100 FLOWERS / URINALS

100 FLOWERS was a highly regarded Los Angeles band of the early 1980s. Beginning with its earlier and later incarnations as THE URINALS, the band pioneered a super minimalist style of punk rock that influenced, among others, The Minutemen, The Leaving Trains, and The Gun Club, all of whom have covered material by the band.

100 FLOWERS - 100 Years of Pulchritude (Happy Squid/Rhino)

This co-release contains 28 tracks, including the complete "100 Flowers" LP, the "Drawing Fire" EP, the "Presence of Mind" single, three compilation tracks, and two unreleased tunes. Excluding 4-track recordings, this is the complete recorded work of the band. CD: $12.50

URINALS - Negative Capability…Check It Out (Amphetamine Reptile) The ultimate early-Urinals anthology is now available! Includes the complete "Urinals," "Another EP," and "Sex/Go Away Girl" 7-inch material, 3 tunes from long out-of-print compilations, several unreleased studio and rehearsal pieces, and samples from the band’s archive of live tapes, including their very first performance as a three-piece. 31 tracks in all, which, along with "100 Years of Pulchritude," provide a definitive portrait of the Urinals/100 Flowers’ initial five-year history. CD: $12.50

URINALS - What is Real and What is Not (Warning Label) 2003 release of brand new Urinals material, either the 20-years later album follow-up to the 100 FLOWERS record, or the debut long player by the Urinals -- take your pick. 14 originals including SKYGRIFTER, and TEACH ME TO CRAWL, as well as a cover of the Bee Gees' psychedelic JUMBO. CD: $12.50

THE GERMS

Forming/Sexboy (Iloki)

Here is a reissue of the first release by LA's notorious and seminal punk band THE GERMS, featuring the late Darby Crash, the current Pat Smear (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and sonic terrorist & 45 Grave drummer to-be Don Bowles. Clear vinyl, numbered edition. 7" single: $4.00

GOD AND THE STATE

Ruins: The Complete Works (Happy Squid)

This album, recorded briskly in 1983 by a band that played only three or four live shows, found release after they has split up. The time between then and now has in no way diminished its impact. The music, unheard by all but a handful of Los Angelenos, still packs a tremendous wallop.

Canadian Dave Hull teamed up with Detroit expatriate Barbara Ann Jaeckel to construct these ten songs as if they were buildings -- architecturally --, an approach which intrigued drummer Kevin Barrett (post-100 FLOWERS and pre-RADWASTE) enough to join them for the duration of GOD AND THE STATE's brief life span.

The results can be heard here. These vigorous, imposing, and mericless songs have been preserved for interested parties, and wrapped in a hand-printed Independent Project Press sleeve, designed by Barbara Ann and John Talley-Jones. It is a numbered, limited edition of a dwindling 1000 copies. You've read about it in Greil Marcus's Lipstick Traces, now experience it firsthand!

LP: $7.00

PETER JEFFERIES/ROBBIE MUIR

Catapult/Human Carbine (Xpressway)

Two members of PLAGAL GRIND, the premier exponent of the Dunedin (New Zealand) Sound, here strike out on their own with two songs: "one rocks, the other insinuates, both rule. " 7" single: $4.50 (3)

THE PUNDITS

Swirl / Snowed Me In / Dark and Pretty Wish (Calamari Sound / Happy Squid)

THE PUNDITS are a four-piece from Pittsburgh, PA whose members include local luminaries John Bell (ex-MANIFEST DESTINY), Scott Turri, Mike Shanley of BONE OF CONTENTION, and John Young, ex of FUSEBOX. Although these are "pop" tunes, they have a powerful moodiness, with an extra veneer of psychedelia courtesy of producer Kramer (BONGWATER, URGE OVERKILL, GALAXIE 500, MAUREEN TUCKER, etc.) and engineer Steve Watson (KING MISSILE).

That part of the press establishment which is not associated with The McLaughlin Group makes reference to "solid power-pop ala THE JAM," and a comparison to BIG DIPPER. Then there is the lyrical content, which occupies the resonant and mysterious realm where Kenneth Branagh joins THE MINUTEMEN for a conceptual encore. 7" ep: $3.75

RADWASTE

Cooking and Nothingness (Happy Squid)

This Los Angeles area band features former members of 100 FLOWERS and 17 PYGMIES as well as a unique four-person (in this incarnation) percussion corps. There are five hook-laden pop tunes on the disc, each with a distinctive propulsive edge to them. From the LA Weekly: "a six-member musical firing squad whose four-drum threat teamed with the hard rocking guitars and vocals of John Talley-Jones and Michael Kory is fast making them one of LA's most popular club groups." 12" EP: $5.50

THE RUB

Bikini Gospel (Happy Squid)

Here is the debut disk from San Pedro's THE RUB, a trio prone to asking musical questions like "Who Killed Bob Crane?" Tim Baker (drums), Dan Duarte (guitar/vocals), and Eddie Mooney (bass/vocals) compose the band, which recalls the exuberance of bands from Detroit (late 60s and Australia (mid 80s). THE RUB's music is confrontational and high energy, with material that goes from nerve-damaged, guitar-slashing rock and roll ("I'm in Love") to heartfelt pop ("The Death of Pop"). Special guests on the album include Louis van den Berg (of STAN RIDGWAY) and Steve Stain (ex-BLUE DAISIES), with a mixing assist from John Talley-Jones. (100 FLOWERS). LP: $7.00 / CD (with 5 extra tracks): $12.00

Day Off From Karma (Happy Squid)

The Rub's second album, suppressed by the authorities for many years, finally released on CD! The follow-up to BIKINI GOSPEL includes "1000 DAYS", a wistful, but headlong evocation of lost innocence, which was initially released on the 2nd VIVA LA compilation from Italy. Other songs include LEARNING TO LIVE, LAST DREAM, and NO SYMPATHY. The band, composed of Eddie Mooney, Dan Duarte, and Dirk Vandenberg provides us with material which is a little more literary and a little more trenchant than your average Mariah Carey disc. CD: $12.00

STUKAS OVER BEDROCK

The Age of Aquariums (Happy Squid)

The STUKAS are known variously as the "comedy-punk band that time forgot (Southern California Alliance for Survival--honest!), a band whose lyrics "extol the virtues of Yogi Bear as a youth roll model" (Maximum Rock 'n' Roll), and "the leading purveyors of Pre-Cambrian rock (themselves). On The Age of Aquariums, the STUKAS cover such pertinent concepts as living on the edge--on a budget ("Four Bucks"), intergalactic territorialism ("Locals Only"), and gloom 'n' doom asa way of life ("Burned," a SWANS soundalike). Beware of the occasional indelicacy for these STUKA boys deal in brutal parody for painful times. Or, as one astute fan wrote, "your a very good band your grate." LP: $7.00 (4)

TEN FOOT FACES

Ten Foot Faces (Independent Project)

TEN FOOT FACES is, as the name suggests, a wall of sound based upon SoCal surf music. This, their debut release, is an ep featuring "Don't Want Love" and two others, produced by the band and Vitus Matare (TROTSKY ICEPICK). As is customary with the label, this package includes familiar hand-printed card stock cover. 7" EP: $4.00

TROTSKY ICEPICK

TROTSKY ICEPICK began as DANNY AND THE DOORKNOBS when Vitus Matare and Kjehl Johansen teamed up following the demise of their bands, THE LAST and 100 FLOWERS, respectively. The initial emphasis was on songwriting and recording, but with their third release, BABY, and its college radio hit "Bury Manilow," the band began to play live with greater frequency.

DANNY AND THE DOORKNOBS: Poison Summer (Old Scratch/SST)

The first album by what became TROTSKY ICEPICK -- our vinyl version is the original in all its limited edition, clear vinyl pristineness, while the cassette & CD contain the SST re-issue, which has been entirely remixed and includes three extra tracks (plus a bonus track on the CD). CD: $12.00 / LP: $7.00 / cassette: $7.00

Poison Summer (Old Scratch/SST)

TROTSKY ICEPICK's second album has the same title as the first--now the band name has changed! The self-released LP comes pressed in a finely marbled black and white vinyl. As above, the CD and cassette versions offered are the new SST rereleases, complete with three remixes and two previously-unreleased tunes. CD: $12.00 / LP: $7.00 / cassette: $7.00

Baby (SST)

TI's third record and debut SST debut disc, which features the college radio hit "Bury Manilow" and some instructional tunes like "A Little Push at the Top of the Stairs." Features the third lineup in as many albums: Vitus Matare, Kjehl Johansen, John Rosewall, and Jason Kahn. The CD has two bonus tracks. CD: $12.00 / LP: $7.00 / cassette: $7.00

El Kabong (SST)

The 'pick's fourth album, featuring new drummer Hunter Crowley (once again, ex-LAST) and vocalist John Talley-Jones (100 FLOWERS, RADWASTE), explores new psychic terrain. The sound is tougher, the themes darker. Features MAGAZINE's "The Light Pours Out of Me," and Vitus's mean take on ELTON JOHN, "Long Grey Baggy Soul." CD: $12.50 / LP: $7.50 / cassette: $7.50

The Ultraviolet Catastrophe (SST)

Album #5 celebrates Love, Betrayal, Pestilence, the Iraqi Supergun, Italian B-Movie Icons, the Physical Sciences, Comic Book Superheroes, and the like with a sonic crunch and a melodic sixth sense. Features the band's covers of TELEVISION's "Venus" and THE MONOCHROME SET's "Alphaville." CD: $12.50 / cassette: $7.50

Carpetbomb the Riff (SST)

Ex-MIDDLE CLASS bassist Mike Patton joins the band, along with new drummer John Glogovac, resulting in a tougher attack. Features "Imaging Neptune" and "Bad Girls Go to Hell." CD: $13.00 / cassette: $8.00

VENA CAVA

VENA CAVA was an early 90s power trio composed of John Talley-Jones (100 FLOWERS, RADWASTE), David Nolte (WEDNESDAY WEEK, MARIA MCKEE), and Debbie Spinelli (HOLY SISTERS OF THE GAGA DADA, CINDY LEE BERRYHILL). They have been described as sounding like "METALLICA crossed with the PIXIES," which is flattering but probably inaccurate.

Desert Mercy / Garden (Calamari Sound / Happy Squid)

Two original songs by the Los Angeles-based trio in a convenient, portable 7" vinyl format, which showcases this band's punchy, melodic and direct approach. DESERT MERCY was produced by Earle Mankey (SPARKS, CONCRETE BLONDE) at his studio, with GARDEN produced by band guitarist David Nolte. 7" single: $3.50

This Perfect Day (VENA CAVA) / (I'm) Stranded (TROTSKY ICEPICK) (Calamari Soud / Happy Squid)

Here are two early SAINTS covers on a split-artist single. The TROTSKY side is also available on the import-only tribute release "Neurotically Yours," while the VENA CAVA side is exclusive to this disc. A charming blast of crunchy nostalgia rocketed into contemporanea. 7" single: $3.50