08.26.2010
The summer is just about over but the fun is certainly carrying over into the Autumn season here at Rok Lok HQ. As I am sure most of you have seen some changes have taken place at the website as Bandcamp media players have been integrated on the releases page for each release. There are a few titles missing but don't worry all will have an accompanying player so you stream the entire Rok Lok discography. I have also added links to our Tumblr, and Last FM pages, please be sure to add us. And lastly but certainly not least the track "Meeper Sleeper" from the upcoming SANDY CITY "Surfn' WA" one sided 12 inch has been added to the Rok Lok Radio Player. At the pressing plant right now is the DUDE JAPAN "Teenage Summer EP" 7 inch lathe and later this week the "I Know Why They Call it Pop" tape compilation is going to press. Speaking of which...
I want to sincerely thank everyone who submitted music to the "I Know Why They Call It Pop" tape compilation and for everyone's kind anticipation. I didn't foresee the delay in putting this together but when it came down to it I just wanted to make the best damn compilation that I possibly could. So without further delay I would like to formally announce the track listing for the "I Know Why They Call It Pop" tape comp. If you are on this list and I haven't been in touch with you please drop me a line so I can get your address to send you some tapes. The artwork is being finalized right now and it will be going to press in a next week, for real. The final tape will be in a yellow clam shell with a full color j-card and a fold out insert. And did I mention that all of these tracks are exclusive to this comp? So...drum roll please...
side a
1. Tiny Sheep "Eyes or Something Like It"
2. Sloane Peterson "Bridges"
3. Babe Florida "Pe de Amoras"
4. Blanket Truth "Hide Yourself"
5. The Only Ghost in Town "See You Around the Galaxy"
6. Hi Guy "Hey Lady"
7. Screen House Music "January 14 2009"
8. Tyler Kuliberda "Pop Song #2"
9. Sure Toss "Another Girl of My Dreams"
10. Destructasaurus Rex "youknowhatimsayin?youknowhatimean?"
side b
11. Beta Male John Wayne "Pieces In"
12. Swell As Hell "Painting Naked By the River"
13. Shaolin Finger Jab "Shaolin Dream"
14. Golden Gurls "Shelved"
15. Animauled "Plaster Cast of Semenya "
16. Howard the Duck "Pug Life"
17. Big R "Just Wait Enemy Coming"
18. Stars Are Insane "I Said It"
19. Little Swimmers "Stand Like the Child of a Ghost"
And if you are going "who?" then good. This project is intended to document the music people play and record in their bedrooms, basements, garages, etc just cause with out a care of a scene, record label, or whatever. Some of these projects never have recorded more than one song and perhaps maybe never intended to share their music with anyone outside of a small group of friends. While some of these projects are a little more established or prolific in that they make a 50 cd-rs or tapes of their latest album or whatever. The main point is that I feel these projects, while all different in their own way a capture a spirit that personally I feel is lost in the majority of independent music. From hipsters touting lo fi as an fashion accessory to bands with their comical yet biblical in nature bios/press kits. All of it seems so removed from what I love about indie rock. I grew up worshiping the output of labels like Shrimper, Sonic Enemy, K Records, Catsup Plate, X-Mas and Flannel Banjo. This is my tribute to those labels and the wonderful artists they have released records for over the years. It is also serves as a tribute to the wonderful Pop Narcotic compilation "Why Do You Think They Call It Pop?" which has been one of my favorite compilations for nearly 15 years now. That compilation as well as many other great comps releases in the 90s were special and served as means to define and document as opposed to just being some crass marketing tool that ends up never being listened to. I feel strongly that "I Know Why They Call It Pop" follows in the footsteps of all those great comps I spent my youth listening to and will be something that you will want to listen to.
One last piece of business to attend to...In cleaning out the vaults about 25 pieces of STARS ARE INSANE "Nine Untitled Songs" cd-r were found. To obtain one of these incredibly intricate handmade gems head on over to the releases page. Mixing is currently being completed for the long awaited new STARS ARE INSANE album "A Plan...A Perfect Disaster" which will have a release date announced shortly.
08.12.2010
The FELLOW PROJECT "Boots" 7 inch is out and ready to ship! All pre-orders will ship on Friday August 13th. And any pending trades/wholesale orders will all be shipped out by next week. This 7 inch was a long time in the making and easily from start to finish one of the best records I have ever put out. You would be an absolute damned fool if you didn't pick this up. Yeah I said it... Need further convincing stream the record right now.
Also be sure to check out the FELLOW PROJECT tour dates on the events page.
Did you hear Rok Lok is on BANDCAMP? Oh joy! You can now stream in their entirety just about every release in the Rok Lok Records discography. There are still a few missing but they shall be uploaded shortly. Listen all you want here. However, at this current juncture there are only a few select releases available for sale digitally. And stay tuned as I'll have albums and songs free for download from time to time. Here are the available titles for digital sale:
FELLOW PROJECT "BOOTS"
DUDE JAPAN "SIMPLE LIVING"
THE ONLY GHOST IN TOWN "THE SUMMER WAS OVER BEFORE IT BEGAN"
DUDE JAPAN/WEED HOUNDS "SPLIT" (Only the Dude Japan tracks!)
DUDE JAPAN "TEENAGE SUMMER EP"
YES SENSEI "3 SONGS"
YES SENSEI "S/T"
STARS ARE INSANE "SO. I DREAMED OF NOISE" (Only the bonus disc of unreleased/live material. The individual albums coming soon)
STARS ARE INSANE "9 UNTITLED SONGS"
YES SENSEI "WE WHO TRANSPLANT SUSTAIN"
YES SENSEI "WHAT I DO BEST IS WHAT I DO WORST"
BOOK STORE "S/T"
STARS ARE INSANE "JUSTIN AGE 8"
STARS ARE INSANE "GRACIAS"
Distro Update:
Chalk Talk "The Food Chain" 7 inch
Daniel Striped Tiger "The Desert Bird" cd-r
Hawkes "MMVIII" cd-r
Kidcrash "Jokes" cassette
Kidcrash "Snacks" cassette
Maladie/Drowning With Our Anchors "split" 10 inch
Greg Weeks/[[[VVRSSNN]]] "Quiet Weather Singles Series" 7 inch
Weed Hounds "Beach Bummed" 7 inch
07.22.2010
The test presses have arrived for FELLOW PROJECT "Boots" 7 inch and have been approved. This incredibly delayed, yet awesome record may now officially hold the all time record in Rok Lok history for delays. But now that all of that nonsense is behind everyone people can FINALLY get to hear this absolutely incredible record. This one has been a long time in the making as Joe & Tia of FELLOW PROJECT have been long time friends of mine whose music has inspired me for about 12 years now. I have always wanted to do a record for FELLOW PROJECT and for whatever stupid reason it took me this long to make it happen. And I couldn't be more excited to share these four brand new amazing tracks with everyone. 4 tracks of rocking indie rock with great lyrics and vocals. Take the lyrical gusto of Lou Reed channeled through stuff like Television and The Feelies with a bit more of a modern approach. I even hear some Cursive and Grifters in here. Indie rock that actually rocks. Features ex- members of Bridge & Tunnel,On the Might of Princes and Yes Sensei. A limited pressing of 300 with full color covers and a insert. Head on over to the releases page scroll down a bit and pre order FELLOW PROJECT "Boots" 7 inch for $5 PPD in the US of A. Like I said the test presses have been approved and the turn around for arrival of final records should be about another 2 weeks, meaning that all pre-orders will be packed and shipped out within 3 weeks from now. Additionally FELLOW PROJECT will be on tour this August so please check the events page.
Yet another of the soon to be formerly delayed releases, I happy to announce that in a few short short weeks the SANDY CITY "Surfin' WA" one sided 12 inch will be going to press. I first heard SANDY CITY when the tape version of "Surfin' WA" on Fox Pop Recording Co. showed up in my PO Box many months ago and within minutes my mind was blown. This is the type of stuff I just absolutely love! Lo fi indie rock/surf punk that meshes together bands like Cause Co-Motion!, Eric's Trip, Crayon with Husker Du and The Beach Boys. Just absolutely infectious short blasts of fuzzed out pop that resonates so well. The only thing that bums me out about this record is that I wish I could've start taking orders a few months ago so right now you could be rocking this perfect summer album. Now you'll be able to spin it while watching the leaves fall and "Surfin' WA" will have you throwing a beach party regardless. This one sided 12 inch features 8 songs and has a silk screened b-side. And everything is housed in a fold over cover with insert.
In the next update I shall have the final track listing and artwork for the "I Know Why They Call It Pop" tape comp and info on the DUDE JAPAN "Teenage Summer EP(demo" limited edition 7 inch lathe. Also, there are only about 10 copies of DUDE JAPAN "Simple Living" cd-r left.
Distro News:
1994! "fckyrhead" lp
Bad Indians "Live From the Burial Mound" lp
Empire! Empire!/Football Etc. "split" 7 inch
Fleshies "Brown Bag" cassette
Gypsy "4 Song Tape" cassette
Jack Palance Band "Get This Shit Underway" lp
Madeline "White Flag" cassette
Men As Trees "Weltschmerz" cassette
Paramedic/Spraynard "split" 7 inch
Perfect Future "s/t" cd
Sandy City "Nice Hat" 7 inch (restock)
Sloane Peterson "Second Chances" 7 inch
Snowing "Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit" 7 inch
Wax Phantom "Don't Fool With a Phantom" cd-r
Witches/Honky Horn & Bad Mouth "split" 7 inch
Your Heart Breaks "Love is a Long Dark Road" cassette
06.24.2010
I am down to about 15 copies of DUDE JAPAN "Simple Living: cd-r so be sure to order your copy today. The tape version on LOST SOUND TAPES will be out soon. Also stay tuned as ordering info will be going up in a few weeks for the ultra limited DUDE JAPAN lathe cut 7 inch of their original 4 song "Teenage Summer" demo.
FELLOW PROJECT "Boots" 7 inch will finally be available for ordering in a few more short weeks. Test presses are expected to arrive very shortly. Trust me this one will definitely be worth the wait.
Oklahoma's DAMEZUMARI is embarking on a tour with friends And There Stand Empires. The dates are listed below and more detailed info is on the events page. And for those interested I still have copies left of DAMEZUMARI's latest release, "Hope Inscribed on Handbills" 7 inch. Additionally videos were recently taken at a tour warm up show, check them out:
"Groundhog Day"
"All"
Damezumari/And There Stand Empires Tour Dates:
July 5th Kansas City, MO @ The Taffy House
July 6th St Louis, Mo @ Lemp Arts
July7th Chicago, IL @ Treasure Town
July 8th Lansing, MI @ Basement 414
July 9th Bethlehem, PA @ Secret Art Space
July 10th Brooklyn, NY @ Stolen Sleeves Collective
July 11th Frederick, MD @ Krasner's Basement
July 12th DC or Virginia HELP NEEDED
July 13th Charlotte, NC @ Pura Vida Gypsy Lounge
July 14th Atlanta, GA @ Wonder Root
July 15th Oxford, MI @ house/radio show
July 16th Fayetteville, AR- HELP NEEDED
06.11.2010
I have been hauling ass trying to get back into top form and I appreciate everyone's patience in waiting for some of these releases that have been due out for many, many months now. Holding people's interest for more than a few minutes is hard so I genuine appreciate the emails I have gotten asking when such record is coming out. Every release I am committed to will be out before the summer is over. Real life got a bit messy for awhile, and while nothing outside of the ordinary juggling act it still proved to be a roadblock of sorts. So with that being said, any orders are greatly appreciated and every penny is going to fund all of these great new projects as well as bring in even more stuff for the distro.
Also in one further step in getting with the times I have started a Tumblr page for Rok Lok. Feel free to add us! I'll be doing the usual updates as well as daily distro updates, "Song of the Day" feature as well as some other cool stuff. Add us here
Now availabe for order is the DUDE JAPAN "Simple Living" cd-r. Taken from the same sessions as the material found on the split 7 inch with WEED HOUNDS, DUDE JAPAN is back with six song ep called "Simple Living". DUDE JAPAN continues to create their own blend of super melodic, buzzing guitar indie rock pop bliss culling influences from such bands as Velocity Girl, Superchunk, Further, Tiger Trap, and Built to Spill amongst others. "Simple Living" is chock full of toe tapping and head bopping goodness! This cd-r is hand stamped in is packaged in a thick full color sleeve in polybag with a insert. This is a limited edition of 100. This ep includes a Tiger Trap cover! "Simple Living" will be pressed on cassette later this year by Lost Sound Tapes. Order for the cd-r $5 PPD.Up next for DUDE JAPAN is very limited 7 inch lathe pressing of their original 4 song demo. Details coming VERY soon. The cassette version with three exclusive bonus tracks (no these songs will NOT be on the 7 inch) is still available from Dead Broke Records. In August DUDE JAPAN will be heading into the studio to record their full length album which should come out in the fall as a 12 inch/cd and most likely a cassette as well. If there are any labels interested in helping please get in touch.
THE ONLY GHOST IN TOWN "The Summer Was Over Before It Began" tape has been out for a bit and nearly half the pressing is gone of this fantastic release! Pick up your copy before it is too late.THE ONLY GHOST IN TOWN plays super infectious lo fi indie pop/shoegaze that is in the vein of bands like Further, The Summer Hits, Drop Nineteens, Veronica Lake and Jesus & Mary Chain. Short bursts of fuzzed out pop tunes that begs multiple replays. This pro duped tape is imprinted on white clam shells and packed in beautiful full color artwork. Limited to 100 pieces. $5 PPD in the US.
05.15.2010
Hey everybody before I dive into the new update I have some important news. Good friends and supporters of Rok Lok and the bands on the label (and LI music as a whole), the wonderful Mr Beery's in Bethpage has run into some trouble with "the man" if you will and could use everyone's help. A Facebook group has been created so please check it out get the details and show them your support. Check it out here.
It seems like every release I have lately is a long time in the making but such is the struggles of balancing real life with what I want to do with the label. So it would seem that this one would be no different...THE ONLY GHOST IN TOWN "The Summer Was Over Before It began" tapes are ready to order. They sound and look great! THE ONLY GHOST IN TOWN plays super infectious lo fi indie pop/shoegaze that is in the vein of bands like Further, The Summer Hits, Drop Nineteens, Veronica Lake and Jesus & Mary Chain. Short bursts of fuzzed out pop tunes that begs multiple replays. This pro duped tape is imprinted on white clam shells and packed in beautiful full color artwork. Limited to 100 pieces.
In another step in getting with the times I have assembled a sampler of sorts that has tracks from upcoming and recent releases as well as some older but still available (and rad too boot!) releases. Download it for free here.
There are several reasons I feel awful that the FELLOW PROJECT record has been so delayed, firstly as my responsibility to the band to get their record out but probably more importantly is that these songs are so incredible that it is absolute crime that it isn't on everyone's turntable right now. If you need further convincing please stream the 7 inch in its entirety on Last FM. Fortunately, for fans of awesome music won't have to wait much longer as this incredible 4 song ep is in production and should be out soon. FELLOW PROJECT play amazing, rocking indie rock with great lyrics and vocals. Take the lyrical gusto of Lou Reed channeled through stuff like Television, The Modern Lovers and The Feelies with a bit more of a modern approach. I even hear early Cursive in here. Indie rock that actually rocks. Features members of Bridge & Tunnel, and Yes Sensei as well as ex On the Might of Princes. A pressing of 300 pieces with a full color cover and insert.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am down to 8 copies of the Dude Japan/Weed Hounds "split" 7 inch. Get your copy now or miss out!! There are a few mailorder sites that have copies as well:
Jigsaw Records
Lost Sound Tapes
Dead Broke Records
Parasol Records
Up next is DUDE JAPAN "Simple Living" cd-r as well as limited 7 inch lathe pressing of their "Teenage Summer EP", "I Know Why They Call It Pop" tape comp, and SANDY CITY "Surfin' WA" 12 inch.
Distro Update:
A Flower Kollapsed "Brown Recluse" 10 inch (restock)
Charlie McAllister "Wheel of Fortune" 7 inch
Cherry Point/Dance Wounds "split" cassette
Cowboys Became Folk Heroes "Discography" lp
Dolcim "Guillotine Ride" cassette
Fellow Project/Thousandaires "split" 7 inch
Fire Team Charlie "s/t" 10 inch
Her Breath on Glass "Building Monuments to Survival" lp (restock)
Moon Socket "It's the End of the Trip" 7inch (restock)
Sandy City "Nice Hat" 7 inch (restock)
Sinaloa "s/t" one sided 12 inch
Suffix "s/t" cassette
Tugboat 3001 ad "First Tell Me Your Name" 7 inch (restock)
Weed Hounds "Best Friends" 7 inch
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