CIA "GOD GUTS GUNS & MORE" LP (MTAWP #1) IS ALMOST OUT OF PRINT

I am down to my final copies of my first release, CIA's "God Guts Guns & More" LP. The first pressing of 1000 copies sold out in the blink of an eye and I quickly repressed another 350 copies. Of this second pressing, I have less than 50 copies remaining. If you would like to restock your webstore, distro, or shop, please drop me a line soon so I can help you get some wholesale copies. To the best of my knowledge, Ebullition, Revolver, Revelation, Subterranean, and Get Hip may still have wholesale copies available. If it makes more sense for you to place an order with those folks you can probably get copies from one of them too.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of the record, you can do that right here. All prices INCLUDE POSTAGE. If you'd like to get a copy of the CIA LP and anything from the last distro update, drop me a line and I'll give you the correct total price.

PLEASE SELECT WHERE YOU LIVE:

USA $13.00 CANADA $15.00 WORLD $22.00

As much as I want all of my releases to remain in print forever, I have 4 new LPs with deluxe packaging coming out this year. It is possible that I may press another 350 copies of the CIA LP at some later date but I cannot guarantee that. This CIA material is timelessly great and I'll do my best to always have some copies around. We'll see.

A few people have asked about the differences between the first and second pressings. I hope to assemble a new webpage shortly with an easy to use webstore for purchasing records and a ton of information, including pressing information on all my releases. In the meantime, here is some information on the pressing differences.

TEST PRESSINGS:

10 test pressings with custom hand silkscreened sleeves featuring alternate cover art and customized labels. Black vinyl. I one or two of these that I would be willing to trade for something cool. If you're interested in this, drop me an email.

FIRST PRESSING:

Black vinyl.

1000 copies.

White labels with black type.

Does not credit Mark Dudak on the inner sleeve.

Includes a few other typos. See if you can find them all!

Comes with More Than a Witness promo postcard.

SECOND PRESSING:

Black vinyl.

350 copies.

Red labels with black type.

Features the words "second pressing" on the printed inner sleeve.

The bottom right hand corner of the inner sleeve credits Chris Prorock for liner notes and layout and gives a special thanks to Chris Minicucci.

Comes with More Than a Witness promo postcard.

CIA - "GOD GUNS GUTS & MORE" LP (MTAWP 001) IS OUT NOW AND CAN BE PURCHASED HERE:

I'm thrilled to announce the debut release on my new reissue-only, vinyl-only record label. I couldn't be happier with how this CIA 12" came out and I think you'll love the results too. I feel very proud of reissuing one of my all-time favorite hardcore singles as an LP with a slew of great unreleased material.

Many devoted aficionados would enthusiastically maintain that CIA’s “God Guns Guts” 7” EP is simply one of the best US hardcore singles to ever be released when considering the history of the genre's output. Originally self-issued in 1983 in a limited edition of 500 copies, the six songs on the original 7” are absolute flawless blasts of well-executed, driving, intelligent, and furious hardcore. The 6 tracks are simultaneously reckless while maintaining a tightly wound delivery. The word "timeless" is often overused when it comes to describing hardcore records released in the days of yore, but the "God Guns Guts" 7" EP has undoubtably stood time's test. This record sounds as fresh today as the day it was recorded.

What could be better than this?

A deluxe vinyl-only reissue that adds 5 original 7” EP session outtakes that have never been heard until now along with several other previously unreleased essential demos recorded just before the "Gods Guns Guts" 7” EP came out. Hence the "more" in this reissue's title; a great deal has been added to the original EP on this LP that truly makes it deluxe. This all comes housed in a high-quality package featuring a swanky UV laminated sleeve and a classy printed inner sleeve that features liner notes and photos of the band that have never been seen before on any release.

Please use this Paypal link to purchase the record. You will simply need to select where you want the record sent and follow the instructions. All orders will be sent the same day.
Also: if you would like to get wholesale copies for your store or distro, please drop me a line here: morethanawitness at gmail.com

PRICES:

$13 PPD (USA)

$15 PPD (CANADA)

$22 PPD (WORLD)

These prices all INCLUDE POSTAGE.

Below prices are PPD. Please select where you live:

USA $13.00 CANADA $15.00 WORLD $22.00

UPDATE: CIA "GOD GUNS GUTS & MORE" (MTAWP 001) LPs TO SHIP VERY SOON. PLEASE READ FOR MORE DETAILS:

To state that my first release on this new reissue-only label has been a stressful process would be putting it lightly. The process was first delayed by a batch of rejected test pressings that featured superficial pops. They were practically inaudible but I wanted to make sure the album sounded as good as possible so I rejected these. The second batch of test pressings sounded great and were approved.

The second (and much more time consuming) obstacle that surfaced was the company that was responsible for getting the album jackets and printed inner sleeves made went out of business or has at least been put on hold for the time being. When I received word of this I was assuming that the jackets & inner sleeves would be done and ready to go. I had to switch the job over to Imprint and this added the delay that we’re experiencing now.

The album jackets and inner sleeves are being shipped from the printer in Canada to Brooklyn tomorrow (7.12.10) and should be at the pressing plant within a few days. Because of the second predicament regarding the jacket/inner sleeve printing, I made arrangements to have the vinyl pressed up and ready to go before the jackets arrive to minimize any further delays.

I apologize to those who have preordered the record and have been waiting to receive a copy. Occasionally technical problems will occur that are outside of a label’s power regarding production (this is certainly one of those times) and you just have to fix things as quick as possible. Everything is all set now and I foresee no other problems. I will send the preorders the day I get the completed product. This should be late this week or at latest, early next week. Distro orders will be sent promptly after all of the preorders have been mailed. This will be early next week.

Moreover, this will not happen in the future for label preorders. Please understand this situation has been a major case of bad luck and has been resolved. I'm just as eager to get the record as you guys are!

There are still copies of this release that are available for wholesale. A great deal of them have been claimed but, if you’d like to purchase copies for your store or distro please drop me a line at the morethanawitness at gmail.com for wholesale rates. Many people have written inquiring about trading their releases for this one, but at this time I cannot accept trades. My apologies.

CIA "GOD GUNS GUTS AND MORE" LP IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Without any further delay, here’s the information for preordering my first release, the CIA “God Guns Guts & More” LP. Although it's been quite time consuming, I'm very excited to be releasing this and I think you'll really enjoy it.

Many would argue that CIA’s “God Guns Guts” 7” EP is one of the best US hardcore singles to ever be released. Originally self-released in 1983, the six songs on the original 7” are absolutely flawless blasts of driving, intelligent, and furious hardcore. What could be better than this? A deluxe reissue that adds 5 original 7” session outtakes that have never been heard until now along with several other previously unreleased essential demos recorded just before the 7” came out. This all comes housed in a high-quality package featuring a UV laminated sleeve, printed inner sleeve that features relevant information and photos.

Placing your order now will ensure that you’ll get the record before far before distributors and shops. Preorder will ship in 2-3 weeks when I’ll have copies. If you run a distro or store, please write for wholesale rates. I'd love to get this record as far and wide as possible.

Please use this Paypal link to purchase. If you’re an International customer, please message me before purchase. This below Paypal link will not give you the correct postage rate.

PRICES:

$13 PPD (USA)

$15 PPD (CANADA)

$22 PPD (WORLD)

These prices all INCLUDE POSTAGE.

Please select where you live:

USA $13.00 CANADA $15.00 WORLD $22.00

MORE THAN A WITNESS PRODUCT IS BORN.

With the genre of hardcore recently celebrating it’s 30-year birthday, the genre’s back catalog is nearly hemorrhaging with classic output. There is certainly still a wealth of timeless material that has not been officially reissued that should be available. Considering that hardcore punk has truly become a genre fixated on it’s own history and that the reissue market is prosperous, it’s time that I get in on that action. Many other contemporary labels have done a fantastic job of reissuing classic records and these labels have served as an influence.

Thus, More Than a Witness Product (clearly a tribute to one of my all-time favorite labels, Fast Product) is born. I suppose it’s only natural that a blog that serves to archive unreleased material would eventually start reissuing classic, out of print hardcore punk records. The aims of the label are to release quality products and ensure that the bands are properly compensated for their material.

The first release will consist of an expanded version of the classic “God Guns Guts” 7” EP by CIA. Not only is this one of my all-time favorite hardcore single, but also I think it’s simply one of the best hardcore punk releases to come out of the early 1980s. These guys are personal friends of mine and I’ve been working closely with them on reissuing this classic EP as an LP with a ton of fantastic unreleased material from the original 7” session along with choice demo and live material. Considering that the original pressing of the 7” is topping out at nearly $300 and consistently selling for at least $250, this reissue should do well.

To answer the emails I've already received, there will be a limited edition mailorder only version you can get from me.

CIA, after releasing one single (and an LP with a radically different lineup) went on to morph into the great 76% Uncertain. They released several great records that you should acquire if you don’t have them already.

I am currently in contact with a few other bands about potential reissues. More news as things become finalized.

X FACTOR: "BLUE BASEMENT" DEMO, SPRING 1982.

X-Factor were arguably one of the earliest Connecticut bands that had an identifiable proto- hardcore sound. Prior to 1982, there had been a thriving punk scene in New Haven and the surrounding area but these bands had a straightforward punk sound or leaned toward playing power-pop or new wave. It wasn't until 1982 that a faster and more aggressive sound emerged from Connecticut, which originated from the city of Bridgeport.

Most readers of this blog are probably quite familiar with CIA and Lost Generation (who also called Bridgeport home). These groups formed around the same time these demos were recorded and went on to release classic records. X-Factor however would fade into obscurity due to some member changes only to be reborn as Reflex From Pain with the addition of a new singer and guitarist. The core of X-Factor first played together in a band called the Xtras. Are you starting to detect a pattern in the names here? Yeah, I refer to them as the lineage of "X" bands. Bill Knapp is the common denominator in all these X bands. He played drums in these bands and several other bands that came afterward.

The line up for this demo consists of Bill Knapp on drums, Steve Schneider playing guitar, Dave Ware on bass and John "Ziggy" Viens providing vocals.

Bill and Steve had played in the The Xtras and 532X prior to X-Factor. Dave Ware played in Reflex From Pain and 76% Uncertain (again with Bill Knapp on drums) after the demise of X-Factor. Ziggy sang for ADX after leaving X-Factor.

Blue Basement Studios was a pseudonym for Bill Knapp's parents basement named after the shade of paint on the walls. Many of the early Connecticut hardcore bands recorded here. The Vatican Commandos, CIA, and the Violent Children all cut material there. This batch of X-Factor songs were recorded in the spring of '82 and is their second demo. The songs "Media Control" and "American Express" were later re-recorded by Reflex From Pain.

I will post several more great unreleased Connecticut hardcore artifacts in the near future.

DOWNLOAD:

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