VINYL FILE SPOTLIGHT

This week on Vinyl File we take some time to speak with Aaron Danger, founder of Team Science Records. While still a relatively young label, Team Science has put out some fantastic records. Danger is also a record nerd, we're pleased to present you with his thoughts on record collecting and the record industry.

Were you into vinyl at all before you started Team Science Records? I started collecting records when I was 15, so I would definitely say I was into vinyl prior to starting the label. I was the kid who would saved his lunch money to buy records. One time I debated on putting gas in my car or buying a Minor Threat record. I bought the record because it would last longer.

What is it about vinyl that turns your crank?

I guess the whole process of getting your own records made. Like choosing what color they are going to be pressed on and the whole layout of it all. The feeling you get when you get your first test pressing in the mail is unlike any other in my opinion.

What made you decide to start up Team Science?

I was a freshmen in college and I went on my first tour with my friends' bands O Pioneers!!! and Latterman. I was selling merch and I realized that CDR demos are cool, but having to something to sell and be proud of definitely makes a difference.

Were you hesitant at all to start a label when the majors are crying for mercy?

I never really thought about the whole status of the music industry when we started the label. I mean its definitely a bummer to hear that a majority of "mom and pop stores" are closing due to corporate music chains. I just hope that smaller labels and indie records stores can embrace the current music business situation and continue to survive in a digital music industry. What about investing in vinyl as a format to release on?

To me, releasing vinyl is necessary. I'm shocked sometimes when bands don't have vinyl versions of their records. I think its a great thing that kids like myself really look forward to collecting.

What are some records you've released on vinyl that you are particularly proud of?

Im proud of just about every record we have done even if it wasn't vinyl. Our first 7" The Papermoons S/T 7" looks amazing and sounds amazing. We cut no corners in the appearance of it. Our latest vinyl release is a split 7" for By The End Of Tonight/O pioneers!!!. It was something that I had wanted to do for a while now, and I am glad to finally have it.

What records do you have planned that you're looking forward to?

We are doing a vinyl version of The Jonbenet Ugly/Heartless. The record came out about a year ago and it's a band from my hometown that I've always wanted to work with. Also, Casey Lee from Fake Problems started a Label called Good Friends Records, and him and I are both putting out the vinyl version of Look Mexico's new record Animal Sounds. We are also doing a 7" with New Bruises from Florida. Underground Communiqué, the best label in Chicago, is doing it as a co-release with us. Those are the 3 that we are currently working on. I'm sure we will find a way to add more to our never ending list of releases by the end of the year.

Do you collect any other bands or labels?

I have a ton of Dischord, Jade Tree, and No idea records. Growing up these labels really influenced me and I'm always looking for the records that I don't have.

What's your most prized piece of vinyl?

My copy of Fat Boyz "Crushin" LP or my Armalite Test Pressing (5/13). I also have a copy of Live at the Hardback from Chuck Ragan's personal Collection.

What release that's not available on vinyl would you like to see printed?

Mountain Goats-All Hail West Texas
The Vandals-Hitler Bad Vandals Good
Drive Shaft- You Are Everybody
Polar Bear Club- The Redder the better Are there any records you really want but have been hesitant to shell out big bucks for?

I find a record that I want at least once a week! Probably….. Alkaline Trio-Goddamit 12"
Generation X-S/T
The Murder City Devils-Three Natural Sixes 7"
The Hold Steady-Almost Killed Me 12"
I'm sure I could think of more but it will just depress me….

What's your most prized record?

Any record that I got from a record store and went nuts over, but didn't have to pay an outrageous amount of money for.

Besides the obvious, what sets vinyl apart from other formats?

Not everyone cares about them. They mean more to people than CDs, and MP3s, at least for me they do. That's why I keep collecting them and putting out new records.

THE PUNKNEWS.ORG VINYL FILE Minus the Bear's new album, Planet of Ice apparently got a good response in pre-orders all 2000 copies of the first pressing have been sold. This has left the band with no copies of the new record to take on tour with them. Thus, Suburban Home Records will be making another pressing via their Vinyl Collective imprint. The second pressing will be limited to 1,000 copies. Two colors are available the first being a tour only edition of clear w/ gold splatter and the other being solid white vinyl.

Vinyl Collective has one more per-order on the go, this time for Portugal the Man's latest offering, Church Mouth. It comes on four colors of 250 each. For those of us who aren't accountants, that's a total of 1,000 records. The colors are clear chocolate with a drop of cream, deep clear blue with a drop of cream, solid plum with a drop of cream and sold raspberry with a drop of cream. They are slated to ship around the first or second week of October. If the band isn't coming to your city, don't sweat it, the Vinyl Collective store has 50 copies of it available, but they're sire to go quick. Church Mouth is the band's follow-up to 2006's Waiter: 'You Vultures!'.

In what's the last of Vinyl Collective news, the labels is currently running a number of contests. Anybody who orders a release from Asian Man records or Underground Communiqué Records will be entered to win a test pressing from the label they order from.

Asian Man Records has their new split 7" between The Draft's Chris Wollard and Gunmoll's Mike Hale. It's limited to 500, so keep your eyes peeled. Asian Man also has a full length from Andrew Jackson Jihad available. People Who Can Eat People Are… will be pressed on black vinyl /100 and brown vinyl /400. Another split the label is working on is between Shinobu and Pteradon. The 7" is limited to 500 copies.

Oh yeah, and if anyone is interested, Asian Man's upcoming reissue of Alkaline Trio's classic debut Goddamnit will also be available on vinyl. The label is expecting to press at least five color varieties of the album. It's not easy on the wallet to be an Alkaline Trio collector these days, but perhaps this will cause prices for the original pressing to drop below the $100 mark on eBay.

When The Weakerthans release their new album Reunion Tour on September 11, it'll be available on vinyl care of Epitaph.

Hydra Head has a number of releases worth mentioning available in their web store. The first is a pre-order for a split 12" between Jesu and Eluvium. It's available on three color varieties that include clear amber, white and yellow. They could be shipping as early as today and as usual with Hydra Head pre-orders, they come with exclusive shirts. Hydra Head also has Jesu's Conqueror on vinyl from Conspiracy Records. Furthermore, Jesu's 12" EP Sun Down/Sun Rise

Hydra Head also has copies of the re-issue of Cave In's 2005 album Perfect Pitch Black originally only available from Garden of Exile.

Motion City Soundtrack have been a little quiet lately, but they're gearing up for a UK tour in the Fall and have announced not one, but two new 7"s to go along with it. Each 7" contains the song 'This is For Real' on the A side. One has 'Not Asking You To Leave' on side B and comes on colored vinyl with a gatefold package, while the other contains 'The Worse Part' and is coloured but has no gatefold. Furthermore, you can pre-order here and get an autographed copy of the second one.

Recess Records has just announced they will be reissuing Screeching Weasel's 1988 classic Boogada Boogada Boogada on vinyl this Fall.

Art of the Underground have just released The Only Children's first LP, Change of Living. The initial run is only 500 copies. The Only Children is the new project from The Anniversary's Josh Berwanger and his wife, Heidi-Lynne Gluck. The vinyl version of the album contains an exclusive track at the end entitled 'Dear Rosie.' Art of the Underground has also announced that new subscribers will receive a free t-shirt when joining their single-series.

Hopesfall's 2001 EP, No Wings to Speak Of is going to be released on vinyl as a 10" courtesy of One Day Savior. The label has this to say, "I am very happy to announce that One Day Savior will be releasing the vinyl version for Hopesfall's EP No Wings To Speak Of. Originally released on CD format in 2001 by Takehold Records (and later reissued by Trustkill) No Wings To Speak Of nearly defined an era for me. Releasing this on 10" format is something that has been long overdue. The record is currently in production and I am hoping for an October release date. Pre-orders should be ready to go by mid-September. I will keep everyone posted on the status." Ya heard!

1-2-3-4! Go is making news once again. The label is set to release Ringers' new album Curses on September 25. The album came out on CD two years ago and the band pressed a very limited run on vinyl at that time, but they sold out on tour pretty quick, so you probably don't have one. There will be 200 copies on red vinyl for mail order only while the other 700 will be on black.

Stoner rockers Sleep will be re-issuing their classic, Holy Mountain on Kreation Records. 250 blue/red copies will be available only from the website

Cold World's latest, Omega which compiles their self-titled 7", Ice Grillz 7" and split with War Hungry. It's available on yellow, clear yellow and black vinyl. It should be shipping anytime and can be ordered here.

Andrew W.K.'s latest masterpiece, Close Calls With Brick Walls which had previously only been available in Japan will become available on vinyl in North America next week care of Load Records.

Mookie Dog Records has announced an upcoming split 7" between Burn the Wagon and The Dirty Charley Band, both from Lubbock, Texas. Each band covers two of the other's songs. The release is limited to 300 copies on mint green/white vinyl, 100 of which are set to be randomly inserted into orders placed at No Idea Records.

Chicago's Das Kapital have recently released their latest, Died True on Johann's Face Records. 500 copies are available on robin's egg blue vinyl.

UK punk rockers Milloy have re-released their 2006 album, More Than a Machine on Household Name Records while Boss Tunage will handle it in Germany and Japan. It features new artwork and two tracks not on the CD. 350 copies will be available in the UK with 210 and re/white swirl and 140 on black.

LA's It's Casual have just re-issued all three of their full-length album. 2002'sBuicregl is on blue/black swirl and includes a bonus track, 2005's Stop Listening to Bad Music is on red/black swirl and their latest, 2007's The New Los Angeles is on blue/gold swirl. All three albums feature entirely new artwork and are limited to 500.

Tokyo's Boris was in the news last week, but they've got two more releases you might want to know about. The first is a split 10" with Stupid Babies Go Mad. It's probably one of the best looking vinyl releases of the year and also comes with a DVD. Boris also has a split out with Doomriders. This one is a double LP and is available on both clear yellow and clear red. You can get it here.

Doors Open, from San Francisco's Funeral Diner will be out on vinyl in about three weeks as a joint-release from Adiago 830 and Vendetta Records. The vinyl edition of the tour-only Japanese release is a one-sided 12" with an etching on the backside. It's limited to 600 copies. The first 100 pre-orders get a free t-shirt, so there you go.

Post-punk outfit Olde Ghost has a new 7" titled Totally that is available now from Handstand records. It is limited to 500 pieces with 200 on colored vinyl, 100 of which are on blue/white and can only be purchased through mail order from the label.

Silversun Pickups has a new 7" available for pre-order. The single for 'Lazy Eye' is available in both clear vinyl and as a picture disc. The clear picture disc is backed with 'Comeback Kid (The Tripwire Session: Live from Chicago) while the clear 7" is backed with an acoustic version of 'Rusted Wheel.' You can get it here.

Team Science Records has a pre-order up for a split between The Jonbenet and Heartless. Pre-orders get an exclusive screen-printed jacked and the option to get a shirt/7" package. The breakdown is as follows: 100 black, 175 beer color, 225 orange.

For those of you who would rather listen to the latest vinyl news than read it, a fellow named Derek Atkinson has created a new podcast called Pressing Info. He's got two episodes up now with more to come every week. You can subscribe here

On an unfortunate note, online distro site, 29 North has announced that coming next month they will no longer be offering their mail order service. In the meantime, everything is 20% off until September 3. In better news, their label side of things, Level Plane, has two brand new releases out, the first being a split between Tides and Giants and the second being Bastards United from Get Rad.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get back to Harry Potter.