BOX OF 7"s: Episode 1

Let's begin the journey through my box of seven-inch records, shall we? I've sorted them all alphabetically by artist and I counted them. There's 76! Here we go...


ANDON - s/t
199?, Dick Army Recs., Austin, TX

Everytime I look at this one, I think of Snakepit's quote about every seven-inch in the dollar bin represents some white boy's broken dream. That doesn't mean this record is a failure, it's OK. Standard 90s post-hardcore screamy chunkiness with some speedy parts. I'm sure I had a reason for rescuing this from the dollar bin, but I can't remember why. Some cute guy probably recommended it to me. I also like it when grandparents are thanked in the notes. Oh, and you know what? I found an old Sound Exchange gift certificate in the sleeve! I still had $8 in credit left!


BASEBALL FURIES - I Hate Your Secret Club
2001, Estrus Records, Bellingham, WA

What can I say about the Baseball Furies? A great band out of Chicago, by way of Buffalo. I became friends with these dudes when they got bumped from a show at Emo's and walked into Sound Exchange looking for a place to play. They did, and it was for me, another employee and a few shoppers with a high tolerance for volume. It was a great show that no one saw and impressed me. We got drunk together at Casino and the rest is party time history. This record has their first drummer, Dapper Dan, who was a cool guy that I've never seen again. What happened to him?
This is the first record they put out on Estrus and it's a good one. To me, it sounds like when you get drunk in an uncomfortable social setting. "I don't really wanna be here, but at least there's booze!" which leads to "Why is your boss so fat? I said, 'WHY IS YOUR BOSS SO FAT?" That leads to "Why are you mad at me? Are we leaving? No, I want another drink! Why can't I STAY?!"


BASEBALL FURIES - This is the Greatest Rock-n-Roll Record Ever!
1996, Big Neck Records, Buffalo, NY

This is the first Baseball Furies release, I believe. It's on grey marble vinyl and is hand numbered 116 out of 300. Not as good as their later tunes, but still pretty sweet. I wish I could find the picture of me and Jim from the Furies dancing to Pink's "Get the Party Started" on top of a van painted in Green Bay Packers logos.

See? $8.32!