November 6th 2003
ZODIAC KILLERS EURO TOUR
To use a past record title…WE HAD A BLAST! Europe was incredible, probably the best responses from the crowds I have ever seen in any of my bands. And I am really proud of the Zodiac Killers, Jeremy, Ruba and Matt gave their all every
night. It was great meeting past friends, (Atomsmashers, Morticia’s Lovers, Webelos) and meeting new ones in bands and fans coming to the shows.
London was incredible. I thought it would suck but Eric Ulcer and the Pokers made sure it didn’t. And the audiences were incredible. Every place we played except for one show in Italy the crowds went crazy for the Zodiac Killers. It is hard to pick a favorite place we played. maybe it was Madrid Spain, the crowd was insane. Or maybe Meppel Holland, where the crowd would not let us off the stage, literally shoving us back on the stage until we played more. I can’t
explain why this time was better, maybe it has to do with the new lp/cd, or the way the Zodiac Killers play live now, I don’t know. It was great showing our video every place we played too in different languages. Thanks to Poison Bambee and Juancho for getting the DVD in order for Europe. I can’t wait to do it again, Thanks to everybody who supported us and helped make this a great great time, there are way to many people to thank, but believe me we know who you are. Ask me later about the “Tossing your room” story in London.Society’s Offenders CD-Song Order screwed up
If you happened to buy the cd at a store, chances are the song order is screwed up. This is due to the video guy screwing it up big time and blaming every one except himself. He charged us a ton of money to do it and completely screwed up everything he touched. His name is Eric Peltier from San Francisco, and so he gets the Zodiac Killers middle finger. We had no choice if we wanted the lp/cd to come out in time for our European tour.
Anyway, I have corrected CD’s now with the video’s, and you can send your screwed up CD to Rip Off Records, and I will exchange it for the correct one.
Some people don’t care, but believe me the Zodiac Killers care. By the way the screwed up one is not any more rare, so you might as well turn it in for the
right one, free of charge.
A Thief named Nickolas Robles
What you see here is a bounced check from a certain loser named Nicholos P. Robles from Dover New Hamphshire. Some people never had decent parents to teach them right from wrong. Don’t worry Nick, I’m here to teach you a valuable lesson you loser parents never did.
First one is, don’t fuck with me. Second, is you steal from me, you are going to pay one way or another. Please send Nicholas a note telling him he is a fucking scumbag loser and you hope he dies a slow lingering death. His correct address is: Nicholos P. Robles 39 Forest St Dover NH 03820.
The reason why is Nick has ruined it for all Rip Off Record customers and fans. I used to trust people, but
I cannot afford to anymore. For now on I can only accept CASH or a Money Order payble only to Greg Lowery. If you send me a personal check from this date forward, I will throw your order and the check away. Simple. If you send me a Money Order or Cashiers check payable to anything other than Greg Lowery, it will be thrown away. You have been warned. My bank no longer accepts cashier checks to Rip Off Records, so don’t do it., you have been warned again. Sorry, but you can blame the asshole mentioned above for all the changes.
Penny Tration Cover Girl
Take a look at this…our favorite Austin Texas punk girl has made the cover of the new Horizontal Action fanzine. So pervo’s if you can actually take your eyes off of the pics of Penny, you can actually see a Rip Off Records ad, and a Dirty Sweets interview.
September Contest Winners
The question was name every record I was in…so here they are….as best I know of…
Supercharger:
Icepick! 7"
Don't Mess Me up 7"
Rev It Up! EP
Sooprize Package For Mr. Mineo 7"
split 7" with Gas Huffer
split flexi 7" with Mummies, "Tour '93"
split 7" with Mummies, "Live At The Pit's '93" 7"
split 7" with Car Thieves
Supercharger LP (various editions)
Goes Way Out!
Singles Party 1992-1993 LP SIngles compilation
Shut The Gate, Suzy, And Don't Let Me In" LP (Nitro Comp)
Flaming Burnout, Estrus Benefit Compilation CD
Runnin' On Fumes: The Gearhead Magazine Singles CDRip Offs:
Now I Know (It's You) 7"
Make Up Your Mind 7"
Go Away 7"
split 7" with Teengenerate
Got A Record LP
1st Annual Texas Speed Trials LP (No lie rec. comp)
The Early Ones LP (Comp)
The Singles, Second Strike LP (Comp)With Metal Mike
london boys/american way 7"
Infections:
Kill For You 7"
Kill ... LPZodiac Killers:
The Most Thrilling Experience LP
Have A Blast LP
The Las Vegas Shakedown! CD (masked superstar rec. comp)
Society's Offender LPWinners are:
Luis Velasco Asturias Spain (great fan of Rip Off Records, thanks Luis, and great meeting you)
Rob Zeman Dunedin, FL
Bart the Brat-La Rochelle France (another big fan of Rip Off Records you finally won something!)
O.k.we are back..sorry for delay don't want to even tell you how busy i have been.
Lets get right to it:
ZODIAC KILLERS NEW LP/ENHANCED CD OUT NOW!!
The third lp/cd by the Zodiac Killers, Society's Offenders are hitting the shelves any day now and what can I say about it?
I'm proud as a new father giving birth to this record. Been a real labor of love this one, and it has two new awesome members, The sexy new Ruba Tuesday, and soon to be drumming legend Matt K.
This record sports 12 songs and one cover song and since its hard for me to say anything bad about my own songs that i wrote, i truly believe this is the best zodiac killers lp yet! The CD is a limited edition of hilarious new 16 minute Zodiac Killers that is right on the cd, you get the video and the music! This is limited to the first 1000 cd's only. Oh yeah the cover was taken at an actual Zodiac Killer murder site where he killed cab driver Paul Stine, nice touch huh? Would this be considered Goth?ZODIAC KILLERS TOUR EUROPE
To support our new lp, The Zodiac Killers are hitting Europe in October dates will be up soon. Here's what we've got so far...
LINK ADDED! to garagepunk.com forum:
you have all visited this place before, now you got it one click closer!September Quiz
The quiz is this, nice and simple...
Name every record that I have been on LP, and 7 inch..
Everbody will win a new Zodiac Killers enhanced cd, and the grand prize winner will win the cd, zodiac killers t-shrirt, and a new zodiac killers society's offenders 24x18 poster...
JULY QUIZ WINNERS:
To win a 7# test pressing answer the following:
1) Name the infamous 60’s movie that starred Steve Mcqueen and the greatest car chase scene ever filmed?Answer: Bullitt
Note-My father met Steve Mcqueen during the filming of Bullitt which was being shot on Potrero Hill in San Francisco, on the street where my grandmother once lived. (the cover of the first supercharger record) Steve Mcqueen bummed a smoke off my father and my father got to talk to him for a few minutes and grab an autograph.
2) Name the infamous Alfred Hitchcock 1950’s movie that was made here, starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak
Answer: Vertigo
3) Name the infamous 70’s film Clint Eastwood starred in as Inspector Calahan
Answer: Dirty Harry
4) A 70’s film, another starring Steve Mcqueen was filmed using the exterior of San Francisco’s largest building. This film was about a burning high rise. Name this movie.
Answer: The towering inferno
Note: The Director of this movie was Irwin Allen aka "The master of disaster", for becoming rich doing disaster movies...he is also well known for doing a bunch of 60's tv stuff:
Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel..and probably a few more I probably don't know about.5) Humphrey Bogart made a few films in San Francisco. Name the 1941 movie considered a classic that was filmed here.
Answer: The Maltese Falcon
Winner:Luis Velasco, Asturias Spain
To win a 7# test pressing and a full length, answer the following:
1) The above mentioned movie featuring Clint Eastwood, he was in pursuit of a killer, what was the killers name he gave to the police?Answer: Scorpio
Note: Hmm...I wonder how they came up with that name, or the kidnapping of kids on a bus in the movie...The Zodiac stated he would kill kiddies one by one coming off a school bus..
2) This movie was loosely based off of what actual bay area killer?Answer:The Zodiac Killer
Note: Duh, if you couldn't get this one right!! In fact in the movie they briefly show an actual Zodiac Killer letter that was sent to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Winner: Steve Anderson, Washington, PA
To win a 7# & 12# test pressing, t-shirt and poster answer the following:
1) What 1947 Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall movie shows Bogart, his head wrapped in bandages for half of the movie?Answer:Dark Passage
Note:Speaking of Dark Passage there is a scene in it where a cab lets Bogart out in front of a liqour store, I currently work in the building next to this building. Its now a check cashing and smoke shop...like you really care...
2) In this 1948 movie, Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth star in this movie that does not start in San Francisco, and takes place mostly on a sailboat. the last half of the movie is filmed in San Francisco, with a climatic ending filmed at a long gone San Francisco amusement park. Name this movie.
Answer:The Lady from Shanghai
Note:The amusment park was Playland at the Beach. It opened in the 20's I believe, and closed in the early 1970's There is a local Ice Cream that orignally was sold only at Playland. A company has been selling it locally for years to this day the ice cream is called It's It.
3) Joan Crawford & Jack Palance star in this thriller from 1952 set in San Francisco, name this film.
Answer: Sudden Fear
Winner: Alix Brown Atlanta Ga...Alix sings in the great Atlanta band the Lids.
Get their single, it smokes and hopefully there will be a full length soon on your favorite label.
Good luck,
UPDATED! UPDATED! UPDATED!
THE ATOMSMASHERS- DROP THE BOMB LP/CD OUT NOW!
O.k. the band Italy has been freaking out over for a few years have finally released their debut lp/cd on Rip Off Records. After the Zodiac Killers played with them in Italy, the whole band were fans after seeing them play. Wild, in your face, fun as hell pure entertainment, with great songs to back their chaotic live shows. I wish every band could be this good live, including the Zodiac Killers. Anyway I’m not even going to talk about their music, turn your speakers to ON, and you can listen to a few songs off of DROP THE BOMB. Special thanks to the Rip Off Records web queen Poison Bambee for doing the cover artwork.
The Marked Men-Website
Hate to say I told you so, BUT I TOLD YOU SO! Anybody and everyone are goin’ crazy over The Marked Men. Why? Because its on Rip Off Records that’s why! Seriously, its because they are a great band, with great songs. They carry on the proud tradition of great Texas bands on Rip Off Records. Enough tex-ass kissing, Go to their new website HERE, and read reviews and other fun facts about this awesome band.
June Quiz Answers/Winners
T o win a free promo 7 " answer the following:
1) The Problematics were from what state? Indiana
2) There is something different with the lp/cd on The Kids All Suck LP, what is that? Cd has extra song, Teenage Kicks by the Undertones
3) Name the limited edition unnamed song on the Problematics Rip Off Single? Whiskey
4) Name the only band from France that has a release on Rip Off Records. The Swindlers
5) Name all the bands that have a female lead singer on
Rip Off Records. The Spoiled Brats, Spastics, Dirty
Sweets, Tyrades
Winner: Troy Canady Tallahassee Florida
T o win a free promo 7" & LP, answer the following:
1) Loli & the Chones put out another lp after their legendary lp,
P.S. We Hate You, but it was on a different label. Name that album title,
and the label. Total Fucking Genocide, Repent Records
2) The first pressings of the Rip Offs Got a Record Lp, 300 were pressed
in colored vinyl. What color was that vinyl? Red
3) The Rip Offs played their first ever show at which club? The
Purple Onion
4) The Spastics record was recorded live on the radio. What radio station
was it recorded at? KZSU Stanford California
5) Name the two bands on Rip Off Records from the state of Michigan. The
Chinese Millionaires, The Metros
W inner: Mora Peñalver, Madrid, Spain
to win a 7" promo, lp promo, t-shirt and poster answer the following:
1) The Infections had a different rhythm guitar player on the 7"
then the lp. Name that person who played on the 7" Jason
Dancer. Not Jason “White” Dancer. Two different people.
Grunnen Rocks has wrong information. Nice try.
2) He was replaced with whom? Justin Schenberg
3) What band did this person play in right before the Infections? The
Spastics
4) The awesome Marked Men are 3/4 of the legendary band the Reds. Name
the member of the Reds that is not in the Marked Men. Chris
(moved to Japan)
5) The Flip Tops LP/CD had a girl bass player. She is no longer in the
band, but is currently in another popular band, name that band. The
Hunches (Sarah)
Winner: Dirk Bauwens Kortrijk, Belgium
July Quiz
O.k. I am going to just ask some stupid questions this time, and it doesn’t
involve Rip Off Records. But it does involve Rip Off Records home. Its
San Francisco movie trivia. So show me you know more than music, show
me Rip Off Record fans got good taste in film besides just music. Some
questions are tough, that’s why there are less questions.
San Francisco Movie Trivia, All these movies were filmed in San Francisco
To win a 7# test pressing answer the following:
1) Name the infamous 60’s movie that starred Steve Mcqueen and the greatest car chase scene ever filmed?
2) Name the infamous Alfred Hitchcock 1950’s movie that was made
here, starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak
3) Name the infamous 70’s film Clint Eastwood starred in as Inspector
Calahan
4) A 70’s film, another starring Steve Mcqueen was filmed using the exterior of San Francisco’s largest building. This film was about a burning high rise. Name this movie.
5) Humphrey Bogart made a few films in San Francisco. Name the 1941 movie
considered a classic that was filmed here.
To win a 7# test pressing and a full length, answer
the following:
1) The above mentioned movie featuring Clint Eastwood, he was in pursuit
of a killer, what was the killers name he gave to the police?
2) This movie was loosely based off of what actual bay area killer?
To win a 7# & 12# test pressing, t-shirt and
poster answer the following:
1) What 1947 Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall movie shows Bogart, his head
wrapped in bandages for half of the movie?
2) In this 1948 movie, Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth star in this movie
that does not start in San Francisco, and takes place mostly on a sailboat.
the last half of the movie is filmed in San Francisco, with a climatic
ending filmed at a long gone San Francisco amusement park. Name this movie.
3) Joan Crawford & Jack Palance star in this thriller from 1952 set in San Francisco, name this film.
Q. WHY IS RIP OFF RECORDS THE BEST LABEL IN THE LAND?
A. BECAUSE UNLIKE THE REST, YOU'VE NEVER RELEASED A SHITTY RECORD.
CURT MCCONNEY (MAY GRAND PRIZE WINNER)
WE'RE BACK..YOUR FAVORITE LABEL HAS BEEN BUSIER THEN HELL WITH ZODIAC KILLERS B.S. WE WILL TRY AND UPDATE IT IN A FEW WEEKS WITH MORE RIP OFF RECORD QUIZ WINNERS TO ANNOUNCE AND INFO ON THE NEW ATOMSMASHERS LP/CD.
THE MAY CONTEST WINNERS
O.K. WE GOT SOME WINNERS. THIS ONE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A WRONG ANSWER AS THE QUESTION WAS SIMPLE, WHY IS RIP OFF RECORDS THE BEST LABEL IN THE LAND? I MEAN YOU COULDN'T SCREW THAT UP COULD YOU? WELL SOME DID, STUPID BASTARDS.
TO WIN A FREE 7" PROMO ANSWER IT:
Q. WHY IS RIP OFF RECORDS THE BEST LABEL IN THE LAND?
A.BECAUSE RIP OFF RECORDS IS ENDORSED BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WINNER: JOSH ALVARADO, CHICAGO IL.
(OBVIOUSLY JOSH IS A COP IN CHICAGO, SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS MY GET OUT OF CHICAGO JAIL FREE CARD!)
I ACTUALLY LIKED THIS OTHER ANSWER SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 4 WINNERS THIS TIME HE ALSO WINS A PROMO 7"
Q. WHY IS RIP OFF RECORDS THE BEST LABEL IN THE LAND?
A. RIP OFF RECORDS MAKES LIVING IN THIS SHITHOLE BEARABLE!
WINNER: JOHN SMITH, PRINCETON NEW JERSEY
(JOHN IS A STUDENT AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, AND RIP OFF RECORDS HELPS HIM THINK CLEARER)
TO WIN A 7" PROMO RECORD AND 7" LP YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO...
Q. WHY IS RIP OFF RECORDS THE BEST LABEL IN THE LAND?
A. CUZ YOU DIDN'T PUT OUT THE GREG LOWERY EXPERIENCE 7"!
WINNER: WIM COTTENIER MOORSELE BELGIUM
I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER MYSELF. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY DUMB FUCKS REALLY THINK I PUT OUT THAT RECORD AND ITS ME ON THAT RECORD THE STUPID ITALIANS FROM THE GRABBIES PUT OUT..IT ISN'T ME!TO WIN THE GRAND PRIZE, 7"/12"PROMO RECORD, POSTER AND T-SHIRT, DO IT...
Q. WHY IS RIP OFF RECORDS THE BEST LABEL IN THE LAND?
A. BECAUSE UNLIKE THE REST, YOU'VE NEVER RELEASED A SHITTY RECORD.
CURT MCCONNEY KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN
I THINK THAT SUMS IT UP.
THE MARKED MEN EURO-TOUR
EVERYBODYS RAVING ABOUT THE MARKED MEN, AND WHY NOT? A BAND THAT DOESN'T TALK TRASH LIKE THE MEDIOCRE BATCH OF OVERHYPED WISCONSIN BANDS THAT CONSTANTLY FLOOD MESSAGE BOARDS WITH HOW GREAT THEY ARE, (THEY AREN'T) I WAS CRACKING UP WHEN I LEARNED THAT ONE OF THESE OVERHYPED BANDS WAS HEADLINING OVER THE INCREDIBLE KILL-A-WATTS! GOES TO SHOW YOU, TALK ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR BAND ON THE INTERNET AND PEOPLE AND PROMOTERS REALLY BELIEVE YOU'RE SOMETHING SPECIAL, WITH MEDIOCRE TALENT. O.K. SORRY RANTING LIKE A MADMAN, THIS IS ABOUT THE MARKED MEN DAMN IT. HERE IS THEIR TOUR DATES, EURO PROMOTERS GET IN TOUCH WITH RIP OFF RECORDS IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THE OPEN DATES.
AUGUST 2003
14 Vera, Groningen (NL) w/The Stilettos & Shakin' Nasties
15 Pit's, Kortrijk (NL)
16 tba
17 Swaf, Hoorn (NL)
18 off
19 off
20 Tower, Bremen (D) w/Moorat Fingers
21 Rotterdam/Vlaardingen (NL) tba
22 Ekko, Utrecht (NL) w/The Stilettos
23 Cobra (outside), Solingen (D)
NEW FILTHY RICH COLUMN
THE FILTH IS BACK AND HE'S HERE TO PROCLAIM WHAT THE TOP 10 RIP OFF 7" CHECK IT OUT HERE,SEE IF IT MATCHES YOURS!
THE JUNE QUIZ
O.K. THE MOMENT YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING FOR..MORE FREE B.S.THESE ONES ARE TOUGH, LETS SEE HOW GEEKY YOU ARE...I PROMISE AT THE START OF JULY I WILL POST THE WINNERS GO HERE TO PLAY
SHUTUP & LISTEN
UPDATED 5/5//2003
THE MARKED MEN OUT NOW!!
A REASON TO LIVE AGAIN!! THE MARKED MEN DEBUT LP/CD IS OUT NOW! THE MARKED MEN CARRY ON THE GREAT TRADITION OF INCREDIBLE BANDS ON RIP OFF RECORDS FROM TEXAS…THE MARKED MEN ARE IT. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE SONGS THAT JEFF AND MARK WRITE, FIRST IN THE REDS AND NOW WITH THE MARKED MEN…THESE GUYS WRITE CATCHY FUCKING SONGS, ITS THAT SIMPLE. I ‘M PROUD TO HAVE THE MARKED MEN ON THE LABEL. DAMN, I PLAYED BACKLASH 4 TIMES IN A ROW I COULDN’T GET ENOUGH…AND NEITHER WILL YOU. SURE TO BE A FUTURE CLASSIC..SO GET ‘EM BEFORE THEY’RE GONE. OH YEAH EUROPEANS ARE GOING TO GET TO SEE THE MARKED MEN IN AUGUST ON A MINI TOUR…DO NOT MISS THEM!! I WILL POST THE TOUR DATES ONCE KNOWN.
RIP OFF RECORDS RADIO
CAN YOU HEAR IT? INSPIRED BY THE DONNAS WEBSITE, (EVERYTHING I DO IS) WE NOW HAVE SAMPLES OF THE NEW MARKED MEN ALBUM. I WILL BE PUTTING UP THE MORE RELEASES ON THE SITE SO YOU CAN HEAR HOW GREAT THEY ARE BEFORE YOU BUY IT (LIKE YOU NEED TOO)…YOU TRUST RIP OFF DON’T YOU?? YOU BETTER YOU BASTARDS. ANYWAY TURN YOUR SPEAKERS ON, DROP SOME ACID AND LISTEN UP HIPPIES! OH YEAH THEN SEND CASH FOR THE MARKED MEN LP/CD, AND IF YOU’RE STILL TRIPPIN ON THAT LSD, THEY COST $100!
THE STIPJES WEBSITE
I PUT UP THE STIPJES WEBSITE THEY DID THEMSELVES..NICE OF ROBERT THE DIRTY DUTCH BASTARD TO TELL ME ABOUT IT..ANYWAY ITS UP ON THE SITE..THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BANDS THAT PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW ABOUT SHOULD INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THEY WERE GREAT FUN. . GREAT LP/CD AND SINGLE RIP OFF PUT OUT..SO BUY THE FEW REMAINING COPIES TO COMPLETE YOUR RIP OFF COLLECTION..YOU WON’T BE SORRY. GO HERE
RAXOLA LINK
PUT A LINK ON FOR A GREAT 70’S BELGIUM BAND, RAXOLA. THE ZODIAC KILLERS WERE INVITED TO PLAY A SHOW WITH RAXOLA, THE KIDS AND ELTON MOTELLO…JESUS ALL MY BELGIUM PUNK ROCK HERO’S…HOPEFULLY WE CAN WORK THIS SHOW IN ON OUR TOUR IN OCTOBER. GO HERE
QUIZ WINNERS FOR APRIL
O.K. BELOW ARE THE WINNERS AND THE CORRECT ANSWERS:
To win a 7" test pressing answer the following:
1) Which band has the most releases on Rip Off Records?
The Registrators
2) The first full length released by Rip Off Records was with what band?
The Statics
3) Name the title of the first full length? Rat City
4) The second ever full length on Rip Off Records was with what band?
The Rip Offs
5) The third full length on the label was by what band? Captain 9 &
the Knickerbocker Trio
Winner: Ryan Daley Sonoma California
To win a 7" test pressing and a full length test pressing, answer the following:
1) On the Motards 7" the band are taking a piss on
a statue of whom? Stevie Ray Vaughn
2) One band on Rip Off records was from Holland, name that band?
The Stipjes
3) Two bands on the label hail from Arizona, name those bands.
The Spites, The Wongs
4) Name the bikini model on Rip Off 010? Suzanne Bartchy
5) Name the biggest selling release on Rip Off Records?
The Rip Offs-Got A Record
Winner: Jon Gray Columbus Ohio
To win the grand prize 7"& 12" test pressing,
a poster and a t-shirt answer the
following:
1) Name the band that had a rare, limited (500 copies) one
sided lp? Loli & the Chones
2) Name all the singles that have a mystery and limited unnamed b-side
to them? Rip offs-Go Away, Problematics-Bad Habit, Registrators-TV Hell,
Spastics-Cherry Pop
3) Name all the bands from Texas that have a release on Rip Off Records.
Motards, Cryin’Out Louds, Young Losers, The Reds, Dirty Sweets
4) Name all the Japanese bands that have a release on Rip Off Records.
Teengenerate, Registrators, Intimate Fags
5) Going back to Rip Off 010, the person on the far left is not a member
of the Rip Offs. Who is this person? Ian Mclean (Spoiled Brats, Spastics
Drummer)
Winner: Francisco Penalver Madrid Spain
May Quiz
I have all these great questions..but screw it..I just wanna give stuff away(and I'm lazy) So no quiz…Just tell me in 10 words or less why Rip Off Records is the greatest label in the land.
APRIL 2003
WHAT A MONTH. PROTESTERS WERE OUTSIDE MY FRONT DOOR, AND I WITNESSED A SITE THAT SEEMED LIKE A BAD DRUG TRIP. A SAN FRANCISCO CITY BUS WAS FULL OF RIOT POLICE, AND THEY STOP RIGHT OUTSIDE MY HOUSE TO KEEP THE PROTESTORS IN CHECK. A LOT OF FUN..ALL WATCHED FROM MY FRONT DOOR. INCREDIBLE. ANYWAY ENOUGH PROTESTOR WAR TALK....
FIRST UP FILTHY RICH CONTACTED THE VERY FIRST EVER RIP OFF RECORD BAND, THE STATICS AND CAME UP WITH COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF THE STATICS. FROM THEIR HUMBLE BEGININGS TO THEIR FINAL KAMIKAZE RUN THROUGH JAPAN...ITS ALL FOR YOU TO READ ABOUT HERE. I WANNA PERSONALLY THANK RICH FOR THE EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH HE DID FOR THIS, I THINK HE DID A GREAT JOB. THERE IS ALSO A NEW BAND PAGE FOR THE STATICS, AND IT WILL BE SLOWLY UPDATED AS WE GET MORE PICTURES AND FLYERS TOGETHER. MY GOAL IS TO TRY AND GET MANY OF THE DEFUNCT BANDS A PAGE AND A HISTORY FOR FANS TO READ.
SECONDLY, THE ZODIAC KILLERS ARE RECORDING THEIR NEW LP/CD AT THE END OF THE MONTH...SO BE READY...ITS TENTATIVE TITLE IS "SOCIETY OFFENDERS". THE ZODIAC KILLERS ARE SETTING UP A TOUR FOR OCTOBER IN EUROPE..SO EUROPEANS GET IN TOUCH IF YOU CAN OFFER TONS OF EUROS!!
LASTLY THE REASON YOU GEEKS LIVE FOR....FREE STUFF!!! THE APRIL QUIZ FOR FREE PROMO MATERIAL FROM YOUR FAVORITE LABEL IS HERE!!! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU CRYING ABOUT WHAT YOU WIN, YOU UNGRATEFUL BASTARDS!! I WILL CLOSE THE CONTEST AND NOTIFY WINNERS ON SUNDAY APRIL 6.
-GREG LOWERY
QUIZ WINNERS!!! UPDATED 3/8//2003
The First Rip Off Record Giveaway has its winners! Below are the answers
and the winners. Jim, the grand prize winner was the only one who knew
that Wesley Gravolet also played in the Rip Offs toward the end of the
life of the band.
To win a test pressing of a Rip Off Records 7” Answer the following:
1) Name the first release on Rip Off Records – Statics
2) What state was this band from?-Washington
3) How many releases on Rip Off Records did they have-3
4) Name the Titles of each release of this band (on Rip Off Records only)-S/T, Rat City, Punk Rock & Roll
5) How many songs were on the first single, and name those song titles. 2 theme/All Mixed UpWinner: Troy Canady, Talahasee Florida
To win a 7” test pressing and a full length test pressing, answer the following:
1) Name the second release on Rip Off Records? Spoiled Brats
2) Name 2 of the 5 members of this band that went on to play in famous bands after this band. Shane White/Elka Zolot
3) Name 3 of the bands that these members were in after this band. Infections, Spastics, Rip Offs
4) This band made its debut at a now defunct legendary club in San Francisco, what was the name of that club? Purple Onion
5) Name the two songs that are on the single. Jackies never coming back/No You Don’t
Winner: Mattias Hasselbo, Stockholm Sweden
Grand prize, a 7” test pressing, a 12 inch test pressing, a poster, and a t-shirt answer the following:
1) Name the third release on Rip Off Records. The Rip Offs S/T
2) Name the two songs on this record? Now I Know (It’s You)/Can I Come Over
3) Name every member of this band. Shane White, Jason White, Greg Lowery, Jon Von, Wesley Gravolet
4) Name every band the two main members were in together?The Rip Offs, The Infections
5) Name the pop/punk band that one member was in before this band? Mr. T. Experience
Winner: Jim Rees, Cardif, England
UPDATED 3/1/2003
First thing to talk about is the next releases on Rip Off Records. I was trying to keep this a secret but Rip Off Records is proud to present a new full length by “The Marked Men”. You're saying who? This is ¾’s of the legendary band “The Reds”. The Marked Men have that Reds sound, but with a poppier bouncier feel. Shawn of the Dirty Sweets says the Marked Men are better then the Reds, and he is a huge Reds fan. This full length will be out in May. After that we got the italian band The Atomsmashers LP/CD “Drop The Bomb.” What can I say about these guys, live they are a blast with their 15 minute sets and non stop energy. This lp captures that spirit and all the hooks and catchiness they displayed in their debut 7”. This will be out in June.
Secondly, we got a few columns, one from myself, about the Donnas army of idiotic fans…you can check that one out HERE…or the new one from Filthy Rich which you can find HERE.
Lastly, the moment most of you geeks have been waiting for
the Rip Off Records 10 Year Anniversary giveaway…every month until
the end of the year we are going to ask questions, and you have to answer
them correctly, and email me at ripoffrecords@hotmail.com with the correct
answers. I will take the 10th (10 years get it?) email I receive with
all correct answers. I will then open any email I receive and if it is
correct that person wins the prize. If I do not receive all the correct
answers the emails that come closest to the correct answers will win the
above mentioned prize. O.k.? ready..find the questions… HERE
…please do not post on the website the answers until after I indicate
we have winners for each prize, and because Rip Off Records loves you
so much, we are paying the postage to your door on your prize!
January
4th 2003
Happy New Year from Rip Off Records!!
Rip Off Records 10 years old!!!!
It was approximately 10 years ago that Rip Off Records was born. The first release of the Statics came out in March 1993. I can't believe it's been that long. If someone was to tell me back then I would still be putting out records 10 years later from the greatest bands that no one has ever heard, I would have laughed in their face. Just when I think I have heard all the great bands there is, some new band I never heard of sends me stuff that blows me away. I want to thank all the great bands over the years that have helped make Rip Off Records make it to this milestone of 10 years. And I want to thank you, the loyal fans that know where the home of the legendary bands of past and present call home, Rip Off Records. We are going to start giving away some priceless Rip Off Records memorabilia to fans, real fans starting in March. Rare test pressings, posters, and t-shirts are the fun stuff I am going to give away. But as we all know nothing is free...you are going to have to prove you deserve the free goods...And a test will be given..(yeah just like school...) and you have to answer the correct questions...it'll be fun...so quit crying...more on the rules and the first exam will be in March 2003, the official 10 Year anniversary of Rip Off Records. Upcoming future releases...Possibly the over anticipated Rip Offs Live Lp/CD, Supercharger Live Lp/CD, Atomsmashers LP/CD, New Kill-A-Watts LP/CD, New Zodiac Killers LP/Cd, New Dirty Sweets LP/CD, and possibly a Tyrades LP/Cd, and maybe a few British bands, The Ulcers and Pokers maybe will participate in a split lp/cd, the first in Rip Off History!! Oh yeah also we got the Zodiac Killers Have A Blast video/dvd and live show from Japan, Another Rip Off Record first!! Have a great new year and remember tell your loser friends to quit buying the Hives and White Stripes and buy Rip Off Records!!!
-Greg Lowery
New Filthy Rich Columns!!
We got not one, but two Filthy Rich Columns.
Don't know if is because he is unemployed from Blank Generation, too much
drinking, or what the hell it is but here are too funny ones from the
man... First one talking about what sucked in 2002, you can find it here...
and the second one is about Greg being dead, ala Paul McCartney in the
Beatles days...too many drugs Rich, but it is funny none the less read
that one right now...
SUPERCHARGER OUT NOW
O.k. kiddies, its out now. All of Superchargers
rare out of print singles are on one collection, just for you. This recording
is in order of release, starting with the probably the best single we
ever did, Icepick and Want it Bad. These two songs were probably the “punkest”
sounding Supercharger ever got, and it was recorded by Trent of the Mummies
in his garage in Daly City CA, the same place where some of the Mummies,
Phantom Surfers songs were recorded. The next four songs are from the
second single originally on Bag Of Hammers Records, called Rev It Up.
This single was originally done because Shane White loved the song “Rev
It Up”, so we did it mainly for him at the time. Side Two starts
with the extremely rare Supercharger/Mummies tour 93 Flexi, that was only
available for that European tour only. It features two songs, Bad Boy,
and I’m Beat.
The next hit is the Estrus promo single for the Goes Way Out Lp, featuring
“Don’t Mess Me Up”, that has Trent of the Mummies playing
keyboard on it! The flip side is the infamous “Live from Radio X,
which is outtakes of Supercharger screwing up songs, and fighting. Also
on here is probably Superchargers worst moment, doing a cover of the Rezillos
“Mystery Action” for the first ever Gearhead magazine. Sorry,
it sucks, but it had to go on here this is the singles compilation, good
or bad…Then we wind up with the final single, a live split single
with the Mummies from the infamous Café Pits in Belgium, doing
“Boom Boom”. So that’s it, I look back at Supercharger
with mixed emotions, knowing we could have had a lot more fun with Supercharger,
and what we accomplished was truly impressive for a band that never played
live before we recorded our first LP. Many bands have copied Supercharger
(and who couldn’t?) and it seemed like got more recognition then
Supercharger ever did. Without Supercharger there would be no Rip Off
Records, there would be no Donnas, there would be a lot of bands that
would second guess themselves. Supercharger knew we had good songs, but
we also knew we couldn’t play to save our lives. But it didn’t
stop us. This is truly the spirit of true “Punk Rock”.
Oh yeah in true Supercharger fashion, the master tapes are long gone,
so I recorded them with my tape player direct from the records. You can
hear a few pops and scratches, but I personally wouldn’t want it
any other way.
A Show Review of
The Zodiac Killers/Tyrades/FM Knives in Sacramento:
F.M. Knives/Tyrades/Zodiac Killers
The Distillery -- Sacramento, CA
Friday, October 25, 2002
The Distillery may very well be the best bar in which to see a punk show in Sacramento. Cool vibe, good sound, friendly folks behind the bar, and booking that leans towards garage and the “rock” in punk rock (without forgetting the locals) are several reasons why this is one of my favorite venues in town.
I was a little surprised when the Zodiac Killers were the first band to set up their equipment for the evening. Advertisements for the show depicted the Zodiac Killers as the middle band on a three-band bill with the F.M. Knives headlining and The Tyrades opening. I viewed this lineup shuffle as a nice gesture on the part of the Zodiac Killers. By opening the show, they prevented The Tyrades from opening or closing the show – difficult slots for a relatively unknown touring band. Infused with new blood, including a new-ish guitarist and drummer, the Zodiac Killers were in fine form. They opened with “Kamikaze Attack” and blazed through a set of hi-energy garage punk that has become synonymous with Rip Off Records. There was very little pause between songs save for a snare drum change (more on that later), which provided a forum for some good-natured heckling by Greg Lowery. Everything and everybody was fair game as he tried his hardest to bait the crowd, singling out people in the audience sporting facial hair and backwards baseball caps among others. “Do you know punk?” inquired Mr. Lowery. “If not, we’re The Clash,” he quipped. Without missing a beat, his guitarist followed-up with “If you do, then we’re the Groovie Ghoulies.” Most people weren’t sure whether to smile or frown at the ambiguous reference to a hometown band, but I found the comment amusing in light of Zodiac Killers’ drummer Matt Kanelos’ (a.k.a. Matt K. Shrugg) departure from the Groovie Ghoulies not too long ago. Scene drama aside, I can’t say enough good things about Matt’s drumming prowess. The kid attacked his kit like a madman, and literally pounded the skins hard enough to put a hole in his snare drum several songs into the Zodiac Killers’ set. Overall, the band turned in a fantastic performance fitting of a headliner, and you should definitely see them live if you get the chance.
I would have been content to call it a night after the Zodiac Killers’ set -- they were that good; however, I was really looking forward to seeing The Tyrades. Of the three Tyrades’ singles available, I’d only heard their Rip Off Records 7” prior to the show. I thought the record was good, but I wasn’t sure if it was good enough to warrant buying their 7”s on Big Neck Records and Broken Rekids, respectively. When I’m on the fence about a band, a live showing usually determines whether I return to their recorded output with renewed enthusiasm or simply file the records away. The verdict? The Tyrades did not disappoint at all; I thought they were fantastic and turned in the most energetic set of the night. The Tyrades don’t sound like a “typical” Rip Off Records band. They've got the requisite garagey and trashy elements, but there is an arty streak to some of their songs, which sets them apart from others in the genre. The Tyrades' straightforward garage punk numbers were excellent and full of punch, and I loved the tension created by the stop-start whoosh (syncopation) and discordant guitar that weaved their way into the material. The energy level remained “in the red” for the duration of The Tyrades’ set as the band pushed each other and played hard. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the bass player’s “Yes, I’m going for the Adolf Hitler look” mustache, which was funny. I bought their other records after the show and you should buy them too.
In their short existence, Sacramento’s F.M. Knives have generated quite a buzz. Their debut CD on Moo-La-La Records is brilliant, and every review I’ve seen has been positive (check out the newest issue of Horizontal Action for an interview). What makes this band so great lies in the saying, “What you see is what you get.” No bullshit, no posturing, no flash; just four ordinary “old” guys armed with great songs and impeccable chops playing pogo-friendly, poppy punk. The F.M. Knives played an inspired set to a packed house to bring the evening to a close. They aren’t the most interesting band to watch, but perhaps they don’t need to be. Ultimately, it’s the songs that count, and the F.M. Knives’ songs speak for themselves. Full of tastefully executed guitar leads, bass lines, and drums fills, and accentuated by singy-songy, whiny vocals, the F.M. Knives are doing the right things at the right time. Everything has its place, and everything fits. The band played songs from their “Useless and Modern” CD including “The Man from O.S.I.,” “Down the Street,” and “Summer Holiday,” along with some new material, which was fantastic. I was also impressed with guitarist Chris Woodhouse’s technique for drinking a beer and playing guitar simultaneously without missing a note. Now that’s impressive!
-Mario Solis
And now..A Halloween
/Zodiac Killer Story
Some
people, especially fans in other countries have no idea that the Zodiac
Killers took their name from an infamous killer from the San Francisco
area in the late 60's. The Zodiac was terrifing San Francisco with his
murders and cyptic ciphers, and his sick sense of humor , for example:
"I want the people of San Francisco to wear some nice Zodiac buttons,
and if not I will have to do my thing"!! The Zodiac Killer has never
been caught. Not since Jack the Ripper has a murderer so captured the
attention of the public. Now DNA evidence is playing a part in trying
to finally figure out the identity to the elusive Zodiac Killer. There
was a very interesting hour long special on the Zodiac Killer the other
night, and how DNA can eliminate supsects and finally prove who it may
or may not have been. From almost the start of the investigation, the
police and a few books, Zodiac, and more recently, Zodiac Unmasked,
have focused their attention on one man, Arthur Allen. Arthur
Allen died in the early 90's, claiming his innocence until the end
of his life. The special on TV had the DNA tested off of 3 letters that
are known Zodiac Killer letters sent to the San Francisco newspapers,
and a sample of his brain...and the results were...no match. The stamps
on the letters and on the flap do not match Arthur Allens DNA.
I had heard they had new DNA evidence and I was convinced that Arthur
Allen was the Zodiac. This information is incredible and fascinating.
After reading the two above mentioned books, I am a firm beliver that
Arthur Allen was the Zodiac. So I have a theory...On two of the
letters tested, there was no DNA at all. This indicates to me that perhaps
a moistoned sponge commonly used at post offices were used to seal the
envelopes and the back of the stamps. On one of the letters DNA was found..this
could have been from a person who used the sponge, started to lick the
stamps, but realized there was a sponge available, then used it. This
would have cross contaimanated the sponge with a strangers DNA before
the Zodiac used it, then the Zodiac used it, and in the year 2002, we
have some strangers DNA cross contaimanated in one of the greatest murder
mysteries of our time. Anyway, what the hell do I know?? If you are interested
in this mystery, please check out the link to Zodiackiller.com,
or go get the above mentioned books.
Zodiac Killer/Rip Off Records fun facts:
1) Sang the song "Zodiac"on the Supercharger
debut lp, that ended up on the Estrus reissue, and later rerecorded
on the Rip Offs" Got A Record" Lp
2) Supercharger named the first instrumental track off of
"Supercharger Goes Way Out" LP, "Super X,"
this was the brand of ammo the Zodiac boasted he used in the first
murders to prove he was the Zodiac.
3) Trent of the Mummies named their Telstar Lp
after a quote I said in an interview about the Zodiac Killer where
I was asked who my favorite serial killer was...and of course I said the
Zodiac because he "Has Never Been Caught"..i actually
said never been caught motherfucker, which was going to be the title,
but Telestar records wanted to keep it clean.
4) Named my latest band the Zodiac Killers, duh.
5) Used actual Zodiac Killer fonts on both Zodiac Killers
Lps including Zodiac Killer "cypher" that actually have
messages on the labels, back of the lps for you to decipher. (hint: get
the Zodiac Killer book for help deciphiring, if you care)
6) Named the Zodiac Killers Lps after actual Zodiac Killer
quotes...I like killing people because its "The Most Thrilling
Experience", and if you don't want me to "Have a Blast"
you must do these things....
7) Copied Zodiacs crude drawings for the back of the Have
A Blast LP, turning his bus bomb idea into a nightclub setting.
8) Used the same type of ammo and guns the Zodiac used in
his known murders for 500 posters that were randomely dispersed in 500
Have A Blast Lps (super x, 22 & 38 calibers)
Greg Lowery -Rip Off Records CEO
