Vinyl File: A NOFX super-rarity and upcoming vinyl releases

You're the lucky reader of the 12th edition of the Punknews.org Vinyl File. This column aims to keep you informed with upcoming releases as well as spotlighting interesting releases, your favorite band's own collections and labels with an history of vinyl releases worth talking about. As always, Vinyl File is brought to you by Ben Conoley.

This week's Vinyl File Spotlight features a a look at what is perhaps the rarest NOFX related vinyl release in existence. We've also got news on upcoming vinyl releases from Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, Say Anything and more.

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VINYL FILE SPOTLIGHT

Over the next few weeks Vinyl File is going to be taking some time to spotlight some rare records from NOFX. There's no need to explain the long-running popularity of the California quartet nor their influential impact on punk music and culture. Over the span of their existence, NOFX has released more records than a vinylphile could shake a stick at. We're going to get started by taking a look at a few of these releases tonight.

The first release up for discussion is perhaps the rarest NOFX-related record in existence. While it's not an actual NOFX record, the Pretty in Punk EP is perhaps the most coveted item of any NOFX record collector. The 7" was recorded by Fat Mike, who then proceeded to press 25-35 copies of the record on pink vinyl as a gift to his wife, Erin as either a 33rd birthday or anniversary present, depending on who you ask

The front of the record sleeve features a drawing of Erin as well as the name E. Dagger, which refers to her. On the back are the words, "This record was made w/love by: Karina, Bill, Jl, and your husband." The matrix of the record reads, "Happy 33 1/3"

The a-side of the record is the title track, 'Pretty in Punk,' and it is backed with 'Erin is my Heroin.'

With such few copies known to be in existence and the distribution of them having been kept to close friends and family, Pretty in Punk is hardly an item that any collector can hope to get their hands on. That was before they were teased with a rare opportunity to acquire on in the Spring of 2007 when an unknown individual put one up on Ebay. Bids had reached over $600 before it was pulled down, apparently at the request of Mike and Erin.

The record is obviously of great sentimental importance to Mike and Erin. What are your thoughts on the re-distribution on people who received copies? Should Mike have pressed as many copies as he did if he was determined to keep it private? What lengths would you go to in order to get a copy of the record?

THE PUNKNEWS.ORG VINYL FILE

Jimmy Eat World are set to follow up 2004's Futures with Chase This Light. The album is due on October 16 through Universal and will be available, presumably, on black vinyl. There is no word on whether it is limited or not.

The success of the initial run of Ben Weasel's solo album These Ones are Bitter has encouraged the label to press 500 more copies, this time on clear light blue. This brings the total pressing up to 1,500.

Our friends over at PastePunk recieved a message from prog-punkers Coheed and Cambria regarding the vinyl release for their upcoming album No World For Tomorrow which is due October 23 from Columbia Records.

We all know good indie record stores are becoming harder and harder to find, as so many are closing all the time and we want to urge you to support these essential stores. For that reason, we are offering an exclusive 7" vinyl single of "The Running Free" and the original acoustic demo of "Always and Never/Welcome Home," free with your purchase of our new album No World For Tomorrow- while supplies last, in stores October 23rd.

Level Plane Records has a few releases on the go that you might be interested in. The first is the Project Mercury 2xLP from Rosetta/Balboa which is available on silver and gold vinyl. The label is also preparing to release the debut 12" from Aussitot Mort, although it won't be ready until April.

The Draft are set to release yet another 7", the third they have released in addition to their first-full length In a Million Pieces. We'll Never Know is currently available as a pre-order from No Idea Records. Those who prefer not to wear clothes might be disappointed as the album is only available as a pre-order as part of a bundle, which comes with a limited shirt.

In other No Idea news, the label has finally announced a vinyl pressing of Whisky & Co's second full-length, Leaving the Nightlife. Only 500 copies will be pressed, at least initially. The label also has copies of the split 7" between This is My Fist and Fifth Hour Hero available as well as the latest from Minneapolis' Off With Their Heads, all Things Move Forward Toward Their End, which is available on red, white or assorted colored vinyl.

Threes, the latest album from Sparta has been pressed on vinyl. It is available as an exclusive pre-order from