Rykodisc will be releasing a new EP of previously unreleased material from legendary underground comedian Bill Hicks next week. Set to coincide with what would have been his 50th anniversary on December 16th, the EP is titled 12/16/61 and features five tracks that were recorded when Bill was just 21. His brother noted:

Harder to grasp that Bill would be turning 50 and that he has been gone almost 18 years, is the idea that he has reached so many people around the world. Old fans remain fiercely loyal and new fans discover Bill and his work every day. So, appropriately, this is a big Thanks to all of you. Thanks for remembering Bill and thanks for keeping his memory alive.

Check out the artwork on the release page.