Aside from Double Plaidinum, these five albums were Lagwagon’s discography for this young listener (some 17 embarrassing years ago), which makes this exclusive box set (limited to 519 copies), all the more exceptional. Have a look, then a listen, then hunt one down online. Released by Fat Wreck Chords back in 2011, she comes with a bonus reissue of the band’s first 7″… worth the price of admission by itself. Happy hunting, kids, and happy Friday!
Tag Archives: Fat Wreck Chords
Venus Envy
Fat Wreck Chords’ subsidiary, Honest Don’s Records, was a heavy-spun favorite back in my early college days. Diesel Boy’s Strap on Seven Inch (a 7″, naturally) was my first introduction to the snotty Santa Rosa band, and I’ve been (nostalgically) hooked ever since. Venus Envy is the band’s second studio album, and just arrived on my doorstep. If you know a Don, keep him honest. If you don’t, have your way over here.
213 Flat Lines
Originally released as only one of 213 pressed on green vinyl back in 2007, The Flatliners’ first major label album, A Great Awake, received only one spin upon it’s initial reception, then was forgotten on the shelf. I remember it being new, but enjoyable, angry pop-punk. That goes without saying, as does this: this record is now in the “have to listen to” pile.
Life in the Fat Lane
Life in the Fat Lane, Fat Music Vol. 4 was my first introduction to The Ataris, and their late 90s summer classic, San Dimas High School Football Rules. They must have fallen into obscurity after that, as that was my only exposure to this crazy pop punk band. A quick Discogs check indicates that The Ataris, in fact, did NOT fall into obscurity as they put out a new, self-released album just last year. LitFL also houses Lagwagon’s May 16, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes’ My Favorite Things, and Tilt’s Old School Pig, all of which were late 90s personal classics. Anyway, enjoy your hump day, kids!One Dollar = One Vote!
A worthwhile read, courtesy of Canada’s Propagandhi, by means of the insert to their 1996 album, Less Talk, More Rock. Remember kids, ANIMAL-FRIENDLY, ANTI-FASCIST, GAY-POSITIVE, PRO-FEMINIST. Also, hurray Canada.
One of 1K
Bring home the lovable madness of these Southern California masters, The Mad Caddies. Titled, Consensual Selections, this Fat Wreck Chords comp contains many of the band’s primary selections, as well as a few previously unreleased choice cuts. Limited to 1000 copies, I’m happy I’ll never have to buy this double LP again.
Pigs Will Pay
This comical insert to Propagandhi’s 7″ from Fat Wreck Chords once hung prominently on my bedroom wall some 18 years ago (yes, I’m that old). Now, it rests, tucked away inside the rarely played 7″ which is filed inside a shoe box on the office room floor. I can’t look at this and not think of innocent times nearly two decades ago. They don’t make ’em like they used to.
Teenage Wasteland Blues
When Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues gets a spin at midnight with the fiancee asleep on the couch, it’s fairly evident that whiskey is involved. Here’s to sponge-like subconscious absorption.
Smoky Trash
Back when Lagwagon’s sophomore album, 1994’s Trashed was rereleased on colored vinyl (2008), buyers were not told which colored vinyl version they would receive. Fat Wreck Chords didn’t indicate the varying array of colors, so nobody knew how many variations of the 765 reissues there were. Then pictures started popping up on forums showcasing a coke bottle clear vinyl version. Having already owned the original, black vinyl version of Trashed, and having received a blue vinyl reissue, I decided it made plenty of sense to order another and try my luck at the coveted coke bottle clear version. What I received was this muddy purple version, and then all 765 were sold out. For the past 7 years I’ve been hunting for that damn coke bottle clear version, but those lucky bastards aren’t selling, and rightfully so. The last one sold on Discogs on 11/13 for a whopping $85, so the hunt for a reasonably priced copy continues. On a side note, I’ve since acquired yet another copy of Trashed with 2011’s Putting Music in its Place box set. It’s a great album, but I may be obsessing just a bit…
To HELL With ‘Merica
I very much wanted to rant and rave about the current state of affairs, but chose to post this cover of Canada’s finest, the uncompromising Propagandhi’s 2nd album, instead. Even within our own walls we find restriction… anyway, GO CANADA!
MXEP
If MXPX on Fat Wreck Chords seems, let’s politically say, interesting, that’s because there may very well be something interesting about a “Christian” band recording for Fat Mike’s (NOFX) record label. I can honestly say, with a semi-clear (vinyl) conscious, that I’ve MAYBE listened to this record once in the 14 years since owning it. I can’t speak for its content, only for its visual clarity.
Garbage
Lagwagon’s brand of snotty, emotionally-charged pop punk was, and still is, a staple for the Fat Wreck Chords label. The band’s longevity and continued popularity among middle class youth (now middle aged middle class) has spanned its influential wings across an impressive 23+ years. With many iterations throughout their tenure, and even more rock-solid studio releases, it doesn’t get any better than 1994’s Trashed, as far as I’m concerned. What you’re seeing here is a reissue from the 10 LP box set, Putting Music in its Place from back in ’11. A personal classic, Lagwagon continues to demand my respect.
Progress Overdue
So this guy hosted a dinner party that ran a little late and now has no photo with which to post about… so, after digging through the abandoned photo library, here is a photo from Saturday’s 1993 session in which I enjoyed the Canadian cries of Propagandhi’s How to Clean Everything at top volume while my flag-sniffing neighbors pawed at my front door. Remember the things that matter, kids.
Decoy
Artist: Good Riddance
Title: Decoy
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Format: 7”
Year: 1995
A must have since it was the 7” with that Good Riddance song (United Cigar) from that Fat Wreck comp (Fat Music for Fat People). I believe this was one of the first 50 or so records I’ve ever owned. Get ‘em while they’re young!
Another Year of Beauty
Nothing says “I love and appreciate you, happy birthday” quite like NOFX’s 2007 live album, They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live!. In the celebratory mood, the Prudent Groove wishes a heartwarming happy birthday to its favorite fan, and its number one supporter…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIDDO!
With love, the PG.
Nightmerica
Do yourself a blood-thirsty-flavor and catch-on to 2006’s Nightmerica by Love Equals Death released on Fat Mike’s own Fat Wreck Chords label. Released on only 220 blood red records, this unknown spectacle remains one of the rarest of the collection. Think big, be big, I suppose.
Nighty-night, kiddos.
iFloyd
The SO is out of town, which means bachelor weekend for this here guy! So the first thing I do… start organizing my 45s… Apart from deciding to start a new RFTC 7” collection, I discovered this outdated sticker / sampler album insert. Titled iFloyd, the now defunct 14-track sampler featured a few previously unreleased tracks (from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Against Me!, and Dead to Me), and a slew of classic Fat Wreck Chords mainstays, reminiscent of the old Fat Music comps. Unsure of what to do with this dinosaur, I decide to leave ‘em shoved inside one of the 45 boxes, to be discovered again at a later date. Happy Friday, kids!
Wednesday 1/21
Although I’d love to hitch my wagon to tomorrow’s neighborhood festivities with the circus-punks of yesteryear’s pizza-driving soundtrack, (the Mad Caddies), mid-week shows are a bit of a luxury these, head-down days. If you’re in the LA area, and know the Troub, you should mos def check out the Mad Caddies tomorrow night.
Man, That’s Hoss!
Man, I’ve got to say, with an honest heart, that Lagwagon was absolutely fuggin’ amazing last night, er, at least from what I can gather. Today was painful, if ya know what mean. Anyway, Hoss was the first Lagwagon album I owned, and remains a personal classic. Check it out, Hoss!
Saturday, January 17, 2015
I’m off to see the Wagon tonight. I’ve listened to these guys for nearly 18 years… I was only 16 when I’d first heard them, and until tonight, I’d never seen them. Let’s say I’m a little excited… have a good weekend, kids!
The Prudent Groove 