In what has become a sometimes-annual event, we’ve recorded a classic Misfits tune for you on Halloween, this time “Children In Heat”. We really did try to branch out this year but our version of Alien Sex Fiend’s “Now I’m Feeling Zombified” just wasn’t coming together. recorded at Overdub Lane by John Plymale! Boo.
Music
This Summer
“This Summer,” the A-side of this limited-edition seven-inch, is the first new Superchunk single since the 2010 release of Majesty Shredding. The B-side features our own take on Bananarama’s ’80s hit “Cruel Summer.” As a bonus, the physical single (available in stores now!) will include a digital download code for an acoustic version of “This Summer.” Digital tracks are available now via Merge!
“Blinders” (Slow Version)
Free download available from the SoundCloud page
“Blinders” was originally going to be on Majesty Shredding. The demo (which was slow like this version) sounded like Guided By Voices, that seemed like a good sign. But then the spur-of-the-moment fast take on the song we recorded for the b-side to “Crossed Wires” ended up so much better, the “real” version of the song fell by the wayside & has been without a home… until now…
Recorded at Overdub Lane w Scott Solter, overdubs at Glendale Drive.
Halloween 2011 Exclusive: Where Eagles Dare
Happy Halloween everyone! An omelet of disease awaits your noontime meal! In the tradition of doing something we did last year, we’ve got another Misfits cover for you. We recorded it with John Plymale at Overdub Lane. Everyone sings! So it’s festive. Here you go, “Where Eagles Dare.”
Listen:
Live on WXDU
Ross Grady has bands play sometimes on his Sunday afternoon show on WXDU. We’d never done it before but wanted to, so Jim and I went in and Ross broke all kinds of crazy rules for us! Acoustic only! Interview portion! Only 5 songs! But it went ok, 57s and 58s, check it out….and thanks to Ross and Kelly for the recording.
Superchunk Acoustic on WXDU, February 27, 2011
Crossed Wires:
Rope Light:
Cursed Mirror:
Skip Steps 1 & 3:
Everything At Once:
Halloween Exclusive: “Horror Business”
Here’s a Halloween treat (or trick?)… folks who caught our recent east and west coast tours may have seen us do this live onstage with various guests. Here’s a ‘studio’ version for you.
Listen:
Video of “Horror Business” live in LA with Samhain drummer London May on drums and Wurster out front, Oct 19, 2010 at the Music Box, shot by the incomparable O:
NPR Streaming Live at 9:30 Club, September 17, 2010
For a limited time, NPR’s “All Songs Considered” is streaming an entire live show from the Majesty Shredding tour, recorded live on Sept 17, 2010 in Washington D.C. at the 9:30 Club.
Listen:
Check out the setlist here via setlist.fm. Wow, internet!
Live at Duke, September 26, 1997
Gregor over at the Captain’s Dead blog has a pretty decent live recording of a show from the “Indoor Living” tour in 1997, featuring a cover of “Young Bums” by Big Dipper and “Bye Bye Kitty Cat” by The Mice. (Yes that’s The Mice, not The Nice)
If you hunt around a bit while there you may find some other historical documents as well.
Merge Records Streaming “Majesty Shredding”
Since releasing their first 7-inch in 1989, Superchunk has run the gamut of milestone albums: early punk rock stompers, polished mid-career masterpieces, and lush, adventurous curveballs. Conventional wisdom holds that a band two decades into its career can only rehash or reinvent, but with Majesty Shredding, Superchunk has done something entirely different.
Neither a return nor a departure, Majesty Shredding telescopes two decades into 41 indelible, action-packed minutes. It is the sound of youthful exuberance fine-tuned with grown-up confidence. And it may very well be Superchunk’s best record yet.
For a limited time, Merge Records is streaming the new album in its entirety… so head on over there, and turn it up!
Compilation MIA Tracks
Three compilations of odds-and-sods and some non-album tunes STILL didn’t make it on any, so here’s a bonus track… more to come.
Kicked In (Acoustic)
from Tsunami/Superchunk split 7" on HoneyBear Records (1995)
Thanks to Kevin Wimberley for the encode.
Album Tracks
Superchunk-curious? Here are some previously released album tracks. These are in mp3 format and are available on the albums listed (click on the album titles for more info), mostly in print and all as digital downloads, and very orderable from Merge Records:
Tie A Rope To The Back Of The Bus
from No Pocky for Kitty
Mower
from On The Mouth
Hyper Enough
from Here’s Where The Strings Come In
Her Royal Fisticuffs
Watery Hands
from Indoor Living
Hello Hawk
from Come Pick Me Up
Act Surprised
Live/Rare/Of Questionable Value
Most of these live tracks were recorded with a single microphone to a minidisc recorder (‘member them?) sitting in a pool of beer back by the soundboard, so they may not sound too hot, but hopefully there’s some amusement on offer here. Thanks to anyone who’s sent in their own (better-sounding) live recordings of Superchunk shows as well.
MP3s:
Seed Toss
recorded live at the Opera House in Toronto, Fall 2001.
What Do You Look Forward To?
Typically extendo version of "Here’s To Shutting Up" track also recorded live at the Opera House in Toronto in Fall, 2001. Strumming madness.
Precision Auto
From the same Toronto, 2001 show, skronky Precision Auto with Annie Hayden making sweet noises on the Moog Rogue.
The Length of Las Ramblas
First ever live performance of "The Length of Las Ramblas" in Austin, TX, featuring Laura on the synth.
Horror Business
Acoustic, clammed-up version of the Misfits classic with Jon on the Elvis-like backing vocals, performed Halloween ’01 in New Orleans at the Shim Sham club. Becky chortles as an intro.
Cool (Acoustic)
From the second night at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC, November ’01. Annie Hayden on the killer ebow.
Phone Sex
Live at the Bowery Ballroom with Annie Hayden on the lead guitar.
Florida’s On Fire
From our most recent tour with the Get-Up Kids and Hot Rod Circuit; last night of the tour in Kansas City and Jay Russell from the HRC guests on vocals.
“Other”
You’ll need a RealPlayer to hear this stuff. They still make that, right?
Bye Bye Kittycat
A song by a band from Cleveland, circa 1985, called the Mice. Recorded in San Francisco, Oct of 1997. Our tech Jim Norton had just kissed Mr. Wilbur.
Seed Toss
Recorded at the Glastonbury Festival in England, August of ’93.
Dallas Fiasco
The club was oversold, the AC was dead, the P.A. went missing halfway through, and there was one toilet for 450 people. Here’s what Jim and Mac had to say about it.
Superchunk/Watt
Superchunk and Mike Watt rock out on the Dils’ classic “You’re Not Blank”. October ’97-Detroit, Michigan. Somewhat unlistenable.
Driveway To Driveway
Live at the First Avenue Club, Minneapolis, Minnesota on the “Foolish” tour- June of ’94.
New Low
This version was recorded at The Drive In with Mitch Easter in March of ’92. This is its first public appearance.
