Hello 2024. Yes, I’m tardy as usual. Get over it 🙂 Usually, I start these posts with an apology and a look behind, but let’s start with the future past before going further backwards.
Billiam‘s full-length Corner Tactics is HERE and it’s a winner, with the full album side a and 2 rarities plus a live set on side b. The album has been out digitally for a minute now and seems to have found itself a healthy audience (though I’d argue Billy was already well-loved, just now more so). The LP is out on Under the Gun (US) and Cow Tool Records (AUS). I don’t know CT, but Evert at UTG is an old and cherished friend. He was very helpful with tape advice when I was about to launch this whole operation, and he even printed the Weed Homer shirts. We’ve been wanting to do something together for years, so it was nice that this project came together with both of us attached to it. I just did the tapes, but regardless it was nice to feel like part of the team. Spin.com did a feature on the rise of egg punk recently, and Billiam had plenty of coverage in it. It’s worth a read if you’ve got a minute.
I finally got the Panzarotti represses and It’s a King Thing tapes to the finish line – what a fucking relief. These took an embarrassingly long time, but they’re here and they’re a 10/10, so I can rest easy at last. With the Brian Mietz trifecta complete, it feels like last year’s Wow! can be properly celebrated – so let’s celebrate! Copies are up and shipping now in the shop.
The next release that’s immediately on the way is Twelve Big Ones by The Wand-ers. It’s all Wanda Jackson covers, which is right up my alley. Thanks to Nat Brower for thinking of me once again. That’ll likely be here in a week, and once they arrive I’ll tell you where you can buy it from with specific links (otherwise duh, it’ll be on Merchtable and Bandcamp).
Okay, let’s simmer in the twinkle of yesterday’s tears:
So hey speaking of Nat, Nancy is going on tour starting THIS weekend! I got to a greatest hits tape with them last year for the European tour and they’re rad as fuck. Such a great band, if you live anywhere near here get your buns out to the show. I’ll see you in Philly – Foto Club is maybe my favorite venue in town right now. Maybe they still have copies of the cassette, but you can always get ’em on Merchtable or Bandcamp).
2/24 Chicago – Empty Bottle
2/25 Detroit – The Regal Beagle
2/26 Toronto- Toronto Style Bar and Grill
2/27 Buffalo – Area 54
2/28 Pittsburgh – Cattivo Bar
2/29 Philadelphia – Foto Club
3/2 NYC – Union Pool w/ PROTEX (LOW TIX!!!)
New tommy oeffling song/video! Check it out.
cardigan hate train instantly became one of the best things I’ve ever released. I’m sorry I didn’t post about it at the time here, but I’ve been gushing everywhere else I swear it. tom is a prolific mastermind and we’re lucky to be on this planet at the same time as him. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for his music and what the future holds for us. My magic 8-ball is showing a date of April 21st, 2024. Maybe check back then 🎱.
The Whiffs Scratch ‘N’ Sniff cassettes were a fucking smash, as was the album in general (congrats to the lads and to Dig!). I got to catch them last year and it was a ripper as always, and the new stuff was so good. They’re gonna hit the road again soon, I’ll do my best to keep you informed.
Lastly, Sir Kim from Kim came out. This came together because of my old CT friend Bradley is in the band and it was a joy to work on a project together after some false starts back in yesteryear. They also did the art for the tape, it’s really neat.
There’s more, but I’ll wait until they’re closer to being real before I spill the beans. Some catch up, some mustard. Check out my 2023 year-end playlist, it’s full of the good stuff. I remain psyched about cassettes and everything on the horizon. Every time a box of these beauties arrives from Canada it’s just the best feeling. I always feel behind on my passions but in reality, SLUDGE PEOPLE is still here contributing to the musical climate. That’s cool. I need to stop and simmer in that more often. This thing celebrated 10 years last year! I’m determined to get caught up on all lingering projects so I can feel more joy and less stress about this venture. So far so good!