Los Scratchos Locos: Late August Update!

Back In Scratch...




TEAMSCRATCH™, under the watchful and helpful eye of Mr. C. Barrels, e.s.q., came together to cover a sleepy week and a half Mexican retreat taken by myself and new wife. We thank them all for their help during this time and now are feverishly getting the hot rails to hell back on track to bring you some cool new releases, re-issues and otherwise essential records to keep you off the streets.
We are also proud to be carrying the print zine, All Things Ordinary #1--in limited supply:the
creation of you-know-who...(derek neuland, of course). Pocket sized and, as you would expect, a great read! In the back with the other zines...don't be fooled by it's size--its packed with cool.

NEW RELEASES/INCOMING PRODUCT OF NOTE:

PISSED JEANS - King of Jeans (sub pop) - Third time is the charm for these filthy Allentown, PA noisy rockers. Well received and selling like griddle cakes, King of Jeans is being touted as the bands best work since the early singles. We have already had to re-order a new batch, so don't delay. They recently blew the doors off the Mohawk Place, in humble fashion, at a Spiral Scratch sanctioned event.

GRIZZLY BEAR - Horn of Plenty (kanine) - The latest from this acclaimed lo-fi Brooklyn based unit who are on the upswing as of late, recently appearing on a much talked about (at least in thisd store) appearance on late night tv.

REIGNING SOUND - Love and Curses (in the red) - Greg "Oblivian" Cartwright could very well be Americas most overlooked and most deeply honest sounding great songwriter. Unfairly pigeonholed as a "garage rocker" due to his past indiscretions as an Oblivian/Compulsive Gambler, Cartwright has been delivering some of the most honest and pure American rock and roll under the Reigning Sound--whose last lp appeared in 2004. Love and Curses does not disappoint and even sits along the bands finest work--but you can see for yourself, as we have all their stuff right here for you. ....................................................................

SOUND CARTOGRAPHY - Volume 1 Another fine offering from Dave Baileys NancyJo Records, in concunction with Warm Bath. Sound Cartography features the prolific Pat Bolger (Running For Cover, Gas Chamber), Jon Kortland (Iron Lung), Greg Wilkinson (Brainoil) and Dave Bailey himself. From the NancyJo blog:
"Sound Cartography is concerned with the investigation of how individuals react when presented with unfamiliar material. Using a linear sequence, each consecutive participant ultimately determines the structure & feel of the record, taking cues from the previous submissions. A libretto echoing out from the sound of space stations slowly deteriorating."

Beautiful packaging on a fold-out heavy duty chipboard cover and artwork provided by Mark Sirek and Shepard. 300 copies.

HIGH PLACES SOFT CIRCLE split 12" (with download)

COCTEAU TWINS - Head Over Heels - The second, career re-defining album--regarded as their finest, Head Over Heels came out on 1983 0n the 4AD label. The re-issues are still on 4AD and, we think, a little cheaper than you'll find them anywhere else. More importantly,

RICHARD HELL & THE VOIDOIDS - Destiny Street - The follow up to the untouchable Blank Generation lp, this one is unfortunately overlooked and lost in comparison--which is unfair, because it's a killer album with several bona fide classic tracks.

SLIM HARPO - Raining In My Heart - Slim's first from 1961 on the Excello label. Crucial blues.

KINKS - Preservation Act 1 / Preservation Act 2 - 1973 and 1974. Ray Davies embarks on a complex concept which became these two albums (sold seperately, batteries not included). Some of the great, mch of it overlooked, great Kinks songs can be found on these two deluxe limited run 180 gram reissues.

SIC ALPS - A Long Way Around To A Shortcut 2xlp - The elusive singles and odds-n-ends from this acclaimed psych-garage band. pitchfork review .

TOXIC REASONS - Independence lp (midwest hardcore punk legends debut 1982 classic)


SCREAMERS - Demos 1977-1978 - Though this seminal band never made it to the studio proper, these great quality demos serve as a document to the seminal synth-punk Screamers-who were a key cog of the LA punk scene in the late 70s, though they never recorded a proper album or toured. Features In A Better World, Vertigo and more.
FORGOTTEN REBELS - In Love With The System lp (first album, original versions on Star)
BIG STAR - #1 & Radio City lp's (#3 enroute) - The first three lp's from Memphis gods.
ELLIOT SMITH - XO lp & Figure 8 2x lp - Back in print and back in stock, in their original presentations and 180 grams of wax.
RUDY RAY MOORE - Dolomite Soundtrack
ROY AYERS - Coffey Soundtrack


Spiral Jazz
In anticipation to unveiling our used jazz records, which have been compiling for the last 6 months, we've began bringing in some classic re-issue recordings from John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Brother Jack McDuff, Miles Davis and more. So dont be surpirsed if you flip passed Mingus' Clown lp between the Misfits 'Static Age' and a reissued power pop masterpiece by Milk N Cookies.

7" Explosion!!!
I: New Stuff

BLANK DOGS - Waiting 7" The perfect primer to their debut double album and slew of mysterious 12" records. Finally, Joy Division/Cure worship done right with a mind of its own.
LEMURIA/OFF WITH THEIR HEADS split 7" - Our own LEMURIA-- a band who has earned their stripes through hard work and cool pop songs team up with OFF WITH THEIR HEADS. Only a few left.
TY SEGALL - CENTS 7"- More garage-pop perfection from northern california. A gem. In anticipation of his Lemons lp, which should be here any day. Who is this Ty Segall, you say? We also have a copy or two two of his debut long player (pictured to the left) in stock.
LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS - Fredonia imprint Whaleplane Records offers up this cd-r equipped slab. RIYL: Mogwai/Ghosts & Vodka
*coming soon: Gaslight Anthem 7"'s, Gas, Drunkdriver (new*), DryRot, Kim Phuc, Hard Skin, Cult Ritual, Direct Control and more.*

**Also stay tuned for the super secret unveiling of our coveted (and massive) used 7" collection...record flippers, stay away; Barrels will break your dirty double-dealing thumbs. It's a treasure chest, painstakingly researched and priced by our hardworking, double-shifting Chuck Barrels. These will go public in the coming days, so keep checking the blog as this is where it will be announced publicly.**



II: OLDIES YOU DON'T HAVE TO FINANCE!

MISFITS - 3 HITS FROM HELL 7"/ Bullet 7" - Misfits vinyl fans rejoice: you can now own these elusive and expensive rarities for around 7 bucks. They sound great, too.
DICKS - Hate The Police 7"/Peace? 7" Hate The Police os one of the ultimate punk rock documents. Period. Essential in every sense of the word. Featuring "All Night Fever", with Bufx on the mic.
MUMMIES - Uncontrollable Urge/Girl You Want. Kings of the 90s garage explosion, wrapped in ace bandages and banging on broken farfisa organs. Doing Devo, wrapped in a fake SubPop sleeve with the SubPop q&a between the label and the band. Fantastic.
NIRVANA - Smells Like Nirvana 7"/Foretaste 7". Unissued studio recordings from 1991. 4 songs on each records.
BAD RELIGION - 1993 Peel Session - 4 tracks recorded for the late mr. peel from the Recipe For Hate era. They also do "What Can You Do" from the Suffer album. All live in the studio non-lp cuts. Cheaper than the first time we had it, but painfully scarce.

Theres more...but we'll save that for later. Until then, thanks again to our customers (not the 2 whiners!) and everyone at Team Scratch for their support, time, sweat, blood, tears, bad jokes, good jokes and...money. --anchovies 8/26/09

p.s.

"fuck yeaaaah!"

A Mid-Summer Nights Scratch Update

It's 2 am and i'm on my second...make that third root beer float. No time to sleep. Its time to talk shop. New records have arrived! And more are on the way.

The last week or some and the coming weeks are some pretty exciting releases, including re-issues and new albums from some of our favorites. We've been eagerly awaiting the seminal Galaxie 500 vinyl re-issues of their 3 studio albums. They have finally arrived and we are proud to bring them to you--an often overlooked late 80s/ early 90s trio whos down-tempo and simplistic dreamy drones (ala VU) pre-dated more successful bands who would rise to prominence after Galaxie 500's demise. (They would split into Luna and Damon & Naomi). These vinyl editions were remastered by Alan Douches and Kramer at West West Side Music, cut by Kevin Gray at AcousTech, pressed to virgin vinyl at RTI, and packaged in old-fashioned tip-on style jackets at Stoughton.

2 days later...still working on the update.

Also in stock:


RUSTED SHUT - DEAD Pummeling constantly since the mid 1980s, Houstons RUSTED SHUT are an institution of negative, repetitive riff heavy and harsh rock. Not to be pigeon-holed as noise rock or sludge (or the marketable "stoner rock" stamp--though they display all these traits), Rusted Shut can appeal to fans of Flipper or the Brainbombs as well as the Melvins...but they present their negative outlook in a dirtier fashion as all of the aforementioned. Allmusic calls it a "monstrous powerhouse" and they have found an approproate home on LOAD RECORDS. New fans can fear not starting right here where old fans can rejoice in the filthy pessimism of DEAD.

COSMOS - Jar of Jam Ton of Bricks - Guided By Voices nerds rejoice! Bob Pollard is a busy man these days...among his latest projects is this album...a collaberation project with Richard Davies...the psych-pop fella who fronted the amazing CARDINAL and also led the band MOLE.
This one has been regarded as one of Pollards more accesible indulgences of late, with shared vocals--though Pollard sings twice as many songs while Davies' and his hired guns, including Malcolm Travis (Human Sexual Response, Sugar) and David Minehan (The Neighborhoods) handle the arrangements. An interesting collaberation that has some picky fans very pleased.

MATES OF STATE - All Day 12" A re-issue of a the indiepop husband and wife duo, Mates of State, All Day was a career defining release. Includes their revered cover of David Bowies Starman. Re-packaged in all its glory on 180 grams of vinyl and free mp3 download.

THE OH SEES - SUCK BLOOD - Another re-issue, though this one is from 2007. The Oh-Sees (aka OCS aka thee Oh-See's aka...) delivered probably the best album of this year with the surprise "HELP" and are about to issue another as well. This is the lp that preceded "Help" and, though with a more mellow and dreamy vibe...more evidence that we are talking about one of the best bands in the world at the current moment. Also in stock is the split 7" with Ty Segal (Sic Alps) who also has his second solo album en route to the Scratch and another 7" single. The Oh Sees are led by John Dwyer (ex-Coachwhips) and feature shared vocals with Brigid Dawson, offering a unique take on what has been described as 'the Mamas and the Papa's meeting up with the Cramps'. Coming soon "The Masters Bedroom". And hopefully a re-stock of "Help"..which repeatedly sold out to a wide range of music fans--it crosses several genres. Seems like everytime the store copy gets a spin, another one goes out the door. Great bloody spattered white vinyl, too.

more incoming stuff of note:

CURSIVE - Mama I'm Swollen - The latest (third) longplayer from this Omaha, Nebraska band on Saddle Creek™. Playing Buffalo on the 31st. I wish we had tickets to sell you, but we do not. We will, however, sell you their albums.

BEASTIE BOYS - Ill Communication - The Beastie Boys 1994 album which assured their superstar status for good. Also in stock is Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head--all of which have been re-issued in top quality packages. Superfans take note: Pollywog Stew shows up every so often here on vinyl...it might be a week or so, but it's coming back. In the meantime, dig these three handsome reissues.



BUTTHOLE SURFERS - Brown Reason To Live 12"- The first release from these twisted acid damaged Texans--featuring some of their most well-known tracks and a sign this band wasn't your typical hardcore punk band. All of their albums are unique and sound like a completely overhauled band up until the point they were discovered by the mainstream around two decades after thier first release.
They weren't hardcore at all...they were vulgar, they could play well and were inventing their own genre, that has never been duplicated, though their unique and distinctive sound would influence post-punk and punk bands forever, whether they realized it or not. They could write sludgey and twisted dirges alongside catchy or weird blasters and subdued pop numbers...and they did all that on theirground-breaking debut released by a very enthusiastic Jello Biafra and his Alternative Tentacles label. It remains one of the most unique and adventurous documents to come from the hardcore era. Essential listening and priced to move! The follow-up will be here soon, also.

some re-stocks:

• MEATMEN - We're the Meatmen and You Suck! LP - Tesco Vee and the early classic lp that combined their early 12" eps. Offensive as hell from the man who really started Touch & Go Records. This is the labels first release. Speaking of which...
• NECROS - Conquest For Death LP Here is Touch and Go release number #2, featuring Corey Rusk--the man who eventually took over Touch and Go (and subsequently ran it into near bankruptcy in the last year--though they survived and will re-issue the Jesus Lizard back catalog soon). Early midwestern hardcore punk.
• PIXIES - discography of all studio lp's--now including Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde, alongisde the staples that are Doolittle, Surfer Rosa and Come On Pilgrim.
• V/A - Last Kind Words:1926-1953 - "Wonderful compilation of rare blues and gospel from hard-to-find 78rpm laquers. All Classics!" [barrels]

CRAMPS - Off The Bone LP - Early Cramps vinyl is not easy to find. This import compilation offers some of their greatest (gravest) stuff dating back to late 70s and early 80s material.

Also restocked our classic Dischord material (SST is next update):

• Minor Threat - First Demo Tape 7"
• Minor Threat - s/t 12"
  
• Minor Threat - Out of Step 12"
• Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker LP
• Faith/Void split LP
• Four Old Seven Inches On A 12" LP (SOA, Teen Idles, DC Youth Brigade, Gov't Issue)
• Flex Your Head comp
• Dag Nasty - Can I Say?
• Dag Nasty - Wig Out At Denkos

And finally, as we finish off the painstaking pricing process of our used jazz records, we grabbed a few classic reissues from the likes of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus and more! Stay tuned for more news and comment. And records. (CDs if you desire)

-anchovies

P.S.
Don't Forget...the good folks at SPIRAL SCRATCH and TERMBO are bringing you DRUNKDRIVER (nyc) with PLATES (last show ever?), BROWN SUGAR and RATIONAL ANIMALS (rot-chester) MONDAY AUGUST 3 at thee MOHAWK PLACE! 8:30 pm is go-time.

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July 7: A Good Day For A Scratch

This post is more or less a reminder of a few things. First, our sale bin ($1-$4 off marked prices) which always includes new and classic releases...no turds, has been re-loaded with marked down titles. We will also be unveiling a massive used 7" section-it's been growing like a mold (the records are not moldy, though) in back while we sorted, priced and made sense of what we had. It is vast, priced to move and loaded with goodies. We'll let you know HERE when it goes public.

Don't forget we have the new SONIC YOUTH on sale (priced below most wholesale prices we've seen). Only a few remain...and we probably won't be getting more. We're busy tracking down re-issues of their earlier albums now.

Speaking of sales...our Wilco+Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band $3 kickback applies up until the show or when we run out of one...whichever comes first. If yer just after the new Wilco lp, mention this post and get a buck off the list price (which we thought was a bit steep anyway).


A few re-stock copies of Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours (it's since been re-pressed, though these are from the initial batch) remain. Yellow Covers this time. Check out these hott traxx from the album:

• Which Way To Go
• Colour Television

Incoming: A few new, fancy and limited (1000 copies, in most cases) titles arrived this week, direct from the smokey offices of Southern Lord Records. Remember...direct orders=lower prices!!

PELICAN - Ephemeral LP - Their first release on Southern Lord is widely being touted as a "return to form". Gold vinyl, pressed to 180 gram vinyl and painfully limited to 1000 copies.

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM - Black Cascade 2x LP/Two Hunters 2x LP - Olympia, WA triumvirate of 2 brothers and a pal who are one with nature, winter solstice and black metal leanings. This is their second and third LP respectively, both of which have received rave reviews, and their first for Southern Lord. Deluxe gatefolds, the usual 180 grams of wax and limited quantites, though we are unsure of the scum stats on these.


SUNN 0))) - Domkirke 2 x LP - 2008 release in deluxe gatefold packaging.

EARTH - Radio/Live - Another handful of this RecordStoreDay™ Vinyl Saturday title, these are also severely limited and our first batch went fast. We didn't get many, so don't wait on this one. This one has a fabric-type sleeve with silver foil lettering on the cover. 3000 were made in this form.

****This just in from Matador Records!
Get your Pixies fix here--we now are carrying, in addition to the oft seen Surfer Rosa and Doolittle lp's, their Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde long players (and, of course, Come On Pilgrim). Thats every Pixies studio album...so take your pick.

Also, the latest from Columbus 'sensation' (and SHITGAZE™ torchbearer), PSYCHEDELIC HORSESHIT (try to get past the worst band name in many years/biggest interview shit-talkers) with their ironically titled Shitgaze Anthems 12"--as they have left behind the distorto lo-fi sound behind that both helped coin a sub-genre and influenced an army of like-minded bands such as Wavves, Times New Viking, Vivian Girls, Pink Reason (Kevin probably coined the term 'shitgaze'), Eat Skull (we do carry most of these bands, just in case you were wondering...) and scores of others-- for a cleaner sounding record this time around.

• HARLEM - Free Drugs ;) - Debut album from up and coming Austin band...which has been welcomed with rave reviews. Fantastic NUGGETS-esque rock and roll with a big sense of humor and no shortage of fun. Highly recommended from Team Scratch. From the trusty-worthy Smashin' Transistors webzine: "It's obvious in the way the chug & chime on some of the songs that their water has been spiked with a good dose of the Velvet Underground doing bong rips instead of junk shots on songs which is not something all that uncommon of course but it's then tempered with as good amount of Roky-like psychosis (you can especially hear it in the screams-which also may remind some a bit of Dan Kroha's singing in the Gories from time to time as well...and maybe even....GASP! A touch here and there of the Pixies), elements of baroque pop and and a dollop here and there of folkish whimsy.
  The general framework of the tunes ARE of the "garage rock" persuasion but things are tweaked and twisted a bit where there are a lot of different dimensions to the songs which make the entire album interesting & clever than something just typical and shopworn."

Stay tuned for more updates and a special announcements soon!


-anchovies

Turning Up The Heat at Spiral Scratch: New Releases and New Stuff!

You'd be surprised how well that little fan gets a breeze going in that shop when the temp goes up...you really would. The calls for used Michael Jackson product have slowed (not a single request for Ya Ho Wa 13 records, to our dismay, not that we would have been able to honor the request--until our friends at Revolver make at least one available later this month). Maybe a Seeds record, though. RIP, Sky.)
It was really a week of celebrity deaths (and non-celebrity's too, I'm sure...but that's just not newsworthy unless it's bizarre or something). King's of Pop, Angels of Charlie, Infomercial Kingpins ex-members of Wilco and Sky Saxon (am I missing someone?) We all know who is getting the ink. Darby Crash might be more well remembered by mainstream America if John Lennon hadn't been shot and killed the next day. Hopefully Shane West meets a better, more sensationalized demise when his number is called.

Anyway, to the new stuff:
DINOSAUR JR. - Farm - The second full length (and ninth overall) with the original line-up back intact. These are, like so many other new releases, a double-deluxe-long player that includes a load of extra songs, including a Zombie's cover and the obligatory free download card. It's received loads of praise already, surpassing Beyond from 2007. Seems all Dinosaur Jr needed was a big group hug instead of being a J. Mascis solo vehicle to re-achieve greatness.

here are pictures of other new stuff:




WILCO (the album) The latest from the long running half-spawn of Uncle Tupelo. A new Wilco album seems to be the source of much talk. They will be at Artpark in Lewiston in a few weeks with Connor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. A SpiralScratchBlogReader only special... buy the new Wilco and latest from Connor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and receive a $3 return at point of purchase. (you will have to mention the discount before it's rang up on the register)
Think of it as us covering your tolls or buying you a few slices at Vincenzo's Pizza House (on Center Street in Lewiston) while you wait in that dreadful line of traffic the night of the show.

RESIST CONTROL - demo cd-r In addition to loads of Matto related projects like Kitty Little from the great Capital Region, we received sale copies of this introductory cd-r only demo release from a Buffalo supergroup of sorts-a band chock full of members with great resumes. This is fast paced hardcore that is absolutely blazing, perfectly executed and worthy of your attention. And 3 bucks. If you haven't picked one up at a show or don't feel like it, or just downright forgot...we have some for you. Each with a quality silkscreened cover and insert. Seems like our town is fertile ground for this sort of thing again, and the quality of bands doing it continues with Resist Control. Top notch release.

THE INSUBORDINATES - "1968" b/w "Rendezvous" Yet another familiar face from just down the I-90 (Rochester). This authentic sounding blast of classic hardcore punk (recorded in glorious MONO by Mr. Ski Mask at the prolific Electric Pumpkin Patch Studio) is short but very sweet. Speaking of prolific, it's Feral Kid #16. Fantastic silk screened cover art and a real ripper of a record inside. Yet another (almost) local release we are proud to make available to you in case you think punk rock died at the mall.

IRON AND WINE - Around The Well - This 3 lp set (!) is priced as an affordable double album, Around The Well is a vast collection of hard to find or unreleased tracks spanning the bands career and reaching up until 2007 (The Sheppard's Dog sessions, an album which we also have in stock again on lp). The tracks range from raw, unedited home recordings to produced studio outtakes. Obviously, a must for any Iron and Wine fan.

some more re-stocks of note (don't forget to check last weeks update for the onslaught of new stock that preceded this smaller batch.

• Bad Brains s/t (Roir) LP
• Bad Brains - Black Dots - essential early recordings..perhaps their best, done by dc legendary engineer/producer Don Zientara. Zientara may have captured the bands early days best on this collection of some of the Bad Brains earliest recordings.
• Weakerthans - Left and Leaving This one never sticks around long.
  
• Zero Boys - Vicious Circle - Their classic album (though don't overlook the earlier, rawer History of the Zero Boys collection), this one has become rather elusive. Secretly Canadian, strangely enough, is responsible for these re-issues.
  

• Big Black - Lungs 12"/Headache 12"/Songs About Fucking LP - All crucial releases Touch and Go deemed worthy (one of their wiser business moves in the last 20 years or so) of keeping in print. As long as they do, we will keep them in stock. Along with the Heartbeat and He's A Whore/The Model 7" reccords.
  

keep an eye out for some exciting releases and reissues coming up in July. new Reigning Sound lp, Galaxie 500 catalog reissued on vinyl, new Sic Alps (on Drag City) and Ty Segall stuff...we still have the "older" stuff. Of course, there is lots more in the cooker, as they say.

and then there is this...a truly big star.


--anchovies 7/2/09

(Un)happy Fathers Day Update--Power Outages, Broken Registers and Record Store Day returns with Vinyl Saturdays....and more

So...the wildly successful RECORD STORE DAY has decided to keep the limited edition RSD titles rolling, in hopes of drawing attention to the shops that (i know it's crazy) sell music. Even vinyl records. They've dubbed it Vinyl Saturdays and if you're reading this here blog...the secret is out. We are carrying a few titles (still). Since the lights went out on the Scratch on Vinyl Saturday (conspiracy? sabotage?), and so did many of the little machines and things (like the OPEN sign!) we take for granted ceased to function...we couldn't really tell you about it. Brandon "Get Mugged" Sugga helped keep things under control with his cool demeanor and a trusty calculator while switches were flipped and, thanks to our pals at RISE ABOVE TATTOO (and a long extension cord), order was (somewhat) restored. So yeah...we got some limited records in.

EARTH - RADIO/LIVE lp - The good folks at Southern Lord present this 3000 copy pressing (vinyl only) from EARTH, documenting a live to air radio broadcast. Here are the specs from the Southern Lord site: "Comprised of two tracks from a live radio broadcast on KFJC (New Years Eve 2007) and two track from a live performance in Vienna on there 2008 European tour. Of particular note is that Trey Spruance (Secret Chief 3, Faxed Head) plays Baritone Guitar and sitar on the KFJC recordings. The sound quality is incredible and crystal clear! Randall Dunn (sunn 0))) , Boris, Kinski) was the live sound engineer and the recordings were ultimately mastered by Mell Dettmer. The 180 gram black vinyl comes housed in a beautiful cloth-like textured heavy-weight cardboard sleeve with metallic silver foil printing! This release is limited to 3,000 copies and as with all Southern Lord vinyl it is highly collectible and they will go fast!"
Speaking of Southern Lord, we finally did an order direct with the label and their distro. Expect, coming this week, new titles from WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM and PELICAN along with some re-stocks from WEEDEATER, SUNN and more.

A few other incoming and/or re-stocked titles that missed the last update include:
AGNOSTIC FRONT - Victim In Pain early NYHC (before it was a dirty word) classic. New lower price than the last time it passed through our racks. Speaking of which, a copy or two of the early ANTIDOTE record remain.

CAN - MONSTER MOVIE - Seminal debut from "the Can". 'Yoo do right' by owning a copy of this krautrock classic. They usually go quick. Import.

BLANK DOGS - Under and Under 2x LP/Waiting 7" - For years, a mysterious one man project of Brooklyn hep cat Mike Sniper...the Blank Dogs sign with In The Red Records and present their perfect take on early New Order,Cure, etc worship. Danceable and dark. Yeah, it's been done...but seldom is it done right and with a unique twist of eerie and dark distorto vocals, it has a mind of it's own. Being on In The Red Records also means it's not an overpriced double, either...though it looks (and sounds) fantastic. Intrigued? We still hold copies of the earlier 12" records that preceded this opus. And an accompanying 7" "Waiting".

Video for "Setting Fire To Your House"

GG ALLIN - Always Was, Always Is And Always Shall Be - Before totally going off the deep end, GG (and the Jabbers) wrote some amazingly catchy and raw punk rock songs. Here are many of those classics.


SPACEMEN 3 - DJ Tones - Clear vinyl issue of 1000 copies! The first piece of Spacemen 3 vinyl we've come across, this "mini-lp" (actually, it clocks in over 25 minutes) features 2 previously unreleased S3 tracks-the rest unreleased demo versions. Import only at this time and we're not sure if they will be released stateside or in another pressing, so if you're a fan...get on it. The kings of guitar drone are right here for you.


also in stock, in limited supply:

ROKY ERICKSON & the ALIENS s/t lp

CHAMELEONS - The Fan and The Bellows lp - a collection of early recordings circa 1983

NICK DRAKE - Pink Moon LP/ Bryter Lyter lp

(happy fathers day, chet the jet & paul sr.)

---------------------------------------------------------- anchovies 6/21----------------------

Rainy Night Update -- Super Secret Sales/Incoming/Upcoming

For those of you who invaded the Scratch on Record Store Day awhile back...the folks who thought of the whole thing are back with an event called "Vinyl Saturdays". Of course, every day is vinyl day at Spiral Scratch (but yes, we still carry new and used cd, dvd and print product)...we just thought we would tip our blog readers off to some more limited records. Very limited...so dont tell your friends (if you have any). In addition...we are finally on the ball with a few new releases.

SONIC YOUTH - the Eternal Album number 16 from a band who keeps on ticking, seemingly effortlessly at this point. The Eternal is a beautifully packaged double lp (seems to be almost the norm these days) with free download, and heavy duty lp's inside a glossy, beautiful cover. As for the music, we've heard good things. Really good things. We ordered these direct through Matador and are gasping at what other outlets are selling it for. We have this at the "Nice Price™" while supplies last.

ADVERTS - Crossing The Red Sea LP - Singles Collection LP - Some of the finest the UK had to offer in the late 70s, these slabs are back in stock and absolutely essential to any fan of first wave British punk. A short career, yet they remain timeless and one of the best bands to emerge from that time period.

CHRIS BELL - I Am The Cosmos - A favorite of Team Scratch member, "Wild Bill", Chris Bell was a founder and major creative presence in the early years of BIG STAR. After leaving the band he created this deeply personal collection of songs that would be released years after his troubling death. A must for BIG STAR fans who are both aware or unaware of the unsung hero of the first two albums from the Memphis legends. Another handsome re-issue on the trustworthy 4 Men With beards imprint.

NECROS - "Conquest For Death" 1983 lp. First ever release on Touch & Go...back when Tesco was callin' the shots...

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS - Inflammable Material LP Shit, yeah.

EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING - Primary Colours
Long awaited re-stock of this aussie sensations amazing sophomore effort (and some big shoes to fill at that, mate)....ECSR play it straight-ahead, with thick accents, driving and catchy punk rock songs and no strings attached. A band that is hard not to like and album that will most likely be affixed to many "best of" lists at years end. Our copies have yellow covers this time around; hope thats cool with you. We also have their latest 7" in stock, too.
Get on this, as it sold out quickly last time. REVIEW

THE HORRORS - Primary Colours - Yep, another album named Primary Colours...except it's from UK band the Horrors (on XL Recordings). They have apparently abandoned their "creepy" sounds for a more psychedelic drone direction on this one (it's been moving fast, too) and has received rave reviews.

RANCID - Let The Dominoes Fall 2x lp- It's sure been awhile, but RANCID fans rejoice...the band is still alive and intact, minus longtime drummer brett reed, has resurfaced with a bombastic double lp, their 7th (cd with dvd available for special order). See ya in the Scratch...

NEKO CASE - Middle Cyclone LP (shipped) - This time we discovered the magic of the "pre-order" and will have these in a timely fashion. Her fifth album (we also have, in stock, Canadian Amp and the live Tigers Have Spoken albums) and it features the same core band that has been backing her throughout.

also, loads of re-stocks from: PIXIES, NICK DRAKE, GG ALLIN, CAN, CLASH, FLIPPER, TELEVISION, VELVET UNDERGROUND, KURT VILE and more.

Upcoming by weeks end: Death Cab For Cutie "Something About Aeroplanes", Deerhunter "Rainwater Cassette", Spacemen 3 "DJ Tones", Pavement "Westing..." re-issue, Blank Dogs "Under & Under" 2x LP and more...

Keep an eye on out on the black Bargain Crate, which features new releases and old classics marked down from $1-$4! Lots of incoming used and dollar bin fodder, too. Get in here, squares!

-anchovies 6/18 5:09 am

June 5 Update: Incoming at SPIRAL SCRATCH

As always, we'd like to thank everyone who came in to see another fantastic In-Store performance--this time it was the work of Buffalo ex-pat Odie Wilson--ex Baseball Furie, currently from the NYC based Vilent Lovers Club. Also, a big thank you to all who attended/supported Big Neck Records 4th (and 10 year anniversary) Pain In The Big Neck Show. Last weekend was certainly one for the ages--and the final chapters on two bands who effectively kick-started the Big Neck label--The Blowtops and The Baseball Furies. Without question, our fine city was lucky to have them both.

The Blowtops shared split records with the likes of the White Stripes and had Jay Reatard contribute a song to their 2x 7" 10 year tribute (available here...last copies), recorded with the likes of Wharton Tiers (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) and toured Europe several times, where they saw their greatest appreciation.

As the Baseball Furies were parting ways, they went into Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio, under the guidance of Bob Weston, and recorded what would be their final album, Throw Them To The Lions. The album would be the final point in their evolution as a wild and raw garage punk band to a great, honest rock and roll band-without sacrificing any of the energy or desperation of their earliest days. Their influences became apparent and they now had the confidence to quiet things down and showcase their talents as great songwriters who can effortlessly throw in a catchy hook without forgetting the rage that initially provoked them into dedicating their lives to rock and roll. Their final performance was one of the greatest things these eyes have ever witnessed on the Mohawk Stage. Perhaps I'm biased a bit...but there was litle question the band had lost anything; if anything the songs never sounded better. Their local supporters, and fans from out of town alike losing themselves for a time while the band blasted through 2 sets--clearly having the time of their lives, yet humble enough to take the show seriously enough to execute the songs with perfection. They spent most of their short visit practicing the sets. As for the album, it was released on this night and is now available here on both lp and cd format.
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Incoming Stock!

APPLESEED CAST - Mara Vitalis - playing buffalo soon!

LIFETIME - s/t - the first in a series of Lifetime lp reissues!

WARSAW - LP - pre-Joy Division import of the initially scrapped first lp with 5 bonus tracks.
We also still have copies of the even rougher sounding Ideal For Killing import.

HIGH TENSION WIRES - Midnight Cashier - second and superior album from Marked Men (3) and a Red (pre-Marked Men band) spin off band. Confused? Basically, sounds like another great Marked Men album under a different name. Essential to Marked Men fans.

INSECT WARFARE - self titled - latest and, apparently, the last offering from Houston, TX grindcore band. A one sided 12" that spins, appropriately, at 45 rpms. There is something on the other side...but i'm pretty sure it's not music.

KID DYNAMITE - HOT SHOTS & YOUTH ANTHEMS LP
A vinyl version of this posthumous release, which contains songs culled from every compilation and split release, cover songs, the original six-song demo, a live radio appearance, and assorted demo versions of KID DYNAMITE classics.

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea - Bill said to get this thing in--it's a fuckin' classic. So we did. He was correct.

NOFX - Frisbee (LP)/Coaster (CD) Their latest in stock and in both formats.

NOBUNNY - Love Visions - Repress of hard to score solo outing courtesy of Justin (Sneaky Pinks/Okmoniks). Pure fun. Bubblegummy pop punk, loosely performed. The soundtrack for your next house wrecking dance party. Look around, and you'll also see we have the Sneaky Pinks 7" in stock this week as well.




RADIOHEAD - High & Dry 12" ep - In addition to keep in stock a good portion of their full length catalog, which often includes rare import live and unreleased collection, we've tested the 12" ep waters with this fine slab from their classic album. This particular 12" includes the non-lp b-side Maquiladora and the hexidecimal mix of Planet Telex. Plenty more of recently issued 12" singles are available upon request. We picked some from the Bends because it so happens to be this hack writing this favorite Radiohead album.

GRIZZLY BEAR - Veckatimest - These are moving out quickly, but more are due in soon.

16 - Bridges To Burn - Long running, yet sporadic band 16 unleash their first long player since 2003 with Bridges To Burn, We have not forgotten the 'heads, by any means. We also still have copies of the latest Mastodon (Crack the Skye) lp, Pig Destroyer - Natasha and the diy released Otesanek lp on NancyJo Records (dave bailey, buffalo ex-pat's imprint). Our used section is not light on it's precious metals, either.

REGIONAL RELEASE REPORT
Locally, we have recently received releases from the Missing Planes, and front woman's solo project Ellen West "Preparing To Be Forgotten", as well as some mighty handsome Missing Planes t-shirts.
Also, the latest from hard rocking CHYLDE with their Now It Can Be Told CD.
We're also carrying a few releases off of up and coming Rochester label Farewell Party Records (Nick says he's a cool dude) with a full-length LP by the Capital District's CALEB LIONHEART "Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk" [mystery colors], Rochester's HEAVY HEARTED s/t 7" ep (also on differing colors-no peeking, nerds)) and a cleverly packaged cassette tape from New Bedford, Massachusetts pop punkers (and dashingly handsome) HALF HEARTED HERO aka HHH --a12 song cassette entitled Defining, Refining. We have blue and green. Yep. Also, a reminder that we are carrying Salamanca's VEGA VINYL releases, the latest being DAMERIA's M(US)IC lp.

Psychedelic Scratchings:
Chicago's Vee Dee not only put out one of the Spiral Scratch "Team Scratch" consensus favorites so far this year, the fuzzed out psych-garage powerhouse that is their second lp, a double that includes a cd of the album (and is back in stock now), Public Mental Health System, but they also turned us on to a obscure psych-rock masterpiece that for years was a collectors dream; now is pressed to 180 grams of vinyl and will cost you less than a pizza!

The Koala, a nyc band who, for some strange reason, were billed as Aussies, put their one and only album out in 1968. From the AllMusicGuide: "The Koala mixes the Who's frantic rhythms and Stones-style garage rock with riotous psych leads and venomous, proto-punk vocals. An impressive introduction, but the unit decided to call it a day soon after their album was made available and the record disappeared without much notice. It was rediscovered in the 1990s, with original LPs selling for high prices to fans of long-lost, high-energy garage psych-punk." (4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars)
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DELUXE REISSUES & RESTOCKS

DAVID BOWIE - Hunky Dory & Aladdin Sane
THE CURE - Pornography
TOM WAITS - Swordfishtrombones
GRAM PARSONS - GP & Grievous Angel
BIG STAR - #1 Record & Radio City
GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR! - f#a#, Lift Your s|Skinny Fists... and Yanqui X.O.

old school hip-hop/rap vinyl re-issues!
WU TANG KLAN - 36 Chambers - re-stock of top selling classic album
NWA - Straight Outta Compton/20th Anniversary 2x LP Gatefold (street knowledge!)
PUBLIC ENEMY - Yo! Bum Rush The Show!
PUBLIC ENEMY - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
KURTIS BLOW - The Breaks
.
7 inches hitting the shelves:

• SNEAKY PINKS
• BOUNCING SOULS "Anniversary"
• VIVIAN GIRLS (their latest!)
• EATING GLASS
• HOLY MOUNTAIN/BLACK TUSK
• HOLY MOUNTAIN/COBRA NOIR
• HOLY MOUNTAIN/CAVE CANEM

Don't forget our fancy music related dvd section...which now includes a few used (and cheap) previously enjoyed titles, and some hard to find titles too...like the classic "URGH! A MUSIC WAR!" , "BEAT CLUB BEST OF's" and a "BEST OF FLIPSIDE VIDEO" DVD. These sit alongside current must-haves like the Minutemen documentary (plus bonus disc full of live footage) WE JAM ECONO, Belle & Sebastian's "FANS ONLY", several cool GBV titles, Live Jesus Lizard video and tons more.
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Most of us at Team Scratch do a radio show Saturday Nights on WBNY 91.3 fm (you can hear it streaming live at wbny.org) called SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE BOOKSTORE. Some people call it "the punk show" but we know better. It's all over the musical map depending on our moods. Punk, post-punk, proto-punk, indie, hardcore, post-hardcore,garage, rock, psychedelic, shitgaze™, weird punk, metal, hard rock, power-pop, powerviolence (well, not very much at all of that), noise, and other yet to be named genres. This all takes place at 9pm on Saturday nights. Anyway, more importantly-- over the last few years, the WBNY Alumni Association formed to
keep a watch on things and help out as the station struggles with university politics and is grossly underfunded. The group volunteers their time and is made up of former WBNY station members. We are proud to be selling the WBNY 91.3fm Rebellious Jukebox t-shirts here to support the organization. ALL proceeds of t-shirt sales will go directly to help the people who help WBNY, an important part of the music community that needs to be heard and supported. Now get in here and buy a shirt...and some records.

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Spiral Scratch Box Office - No Service Charges!
Currently selling Tickets for:
STRIKE ANYWHERE Saturday June 27 @ Mohawk Place 16 + $12
UNEARTH Sunday July 12 @ Mohawk Place 16+ $15
coming soon: A.C., GERMS and more....