OUT NOW!
SURPRISE 005 | LOSER LIFE - FRIENDS WITH A DEMON LP
LOSER LIFE are back with their 2nd full length LP! After several months of touring, a handful of 7"s, a 12" and an album on MAGIC BULLET they have mastered their Chicago meets DC by way of Bakersfield sound. This time some darker elements and a great recording take things to the next level. An explosive mix that brings to mind bands like ARTICLES OF FAITH, NAKED RAYGUN or BORN AGAINST. LOSER LIFE comes from a place called Bakersfield, California, an area the band has numerously described as “the armpit of California”. This is what LOSER LIFE is influenced by and the band's sound makes their pleasant description seem all too realistic. LOSER LIFE is dirty, grimy, filthy and fucking pissed off at their little hole in the world and the world in general. They play music with a glass half-empty feeling with a glass overflowing the brim spirit.
First press are 1000 copies, 800 on black vinyl (mourning the late Farrah Fawcett) and 200 on sick looking silver wax (available only in the TBSR mailorder or from LOSER LIFE on their upcoming European Tour) housed in a massive gatefold jacket with artwork by DEREK ERDMAN (www.derekerdman.com). I can't be happier with how this record came together.
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AUTISTIC YOUTH - SARTRE SHIRT
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LOSER LIFE HATE THE POLICE SHIRT
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OUT NOW!
SURPRISE 004 | LOSER LIFE - MY HELL 12"
Euro Repress as a one-sided 12" with silkscreen art on the flip. Scheduled for February 2009. On MY HELL, the Bakersfield Four blast through 5 tracks of melodic hardcore punk a la NAKED RAYGUN, ARTICLES OF FAITH, LEATHERFACE, etc. After a handful of EPs, an LP on MAGIC BULLET and a few thousand miles worth of touring, it is clear that LOSER LIFE have mastered their Chicago meets DC by way of Bakersfield sound. With lyrics focusing on disconnection and the inability to function properly in a relationship without falling into the realm of self pity, MY HELL is perfect punk music for when the skies are cloudy and gray!!
First press will be 750 copies - 550 on black, 200 on limited white vinyl available for mailorder onlyl!
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OUT NOW!
SURPRISE 003 | AUTISTIC YOUTH / COLA FREAKS - split 7"
Both bands have 2 songs on this one. Raging KBD tunes by COLA FREAKS from Aarhus, DK recorded by Mr JAY REATARD and AUTISTIC YOUTH return with two melodic smashers that will blow you away. This record is a cooperation with SABOTAGE RECORDS, NARSHARDAA and BLACK WATER RECORDS. The first press will be 1500 on black vinyl.
Portland's jailbait hook-core ragers AUTISTIC YOUTH were just here on tour with DEFECT DFEFECT, but unfortunately I missed them due to being in Scotland. Their atmospheric, moody anthems would have been the perfect soundtrack to the cold, grey landscape of my trip. COLA FREAKS' hyperactive jerky, upbeat punk provides a less depressive compliment to the AUTISTIC YOUTH side. Only two tracks each, but you'll keep flipping it over and over again. (AM) - MAXIMUM ROCK'N'ROLL 309
Autistic Youth: This band has definitely been doing its share of touring and releasing records as of late and if you haven’t checked them out yet, now would be a good time. Their brand of moody, mid-tempo punk is leveling listeners everywhere. These songs are so epic and atmospheric while still being melodic, they could easily fit as background songs in a movie, which at first turned me off from their recent 7” on Rock Bottom Records, but now I’ve accepted it and consider myself a fan. Cola Freaks: If the Ramones had actually all been brothers and raised in a circus that traveled the European countryside, I have the feeling they would have sounded like the Cola Freaks. Their tracks were recorded by the always eccentric Jay Reatard. Don’t let this release slip past you. –Daryl Gussin (Blackwater/ Taken By Surprise/Sabotage) - RAZORCAKE
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OUT NOW!
SURPRISE 002 | THE OBSERVERS - DOWN ON TODAY 7"
This record features 4 songs from the first OBSERVERS demo recorded in 2003. Tracked in Colin's room and mixed in Doug's this 4 track demo was first released on tape and then on CD-R. It was only sold at the first shows THE OBSERVERS played. Tracks are: SHORT DAY, DOWN ON TODAY, CAN'T BE SAD and STATE OF DECAY. This 7" will be pressed for one time only wrapped in a silkscreen cover. There will be 1000 copies, 800 on black and 200 on green vinyl.
Here is the original demo from the now-defunct OBSERVERS, pressed into 1000 pieces of vinyl with spooky, shimmering silk-screened covers. It's got four fast, raw jams that were recorded on a four track in a damp Portland bedroom in 2003 and were later re-recorded for other releases. This recording is exactly as under-produced and sloppy as I wish some of other OBSERVERS records were and it has some of the best stuff I've heard from them. Even in the beginning, they played great, up-beat, catchy punk, but the melodic aspects of their music shine through way less on this superbly fuzzy and trashy recording, and despite a couple of moments of off-key singing, it's an excellent EP. (DA) - MAXIMUM ROCK'N'ROLL 309
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OUT NOW!
SURPRISE 001 | AUTISTIC YOUTH - LANDMINE BEACH LP
Hailing from Portland, Oregon these 4 youngsters are influenced heavily by classic 80's bands like the WIPERS or ADOLESCENTS but also more recent outifts like THE OBSERVERS or THE EXPLODING HEARTS. On this LP they deliver 11 songs of anthemic and heartfelt punkrock that will make you dance dance dance! The first press will be 1000 copies, 800 on black and 200 on orange vinyl. All of them will have a silkscreened cover. First press is sold out, second press is available! 1000 copies in regular jackets on black wax. In cooperation with the cool cat from SABOTAGE RECORDS!
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COMING SOON:
SURPRISE 006 | SUSPECT PARTS - MANEATER 7"
SURPRISE 007 | MARVELOUS DARLINGS - SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER 7"
SURPRISE 008 | AUTISTIC YOUTH 2nd LP
SURPRISE 009 | DEFECT DEFECT 12"
SURPRISE 010 | SEDATIVES 7"
SURPRISE 011 | IDLE HANDS 7"
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