocal duties. Preview the record in its entirety here.

Cigarette – Gush

The debut mini-LP from Washington, D.C./Arlington, VA-based slo-mo pop ensemble, Cigarette. Seven hazy and reverb-laden songs recorded by Hays Holladay (Bluebrain) in 2012. You can preview the whole record here. Limited to 250 copies.

Dudes – Greatest Hits

The debut release from this Washington, D.C. based lo-fi basement punk trio, which features members of Chain & the Gang. The first run of cassettes sold-out, but it’s back in print courtesy of the Priests-curated label, Sister Polygon Records. You can check it out here.

Teen Liver – Cassette

The cassette-only debut from Washington, D.C.-based garage-rock trio, Teen Liver. Nine weird, thrashy songs that invoke The Cramps, Devo, and Half Japanese. Includes members of Cigarette. Preview the whole tape here

Priests - Tape Two

Back in stock again. Same sounds, but with blue Xeroxed cover art.

For our final week of December specials, we’re making Faraquet’s "The View From This Tower" and Medications’ "Completely Removed" LPs available for $7 each through Sunday, 12/29.

Faraquet – The View From This Tower

Medications – Completely Removed

For our third week of December specials, we’re making Lungfish’s “Talking Songs For Walking” and “Indivisible” LPs available for $7 each through Sunday, 12/22.

Lungfish - Talking Songs For Walking

Lungfish - Indivisible

Moving forward with this month’s series of weekly specials, we’re making Rites of Spring’s “Six Song Demo” and One Last Wish’s “1986” available on CD and LP for $7 each through Sunday, December 15th.

Rites of Spring - Six Song Demo

One Last Wish – 1986

Throughout the month of December, Dischord mail-order will be offering weekly specials on select releases.

This week, we’re kicking things off with Faith’s “Subject to Change + First Demo” and Void’s “Sessions 1981-83”, which will be available on CD and LP for $7 each through Sunday, December 8th.

Faith - Subject to Change + First Demo

Void - Sessions 1981-83

Deleted Scenes - Stutter

Formed during the mid-’00s in D.C., Deleted Scenes play dazed and melancholy pop music. Over the last couple of years, they’ve come into their own, developing a more manic and warped melodic sensibility that, stylistically speaking, picks up some cues from local peers like Buildings, Medications, and The Dismemberment Plan.

We recently picked up a few of their releases to sell at Dischord Direct, including this two song 7” the band recorded earlier this year with producer Brian McTear at Philadelphia’s Miner Street Recordings. They’ve got a new LP coming up this spring. You can listen to “Stutter” here.

Deleted Scenes – Young People’s Church of the Air

Deleted Scenes’ second full-length, originally released on Sockets Records in 2011.

Deleted Scenes – Bedbedbedbedbed EP

A four-song precursor EP to Young People’s Church of the Air that includes an acoustic take on the title track and fairly twisted-up cover of the Smiths’ “Please, Please, Please Let me Get What I Want.”

Fulgora – Splinter b/w Crutch

The second single from this St. Louis/Baltimore-based grindcore band that features drummer Adam Jarvis of Pig Destroyer.

Coke Bust – Confined

Nine pummeling, no-frills hardcore tunes from Washington, D.C.’s Coke Bust. Their first new release since 2011’s Degradation EP.

The Shirks – Action Men

The latest single from D.C.-based garage-punks, The Shirks. All the fast and heavy three-chord rock moves of their recent full-length on Grave Mistake, only with the grit-level dialed back a single notch.

Des Ark – Live on WXDU Vol. 3

There are two types of Des Ark shows: The loud ones, where Aimee Argote brings a backing band and a car full of amps, and the quiet ones, where she dials back the volume to an intimate, living-room appropriate level. Live at WXDU Vol. 3 is one of the latter. This record – originally released on LP by Paramnesia and now reissued by Lovitt -- includes nine songs recorded live on WXDU by Ross Grady in 2010. It’s just Aimee, her voice, and an acoustic guitar, with a few guest riffs from Pygmy Lush’s Johnny Ward. The vinyl is coke bottle clear and the cover art features a two-color screen-print.

This Will Destroy You - Live in Reykjavik, Iceland

A live triple LP double CD concert album including material drawn from Young Mountain, S/T, and Tunnel Blanket. All songs were performed and recorded at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. LPs in this 1st pressing are colored black, marbled grey, and white.

The Dismemberment Plan – The Uncanney Valley

The Plan’s fifth full-length record. Uncanney Valley (yes, it's supposed to be spelled that way) includes 10 brand new tunes recorded with J. Robbins in Baltimore, Maryland.

Beaver – S/T

A reissue of the first and only EP from the short-lived Washington, D.C. punk outfit, Beaver. Originally released in 1981, Beaver was fronted by Tom Lyle, who would go on to found Government Issue.

The Legend of Cool “Disco” Dan DVD

The Legend of Cool Disco Dan is a feature documentary that tells the story of Washington, D.C. in the 1980s through the eyes of D.C. graffiti legend, Cool "Disco" Dan. Blending exclusive interviews with dozens of local and national celebrities along with archival footage, the film offers a comprehensive portrait of this critical decade. Narrated by Henry Rollins.

After eight years and who knows how many CDs, LPs, and CD-Rs, Washington D.C.’s Sockets Records closed up shop in February following a final concert/ merch-blowout at the Black Cat. Hume and Imperial China – two of the label’s longest running bands – went down with it, making the label’s closing party their final show.

Now, more than six months later, we have picked up some of the label’s remaining stock and made it available via Dischord Direct.

Founded by Sean Peoples, Sockets began as a CD-R label that focused mainly on experimental music – releasing improv-oriented works by groups like Na (Japan) and Kohoutek (DC), as well as an audio-zine series that featured contributions from Dischord artists like Guy Picciotto and Justin Moyer. After a number of releases, the label moved on to vinyl records, releasing LPs by groups like Skeletons, Buildings, and Deleted Scenes.

You can watch a 30-minute documentary on the label here. (Aaron Leitko)

Buildings – Everything in Parallel

Buildings’ debut LP. Lush instrumental rock that’s heavy on the guitar solos.

Hume – Penumbra

The debut mini-LP by Washington, D.C.-based quartet, Hume. Captures the group in its first full-band line-up, playing music that's about 50/50 power-pop and prog. A split release between Sockets and J Street Records.

Hume – Inverse Fireworks b/w One Drug

Two songs by Hume. The band's first release with guitarist Peter Tran and only record to feature keyboard playing by pianist Leo Svirsky.

Macaw – Celadon

Six ambient compositions recorded using a Roland TR-707 and various analog synthesizers by Hume drummer Wilson Kemp. Pressed on translucent green vinyl with hand-screened cover art in black or brown.

Two Inch Astronaut – Bad Brother

The nine-song 12” debut EP by this Silver Spring, Maryland-based trio. Despite their close proximity to D.C., I had no idea that they existed until an out of town friend mentioned that they were “killing it.” Pretty great stuff, though. Jittery guitar-driven prog-punk tunes that recalls Shudder to Think and Brainiac as well as contemporary peers/tour mates Speedy Ortiz. Recommended. (Aaron Leitko)

Ruby Pins – Ruby Pins

The debut solo LP by Grass Widow drummer/singer Lillian Maring. Ten lightly psychedelic, but melancholy-tinged indie-pop tunes. Recommended. (AL)

Dismemberment Plan – Emergency & I

The Plan’s most beloved full-length back in print as a gatefold double LP.

Dealbreaker – Pissed

Six punk/thrash tracks from this Arlington, VA two-piece that features Ian Thompson, who runs the label Cricket Cemetery, on drums.

We’re now stocking a handful of titles from the Fan Death Records catalog. I first met Chris and Sean, who run the label, in 2009, when they were living in College Park, Maryland, shortly after they pressed their first release, Ready 2 Fight -- a single-sided 12” featuring Clockcleaner’s epic 15-minute take on Negative Approach’s “Ready to Fight” (recorded live while opening for Negative Approach ). It was a good record to start with -- one that set a precedent for their musical tastes (loud, weird) and, maybe more importantly, for their sense of humor.

Since then, they’ve continued to release a string of cool, mostly unclassifiable singles, LPs, and cassettes from folks like Jason Urick, Puerto Rican Flowers, and Ed Schrader’s Music Beat (to name a few personal faves). (Aaron Leitko)

Roomrunner – Ideal Cities

The debut full-length from Baltimore-based “bunge” pioneers, Roomrunner. Loud songs that take some inspiration from certain ’90s-era fuzz-pedal purveyors, but are also deeply linked to present-day peers like Dope Body and Metz, with whom they’ve toured. Lead by former Double Dagger drummer, Denny Bowen.

Roomrunner – S/T

Roomrunner’s six-song self-titled debut cassette.

Screen Vinyl Image – Siberian Eclipse

Two hazy, Factory Records-indebted dream-pop tunes from this D.C.-area duo.

Big Eyes – Almost Famous
The sophomore album from Seattle-based power-pop trio, Big Eyes. An office staff favorite! Preview the whole record now, via Grave Mistake’s website.
Marriage – For Brotzmann
The debut full-length LP form Austin, Texas-based quintet, Marriage, which includes former Black Eyes drummer, Mike Kanin. Heavy, dissonant percussion and dub-inflected grooves that carry the ball forward from last year’s 7” single (which is also back in stock, btw). If you were a fan of Black Eyes’ first LP, you will probably not be disappointed. Preview a song here.
Bad Brains – Live at CBGB
Bad Brains live LP that draws from three nights’ worth of performances at CBGBs in December 1982. Note that it’s an entirely different set of songs/takes than the CD and DVD versions.
Also just in:
Christie Front Drive – First LP
Highness – Hold
Sickoids – No Home EP

Lucian Perkins – Hard Art, D.C. 1979
In 1979, a soon-to-erupt punk scene took hold in Washington, D.C., with bands like the Bad Brains, Teen Idles, the Untouchables, and the Slickee Boys at the forefront. Lucian Perkins, later a Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist for the Washington Post, was then an intern who photographed several pivotal shows over a short period of time. Hard Art collects these now iconic photos, pairing them with a narrative by Alec MacKaye and an essay by Henry Rollins.

Zomes – Time Was
The latest LP from Lungfish guitarist Asa Osborne’s solo project, Zomes, Time Was marks a departure from the routines that he’s established over his last two releases. It’s the first Zomes record be recorded in a studio, rather than on a cassette deck, and also the first to be written as a duo featuring vocalist Hanna Olivegren.
Zomes – Earth Grid
The second LP from Asa Osborne’s Zomes project is back in stock on CD and LP. Distorted, cyclical keyboard melodies held together with simple tape-looped drum beats. Preview the whole thing via Thrill Jockey’s here.
Office of Future Plans/Daria – Split 7”
The first in a series of 7” singles from Lovitt Records, this split features new tracks from Office of Future Plans and Daria, a band from Angers, France. The single contains an original song by each band plus 4 digital-only bonus tracks — two of each band covering the other, and two cover songs in honor of the late record producer Iain Burgess. You can preview the record here
Fulgora – Risen b/w Artifice
The debut single from Fulgora, a new band that features Adam Jarvis, of Pig Destroyer and Misery Index, on the drums. Two heavy thrash cuts, limited to 100 copies. Nice little write-up here, if you need more info.

A couple of new items and a few restocks.
Roger Gastman - Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s
Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s explores the thriving underground of Washington, D.C., during the 1980s, giving visual form to the raucous energy of graffiti, Go-Go music, and a world-renowned punk and hardcore scene. This book serves as the catalog to the corresponding exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Stewart Dean Ebersole - Barred For Life: How Black Flag’s Iconic Tattoo Became Punk Rock’s Secret Handshake
Barred for Life is a photo documentary cataloging the legacy of Punk Rock pioneers Black Flag through stories, interviews, and photographs of diehard fans who wear their iconic logo.
Punk Planet - We Owe You Nothing: Punk Planet Collected Interviews
The first compilation of the riveting and provocative interviews of Punk Planet magazine, founded in 1994 and charging unbowed into the new millennium.
The Shirks - S/T
The debut LP by D.C. garage punk quartet, The Shirks. Eight raw and blown-out tracks that are over and done with in just about 20-minutes. Preview the record here.
Empire – Expensive Sound
Empire was a UK-based punk group formed by guitarist Bob Andrews and drummer Mark Laff during the early '80s, following the dissolution of Generation X, their band with singer Billy Idol. Empire only released one album, Expensive Sound and one single, "Hot Seat," before calling it quits. This reissue collects that material, plus seven unreleased tracks. An influential record for many Dischord groups, Rites of Spring in particular.
Black Eyes – Shut Up, I never
This CD compiles Black Eyes' first 7" single, Some Boys b/w Shut Up, I Never, as well as their half of a split with D.C. math-rock titans, Early Humans. Both records are long OOP.

We are now stocking the complete collection of 7” singles from Windian Records’ first subscription series, which includes contributions from scuzz-rock heavies like Terry Malts, Suns of Guns, and Heavy Times.
Barreracudas - 7th Time Around b/w Nasty Boots
Two blown out, but hook-laden tunes from this Altanta, GA power-pop quartet. B-side, “Nasty Boots,” has sort of a budget Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers feel. Not necessarily a bad thing.
Heavy Times – – K-9 b/w Lantern Trail
Psych-tinged garage sludge from this Chicago outfit that released a full length on Hozac Records last year.
Static Eyes – – Trouble b/w Waves
Spittle-flecked and sloppy garage-punk from these carefree Midwestern bashers.
Suns of Guns – 5,000 Watts b/w Ralph E. Static
D.C.’s Suns of Guns back in action after a couple of years of relative silence. B-side, “Ralph E. Static,” is the cut here.
Terry Malts – Living With the Human Race b/w Over 21
Two new songs from San Francisco noise-pop trio Terry Malts, who had an LP on Slumberland last year. Includes a pretty great cover of Henry’s Dress’ “Over 21.”

Priests - Radiation b/w Personal Planes

Washington, D.C. riot-surf trio Priests follow up their debut cassette with this two song 7". Features Chain & the Gang’s Katie Alice Greer on the mic. Check out the songs here or catch them on tour.

Hume – Phasing EP

The final release by Baltimore-via-D.C. experimentalists, Hume. Last year, the quartet cloistered itself in a rented house in upstate New York, hoping to write and record a full-length record. These two songs – “Phasing” and “Camwood on the Leaves” – are the only two tracks ever to see the light of day from those sessions. They provide a peek at the band as it shifted gears, switching from prog-riffage toward ambient trance music built from interlocking loops. Includes remixes by Doldrums, Dustin Wong (Ponytail), and Glass Window (Aaron from D.C.’s Protect-U).

America Hearts – Be My Jones

The four-song debut single from America Hearts, which is lead by E.D. Sedgwick drummer Jess Matthews. You can preview the songs here.

Ian Svenonius – Supernatural Strategies For Making a Rock ’n’ Roll Group

A new must read text from Ian Svenonius, the author of The Psychic Soviet and a former member of the revolutionary musical outfits, The Make-Up, and The Nation of Ulysses . Here, Svenonius communes with the spirits of long-departed rock stars –Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison, etc. – seeking insight into the history, meaning, and effective creation/destruction of the rock ’n’ roll group. “Supernatural Strategies” has everything the would-be star should know to get started: Including sage advice on sex, drugs, sound, group photos, vans, and the manufacture of nostalgia. The book is available in paperback and also in a hardbound special edition signed by the author.

Oldest – S/T

Six tracks of raw, soot-caked avant-hardcore from New York’s OLDEST, a duo that includes guitarist Mick Barr (Orthrelm, Krallice, Crom-Tech) and drummer Brooks Headley (Born Against, Wrangler Brutes, Universal Order of Armageddon). Heavy stuff.

Buildings: Everything in Parallel

A couple of weeks back we picked up two LPs from DC’s Sockets Records to sell through the webstore. Among these: Buildings’ Everything in Parallel.

Buildings started out sometime around ’08 as a trio with guitarist Collin Crowe, drummer David Rich, and bassist Nick McCarthy (though a few other folks drifted in and out of the fold over the years, myself included). Collin’s old band, Sentai , took a lot of cues from early ’00s DC groups like Q and Not U and El Guapo, but also dumped a lot of old-school Nintendo sounds into the mix. It was sort of the missing link between Black Eyes and, like, Nyan Cat, I guess.

But Buildings had a more focused, meditative character. Collin stopped singing in order to concentrate on his guitar playing, which had become heavily informed by the Sublime Frequencies LPs, old school new age music, and goofball Japanese psych-rock. Nick’s tastes skewed a little more toward indie-pop, so he was writing basslines that were highly melodic, but sort of shaky and off-center. David was sort of forced to dwell in the space between those two poles. By the time they recorded Everything in Parallel, they had somehow made all of these elements align with one another. The first track, “Upwards Through Ever-Expanding Light” is pretty unstoppable. The record came out last year, but it’s still well worth picking up.

Heavy Breathing: Body Problems

The debut record by Heavy Breathing, a new band featuring Amanda Kleinman, Erick Jackson, and Jeff Schmidt, all formerly of The Apes. Seven heavy, kraut-rock-style psychedelic tunes.

Marriage: Gelatin Roots 7”

The two-song debut-single by Marriage, an Austin, Texas-based quintet that features former Black Eyes member Michael Kanin on Drums. Heavy percussion and eerie, damaged vibes.

Make-Up: I Want Some

Make-Up’s double LP singles collection, first released by K Records in 1999, is back in print via M’Lady’s. Includes many of the band’s best-loved cuts – “Blue is Beautiful,” “Born on the Floor,” “Walking on the Dune,” etc. Essential listening.

— Aaron Leitko

In an effort to make a bit more room on our distro shelves, we’re having another sale. Everything we carry from DeSoto Records is being sold at a reduced price: CDs are only 5 dollars, and seven inches are only 2 dollars.

For those not familiar with Desoto, here’s the lowdown:
The label was started by the band Edsel back in the early ‘90s as a means of self-releasing their first 7 inch. When Jawbox got started, Kim Coletta asked the Edsel folks if she could use the DeSoto name for the first Jawbox single. Edsel agreed, and from there the label blossomed into what Kim called a “full-time labor of Love.”

Here’s a list of the releases we have left:

We’re now accepting pre-orders for Redgrave’s new 12 inch EP (released by Lovitt Records). For those not familiar with Redgrave’s music, I’ll try to explain…
They’re a two-piece band from Chicago with a massive rock sound and some pretty powerful vocals. This is a great sounding record, and it’s not studio magic either. I saw them play down in Austin a few months ago, and their live show was fantastic. Angie Mead has an enviable guitar sound – deliberately gritty and blown out (without being too gritty and blown out). Top-billing (for me, of course) goes to the last song: “Taunt”. Total scorcher.
I should add … Beth Hoeckel’s cover art is a perfect fit for the overall mood of this record.

We’ll start shipping on Monday, June 11th.

-Ryan

Over the last few weeks, we’ve picked up another batch of new records from other labels.
Here’s the list:

From Windian:
Spider Fever – Self-Titled LP
The Penetrators – Teenage Lifestyle
Testors – Together
Bizarros – Complete Collection 1976 – 1980

From Chapeau:
The John Francis – Voyage of the Daring Cornelia

From Magic Bullet:
Ancient VVisdom – A Godlike Inferno

From Grave Mistake:
Sectarian Violence – Self-Titled 7 Inch

From M’Lady Records:
Grass Widow/Nature – Split 7 Inch
Brute Heart – Fever 7 Inch
Julianna Barwick – Sanguine

Considering today’s date, I suppose some sort of song recommendations are in order ...
Side B of Shudder to Think’s Hit Liquor 7 inch comes to mind. Another great B-side from Dischord #61.5 features a song with a similar theme (but you’ll really have to do some digging to find that one). Then of course there’s the more obvious choice from Red Medicine (song #4) – a song I first heard at this show, which took place in a packed living room (seriously, if you have a tape or any photos from that show, do not hesitate to send a message to [email protected]).

Thanks to everyone who sent a birthday shout-out today. We’ll pass ‘em along.

If I’ve forgotten any obvious song recommendations, feel free to chime in down in the comments section.

-R.

While flipping through Susie Horgan’s Punk Love today, I spotted a photo of a bunch of punks hanging out in the long hallway of the old 9:30. And even though the photo was taken prior to my entrance into DC’s punk scene (I was only 7 when the photo was taken), this particular shot stood out as a visceral memory for me. Between ‘88 and ‘95 I certainly had my share of frequent hangout time in that same hallway, and I was immediately flooded with memories from a slew of transformative shows I saw during my high school years: 7 Seconds, Marginal Man, Shudder to Think, All (whose set consisted of mostly Descendents songs), Soulside, Ulysses, The Grifters, Slant 6, KMD, Fugazi , Rocket from the Crypt, PJ Harvey on her first US tour, etc. This one photo also made me remember the smell of that club. For anyone who’s been there, you know the smell I’m talking about – it was a unique and pungent aroma that would kick you squarely in the nostrils as soon as the door opened on F Street; it would seep into every fiber of your clothes, burrow down into your pores, and remain present the following day while suffering through Geometry class. Everyone knew you went to a show the night before, partly because of the odor, but mainly because of the massive/blurred skeleton stamp draped across the back of your hand.

A few pages later, I was struck by another photo – an image of a similar gathering of punk kids hanging out on

BCore (from Barcelona) released some top-quality 7 inches between 1998 and 2000 from the following bands: Fireside, Kepone, June of 44, The Capitol City Dusters & Aina (split), Bluetip & NRA (split), and The Dismemberment Plan & Juno (split).

A bit later, BCore made a CD collection of all 13 songs released from their 7 inch series. We just rediscovered a small stack of these CDs here in the office, and we’re selling them at a reduced price: 2 bucks each. This is a lot of good music for cheap.

Obviously, picking up songs from bands like June of 44 and Dismemberment Plan may be a particular draw, but do not overlook the others. One of my favorite songs from this collection is Kepone’s “Conjure Man” – clocking in at just a minute and a half.

While reorganizing the office the other day, Amy June and I stumbled across an old Black Eyes poster buried within a flat-file, used for their European tour back in 2004. The poster was printed in a slightly larger format and limited to just black & white, but the design is fantastic. It somehow perfectly captures the unruly and frantic energy from their live performances, shared by the both band and audience.
Seeing the poster made me miss Black Eyes.

Their live shows were incredible and unpredictable (I seem to recall a cymbal flying across the room at the Warehouse Nextdoor on 7th Street, crashing against the wall on the side of the stage). In order to get the full experience, you had to be up front, near the band. The show itself was up front. And the audience got involved, singing/shouting along with “Deformative”: I’m sixteen, driving south from Baltimore! These shows were events not to be missed.

After seeing Black Eyes live, I doubted that the

Every Teen Beat release we have in stock is now on sale.
Each CD, 12 inch record, and 7 inch record is now priced somewhere between 1 and 4 dollars.

Teen Beat is (and always has been) one of our favorite independent labels, and they’ve released a ton of unsung, often overlooked, releases. If you’ve ever been curious about Teen Beat Records but had no idea where to start, now’s your chance to dip your toe in the water (more like a massive ocean) without breaking the bank.

While going through the list below, DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SAMPLER CDs. You can always find cool individual tracks on the comps, and maybe some of those songs will help steer you toward something else.

For a complete list of Teen Beat stock, click here.
For direct links to each of the Teen Beat CDs and a list of bands from each of the compilations, please read on …

Daniel Higgs – Beyond & Between

This is just a quick shout to let you all know that we have remarkably few copies left of the most recent release from Daniel Higgs, Beyond & Between.

We’re down to just 8 more LPs.

The album was released by a label from Spain (La Castanya), which makes it slightly more difficult for us to keep in stock here in the US. There’s a chance that we may receive more in the future, but it may not be for a while (if at all).

The bottom line: strike now if you’re interested.

While driving through the south last week with Soccer Team, the three of us participated in what I’m certain is a common activity during long drives: we played DJ for each other. Whoever was lucky enough to sit shotgun was charged with the important task of entertaining the driver and backseat passenger with a continuous mix of music that would often be immediately familiar, sometimes brand new, but always interesting and engaging enough to keep the driver awake (you know you’re on the right track when you spot the driver swaying his/her head along with the tune; for best results, try pretty much anything by AC/DC).
Due in part to the appeal of singing along as a means of staying awake at the wheel, instrumentals rarely come into play during a Shotgun-DJ’s shift. Instrumentals have to be worked into a set strategically. The timing has to be just right, and the song has to fit the mood established by the previous song. It’s not a job for a novice (although there’s more than enough time to become an expert while driving on I-10 East), but if you’re up for giving it a try the next time you’re on a road trip, here are my recommendations from the Dischord catalog:

For those who have lingering credit for digital downloads and don’t know where to start, here are a few recommendations:
(If the credit option is new to you, simply click here for an explanation.)

Read on…