SKiN GRAFT News for You's

B A L L P E E N ( ! ) B U L L E T I N S

updated: June 26th, 2009

NOW IN-STOCK:

PRE "Hope Freaks" LP/CD

PRE "Hope Freaks"
ULTIMATE EDITION LP&CD

ALSO BRAND-SPANKIN NEW TO THE SHOP!:

DAZZLING KILLMEN BUNDLE

GAY BEAST LP/CD/ULTIMATE

FAR-OUT FAVORITES BUNDLE

KOENJIHYAKKEI (REPRESS)

RUINS
(REPRESS)

KOENJIHYAKKEI SPECIAL EDITION

IN THE NEWS:

PRE
vv - "Hope Freaks" LP / CD / Ultimate Edition!
- -- - - and the premiere of the Teenage Lakes Video!
GAY BEAST
vv - "Second Wave" blows minds!
- -- - - Reviews coming in!
MADE IN MEXICO
vv - "GuerillaTour": Live on the West Coast!
- -- - - Specific venues now targeted!
RUINS and KOENJIHYAKKEI
vv - RUINS "Vrresto" back in-stock!
- -- - - KOENJIHYAKKEI "Viva Koenji!" back too!
DAZZLING KILLMEN
vv - "Face Of Collapse" and "Receurda" CD's
- - - -- SKiN GRAFT Gold Bundle!
FAR-OUT FAVORITES
vv - Zeek Sheck, Strangulated Beatoffs & You Fantastic!
- - - -- (3) CD's at a price even a mother could love!
STRANGULATED BEATOFFS
vv - Dead Moon Walking: the King of Pop has burst...
- - - - Strangulated Beatoffs remember.

Salütes Sound Seekers ( ! )
SKiN GRAFT's Ace Reporter, "Jazzy" Joe Romita here with another staggering summary of the frankly phenomenal feats fathered at the famed fount of flabbergast... the forever favored, far-from faddish, far-flung frontiersmen of the fashionable Fort SKiN GRAFT!!!! Face front, frenzied ones!!!

BREAKING NEWS UPDATES:

photos by Nine Inch Nilina

PRE: HOPE FREAKS!
Excise that gag-reflex Graftiites! It's time to glom onto gum-grinding goodness going down here at the hollowed hut of hipster-eeze - that sensational summit of sour sounds, comic book mounds, and coffee grounds - that's right, the hallowed halls of Skin Graft Rex!

Chums, if "Hope Freaks" is a sophomore slump, then send me back to high school post haste! Hottttt on the high lo-fi heels of their contribution to the SIDES 11-14 AC/DC tribute compilation, PRE has been knobbed up by none other than Steve Albini (producer extroidinair of countless Skin Graft classics) and, woo-boy, have they delivered! Cigars all around!

Here's press magnate Charlie Nite, with all of the details...

Hope Freaks is the second album from London's new-school, no wave naughties PRE. Recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio and mastered by Weasel Walter in San Francisco, “Hope Freaks” is a power-vault up from the acclaimed newborn gnarl of their debut 'Epic Fits'.

Like it's predecessor, “Hope Freaks” weighs in at a lean twenty minutes. Every punch is packed, and with a master at the faders, you will feel the devil in all its detail. Each unhinged swing never fails to connect.

Since forming in London three years ago, PRE has taken their spring-loaded live-show to the people. Two massive UK tours with The Gossip and stints with the likes of Health, The Mae Shi, Finally Punk and Mika Miko in the US has refined their footwork into a dizzying dance of precision instruments. A sold out performance at the Knitting Factory resulted in a two page spread in SPIN Magazine and the band's infamy lead to a bootleg vinyl release in Eastern Europe.

Most recently, PRE embarked on yet another US tour, pummeling SXSW and the West Coast, and appeared alongside Yowie, Colossamite (Deerhoof) and Mule (P.W. Long) on SIDES 11-14, a double 7” and comic book collection inspired by AC/DC.

And now; bare-knuckled, fist in hand with Skin Graft Records; PRE spring forward for round two - unprotected, unwavering - and with infectious left hooks guaranteed to leave listeners staggering.

Take it from Jazzy, PRE's second movement is a passionately performed, painstakingly prepared platter - primed to set your pulse on pound, and send you parading, pittering and pogo-ing past the premises of pals and nemesis. With disc in hand and head held high, you will carry with you the hope of freaks worldwide

I know what you're thinking "Jazzy, you princely pontiff, what makes us worthy of such marvelous, must-have merchandise?" Friends, cast aside those doubts of self worth, dispense with the showering of gratitude - just raid mom's cookie jar and BUY! "Hope Freaks" is available in a variety of styles, with one surely suited to quench your inner audioholic. "Hope Freaks" comes correct as a comely compact disc, a vivacious vinyl LP, and for those who want the whole ball of wax with a digital chaser, in a supreme Ultimate Edition, that puts both formats together at one low price! If you like your music to be heard and not seen, then you'll find complete album downloads awaiting your support from a myriad of digital content providers including i-tunes,emusic and zune.

Now if Jazzy's fireside chattering has not already made the sale, and you are in need of further arm-twisting, then skip on over to the AUDIO page, unplug your ears and overdose on "Haircut, Tacos" pulled straight from the "Hope Freaks" master tapes!

To order your copy, send checks or money orders to the P.O. Box (up top) or save a stamp and order lickety split at our Paypal Shop HERE. Overseas pals, to prevent delays, please don't forget to add the appropriate shipping charge to your cart. The eagle-eyed accounts count every penny!

To order visit:

Okay, prepare your peepers people! Tis time to peer 'pon the premiere of PRE's "Teenage Lakes" music video, affably misdirected by Carlos Charlie Perez and set to stream by the tasty taste makers at PitchforkDotCom. As had been previously reported, Jazzy Joe was to make his video debut alongside PRE, but seems your Nutty News Reporter had one Italian Beef too many at the Craft services table and had to skedaddle for a bit of impromptu bypass surgery just as the cameras were set to roll! Big thanks Jovial Jake Friedmann for stepping in front of the camera and providing the magical introduction.

WORLD PREMEIRE!
PRE "Teenage Lakes" (Hope Freaks LP/CD):

PRE PRESS Quips:
o “While PRE's debut "Epic Fits' scored 5 of 5 stars in these pages, there are simply not enough stars in the heavens to do justice to "Hope Freaks."
- Making No Waves

o “Epic Fits is more fun than any number of last year's punk releases. If Pre have a trademark it's that they'll derail anything moving. Pile-up's the point."
- Pitchfork

o “It can be hard to stand out among the hundreds of bands that play the annual CMJ Festival, so the hallucinogenic noise-smiths in PRE left it ALL on the floor!?"
- Spin

o ”Love it! Screaming yelling yelping relentless girl voice, erasing all errata... "Epic Fits" indeed. Meticulously slicing and cleverly crafted razor sharp noise tantrums - beautifully unawkward and very easy to listen to! Yes! Pre make the noise jump."
- Organ

To order visit:

photos by A.K.

ITEM!: GAY BEAST 4-Ever! The press is starting to roll in on "Second Wave" and the critics have unanimously dubbed it a winner - without a penny of payola changing hands!!! Here's a smattering of what's being said around the web:

The Needle Drop HERE
Brooklyn Vegan HERE
Goon HERE
Citizen Dick HERE
Culture Bully HERE
Silent Barn HERE

Jazzy waxed plenty poetic on GAY BEAST "Second Wave" in his last update, so just scroll down to the May 22nd News Desk entry for the entire skinny. And yes, copies of the GAY BEAST "Second Wave" Ultimate Edition (which includes the album on both formats enclosed in a 12" 4-color Hand Silkscreened Gatefold Jacket and a poster-sized 4-color process fold-out insert - all wrapped in a crystal clear resealable sleeve and a Silver Foil Sticker garnish!) are still available. Limited quantities also remain ofGAY BEAST's first full -length CD "Discrobics". All direct mailorder copies come in a hand-silkscreened sleeve, so buy now or regret later!!

G U E R I L L A T O U R !

ITEM!: The mighty MADE IN MEXICO are donning hats, fake mustaches and ~~xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx~~ ~~xxxx xx xxxxx! xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx~~ ~~xxxx xx. xxx x xx~~ ~~xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx~~ ~~xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx~~ ~~xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx! xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx~~!!. ~~xxxxx xx xxxxx xxxx!!!~~

xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xx. xxx x xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx! xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx!!. xxxxx xx ~~xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx~~ ~~xxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxx. xxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx. xxxx xx xxxx x xxxx xxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx! xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx~~ ~~xx xxxxx~~ ~~xxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxx. xxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx~~. ~~xxxx xx xxxx x xxxx xxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx!~~ ~~xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx XXXXX xxxx!~~!!! Oh yeah, and be sure to tell 'em Jazzy sent you!

Tatsuya Yoshida (RUINS / KOENJIHYAKKEI) in Bangkok:

ITEM!: V for Victory! "Vrresto" (RUINS) and "Viva Koenji" (KOENJIHYAKKEI), two of Tatsuya Yoshida's most powerful prog packages are back in stock for ordering - both online and off!

KOENJIHYAKKEI "Viva Koenji" CD
Finally available again, Skin Graft proudly presents Koenjihyakkei’s second album “Viva Koenji!!” to western listeners. With the original issue on Japan’s God Mountain label largely unheard and fetching enormous prices on the collector’s market, “Viva Koenji!!”, generally considered the band’s heaviest album, returns to print in a deluxe, remastered edition. Headed by vocalist / composer / drummer extraordinaire Yoshida Tatsuya (of the bass and drum duo RUINS), Koenjihyakkei boasts a listenership comprised of zuehl prog fans, no-wavers and adventurous music enthusiasts; and has proven itself the most exciting contemporary progressive rock acton the planet.

“Koenjihyakkei towers over most modern progressive rock because of an attention to detail and an overwhelming force of conviction. No irony here: this rocks with the teeth and heart to cut through the “scenes” and the "overground" like a knife. …Koenjihyakkei may go down as Tatsuya Yoshida’s greatest achievement: the most perfect fusion of straight prog, the avant-garde and hardcore punk. Amen.”
- Pitchfork

RUINS "Vrresto" CD
Like their visual namesake, RUINS are colossal. An avalanche of energy, nuanced and direct, written in stone. Japan's drum(s) and bass duo RUINS are renowned around the globe for their mind-bendingly fast and complex hyper-progressive rock onslaught. Ruins are masters of quick-change, stop/start tempos, time signatures and textures. Hardcore, psych, speed metal, art rock, funk- all are elements incorporated into their music, but what comes out is irrefutably original. Unquestionably RUINS.

Few, if any, bands can appeal equally to both Slayer fans and Debussy and Webern enthusiasts. In recent years, Tatsuya Yoshida has carried the RUINS mantle all on his own, as RUINS Alone, continuing to tour the world performing the uncanny vocalizations, psychedelic inventiveness, infectious melodies, improv spasticity, and thrashing workouts RUINS are renowned for. Previously only available overseas, "Vrresto" is available in a new edition, extensively remixed & remastered (and in some cases, re-recorded) by RUINS founder Tatsuya Yoshida at Magaibitsu Studios in Tokyo. "Vrresto" also includes two tracks newly sequenced into the album, making this the broadest RUINS release to date.

Online orders, visit the Paypal Shop HERE.

DAZZLING KILLMEN and 4-Legged Friend:

ITEM!: "Dazzling Killmen were born of Nick Sakes' late-20's crisis. Sakes thought "If I want to start a band, I better do it soon". Nick bought a guitar and was only able to scrape away at the beginning. But as luck would have it, he managed to find the perfect complement in a pair of jazz students, bassist Darin Gray and drummer Blake Fleming. Within a few months of forming, the band wound up in the studio, punching out a 7" single of the tracks "Numb" and "Bottom Feeder" on Nick's own label Sawtooth records. Though done on a fairly low-cost basis, the single set the tone for what was to follow from the Killmen - an incredible amount of technical skill, sharp changes in time, combined with an all-out assault from the lyrics and an unschooled, but obviously impassioned Sakes on guitar."

So begins the band history page on DAZZLING KILLMEN (HERE), and in many respects, Skin Graft Records history begins here too - so in honor of the debut SKiN GRAFT Band (and inspired by Steve Albini's return to production duties on PRE's latest), Jazzy is proud to proclaim that for a limited time both DAZZLING KILLMEN titles have been bundled together - for newbies and oldies alike - for just $17.99!

DAZZLING KILLMEN Face Of Collapse CD
Original recipe! The first Skin Graft full-length album back in print! LOUD LIFE at ALTERNATIVE PRESS magazine declared "Face Of Collapse" the TOP ALBUM of the 90's based on the following criteria: 1) Avoidance of formula or cliché. 2) Dexterity of Rhythm section, 3) Quality of album's production values, 4) Lack of predictable lyrical subjects - Satan, Straightedge, Viking folklore, etc. "Sounds like Dave Bruebeck's Time Out played through Carcass' PA system." Found on lots of "best of" lists everywhere.

DAZZLING KILLMEN Recuerda CD
Collects re-recordings of the the first album "Dig Out The Switch", the Lounge Ax cassette, the singles, unreleased gems and about 20 cub scouts. 76 minutes of blistering fast emotional Prog-Math-Hardcore. Your band can't play this. These guys wrote the book before the dogs ate it. Legendary.

Online orders, visit the Paypal Shop HERE.

The Fair Zeek Sheck (warning: not brain safe):

ITEM!: Quick - grab the windex, spritz away that stray toothpaste residue and take a long hard look in the mirror - Have you got what it takes to hang with the Skin Graft elite? If you are unsure, then you certainly don't have three key releases that have time and time again separated the slicks from the sicks:

ZEEK SHECK
-- "Good Luck Suckers" (details HERE)
YOU FANTASTIC!
-- "Riddler" (details HERE)
STRANGULATED BEATOFFS
-- "s/t" aka "Beating Off All Over The World" (details HERE)

These three CD's are so deliciously dandy, so asskickingly out-there, that only the most hearty SG fanatics have dared unlock their secret grandeur. But today, the gates are opening to all! Yes, Jazzy has convinced the eggheads upstairs to bundle these three prized picks at a price way-below their the paltry retail price - in an effort to assist those Skin Graft supporters less fortunate than others. That's right, for just $17.99 (!!!!), the FAR-OUT FAVORITES Bundle - consisting of ALL THREE CD's can and will be delivered to your divine den of inequity!!! MP3 samples from all three bands are available for broadcast now at the AUDIO page for a flash education!

To order visit:

And finally....

STRANGULATED BEATOFFS
"Beat It / Jackin' Off With Jacko"
7" vinyl single (edition of 300)

Not long ago, STRANGULATED BEATOFFS took time out from their busy schedules to issue a tribute to the recently departed Michael Jackson. Limited to 300 copies and sporting watercolor artwork by Stan Seitrich, the a-side is a stunning rendition of "Beat It", while the flipside unleashes the instant club hit "Jackin Off With Jacko". Quantities are very limited and just a handful remain for sale in the Everything Else section of the Paypal Shop HERE. Limit 1 per customer, please. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of the King of Pop's bones for tasteful display alongside Joseph "John" Merrick's remains. Thank you.

To Ed McMahon - Respect.

Excel-sore!

"JAZZY" JOE ROMITA

MORE NEW NEWS:

updated: May 22nd, 2009

Catalog # GR93CD/LP
GAY BEAST "Second Wave"
LP / CD / ULTIMATE EDITION

IN THE NEWS:

GAY BEAST
vv - "Second Wave" LP / CD / Ultimate Edition!
- -- - - USA Tour Dates!
KOENJIHYAKKEI
vv - "Nivraym" boggles minds!
- -- - - "Viva Koenji!!" going back to press this summer!
YOWIE
vv - Live In Concert - performing new material!
- -- - - SIDES 11-14 double 7" & comic book set available now!
PRE
vv - "Hope Floats" ????!!!
- - - -- New LP/CD this summer!
AIDS WOLF Awaits...
vv - Yep, a new EP this Fall!

Salütes Sound Seekers ( ! )
SKiN GRAFT's Ace Reporter, "Jazzy" Joe Romita here with another staggering summary of the frankly phenomenal feats fathered at the famed fount of flabbergast... the forever favored, far-from faddish, far-flung frontiersmen of the fashionable Fort SKiN GRAFT!!!! Face front, frenzied ones!!!

PLACE YOUR ORDERS!:GAY BEAST Second Wave Ultimate Edition

BRINGIN' IT BALLS OUT!
Hi-dee-Hi There, Ho-Dee-Ho There and Hey-Dee-Hey There flipped-out music fanciers! Un-rewind, rest easy and relax, Jazzy Joe has returned in all his mellifluous munificence to lay out the titillating tidbits and heady homespun hyperbole you've been craving - and each and every lovin' spoonful is certain to send your hearts racing, your parents pacing and your bank accounts erasing (natch!).

Now please understand that it's summertime, and with Jazzy's blackberry at the shop, valuable sunning time's a' wasting as he sits here in this oppressive, ossifying office scribing away solely to soothe your sagging spirits. So, lets prune the pointless pleasantries and skip straight-away to the hard-bitten happenings here at the sensational Camp Skin Graft!!!!

Now, it's a well documented fact that Skin Graft has been outting music since way back in 1991, the year that punk broke everything - and labels like ours had to dig deeper underground to prevent the suits from trying to sign up esteemed acts like DAZZLING KILLMEN and SHORTY to the David Geffen Company and money-guzzling Gatorade contracts. In the years since, we've continued fanning the flames of our dissent, but NEVER, EVER in the storied history of SKiN GRAFT Rex have we flamed brighter and with more pride than at this very moment. Ladies and Germs, spit shine those high heels lickety split because it is your nutty News Reporter's complete and utter pleasure to introduce to you the sonorous sounds of the one, the only GAAAAAY BEEEEEAST!

Our publicity prima-donna Charlie Nite's press release follows:

Hear Ye! Fear Ye!

Join us for the coming out dance party of the year as Gay Beast ride the Second Wave straight onto the streets! Formed in 2005 and renowned as Minnesota's premier agit-prog queer band, Gay Beast cuts a careening groove between the prickly corners of tunefulness and musical density, danceability and controlled chaos. On Second Wave, their sophomore effort and first release on Skin Graft Records, the trio lets fly with utopic visions of second-wave feminism, exposing a mood-swinging musical reach heretofore unheard.

Join us as the nuclear family explodes into a psychedelic mushroom cloud of writhing, urgent vocals set against the precise, premeditated clatter of guitar, drums and keys. Add a dash of electronic psych, and a spoonful of sax - and your goose is cooked.

Join us.

In anticipation of "Second Wave" and the band's hometown (Minneapolis) release show, would ya believe that we already have two primo pieces of press to share? You betcha: We have a CITY PAGES interview HERE and a CD review from CULTURE BULLY HERE! AND - as if that were not enuff - we have a GAY BEAST-inspired addition to the SKiN GRAFT Fan Art Gallery to boot!

GAY BEAST "Second Wave" is available in the following options: as a spiffy, silvery, set on spin CD, a loving, long-playing LP and as a tricked out Ultimate Edition which includes the album on both formats: the 12" vinyl LP and a digitally mastered CD - enclosed in a 12" 4-color (inside and out) Hand Silkscreened Gatefold Jacket and a poster-sized 4-color process fold-out insert (all hand cut, hand scored-and hand assembled!). The entire package is wrapped in a crystal clear resealable sleeve and comes complete with a Silver Foil Sticker garnish. For those hard sales not yet convinced, art production photos have been uploaded for your perusal HERE!

Of course "Second Wave" is also available for legal downloading at virtually all major digital music providers for those hear-happy-hep-cats who prefer their music both portable and ethereal. A sample MP3 awaits all ears at the AUDIO page - and to place those physical orders, Jazzy directs you to our virtual Paypal Shop HERE.

AND - don't forget(!) - Gay Beast is taking the show on the road - visit the TOURS page HERE !

To order visit:

ITEM!: For the last few months, KOENJIHYAKKEI's new line-up, including new vocalist AH and keyboard-er Yabuki Taku (both heard on the new edition of Nivraym") have been dropping jaws in select live settings around the world. Ever on the ball, the the SG website wizards have finally gotten around to updating the Koenjihyakkei BAND page to reflect the current line up - and for those aching for additional eye-candy, you'll find a bushel of far-out photos of the band performing at NEARFest X at a new link added to the band's personal photo GALLERY page! As for "Nivraym" - even if you've heard the album in it's previous Japan-only incarnation years back, the now-available special edition (see the previous update) promises an entirely new experience. Even those harsh critics at Record Heaven declare "Nivraym": "A MUST for all into intense, nerve thrilling and mind expanding music". Jazzy couldn't have said it better himself! And to keep the Koenji koming, "Viva Koenji!!" is going back to press this summer! Burma Shave!

ITEM!: You, the loyal legions of Graft no-good-nicks have already heard a sprinkling of the no-nonsense no-wave noodling of the newly reformed YOWIE on the new SIDES 11-14 double 7" and comic book set - with their kooky-komposition "Dunderdruck". NOW those lucky listeners in St. Louis, Missouri will have an opportunity to preview a s#!tload of the new toons Yowie has been prepping for YEARS - at the band's first live performance since Jah knows when! Visit the TOURS page to get the skinny! Be There'd or be Squared!

ITEM!: As astute audio onlookers are already well-aware, coming soon from the outhouse of ideas is none other than PRE's eagerly anticipated sophomore long player "Hope Freaks" (produced by Mr. Steven Jehosophat Albini). As Jazzy types, those kooky keebler elves are busily scribing CD's and scratching LP's for it's late June release. But, here in the music biz, gaffs come with the territory and this goof up top, where said esteemed album got crossed with a Sandra Bullock flick on this (rejected) proof for the CD's "Top-spine sticker" - gave everybody here a quick yuck. Woops!

ITEM!: And after PRE...? What comes next...? Howzabout a new EP from the ever-affable AIDS Wolf? You heard it here first - - - "Dustin' Off The Sphynx" comes correct this Fall!!!!!

OKAY- time to hang that head, heavy that heart and leaden those livers, the moment has come for your Jazzy One to wrap up this latest spellbinding sermon on the esteemed establishment known far, wide, near and narrow as Skin Graft Records.

Jazzy hopes you've enjoyed his little fireside chattering as much as he has, but before you slip into your daily sleepwalk, allow Jazzy to leave you with these immortal words first uttered by Greek Botanist Liddy DuPont: "Mazzitoe woontanku tournhee!", which, when translated, comes out something like...

Excel-sore!

"JAZZY" JOE ROMITA

Click HERE for MORE new NEWS ( ! )


DAZZLING KILLMEN BUNDLE	GAY BEAST LP/CD/ULTIMATE	FAR-OUT FAVORITES BUNDLE

KOENJIHYAKKEI (REPRESS)	RUINS (REPRESS)	KOENJIHYAKKEI SPECIAL EDITION