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.

CIRCLE JERKS: SPACE II ARCADE,WASHINGTON DC. 5.13.83. SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.

Adjacent to two other majestic seaside cities, Hermosa Beach provides the world with numerous pearls of culture: surfing, beach volleyball, sunbathing, and the birth (arguably) of hyperkinetic genre known as hardcore punk. Clearly it must have been the South Bay’s gentle westerly sea breezes that influenced the formation of both Black Flag and the Circle Jerks.

Yeah right.

Considering the delightful surroundings, gorgeous people, and general Pollyanna-glaze good vibrations of the beach, it makes sense that the blueprints of hardcore punk were first sketched here. Defining itself in opposition against all creatures with perfect white teeth and Lacoste polo shirts, these embryonic agitators had a great deal to unite against. The dichotomy of this stark schism gave the world the “Nervous Breakdown” 45 and the “Group Sex” 12” amongst countless other classic records that generally haven’t matched up to these two epitomes of the emerging style of hardcore punk when considering both quality and legacy.

As captured on celluloid in “The Decline of Western Civilization” and in countless photographs, singer Keith Morris can regularly be seen clutching a lone Budweiser while he stalked the lip the stage. I always thought this was such a cool gimmick that he implemented; Keith sold the synchronized image of a rabble rouser dodging a continual barrage of anarchic bodies in search of teenage release and a lonely barfly nervously clasping the only inebriant that he can afford at the end of a local dive bar.

This show (recorded during the spring of ’83 at the Space II Arcade in DC where a slew of hardcore gigs took place) is a solid document of how the Circle Jerks had grown from an act toying initially with the draft of a nascent genre of music to a full-time touring powerhouse and inspiration to many new homegrown hardcore punk acts. This set is from a soundboard source and shows a slight generational loss when played back but largely the quality is excellent. The furious pace of this set is heightened by the fact that the master tape was edited so that between song space is removed. Normally I hate it when it tapers take such liberties but this edit job really adds to the absolutely unyielding rapidity of the set. Chuck Biscuits also demonstrates an impressive one-man drum clinic behind his maple colored Ludwig that he was presumably demolishing at the time with each stroke of his trademark percussive supremacy. His workout on "When The Shit Hits the Fan" is considerably awe-inspring.

Track Listing:

1. Red Tape (cut)

2.I Just Want Some Skank

3. Beverly Hills

4. Operation

5. Wasted

6. Up Against The Wall

7. Bad Words

8. Under The Gun

9. Behind The Door

10. Stars and Stripes

11. Question Authority

12. Moral Majority

13. Letter Bomb

14. In Your Eyes

15. Defamation Innuendo

16. High Price On OUr Heads

17. Paid Vacation

18. Trapped

19. Coup D'etat

20. Wild In The Streets

21. Parade of the Horribles

22. Deny Everything/When the Shit Hits the Fan

23. Leave Me Alone

24. Don't Care

25. Live Fast Die Young

26. Junk Mail

27. Just Like Me

28. Put A LIttle Love In Your Heart

29. World Up My Ass

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?jt2himgrdjl

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

UPDATE: CIA "GOD GUNS GUTS & MORE" LP (MTAWP #1) & YOUNG REPUBLICANS "SABOTAGE YOUR COOKOUT" 7" (MTAWP #2)

Due to the lack of recent new content posted on this archive, one may conclude that not much as been going on with More Than a Witness. This couldn’t be any further from the truth!

I’ve been working vigorously to finish up everything for my first release on More Than a Witness Product, the vinyl only reissue label closely associated with this archive. Again, this will be an official reissue of CIA’s classic first EP released under the title of “God Guns Guts and More” as a full length LP. This release will feature the original “God Guns Guts” 7” EP (originally released in 1983) along with all of the original 7” session outtakes and the best tracks from their two other pre 7” demo recordings. Needless to say, all of this material is essentially teeth-grinding driving American hardcore!

The CIA master was sent out the other day and I’m making final adjustments on the insert as I make this post. Expect this LP out in roughly 3 weeks. Many people have asked about a preorder for this release. I will be announcing information regarding a preorder this week. Please hang in there.

The second release on More Than a Witness Product will be the Young Republicans “Sabotage Your Cookout” 7” EP. This effort is a split-label release with longtime Connecticut hardcore punk label Incas, run by my good friend and fellow hardcore punk lifer, Joe Snow.

This demo is truly a special item. Both Joe and I have been hunting for this recording for years and have always come up empty handed until recently. Some people have even doubted its existence due to any tape of it ever surfacing. The Young Republicans are of historical relevance because they were comprised of 75% of the original lineup of Youth of Today. In fact, many Young Republicans songs that will be featured on the “Sabotage Your Cookout” 7” would become Youth of Today and Project X songs a year or so later: “High School Rednecks” became “Straight Edge Revenge”, “Respect For Authority (None)” became “Stabbed In the Back” after some minor revision, and “Backyard Bomb” became “Expectations”.

Last week we went into the studio to do a professional transfer of the tape we received from Graham Phillips. Graham was the bass player in the Young Republicans and went on to play in Youth of Today with Darren Pesce and Porcell. Joe and I had feared that the cassette would be in awful shape but it turned out it only needed a minimal tweaking to get it to sound great and fit for a vinyl release.

Yes, there will be a limited edition version of this release. We're trying to think of something that is untraditional and wacky in detail. (Come on, anyone can crank out 100 copies of a release on a limited color of vinyl.) Information regarding the preorder will be posted here in approximately 3 weeks. Hang in there!

DEAD KENNEDYS: "A SKATEBOARD PARTY", STUTTGART, GERMANY, 9.13.82. SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.

The brilliance of the Dead Kennedys has always been tied to their expertise at giving their creation three-dimensionality while retaining the vigor of hardcore punk. They combined truly crushing, high-speed guitars and drums with sardonic political and social commentary. Even when they reduced their sound to simplistic hyperactive stuff (“In God We Trust”) they still managed to sound fresh and thus shred most of the competition doing the same thing.

The perception of the DK’s since their ’86 breakdown has been anything but ridden with irony. As ardent symbols of anti-establishment ideologies during their time as a band, they’ve become increasingly more accepted within the mainstream since their passing. A great deal of this surely stems from the fact that the former members (excluding Biafra) have seen it fit to give the band a more commercial showcase.

In contrast to this, the appeal of the Dead Kennedys has worn off amongst underground DIY hardcore aficionado types. Ironically, the band that pioneered American hardcore with their inimitable style, commendable standards, and uncompromising resistance to the usual targets have been demoted to the ranks of introductory punk 101 fodder. There may not be much exclusivity in being a Dead Kennedys fan, but considering their output, it’s quite rewarding.

“A Skateboard Party” was the first Dead Kennedy’s live material that I had ever heard. Growing up in Western Connecticut, I was fortunate enough to live only a few minutes from one of the coolest records stores I’ve ever been to, Trash American Style. I remember recording this LP so I could listen to it on my cheapo Sony Walkman (does anyone even own a Walkman anymore?) at high school. I loved how the versions included on this illegitimately produced (more on that later) were much more rapid and convulsive than the studio versions. Listening to this again right now, it’s effortless to appreciate how much of a live powerhouse the Dead Kennedy’s were. Darren Peligro’s apeshit drumming on this LP is altogether riotous and it rarely lets up. Hands down, he’s one of the greatest drummers to have at it.

The story behind “A Skateboard Party” is that Jello Biafra said the guy behind Starving Missile Records in Germany could press a limited quantity (1000) of the soundboard recording he got from the gig the band played on 9.13.82 in Stuttgart. This release was done in cooperation with Alternative Tenticles and the band was subsequently paid. The original pressing had a black and white live shot of Biafra on the cover. This record was quickly repressed incessantly (at least 10,000 copies are out there) without permission by Mülleimer Records in a blue sleeve. This unscrupulous act led the DK’s to never consider anything like this again.

This recording is one of the best unofficial Dead Kennedys documents out there. The soundboard recording is nearly unblemished, perhaps lacking a slight bit of treble in the mix. This is worth downloading simply because Biafra tells a female in the crowd he’ll sign her an autograph with his dental chart and that they briefly attempt an improvised Heino cover.

Some sources claim that this is bootleg LP consists of two shows: Stuttgart 9.13.82 & Munich 9.15.82. If anyone has clarification on this, please drop me a line at the email listed on this archive.

Track list:

1. Holiday In Cambodia

2. Let's Lynch the Landlord

3. Chemical Warfare

4. Nazi Punks Fuck Off

5. We've Got a Bigger Problem Now

6. Too Drunk To Fuck

7. Kill the Poor

8. Man With the Dogs

9. Forward to Death

10. Kepone Factory

11. Life Sentence

12. Moral Majority

13. Forest Fire

14. Winnebago Warrior

15. Police Truck

16. Bleed For Me

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?hyzdmdtbgr0

HUSKER DU: GOOFY'S UPPER DECK, MINNEAPOLIS, MN. 8.12.83. SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.

This performance was recorded shortly before the ambitious double-full length “Zen Arcade” was released in 1984 on SST. Having already released "Everything Falls Apart" on their own label Reflex and "Metal Circus" on SST, the Huskers were making titanic leaps forward. If "Metal Circus" was a collection of anthems both slow and fast, "Zen Arcade" was the "Tommy" of underground music. As a themed record about a kid leaving home for the first time to run away to the big city where he finds strange (and often disturbing) adventures, it covers more ground than a Greyhound bus over it's four sides of wax. The songs alternate from raucous angry assaults (nearly all of side 2) to psychedelia to unrepentant pop songs to straight up rock classics. Of course there's some some self-indulgent filler (thirteen and a half minutes of "Reoccurring Dreams") on the record, but nearly every classic needs such a throwaway for good measure.

Goofy’s Upper Deck is a defunct hardcore punk club that was situated in downtown Minneapolis. This venue lasted for only 2 years and shut down in October ’83. The bar was a working class drinker’s den and strip club until the owner employed a broad-shouldered bouncer named Dan Cotlow who was a nascent hardcore punk. Fred Gartner began booking hardcore punk shows on the second floor while Cotlow managed the strip club downstairs. The six-inch stage at Goofy’s Upper Deck hosted such classics touring bands such as Black Flag, Minutemen, Discharge, DOA, Code of Honor, Social Distortion, and Battalion of Saints. Bob Mould was setting up shows at Goofy’s by November of ’82. Goofy’s saw it’s end as a hardcore venue when Final Conflict played there in August ’83 when a full-scale riot ensued. A toilet was ripped out of the floor and thrown two floors below to the floor.

This Husker Du show is almost certainly the preeminent live document of them during their “Zen Arcade” phase in trading circulation that I’ve heard. This performance is also one of the most commonly circulated Huskers shows out there. This soundboard recording isn’t perfect, but the band’s performance is enormously sweltering. Mould’s fervent vocals are equals parts talking, shouting, and singing. His masterful guitar work is laden with feedback that it’s a striking jolt of cacophony. The only word to describe Grant Hart’s drumming on this recording is excessive. Greg Norton’s straightforward bass playing (and Rollie Fingers moustache) rounds out the sound.

John Clegg plays saxophone on “What’s Going On” and “Drug Party”. He was a jazz musician who was on the periphery during the early days of Husker Du. He worked at a record store with Grant Hart in St. Paul and would occasionally jam with the band. Clegg’s saxophone wail adds a psychotic edge to these two tracks that adds to already existing sense of sonic supremacy.

Track list:

1. Something I Learned Today

2. It's Not Funny Anymore

3. From the Gut

4. Wheels

5. Everything Falls Apart

6. Chartered Trips

7.Sunshine Superman (Donovan)

8. Eight Miles High (Byrds)

9. Broken Home, Broken Heart

10. What's Going On?

11. Newest Industry

12. Pride

13. I'll Never Forget You

14. What Do I Want?

15. Data Control

16. Drug Party/ Punch Drunk

17. Out On a Limb

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?zrnm0nqj1id