Bedhead 1992-1998: Unboxing

Earlier today I ordered the complete studio recordings of the lesser known 90's band Bedhead.  The Dallas, Texas pioneers of what became known as Slow Core released 

five LP's during their lifespan. Inspired by my purchases of Numero's earlier reissues of Unwound's Kid is Gone, Rat Conspiracy and Kid is Gone. I became fixated on what 

The Numero Group would come up with next. However, it wasn't until seeing this video that 

I decided to pull the trigger on the purchase. Check out the unboxing video posted below before ordering your copy. Happy shopping. James Damion

"The complete studio recordings by the Dallas, Texas, slow­core pioneers, every cymbal crash, guitar brush, and whisper, across five LPs or four compact discs. Deluxe box includesWhatFunLifeWas, Beheaded,Transaction De Novo, and an additional CD or double LP overflowing with singles, EPs, and outtakes, alongside a perfect-bound book dissecting the quintet’s nervous slouch through the ’90s. The enclosed 40-page book includes 25,000 word essay, previously unseen photographs, poster reproductions, visual discography, and complete lyrics. Deluxe 5LP box is only available here and limited to 2000 copies."

Numero Group  Get it Here

Unboxing Unwound

I took some time to post several videos highlighting the unboxing of Numero Group's Unwound box sets. Earlier this year I purchased each of the three box sets Numero released. Each one a work of art in it's own right.  Whether you're familiar with the band Unwound or not. I highly recommend picking these up. Especially considering what a special band they really were. Take a look at these videos before ordering. James Damion

Numero Group Get them Here

Adventures in Record Store Day 2014

As much as I love and support the idea of Record Store Day. I've never actually participated in one. Having supported countless independent record stores with most of my disposable income since I was a pre-teen. The thought of waking up at the crack of dawn to stand in line with a mix of blood thirsty record nerds and scalpers looking for that short run of exclusive Record Store Day releases never appealed to me. I work hard enough to distance myself from the holiday's Black Friday nonsense every year. Why would I want to cheapen my passion for music with the retail equivalent?

This past Saturday I left the house at 2:00 pm with the sole purpose of attending the book signing for "No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes". The opportunity to get the final copies of the books first edition while meeting the books authors Steve and Amy.
As I arrived at the Jonathan Levine Gallery. I was treated to an exhibition called "Mosh Pits" which featured breathtaking paintings from Dan Witz. It seemed like the perfect backdrop to the book signing. After meeting long time Facebook friend Steven Dilodovico and author Amy Wuelfing, I headed downtown with my wife for lunch and some fun in the park.
When she decided she needed to do some clothing shopping, we split up and I headed off to Generation Records to see what scraps were left eight hours after the store had opened.
I managed to score the Farside - "Keep my Soul Awake" 7' on blue vinyl and added
"The Earth Is Flat" by Supertouch to my collection of Revelation Record colored vinyl reissues. Shortly after, I met up with Kayuri, had dinner and headed back to Hoboken.

When we got off The PATH train, Kayuri mentioned she wanted to stop at the local market to pick up groceries. With Tunes records residing directly across the street. I couldn't help but want to stop in for a look. Being that Tunes has quickly become the only record store that provides absolutely nothing I'd ever need. You can imagine my shock when I left the store with just about everything on my imaginary list. 

Overall, my first official Record Store Day was a success. No lines to get in, no lines at the register and not one fat, bald, sweaty guy bogarting the R-S-T section of the vinyl.
Below is a complete list of my purchases.Who needs food and clothing, right?
James Damion

Mosh Pits - Dan Witz

No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes.  An Oral History of the Legendary City Gardens

Farside - Keep My Soul Awake (Blue)

Side By Side - Gates of Steel (LIVE) Devo 1980 / The Flaming Lips 2013

Side By Side - The Badge (LIVE) Poison Idea 1990 / Pantera 1994

Poison Idea - Getting the Fear / 4 A.M.

OFF! - Learn to Obey

Taang! Records - The First Ten SIngles (Box Set)

Strife - In this Defiance (White)

Surfer Blood - Pythons

Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts 

Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (Pink)

Supertouch - The Earth is Flat (Grey)

Though not a record store day release it completed my collection of Revelation Records color vinyl reissues. This classic just found it's way into my bag.

Dangerhouse - Complete Singles Collected 1977-1979

It's been over a week since I laid down $130 dollars of my hard earned cash for this epic document of early L.A. Punk history.

Having past on it weeks earlier at Princeton's Record Exchange, due to it's hefty price. The music, it's history and the fact that it was a limited one time release loomed large on my mind. So a few weeks later when I brought my purchases to the counter at Double Decker. I saw that box sitting in front of the register in all it's historic glory. I thought for a few seconds, turned around in the opposite direction and like any mindful shopper, returned my records to their proper bins. It wasn't that the price that had changed.
(If I remember correctly, they both bore the same price tag.) The bands, the history and that eye gouging image drew me in. Though there were a handful of artists included that I had yet to hear. I was more than prepared for a get to know. Looking back, I made a very, very good choice,

'Complete Singles Collected 1977-1979' does exactly what the title promises,

Collecting each of the fourteen EP's Dangerhouse released during the labels short, yet historic existence. EP's featured
(each with original cover art ) are as follows. Randoms,
Black Randy & The Metrosquad,
The Avengers, The Dils, Weirdos, Alley Cats, X,
Black Randy & His Elite Metrosquad, Howard Werth, The Deadbeats, The Bags, Eyes, Rhino 39 and yet another
Black Randy
& The Metrosquad. The packaging is authentic and flawless. A true piece of art.
As  I carefully opened the box and began gently reaching for each E.P. I felt more like an archeologist than a music fan or blogger. I was reaching for Punk Rock gold. Each piece, unique and amazing. Listening to the each one from Alley Cats to The Weirdos. Each one unique and special. Quickly, I realized what a special time it must have been. The Box is limited to 1,000 copies. Snag yourself a copy before their gone forever. James Damion

Frontier Records Get it Here