As I was working on my “Best Albums of 2015” , I realized that there is a category that is just as important to us music junkies. And that category would be .. my favorite Record Labels : Again just like the best albums list, these labels are not going to be listed in any kind of order. For me , all the labels that I will post about in the next few days are the ones that I gravitate towards. What all these labels have in common is, integrity. I am going to start with Hidden Volume Records. I’ve worked with Scott at Hidden Volume Records for close to 2 years. I absolutely jam to every band that he works with. The art work that comes with each 7 is outstanding and the music is always top notch. As we head into the shopping days of this holiday season, I encourage all of you to have a look at all that Hidden Volume offers. There is something for everybody on your list and if that list includes shopping for yourself, go crazy.. Below are just a few of the Records you can order and send to that certain very special music junkie..
After a string of “Coolest Song in The World” hits on Sirius/XM Underground Garage and many acclaimed LPs, The Man from Maine in Spain delivers two sides of power pop and garage for Hi-Vo Recs! “Give It Up” is pure Stiff Records-inspired goodness on the A-Side while “Motion Devotion” sees Kurt exploring his fuzz-filled garage side. Limited to 300 copies with the first 100 on electric blue vinyl AND shipping with an exclusive KB Combo patch! First come, first serve. Give it up, people.
The latest from Hi-Vo regulars, The Stents and The Improbables and the third release in our Factory Series (first two being The Ar-Kaics and Quitty & The Don’ts). First up, Baltimore with the irrepressible thunder of The Traits’ classic, “Nobody Loves The Hulk”. Philly takes the second side with the garage rage of “Gotta Calm Down” —cut during the “Bad Vibrations” sessions. Limited edition of 300, 150 on purple vinyl, 150 on red vinyl (random unless specified). Comes with download card and custom screen printed Factory Sleeve.
Philadelphia’s premier mod-soul combo makes the scene with two cuts of organ driven instro-mental madness. Recorded direct to tape at Scantron Studios, The GTVs give it to you in MONO. There’s organ, there’s horns, there’s only one mic on the drums. The way it should be. First 100 copies sold on Double Mint Green wax. Total edition of 300. Sleeve designed by X10, jacket printed on extra heavy Stoughton tip-on jacket. Each single comes with a Hi-Vo “Mono or Stereo” 45 adapter.
Two country punk infused tunes from Cleveland’s demented roots rockers, The Whiskey Daredevils. The raucous A-side sprung from an overheard conversation at a dive bar in central Ohio and the slow burning flip side has been called “the worst possible song title.”—by the band itself. Features two ex-Cowslingers and a guy who sometimes plays in reformed proto-punks Rocket From The Tombs. Heavy on the reverb and twang, pal. First 250 are on GOLD wax and first 50 orders ship with exclusive Whiskey Daredevils “Don’t Talk to Connie” frosty beverage koozie! But that’s not all! If you order from hiddenvolume.com you’ll get an exclusive BONUS DOWNLOAD unreleased live cut of “Empty Out the Shake” recorded last year at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH. We’re that nice. Printed on super heavy board with cover art by the one and only Carl Nielson (BellTowers, Stents “Limbs” covers). Edition of 500.
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and a few words from Scott and what we can look forward to as we head towards 2016….
“2016 will bring a ton of new releases and some big surprises. The first offerings of the new year will include a 10” 6 song EP from Brooklyn garage-pop masters The Above, a killer single from France’s Missing Souls and the second issue of our zine “7&7 Is” featuring a flexi with songs by Portland, OR’s The Sellwoods and Philly’s own surf mutants, The Primitive Finks. The biggest news is we will be releasing our first LPs from Philly’s The Improbables as well as DC garage soul stompers The Hall Monitors! And stay tuned for singles from Party Lights (NY), Swamps (Japan), Pow Wows (Toronto) and The Beginner’s Mynd (DC) in the first part of the year. The NOW Sound of NOW is happening!”
