Category Archives: editorial

Crosley Record Player

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crosley-record-player

I seem to remember seeing one of these great Crosley turntables at Target, of all places. I really love the old-fashioned design of this Crosley record player, combined with the built-in CD player.

My friends in Hyperbubble have a Crosley record player in the guest bathroom, the perfect place to chill out to some glorious vinyl albums which relaxing in a hot bath. Add an ice cold beer and you have perfection.

Best thing about the Crosley picture here? It’s under a hundred bucks. Those old Devo records never sounded better than when you’re relaxing in the bath after a rotten day’s work.

Tape Record Madness

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turntable-tape-record

What happens when you replace the cartridge of a standard turntable and replace it with a tape recorder head? What happens when you create a giant sticky pile of shredded cassette tape on a record platter and spin it on your newly mutated record player? You get this kind of insanity courtesy of F7 Sound and Vision. I have to say, tape manipulation was never THIS bizarre…I love this for reasons I can’t even begin to fathom. You can even hear the results of this mad experiment, though I found myself wishing you could hear snippets of what was actually recorded on the tape as this “played” on the record player. John Oswald, beware! This site also gives you instructions for creating a similar experiment using FLOPPY DISKS.

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(Right after I wrote this I found a second Mp3 sample where you CAN hear mutilated bits of what was on the original tapes before they were shredded and mashed like this. Bravo!)

Zombie Disco Night

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zombie-discoMany thanks to all who came out for Zombie Disco at Chicago’s Viaduct Theatre. A great time, tons of tunes, and the zombies were out in full decaying regalia. I spun for FIVE HOURS and let me tell you, that’s a musical kamikaze mission if there ever was one!

Was great to have the turnout  of what seemed to be  the majority of Chicago Horror Society members on this–the undead came out in force and were truly appreciative of the DJ disco attack. The evening started with Throbbing Gristle, ended up with some dub reggae, with a staggering collection of disco classics and obscurities thrown in between for good measure. I really enjoyed mashing up Throbbing Gristle with German disco sounds in the beginning of the set.

This site has been a bit sleepy as of late due to massive work, but we are still breathing and prepping for a new massive attack of vinyl-related goodness. Stay tuned. In the meantime, special thanks to the Horror Society crew and all who attended to make the Zombie Disco night a great success!

Introducing Bubblegum Records

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bubblegum-records-uk

Glasgow was my first exposure to Scotland, and I’ve loved it ever since. I’ve heard since visiting that it’s the Scot version of Limerick in Ireland, AKA “Stab City” but I never say anything remotely ugly in Glasgow. Besides, Belle and Sebastian are from there so it couldn’t possibly be all that bad, could it? 

hyperbubble-back-coverhyperbubble-better-set-your-phasers-to-stun

But I digress–Glasgow is also home to the new, fun, and very cool record label Bubblegum Records.  This is a label worth watching. The first release by Bubblegum is from none other than Texas-based Hyperbubble, with a glorious five-song maxi single CD/download titled Better Set Your Phasers To Stun.

Transparency alert–the photography for the Hyperbubble CD is by none other than yours truly–I shot the band while on a recent trip to San Antonio. But this five-song release is a perfect new wave/synthpop confection. (It also features a vocal guest appearance by the great Helen Love. If you don’t know who she is, Helen’s the one who claims to listen ONLY to the Ramones.)

Listen to two of the great tracks from this five song maxi-single and get hooked.  The official release is June 8. ..three cheers to Bubblegum Records in Scotland and three more to Hyperbubble and Helen Love. RECOMMENDED.