***On the heels of End Of An Ear’s well received Grave City compilation of studio recordings, 12XU is releasing two live albums from Dallas’ incredibly influential and fucked-before-their-time STICK MEN WITH RAY GUNS, Property Of Jesus Christ (recorded in 1984 at Houston’s Lawndale Art Annex) and 1000 Lives To Die (recorded in 1987 at Dallas’ Theatre Gallery during the band’s final show). Recordings have been restored / beefed up by JACK CONTROL of Enormous Door Mastering, and lacquers cut by MATT BARNHART at Chicago Mastering Service, befitting these crucial documents of one of US punk’s most fearless outfits at the peak of their powers. Though the material has been available on CD and digital download previously, this is the first time these performances from the foursome of BOBBY SOXX, CLARKE BLACKER, SCOTT ELAM, and BOB BEEMAN have been issued on vinyl. Has any American band before or since come close to making antagonism an art form? I’m sure your short list is fascinating, maybe even worth arguing over. But I’d rather play these albums again. Short of a time machine, it’s as close as you’ll come to being in the thick of unique moments in band vs. audience history that’s unlikely to be matched by anyone in 2016, try as they might. “I fondly remember Bobby Soxx on his back porch…chopping bibles with a meat clever and throwing a color television at a Mexican family. This band murdered Dallas.”—Gibby Haynes
LP $15.50
10/14/2016
***On the heels of End Of An Ear’s well received Grave City compilation of studio recordings, 12XU is releasing two live albums from Dallas’ incredibly influential and fucked-before-their-time STICK MEN WITH RAY GUNS, Property Of Jesus Christ (recorded in 1984 at Houston’s Lawndale Art Annex) and 1000 Lives To Die (recorded in 1987 at Dallas’ Theatre Gallery during the band’s final show). Recordings have been restored / beefed up by JACK CONTROL of Enormous Door Mastering, and lacquers cut by MATT BARNHART at Chicago Mastering Service, befitting these crucial documents of one of US punk’s most fearless outfits at the peak of their powers. Though the material has been available on CD and digital download previously, this is the first time these performances from the foursome of BOBBY SOXX, CLARKE BLACKER, SCOTT ELAM, and BOB BEEMAN have been issued on vinyl. Has any American band before or since come close to making antagonism an art form? I’m sure your short list is fascinating, maybe even worth arguing over. But I’d rather play these albums again. Short of a time machine, it’s as close as you’ll come to being in the thick of unique moments in band vs. audience history that’s unlikely to be matched by anyone in 2016, try as they might. “I fondly remember Bobby Soxx on his back porch…chopping bibles with a meat clever and throwing a color television at a Mexican family. This band murdered Dallas.”—Gibby Haynes
LP $15.50
10/14/2016
***Dallas, Texas’ STICK MEN WITH RAY GUNS was one of the most caustic and dangerous punk bands to ever exist, casting a long shadow that continues to darken those who stumble in out of the sun. Performing for much of the 1980s, the band lived to antagonize audiences (and one another) in a twisted display of love that showcased their departed frontman BOBBY SOXX's vehemently anti-Christian views, radical art, and twist of self-destruction. Guitarist CLARKE BLACKER could bend two chords into a hateful dirge and a complete breakdown of musical structure. The rhythm section of bassist BOB BEEMAN and drummer SCOTT ELAM perfected the midnight thud of interminable tempos that extended time for the purpose of putting the boot down on unsuspecting crowd members’ throats. Violence at their shows was always anticipated, and the group built up a powerful reputation for their live presence and transgressive content without ever leaving their home state. They have no equal in modern music and likely never will, though many have and will get part of the way there. Stick Men With Ray Guns never released a proper record in their own time. This is where End of an Ear comes in with Grave City, the premiere release on the beloved Austin, TX’s record store’s new imprint. Together for the first time, here is every single studio track that was ever recorded by Stick Men With Ray Guns along with the two live tracks (plus one bonus track) as originally released on the...
LP $15.75
12/18/2015