Recent Releases
Carl Simmons
Honeysuckle Tendrals
SBR-3005
Honeysuckle Tendrals is a lost recording. It resides within a canon of musical output by a singer/songwriter no one has heard of, from a place that the world has almost entirely written off. Recorded in 1999 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Honeysuckle Tendrals was Carl Simmons’ 2nd effort at a full length recording. He released it into the world in a miniscule edition of cassette tapes on his own Unconscious Piano Productions imprint. To say it was poorly distributed is an understatement. It was handed out to friends, and perhaps sold at various open mic nights, where he would sometimes pass off his own songs as Bob Dylan tunes to an unsuspecting audience. (more…)
13th Chime
The Lost Album & Complete Discography
SBR-3003/4
Earlier this year Sacred Bones released the singles collection from 13th Chime which collected the scant few recordings released during their brief lifetime as well as a handful of heretofore unheard demos and alternate recordings. With their blend of dark driving aggression and sparse arrangements for a brief moment in time the band seemed poised to breakout of the day to day of slogging it out in clubs and onto the international radar but through a series of mishaps ended up a footnote and dissolving into obscurity. (more…)
Vermillion Sands
Miss My Gun EP
SBR-026
The second installment in the Sacred Bones 12-inch EP series comes from Treviso, Italy’s Vermillion Sands who sound like they could be the house band at the dystopian oceanside resort that features prominently in the J.G. Ballard short story collection from which the group takes their name. The Vermillion Sands’ ramshackle female fronted country tinged garage rock gives off some serious Mekons-meets-Headcoatees vibes or a femme fronted counterpart to the records Dan Melchoir has been pumping out as of late. Reverbed whips and twangs and a little mouth harp underlie some serious hooks and melodies. Look out for the debut full length out soon of Fat Possum.
Factums
Flowers
SBR-025
Flowers is the latest full length from Seattle’s bleak and ominous Factums and is their second for the Sacred Bones label. Recorded between 2006 and 2007 but only now seeing a proper release, Flowers is dark and disturbing. The album has twenty two tracks that fluctuate from sound collage to soundtrack-esque moments as well as more structured songwriting. This album also has flashes of abrasive electropunk that has garnered them well-deserved comparisons to Chrome, Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle and much of the early Wax Trax catalog.
Moon Duo
Killing Time EP
SBR-024
Moon Duo is a project of Wooden Shjips guitarist and singer Ripley Johnson. Under the Moon Duo moniker, Johnson and collaborator Sanae Yamada create expansive Krautrock influenced tapestries of warm cascading fuzz and controlled feedback, organ, and accenting keyboard. This four song 12-inch is the second release and incorporates a much more concise, composed and driving sound than before. The Duo expand on ideas only hinted at on the Sick Thirst 12-inch (which is already long gone) adding a driving drum machine beat behind the thick walls of layered sound. Don’t sleep on this one.
Gary War
Horribles Parade
SBR-023
Horribles Parade is the new full length from Gary War. This is the second album and the followup to last years’ New Raytheonport LP on SHDWPLY Records. The album expands on the more stripped down sound of his Sacred Bones “Zontag” single, plying layers of warm fuzz and feedback on top of psychedelic pop song structures. The CD contains “Anhedonic Man,” previosly released as a one-sided single on Hell Yes! records, as well as the whole Galactic Citizens 12" EP, soon to be relased on Captured Tracks.
Zola Jesus
The Spoils
SBR-022
Sacred Bones is proud to present The Spoils from Zola Jesus. Hailing from the unsuspecting locale of Madison, WI, Zola Jesus—the alter ego of Nika Roza Danilova—occupy a sphere of sparse industrial rhythms, no-fi drones, and ethereal femme vocals. Those who have seen her handful of live shows, heard her WFMU set, or caught any of the acclaimed, sought after, and now mostly out of print releases on Die Stasi or Troubleman Unlimited already know. For those uninitiated The Spoils may be the most fully realized representation of her sound. Zola Jesus have two previous releases on Sared Bones, the Souer Sewer single and a limited CD of a live performance from WNYU. The CD contains the entire “Soeur Sewer” 7" as well as the three songs from the Die Stasi single.
The Cultural Decay
Eight Ways to Start a Day: Singles & Demos
SBR-3002
Cultural Decay existed from 1980-1982. The band’s collective discography is comprised of a highly sought after 7" single and two song 12" EP. The latter was produced and features additional accompaniment by future Revolting Cocks co-founder Luc Van Acker. The band played a total of 15 gigs in local clubs—with like minded Belgian acts such as Struggler, De Brassers, and Siglo XX—before disbanding. (more…)
13th Chime
The Singles: 1981-1983
SBR-3001
We are proud to announce the release of the 13th Chime singles collection. Long sought after by collectors, the UK band only released a scant three singles in their time together before dissolving into obscurity. Their sound--a merging of deathrock's dark driving aggression and post-punk's sparse arrangements--reflected the realities of life in a small market town in the desolate political landscape of early 80s Britain. (more…)
Sacred Bones
Sacred Bones T-Shirt
Official Sacred Bones T-shirt. 100% coton Gildan t-shirts. Available in prarie dust or black.
Timmy’s Organism
Squeeze the Giant 2x7"
SBR-021
Sacred Bones is proud to present this 5-song EP spread across two 7-inches from Timmy’s Organism, the solo alter-ego of Human Eye frontman and Clone Defects mastermind Timmy Vulgar, along with members of Hamtramck’s Terrible Twos. Traversing the gap between the disjointed Helios Creed-inspired work of Human Eye’s skronky punk and more spacey, out there explorations, Timmy’s Organism is the next logical step in a family of Michigan noise that includes the now defunct Pirhanas as well as Tentacle Lizardo, The Frustrations, Reptile forcefield and even Tyvek. More stripped down and raw than anything Human Eye has done to date but no less intense! Don’t miss out on this one!
Naked on the Vague
Chitty Chat 7"
SBR-020
“Chitty Chat” b/w “Goodbye Dear Cliche” - Australia’s Naked on the Vague return for another two-sider of serious harsh downer vibes. Drum, synth, bass and vocal ferocity from this male/female duo that comes out sounding like a surprisingly more danceable version of Whitehouse. Fans of last year’s Skulltones 7-inch and Siltbreeze full-length won’t be disappointed. The band will be touring the US with Blank Dogs and will appear at this year’s Sacred Bones showcase at SXSW.
Nice Face
Mnemonic Device 7"
SBR-019
“Mnemonic Device” b/w “Situation Is Facing Utter Annihilation” — The third single from Nice Face follows on the heels of the recent HoZac 7-inch and an appearance on the “Wild About Jenkem” compilation alongside like-minded fellow travelers Wizzard Sleeve and Livefastdie. “Mnemonic Device” is a slower plodding mid-tempo song driven by a hypnotic repeating keyboard line and fuzzed out vocals. “Situation Is Facing Utter Annihilation” on the flip is the punkest Nice Face track to date bridging the gulf between disjointed no-fi punk rock and sinister synth and drum machine derangement. Keep an eye out for forthcoming live dates from this heretofore bedroom-only project.
Zola Jesus
New Amsterdam CD-R
SBR-018
A collection of four songs recorded live at WNYU plus six unreleased songs.
Gary War
Zontag 7"
SBR-017
Sacred Bones presents the followup release to last year’s New Raytheonport full-length LP on Shdwply Records. Gary War’s keyboard and tape manipulations exist in the loner sphere somewhere between the Legendary Pink Dots’ keyboard driven take on UK psychedelia and current fellow travelers like the Pink Noise. Like the LPD or Ariel Pink (to whom he’s garnered comparisons since the debut LP release) the odd experimental arrangements and off-kilter instrumentation never stray very far from melancholy pop song structures rooted around a catchy hook and melody.
Spirit Photography
Time is Racing 7"
SBR-016
Debut release from this San Diego three piece that includes members of Christmas Island. Two tracks of unpleasant and foreboding post-punk with baritone vocals in the vein of Douglas P and early DIJ. Look out for future releases including a track on the Charles de Goal tribute Expositions (str8line records), a 4-way split 7-inch with Sharp Ends, O Voids, Ale Mania (Volar Records), a cassette only release on Neon Aztec, and the HHH/The Centre Cannot Hold 12-inch.
Max Elliott
The Nature o’ Nature 7"
SBR-015
Sparsely arranged folk from Absinthe Minds member Max Elliott. The central Wisconsin singer/songwriter’s dark acid folk hovers close around the lone guitar/vocal arrangements with subtle percussive accompaniment at points. This is not the folk of Jewel or Devendra Banhardt…think along the lines of Beard of Stars-era T-Rex or Simon Finn’s Pass The Distance. Raspy voiced tales of death, woe, and redemption. If you were quick enough to catch the 13-song cassette on Jerkwave last year you know what you’re in for; if you missed it, don’t sleep on this one
The Pink Noise
Gold Light 7"
SBR-014
Canadian 2-piece The Pink Noise return for their second release on Sacred Bones. Last year’s Dream Code LP ended up topping most people’s best of 2008 lists. Electronic and organic drumming with keys with staccato punk guitar blasts--think the Residents played through a Big Muff. A double sider of deranged bedroom punk that shames the dozens of one-man-bands hunched over a Tascam trying to make a cheap knockoff of the original. The record sounds like it was mastered through a boombox onto a thriftstore cassette. The Jerkwave cassette release, the previous 7-inch single, and their track on World’s Lousy (both on Almost Ready Records) are all long gone.
Children’s Hospital
Alone Together LP
SBR-013
Alone Together is the debut release from Children’s Hospital. If their despondent sounds remind you of something you may have once heard its because this is the latest project from the A-Frames/Intelligence/Rodent Plague/AFCGT axis. Reminiscent of the brooding and gray skyline of their hometown of Seattle the duo hover between abstract soundscape compositions, Jandek inspired bouts of melancholy droned out dementia, and stripped apart abrasive punk...often combining several of the forms at once. If recent Rodent Plague releases on Killshaman and Jerkave Tapes are any indication it would be ill-advised to sleep on Children’s Hospital.
Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital Photo Book & CD
SBR-013-B
In addition to the forthcoming Children’s Hospital debut LP Sacred Bones is also offering a very limited edition photo book and CD edition. The book is a reproduction of stunning found photography from 1926 shot inside a ward of an actual children’s hospital. In total it includes 24 pages of personal photos of one particular nun working in hospital as well as many period photos of the patients themselves. The morbid vibe presets a stunning paradox with stark black and white photos of patients who despite the circumstances appear generally happy. This book will be released in a limited edition of 200 copies and will include a CD copy of the Children’s Hospital record.
The Rebel
Northern Rocks Bear Weird Vegetable LP
SBR-012
Sacred Bones Records presents Northern Rocks Bear Weird Vegetable—the nextfull-length from London, England's The Rebel. The alter ego of Country Teasers’ Ben Wallers, The Rebel dates back to the tail-end of the 80s—having existed side-by-side throughout Country Teasers’ prolific career—often releasing records at a steadier clip than Waller’s main project with songs too madcap to fit into even their William-Burroughs-by-way-of-The-Residents take on country music. (more...)
His Electro Blue Voice
Duuug 7"
SBR-011
Italian punks His Electro Blue Voice mine territory first scoped out by Crisis, Warsaw, and early Xmal Deutchland. Two sides of serious Italian dark punk. Fans of last year's “Fog” single on S-S Records and their split with Nuit Noire take note.
Dead Luke
Record Two: Jumping Jack Flash Drive 7"
SBR-010
The second offering from Dead Luke and the final installment to be included with the box set of records and other assorted ephemera. A two-sider from the warped mind of this Wisconsin home-recorder. Recommended for psychedelic electronic skronk enthusiasts.
Zola Jesus
Soeur Sewer 7"
SBR-009
From classically trained piano virtuoso to lo-fi bedroom psych wave heroine, Madison, WI’s Zola Jesus already has a prolific output to her name. With a 7" already out on Die Stasi Sacred Bones is psyched to offer this single. “Souer Sewer” taps into a tortured cabaret vibe while “Odessa” sounds like something that would have been banned by the party from the airwaves in its namesake Soviet homeland.
Blank Dogs
On Two Sides CD
SBR-008
Sacred Bones presents the CD version of the first Blank Dogs full-length On Two Sides--vinyl was released (and already oop) earlier this year via Troubleman Unlimited. The first long-playing release and the first non-vinyl appearance (save for a very limited run cassette release of this album via Fuckit Tapes) from bedroom punk's new crowned prince of home-recorded DIY synth dementia. After a string of highly coveted and now mostly out of print singles and EP's On Two Sides finds the band holding attention in the long form. Buried under the layers of distortion, fuzz, and synth lines are pop hooks that call to mind The Bats and The Chills as much as Helios Creed or Debris. Psychedelic punk for fans of the more minimal and electro tendencies of the Komische. Which mask will you wear during Blank Dog Time?
Nice Face
Thing in my Head 7"
SBR-007
Mid-tempo guitar and drum machine driven bedroom punk from this faceless one-man act. Clear the room at your next family function with this pair of unbalanced ballads. Another great Mike Sniper designed cover.
Dead Luke
Record One 7"
SBR-006
The first of two singles to be included in the Sacred Bones released Dead Luke Box Set (which will include both singles, a four song CD-R, buttons, stickers, and other assorted ephemera). Milwaukee dark sludge from one man. The Troggs cover on this record is a must hear for fans of musical dementia. Handsome hand-drawn Mike Sniper cover art.
The Pink Noise
Dream Code LP
SBR-005
The first full-length release from this French Canadian guitar and electronics duo. Those who caught their track on Almost Ready’s “World’s Lousy With Ideas Volume 2” comp have been craving another fix. Drum machines, pop-hooks, processed guitars, distorted vocals, boombox recording aesthetic.
Factums
The Sistrum LP
SBR-004
Full-length follow-up to last year’s LP on the recently resurrected Sitlbreeze label from this band that vaguely circles in the A-Frames/Intelligence/Fruit Bats orbit. Critics have compared Factums to Tronics, Cabaret Voltaire, or Pere Ubu’s more chaotic moments also citing some heavy Kraut influenced flashes.
Hunchback
Werse Houses 7"
SBR-003
First solo vinyl appearance from this New York/New Jersey dark punk combo cut straight from the Killdozer/Scratch Acid mold. The B-side sees the band and ’dozer vocalist Michael Gerald take on Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” Stunning cover art by the sadly deceased underground comic legend Rory Hayes. Recorded by Conrad Uno and mastered by Crypt Records’ Tim Warren. Mid-period Touch & Go fans take note!
Blank Dogs
Diana (the Herald) 12"
SBR-002
The second 12" offering from this mysterious bedroom synth project that’s been shrouded in secrecy from the start. Blank Dogs lives in the grey space between early Minimal Synth pioneers and current experimentalists like Blues Control and Excepter. Offensively limited cloth-bound edition is long gone. So is the orange cover. Get your copy of the Green & Black pressing while quantities last!
The Hunt
1000 Nights 7"
SBR-001
Virgin offering from the Sacred Bones family. Sparse arrangements, desert guitars, and a charismatic frontman, New York City’s The Hunt lead a new crop of Death Rock bands bent on spreading their coarse invective. The Hunt begins.
Upcoming Releases
- Effi Briest LP
- Nice Face LP
- The Pink Noise Birdland LP
- Gary War 7"
- Zola Jesus 12" LP
- Timmy’s Organism 12" EP
- The Fresh & Onlys 12" EP
- Mac Blackout 7"
- Woods 7"
- Electric Bunnies 7"
- Nerve City 12" EP
- Daily Void 12" EP
- Dead Luke LP
- Meth Teeth / Christmas Island 2x7"
- Religious Knives LP
- Amen Dunes 12" EP
- Psychic Ills 12" EP