Boo

My VPS went down apparently--all of the photos on the site are down. This is a bummer. But I bummer I'll try to fix soon.

Two New Coolouts 7-Inches

We should have two new 7-inches in the next few weeks. The first is "Punk House Pt. 1" b/w "Punk House Pt. 2" and "Yeah, Right!" (feat. a gnar 'ghiniz guest appearance on vocals). The other is our second Halloween-themed 7-inch that may not be quite out on Halloween: "The Last Man You'll Ever See" b/w "The Monsters Crash (The Regular People's Party)."

We're also playing at the Cha Cha Bar and Grill with Brooklyn's Golden Triangle. Party.

7-Inches for Sale

"I Wanna Come Back (From the World of LSD)" b/w "Purple Haze"

An anti-LSD classic backed with a psychedelic freak-out. Back masked guitars. Shitty cover art by Yours Truly. Be sure to listen for the toilet flushing in our studio's "vocal booth" at the end of "Purple Haze." Ruben had to pee. Red or blue print--tell me if you have a preference. $6 PPD.

Listen to the A-side here:
"I Wanna Come Back (From the World of LSD)"

Tour split with Personal and the Pizzas featuring "Pizzafest" and "Pizza Army"

Our side is a sloppy-ish ode to Chicago's Pizzafest. Personal and the Pizzas' side is a Kiss-esque rocker about hittin' the road. Don't listen to "Pizza Army" and "I Can Read" back-to-back unless you want your mind blown. $7 PPD.

SOLD OUT!






"We Drink Blood" b/w "Nerd Holocaust"

A-side is about teenage angst/love. The B-side is about killing nerds. As a bonus there's a funky song about shotgunning beers. More than that, it's an ode to May '08s "shotgun heard around the world." $6 PPD.

Coconut Coolouts on Party Blog

The charming Ms. Junker of Silent Barn posted a pretty epic (if I may say so myself) Party Blog entry from the Coconut Coolouts/Tyvek/Personal and the Pizzas/Uzi Rash/Stupid Party show on 7/24 in Brooklyn here.

All that sweat is unfortunately real. Also, I was pretty amazed at how many people turn out to be willing to eat loose hot dogs out of a dirty old suitcase after you ply them with a few beers.

Coconut Coolouts Tour and 7-inches

The Coconut Coolouts are headed out on tour this July. We will be accompanied by the thuggish charms of Personal and the Pizzas and in the midwest and northeast by Tyvek, masters of clay and funk.

To commemorate three weeks with Personal and the Pizzas, we hastily recorded a split 7-inch which will be available for a nominal price from us on the road. On the Coolouts side is a catchy-yet-sloppy ode to pizza called "Pizzafest" and on the Personals' side is the rocking tour anthem, "Hittin' the Road."

We also should have a 7-inch with a song from our forthcoming album, which we are tentatively titling Garbagefield. The cut is the classic anti-LSD skree, "I Wanna Come Back (From the World of LSD)" which is backed with the psychedelic shredder "Purple Haze." Yes, you read that correctly.

You should come pick up both of these hot platters when we come through your town. Here are the dates:

• 7/9 - Seattle @ The Funhouse w/ Mean Jeans


• 7/10 - Portland @ Slabtown w/ Cafeteria Dance Fever


• 7/11 - Davis @ DAM House w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Four Eyes, The Pizzas


• 7/12 (Afternoon) - Oakland @ Cereal Factory w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Photobooth, C'mon Everybody


• 7/12 (Evening) - San Francisco @ the Hemlock w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Impediments


• 7/13 - LA @ The Smell w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Anasazis


• 7/14 - Tempe @ Manor w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Higher Love


• 7/15 - Las Cruces @ Bacon House w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Turpentine Bros


• 7/16 - Austin @ Red 7 w/ Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/17 - New Orleans @ Saturn Bar w/ Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/18 - Orlando @ Will's Pub w/ Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/19 - Orlando @ Rich's Backyard BBQ w/ Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/20 - Atlanta @ The Earl w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Barreracudas


• 7/21 - Chapel Hill @ Nightlight w/ Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/22 - Baltimore @ Golden West w/ Tyvek, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/23 - Philly @ Johnny Brendas w/ Tyvek, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/24 - Brooklyn @ Silent Barn w/ Tyvek, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/25 - NYC @ Cake Shop w/ Tyvek, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/26 - Pittsburgh @ Rickety House w/ Tyvek, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/27 - Detroit @ Lager House w/ Tyvek, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/28 - Chicago @ The Cobra PIZZAFEST! w/ Personal and the Pizzas, Johnny and the Limelites, Yolks, Tyvek


• 7/29 - Milwaukee @ Y-Not III w/ Tyvek, Personal and the Pizzas


• 7/30 - Minneapolis @ 7th Street Entry w/ Personal and the Pizzas

After that we're going to party at home for a little bit.

HOLY SHIT

It's been two months since I've posted. What an asshole. It's old news by now, but here are a couple of rad photos of King Tuff from SXSW.

Some Records

I'm finally home and digging through my listening pile. Consider yourself a welcome guest amongst my Deep Thoughts.

Rusted Shut - "Hot Sex EP". This is such superlatively heavy noise that my headphones couldn't keep my girlfriend from noticing from the other room. A really, reeaally awesome reissue if you have any sort of taste for this type of thing. My Houstonian bandmate Lacey says, "Sybil is Texas' Toody." So they have that going for them, which is nice. Dull Knife

Carbonas - "Blackout" b/w "Inside Out". This is fast, fun, competent and snotty. I'm pro B-Side for B-52s-ish intro riff. It's for the right mood, which it should do right. It might not last too long if you're in the wrong mood.Douchemaster (Who, I'd like to mention, are quite awesome at getting records to you fast.)

Jeffry Novak - After the Ball. This is something that I was really excited for--the music I'd heard on MySpace was great and I was the record that it went straight to the top of my listen pile when it arrived. I'm not sure if it's due to all of the self-inflicted anticipation, but I have to admit to being a little bit let down. The pop structures are pretty great and I dig the late Beatles/Syd Barrett piano minimalism but something seems a little coy about the end result. I'm into it, just not quite as much as I wanted to be. LMN Records

Michael Yonkers - "The Big Balloon" b/w "It's You Again". The a-side is an almost perfectly straight up, '50's rock 'n roll throwback but with just a little extra slop (and from 1968-era Yonkers band). The b-side is a monster. Heavy and creepy, it's almost industrial-esque noise twisted into a rock structure. Available at subpop.com

Jacuzzi Boys - "I Fought a Crocodile" b/w "Blowin' Kisses". This band is much more sonically savvy than I expected. I think that reports of them being a straight up Black Lips rip are exaggerated, although they definitely share an aesthetic. The a-side is solid and slightly uptempo. Replete with bongos. The b-side's guitar (sound and changes) fall more squarely into Lips territory. I don't remember any of the words. You'll do fine playing this for guests. Rob's House Records

Lamps - "Sexual Frustration" 7-inch EP. The first phrase that comes to my head is "heavy, angry and percussive." The bass playing comes from the same school of awesome as Min Yee (AFCGT, public education and table tennis). The a-side is a Pissed Jeans cover and the b-side is a pretty untouchable cover of "I Need a Chick." S-S

Personal and the Pizzas - "I Don't Wanna Be No Personal Pizza" 7-inch. I meant to save this for a group of reviews which included Happy Burger and other pizza themed delights but I failed. This is good, goofy, slightly Ramones-y pizza rock. I know I'm biased, but I think the whole genre should pay royalties to Ruben Mz. "I Can Read" is a hit if just for the subject matter. Blue collar. GOOC Entertainment

DMMR BMMR Photos

I've been meaning to post these for weeks. I was just learning my camera so there aren't a ton. Email me for the NSFW Nobunny photos.

Fresh and Onlys:



Nobunny. I think it was safe to say that his set was a little sloppy. I can get with the ghetto mask, though.

MP3s

Here are a couple MP3s from that last set of reviews. The following are not just Harry Steamsystem approved but highly recommended. You should buy these 7-inches:

Beyond the Implode - "This Atmosphere"
Charles Albright - "I'm on Drugs"
Dan Melchior - "Mr. Oblivion"
The Fresh and Onlys - "Endless Love"

MP3: Untitled Mix

I need to get a few more of these older mixes posted before I get into making some new ones. This was done (by me) around the same time as Ruben's "I Hate Rock 'n Roll Mix" (November 2007 or so). Mine (as usual) dips into the bit more obvious than Ruben's does, but it should be fun in any case.

Untitled Mix (MP3 Mix)

Tracklisting:

Haunted George - "Ron Campbell"
The Mantles - "Burden"
King Khan and BBQ Show - "Fish Fight"
Thomas Function - "Relentless Machine"
Cheap Trick - "Downed"
Unnatural Helpers - "Earwax"
Tyvek - "Give it Up"
The Sonic Chicken 4 - "Margharita"
The Zombies - "This Will Be Our Year"
Can - "I'm So Green"
Reigning Sound - "We Repel Each Other"
Dead Moon - "Poor Born"
Gary Numan - "M.E."
Traditional Fools - "River"
Roger Miller - "Dang Me"

Untitled Mix (MP3 Mix)

Sugar Sugar Sugar, Pathogens and Loving Thunder, 2/27 at the Greenhouse

John (sax) and Andy (bass, vox) of Sugar Sugar Sugar:



Chris (guitar):



Lupe (drums) and Andy:





Loving Thunder:



Colin (bass, vox):



Sterling (drums):



Kelly (guitar, vox) and JJ of the Pathogens:



JJ:



Kelly (ambushed):



Photos by Harry Dean Hudson Jr.

Listening Pile Roundup

As I slowly work my way through my listening pile, I'm going to get into the habit posting short reviews of the records. For your reading pleasure, the first batch:

Hot Snakes - Peel Sessions 7" EP. I'd be super psyched on this if it didn't come with an epic scratch all the way across the A-side. Don't make me tape a penny to my tone arm, Swami. Good versions of good songs. Swami Records.

The Remains - The Remains (Mono Sundazed re-issue) LP. A pricey re-issue that you forgive because it's so good. Great from the slow pounding of the opener. Sundazed.

The Knights of the New Crusade - "Fugitive from God" 7". I think they formed this band to cover this song. You owe it to yourself to find the original--slightly undercompetant religious garage by the Click Kids. I think the whole record was re-issued as part of a comp by the Knights.

Beyond the Implode - "This Atmosphere" 7" EP. Siltbreeze re-issue of super great songs in the vein of late 70's Fast Records stuff. Post-punk, pre-new wave awesome that gets on fine without drums. Siltbreeze.

Charles Albright - "I'm on Drugs" 7". I'MONDRUGS.I'MJUSTAFINEYOUNGMANANDI'MDOINGSOWELL.IWANNAHOLDYOU. Same 3 songs on both sides, his name in caps all over the sleeve and insert. Charles seems to know that important things bear repeating. Available through SS Records.

Vermillion Sands - "Mary" b/w "Wake Me When I Die". Pet peeve: super thin vinyl. I didn't look at the matrix, but is this United's fault or some foriegn press? United makes a decent punching bag in any case. I'm not sure that I'm on this train, but I like "Wake Me..." better than the A-side.

Tyvek - "Duck Blinds" b/w "Pamphlet". I'm biased but I love Kevin Boyer. Limited edition tapes, Skolnick laugh and all. 3 unimpeachable minutes. Missed seeing 'The Kid' on tour, though. Sub Pop.

Buzzer - "Disco Kiddz" b/w "Cool Feeling". I'd like to see this band live. They seem like they either totally bring it or are a little too pretty for their own good. I hope it's the former, this is pretty solid. The vocals are a bit loud for me. Douchemaster.

Fresh & Onlys - "Imaginary Friends" 7". I didn't know what to expect when I saw the Fresh & Onlys but they were more cohesive than I imagined. Recording-wise, I dig the poppy songs more than the weird punk. These fit into the poppy category--short, slightly repetitive, simple pop bits. B-side wins. Chuffed Records.

Dan Melchior und das Menace - "Mr. Oblivion" b/w "Piledriver Nightmare #2". The cover of this reminds me of the disturbing collection of lawn jockeys my dad had when I was growing up. I'm new to Dan Melchior but representative or not "Mr. Oblivion" is super solid. B-side is in the A-Frames/Intelligence vein. Dark & catchy. Please splurge on better pressings CDR, this is thin and has flash on the edges. Columbus Discount Records.

Eat Skull/Ganglians - Split 7". Eat Skull side: reverb on the whole mix and instruments being pulled out of pitch. Ganglians side: reasonably sincere-sounding pop. Maybe just a little long in the tooth. Dulc-i-tone Records.

Thomas Function - "Nomad" b/w "We Simply Just Attack". Did this band blow up? I can't tell. Could live without the intro/outro on the A-side. This 7" is good but doing alt-versions somehow feels a little gratuitous. Alive!

Live Fast Die / Lover! - Split 7". Live Fast Die side: shredding lo-fi potty punk. Lover! side: solid poppy potty punk. Fun. Douchemaster.

Pre-Orders from Small Labels

If you run a label that takes pre-orders, I think there's an extra onus on you to have your shit-together. With that in mind, I crafted some guidelines that provide a template as to how a pre-order should be run. Feel free to regard the following as "the ultimate argument settler."

Harry's Rules (pre-requisites, rather) for Labels Taking Pre-Orders

1. Understand the process of record production the vagarities of your artists, mastering house, printer and pressing plant well enough to schedule a release date (give or take no more than a week or two). Here are some hints:
   
   
   
   • The record doesn't exist until your artist has given you music and art. Selling it before then is selling a fantasy.
   
   
   • Give yourself 2 weeks to get mastering turned around. And then a month to press records. Print turnaround depends. But remember that the record exists in a way that can be scheduled only once the master's been cut.
   
   


2. Even if you are confident about your release date (give or take a week or two), DO NOT TAKE PEOPLE'S MONEY ANY FURTHER THAN A MONTH PRIOR TO WHEN YOU EXPECT TO SHIP. Unless, of course, you're trying to capitalize on fleeting hype, in which case you may want to reconsider why you're putting out the record in the first place.


3. Taking money in order to pay your pressing plant is not a "pre-order" but rather a some sort of a bummer pseudo-ponzi-type situation.


4. Tell people what the release date is when you announce the pre-order. This builds "anticipation" for the record and saddles you with enough specific responsibility to force you keep your proverbial shit together. Release dates move all the time, but people will think you're hell of together if you can pull one off.


5. If you cannot handle the simple technology of a master list containing the names, addresses and contact information of the people who've given you their money in good faith, you should not be taking pre-orders. There's a particularly popular computer product called Micro-Software Excel that may be able to help to this end. (Yes, we suspect that you do, in fact, have a computer because you posted your pre-order on the internet and take PayPal.) Barring this, a fresh pad of legal paper and a marker should do the trick.


6. (Optional) Don't put your entire run up for pre-order. This requires a little bit of math and a touch of discipline, but can actually be handled with a few easy steps:
   
   
   
   • Start with the quantity of your entire run.
   
   
   • Decide where you'd like to sell the record.
   
   
   • Contact the people who may resell your record and figure out the quantities that they'll need.
   
   
   • Set aside the sum of these quantities.
   
   
   • Of the remaining total (don't forget to pull the band quantity!)set aside a fixed amount that you'll be offering for pre-order.
   
   
   • Sell your pre-orders from this quantity. You should maybe even sit on a small number of records until you're sure that everything sorts itself out: better to make them available later than to fuck over folks that gave you money in good faith.
   
   


7. Ship pre-orders at the same time you ship to distros. People who pre-order gave you their money before anyone else. They should at least get the record before folks who didn't pre-order.


8. Respond to folks who've ordered your record to let them know that they've either a) succeeded in purchasing the record and it will be shipping to them around specified date or b) you sold out of the record and they'll have the option to have their money refunded or wait for a repress. Email works very well for these types of communications (using the contact information in your master list outlined in #4, above). Bulk email works great, just try to remember that putting your recipients in the BCC field is the accepted etiquette. You may be able to get away with poor communication if you've developed a reputation for your bad-ass mail room work-ethic. You should assume, however, that you in fact haven't.


9. This isn't actually a pre-order rule, but: please consider the relative demand for a particular record when deciding how large of a run to press. No one wants to over run records, but 300 is really a no-brainer for most bands. Flake-ily produced, sub-200 copy editions with hand done art should really be the domain of artist self-releases.

If you are unable to do all of the above, I strongly encourage you to
wait until you receive finished copies of the record before making it
available for sale. If you have the intention to continue to put out
records for an extended period of time, the trust and rapport you
build with your customers will pay handsomely. In all fairness, I
probably couldn't pull off all-of-the-above, but I also won't be
taking your pre-orders.

MP3: I Hate Rock 'n Roll

Here's another older guest mix. This one was done by Cap'n Coolout (Ruben Mz) and it has a lot great garage stuff pulled from his constantly bulging 7-inch collection. Here's the tracklisting:

I Hate Rock 'n Roll - Batman & Robin
Surfin' Bird - Trashmen
Billy's Room - Wax Museums
It's Not Easy - Swamp Rats
Crazy - Motards
Mystery Shopper - Black Time
Rock 'n Roll Love Affair = Donny Denim
When You Find Out - Nerves
Don't Die - Medication
Pronto un Doctor - Los Yorks '67
Just to Be With You - Muddy Waters
You Might Get Me - Fe Fi Fo Fums
First Day of School - Saba Lou
Weekends in Jail - Intelligence
Psychology - Church Mice
You're Gonna Miss Me - Half Japanese
Don't Get Married - Gaye Blades

I Hate Rock 'n Roll (MP3)

Tyvek is the Biggest Band in Davis

And aside from being really good in Seattle on Sunday (with Heath on guitar for most the show, no less!) they're in Portland tonight before they go to California for awesome good times. If you're around you should go see them and try to talk them out of one of their brand new 7-inches from the Sub Pop Singles Club. Also, the new Unnatural Helpers lineup (with Brian and Leo of Idle Times) is really worth catching:

Tyvek
Unnatural Helpers
Pity Fucks

Tuesday February 24th
Slabtown
1033 NW 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

As for their relative size in Davis, DJ Rick Ele is here to remind you that Tyvek is (in fact) the big fish in Davis' medium-sized pond, playing an unrelenting 4 in a row in his latest Art for Spastics broadcast. It's definitely worth a listen--there's a bunch of other new stuff in there (and I hadn't gotten the Kevin Boyer 7" yet).

Here's the A-side of that Sub Pop single, it's 1:10 of great:

Duck Blinds (MP3)