Recipients
RECIPIENTS “LUNATIC / CONSTITUTION” 7” (HOUSTON, TX- PR-001, 1981)
I do not have a vinyl copy of this 7" and cannot find a .jpg of it online, so the best I can do is this flyer for this early 1982 Austin show at which the Recipients played. Look at what only $5 would have gotten you on this night- not only the Big Boys but also the Dicks, Really Red, Butthole Surfers and the Recipients. Damn, damn, damn, that must have been quite a show.
8.5.2010 UPDATE
The former guitar player for the Recipients, Gino, recently posted a comment on this posting which is great news! It's always a pleasant surprise for me when, over a year after an original posting, I hear from a former member! Gino told me that former bass player Mike J. told him about my posting so that's cool that two former members stumbled upon this post. Gino provided some more info on the band which I have now added to this updated posting. All of the new info I have is in red.
Um, the Recipients were from Houston (home of the almighty Really Red among others), they released this one single in 1981 on their own label aaaandthat’s about all I know. I have no idea who the band members were, aside from the fact that they had a guest vocalist named Hubert at the above show from early 1982 (perhaps the regular singer was sick or somethin?).
The Recipients were around for two years, and here was their lineup:
Vocals- Chris
Guitar- Gino
Bass- Mike J.
Drums- CTF
Former member Gino said that most of the band went on to other groups and projects, so more on that once I get to chat further with him. Gino said the Recipients had some great times and did some wonderful shows with some great bands during their lifespan. It was Texas, it was 1981-1982, so I can only imagine! Really Red, anyone?
He also said that the Recipients recorded a 10-song demo (!) while they were around and were in the planning stage for releasing an LP (!) before their breakup. But, unfortunately, most of the stuff that they recorded at that time has been lost. A serious bummer, because I'm sure there was some great sounding stuff on those tapes that would have been nice to hear.
The very awesome Idle Time archive has two pictures of the band from that early 1982 show with the guest singer- one here and another here. I first saw a picture of the flyer for this show back in 1995 and the Recipients stood out because they were the only band name I didn't recognize on the bill. So I added them to a list of mystery bands I kept in my head (it was pretty big list at that point in time and has since dwindled a lot, thankfully). Fast forward a few years later when I saw them listed on the wonderful Texas Punk Discography when it was in its infancy- I was excited to see that the Recipients released a record. About a year later P.R. taped me a copy of the 7", and that was 10 years ago already.
"Constitution" was comped on the original Hyped To Death #1 comp CD back in 2000 and I think that's where many people rediscovered them. I don't have a vinyl copy of this record so I don’t have a scan of the sleeve but H2D #1 had a small glimpse of the rather plain sleeve that had black and white stripes on the front (and back?) with just the band name on it. Pretty Spartan. The A-side, "Lunatic", was to be comped on the Hooked On Junk LP back in 2003 but that project was aborted and never officially released- more on THAT comp at another time.
Both sides of this single are pretty original sounding stuff that stands out against yer average sounding stack of punk discs. The band plays in a rather passionate, energetic manner and there’s lots of great, unique guitar noise and some muscular drumming. But I think "Constitution" is the catchier and stronger of the two ditties. Pretty hummable, which is a good thing. "Lunatic" is nice too but it’s only downfall for me is that they repeat the chorus "You’re a lunatic! No I’m not; yes, you are!" about ten times too many and it gets slightly annoying. Other than that, it's nice. Um, the liner notes of H2D #1 called the band a cross between the Dead Kennedys and the Nasal Boys- err, I really wouldn't call it THAT. For me, I don’t take a comparison to the Nasal Boys lightly since their "Hot Love" 7" is a total barnstorming jaw dropper. And this Recipients 7" is not on that par. When I think "Dead Kennedys" I envision lots of echoplex guitar, and there's definitely none of that on this meat and potatoes 7". I’m not sure what to compare the Recipients too, actually. It's good, tho- enjoy.
Lunatic.mp3
Constitution.mp3
See kids, my route to hearing the Recipients 7" is how the whole process of hearing rare records used to work before punk music blogs were everywhere and the interweb was prevalent. It was a damn journey that would sometime take years. Nowadays, instant gratification means that you type a band or record name into Google and a minute or two later you’ve not only found a blog that has that record but you’ve already downloaded it and either burned the mp3’s onto a CD or loaded into directly onto yer iPod. Not to say I prefer "the old way"- I’d much rather have the quick, instantaneous route since it saves so much time and effort. But, looking back over the years, I've jumped through a lot of hoops in some quests to hear certain obscurities. I had regular places I'd scour "back in the day"- MRR’s great Scumpit columns of the late 80’s and early 90’s; the small print of want lists and sale lists in MRR’s classifieds (‘member those?); Dr. Strange Records’ huge printed catalogs; and Mike Bastarache’s great set sale lists. Once I made a list of records in my head, the first place to check was, of course, local record stores every week (this was before marriage, kids or a "career" so I had nothing but time to record shop back then). If that didn't turn anything up then I'd look through tape trading lists. If such and such tape trader had said items, then I'd mail him a letter with my wants, patiently wait a few weeks (or impatiently for months) and then finally get a cassette tape in the mail (this was several years before we all had burners and CD-R's). But nobody had certain rare records so that's where the never-ending want list came in and where certain records sat for years before I got a chance to hear them, eh.
I do not have a vinyl copy of this 7" and cannot find a .jpg of it online, so the best I can do is this flyer for this early 1982 Austin show at which the Recipients played. Look at what only $5 would have gotten you on this night- not only the Big Boys but also the Dicks, Really Red, Butthole Surfers and the Recipients. Damn, damn, damn, that must have been quite a show.
8.5.2010 UPDATE
The former guitar player for the Recipients, Gino, recently posted a comment on this posting which is great news! It's always a pleasant surprise for me when, over a year after an original posting, I hear from a former member! Gino told me that former bass player Mike J. told him about my posting so that's cool that two former members stumbled upon this post. Gino provided some more info on the band which I have now added to this updated posting. All of the new info I have is in red.
Um, the Recipients were from Houston (home of the almighty Really Red among others), they released this one single in 1981 on their own label aaaand
The Recipients were around for two years, and here was their lineup:
Vocals- Chris
Guitar- Gino
Bass- Mike J.
Drums- CTF
Former member Gino said that most of the band went on to other groups and projects, so more on that once I get to chat further with him. Gino said the Recipients had some great times and did some wonderful shows with some great bands during their lifespan. It was Texas, it was 1981-1982, so I can only imagine! Really Red, anyone?
He also said that the Recipients recorded a 10-song demo (!) while they were around and were in the planning stage for releasing an LP (!) before their breakup. But, unfortunately, most of the stuff that they recorded at that time has been lost. A serious bummer, because I'm sure there was some great sounding stuff on those tapes that would have been nice to hear.
The very awesome Idle Time archive has two pictures of the band from that early 1982 show with the guest singer- one here and another here. I first saw a picture of the flyer for this show back in 1995 and the Recipients stood out because they were the only band name I didn't recognize on the bill. So I added them to a list of mystery bands I kept in my head (it was pretty big list at that point in time and has since dwindled a lot, thankfully). Fast forward a few years later when I saw them listed on the wonderful Texas Punk Discography when it was in its infancy- I was excited to see that the Recipients released a record. About a year later P.R. taped me a copy of the 7", and that was 10 years ago already.
"Constitution" was comped on the original Hyped To Death #1 comp CD back in 2000 and I think that's where many people rediscovered them. I don't have a vinyl copy of this record so I don’t have a scan of the sleeve but H2D #1 had a small glimpse of the rather plain sleeve that had black and white stripes on the front (and back?) with just the band name on it. Pretty Spartan. The A-side, "Lunatic", was to be comped on the Hooked On Junk LP back in 2003 but that project was aborted and never officially released- more on THAT comp at another time.
Both sides of this single are pretty original sounding stuff that stands out against yer average sounding stack of punk discs. The band plays in a rather passionate, energetic manner and there’s lots of great, unique guitar noise and some muscular drumming. But I think "Constitution" is the catchier and stronger of the two ditties. Pretty hummable, which is a good thing. "Lunatic" is nice too but it’s only downfall for me is that they repeat the chorus "You’re a lunatic! No I’m not; yes, you are!" about ten times too many and it gets slightly annoying. Other than that, it's nice. Um, the liner notes of H2D #1 called the band a cross between the Dead Kennedys and the Nasal Boys- err, I really wouldn't call it THAT. For me, I don’t take a comparison to the Nasal Boys lightly since their "Hot Love" 7" is a total barnstorming jaw dropper. And this Recipients 7" is not on that par. When I think "Dead Kennedys" I envision lots of echoplex guitar, and there's definitely none of that on this meat and potatoes 7". I’m not sure what to compare the Recipients too, actually. It's good, tho- enjoy.
Lunatic.mp3
Constitution.mp3
See kids, my route to hearing the Recipients 7" is how the whole process of hearing rare records used to work before punk music blogs were everywhere and the interweb was prevalent. It was a damn journey that would sometime take years. Nowadays, instant gratification means that you type a band or record name into Google and a minute or two later you’ve not only found a blog that has that record but you’ve already downloaded it and either burned the mp3’s onto a CD or loaded into directly onto yer iPod. Not to say I prefer "the old way"- I’d much rather have the quick, instantaneous route since it saves so much time and effort. But, looking back over the years, I've jumped through a lot of hoops in some quests to hear certain obscurities. I had regular places I'd scour "back in the day"- MRR’s great Scumpit columns of the late 80’s and early 90’s; the small print of want lists and sale lists in MRR’s classifieds (‘member those?); Dr. Strange Records’ huge printed catalogs; and Mike Bastarache’s great set sale lists. Once I made a list of records in my head, the first place to check was, of course, local record stores every week (this was before marriage, kids or a "career" so I had nothing but time to record shop back then). If that didn't turn anything up then I'd look through tape trading lists. If such and such tape trader had said items, then I'd mail him a letter with my wants, patiently wait a few weeks (or impatiently for months) and then finally get a cassette tape in the mail (this was several years before we all had burners and CD-R's). But nobody had certain rare records so that's where the never-ending want list came in and where certain records sat for years before I got a chance to hear them, eh.
Thanks for another great Texas record. I was born in 77 but I remember the years of eager runs to the mailbox, obsessive listing of bandnames, searches for fanzines, underlining names in Rock and the Pop Narcotic, xeroxing an entire Discography of the New Wave a records store (Discourage RnR in Portland) lent me . . . and being able to afford only what was reissued, I'd write collectors all over the world for tapes. Many were quite generous. I remember, for example, the thrill of hearing KBD 5,6,7 (out of print for so long), or the Nasal Boys b-side (on Bloodstains across Europe, I'd worn out "Hot Love" on my prized Feel Lucky Punk?) Now so much more is available, but you still need to know what to look for. A DSL can't buy taste. But I still feel that old excitement when I saw you posted the whole Inanimate Objects and Public Disturbance records, especially. I still love music like I always did but internet kids are getting cheated out of life experience, like I always felt cheated that I missed the rock music heyday.
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Brand new record for me, and I really like it. The b-side really sounds like something that could've been a hit if it was done by a synthersizer based band in the easrly 80's. Very catchy vocal melody and the simple guitar line is even catchier. One of the best records I've heard in quite a while actually. Thanks a lot.
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Hey, thanks for the tip!
Your blog is great, very nice layout!
cheers
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Cool, I've wanted to hear this forever. Not as good as I hoped, but a fun listen. Side A is the better of the two by far, in my opinion. Thanks!
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C'mon Tony, it's been way too long since you posted something new here!
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Oh shit! Both tracks rocks in my ears. Strange that more people doesn´t appreciate it.
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This page added to Google cache Cached: http://google.com/search?q=cache:http://punkbusinessmanager.com/2009/05/13/recipients.aspx?ref=rss&ei=AFQjCNHajN_OX0kgxzx7UGA1yBfhQ poRndfWq
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just got this site from mike j, thanks for the kind words. never thought my playing was comparable to the dk's-i was just trying to string notes together at that point, sometime now as well. we(the recipients) had some great times and did some wonderful shows together sharing the bill with some great acts. while we lasted only 2 years we sure packed alot into that time, unfortunately not much of our stuff was recorded and what was has been lost. we recorded a 10 song demo and were in the planning stage for releasing an l.p. but we broke up instead.
this was the lineup:
chris -singer
ctf - drummer
mike j - bass
gino -guitar
most of us went on to other projects and bands.
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