Happy Happy Birthday to Me

HHBTM SUMMER / FALL

2009-07-15T01:47:00.007-04:00

These are the next three new releases coming up on HHBTM this Summer & Fall. First up we have the debut album "If You Were Fruit" by the Lovely Eggs from the UK. I found these two thanks to Cherryade Records. HHBTM & Cherryade share bands and we seem to be working together sometimes without even knowing it. This is why you can find most HHBTM stuff at the Cherryade site and Cherryade stuff at the HHBTM site. "If You Were Fruit" comes out on August 25th. (there aren't any special pre-order items for this one, maybe when we get to doing the vinyl.)

the Lovely Eggs - Have You Ever Heard a Digital Accordian

The new Bunnygrunt album "Matt Harnish & Other Delights" will be on CD & LP. This record comes out September 1st. You can pre-order just the regular versions, or if you want the special edition you'll get a cloth doll of a random bunnygrunt member. (you don't get to pick your member, but you can also order the full set while supplies last). This album is heavy on the Karen both in songwriting and vocally. The LP sleeve will feature a multi-color silkscreen design and will be limited to 300 copies.

Bunnygrunt - Shotgun

The Afternoon Naps also have their debut HHBTM release "Parade" coming out on September 23rd on both CD & LP. You can order regular versions or get the special edition that comes with an Afternoon Naps pillowcase. The LP sleeve will be a single color silkscreen design and will be limited to 300 copies.

Afternoon Naps - Mitten Fingers

PRE-ORDERS ARE UP AND RUNNING AT THE HHBTM WEBSITE NOW!

Eux Autres TOUR

2009-07-15T00:23:00.004-04:00

Eux Autres are hitting the road as well joining label-mates the Smittens at the Indietracks Festival. It's crazy but I have yet to see Bearsuit or Eux Autres live. I think those are the only two bands on the label that I have yet to see.

July 26 : Derbyshire, ENGLAND @ Indietracks Festival
July 28 : Sheffield, ENGLAND @ Red House
July 29 : Chelmsford, ENGLAND @ Bitterscene
July 30 : London, ENGLAND @ Bardens Boudoir
July 31 : Göteborg, SWEDEN @ Parken
August 1 : Malmö, SWEDEN @ Debaser
August 5 : Berlin, GERMANY @ Bang Bang Club
August 7 : Munich, GERMANY @ Astro Cafe
August 8 : Dresden, GERMANY @ Wimp Club

SmokeDOG

2009-07-14T00:48:00.004-04:00

Smokedog have their HHBTM debut cassette "Rogue Warrior" coming out this Friday. Yes, I did just say cassette. I have been wanting to do one for ages now, and Smokedog are just gritty enough and have that right kind of fuzz that sounds great on a cassette. The cassette is limited to 100 copies, and the last 25 copies were dubbed from the tape before in order so that the final 25 tapes gained a generation adding even more fuzz and distortion. If you are in Athens, GA this weekend you should come out to the Caledonia Lounge on Friday July 17th to pick one up and see Smokedog live along with the Mystery of Two, Marshmallow Coast, and the Titans of Filth. If you can't make the show, the cassette will be available through the HHBTM website later this week for $5.00.

Smokedog TRACKS
Gimmie Shelter (Stones cover)
Hero (Smokedog original)

Smittens WEEK comes to an end

2009-07-14T00:40:00.002-04:00

This is the last post that wraps up Smittens week at the HHBTM blog. It's been fun adding these videos to the blog this last week, and has even made me give the recent Smittens record "the Coolest Thing About Love..." some extra spins. That record is such a huge leap for them compared to their first two albums. This band won me over big time during that first Athens PopFest in 2004. I still can't believe sometimes they joined the HHBTM family and how far they have come as songwriters and as a band. It made me so proud this year to have them get asked to not only play the NYC PopFest & San Francisco PopFest, but they also were asked back to Indietracks. I can't wait to hear what they do next. Here's a video of them doing " Half My Heart Beats" at last years New England PopFest.

THE JUST SMITTENS

2009-07-10T16:53:00.003-04:00

The Smittens covering one of their favorite UK bands the Just Joans at the NYC PopFest.

Smitten-tracks

2009-07-10T02:28:00.002-04:00

Post 3 of 5 in what we here at the HHBTM HQ are calling SMITTENS WEEK. If you didn't already know the Smittens are about to go back over to the UK to rule over the Indietracks festival. (well co-rule along with Eux Autres & the Lovely Eggs...go HHBTM Family) Here's a little sample of what you might have missed last year. Eventhough they already played Colin & Dana brought it to the fans on the train platform between bands and even roped Max in on an acoustic version of "Gumdrops".

Smittens WEEK

2009-07-09T01:02:00.003-04:00

Just got word from Dana Smitten today that the HHBTM shop will have copies of both A Little Revolution and Gentlefication Now back in stock on CD by next week. Here's another new video, this one is for "Magpies & Eccles Cakes".

Smittens "100 Roses"

2009-07-08T02:43:00.006-04:00

This week is Smittens week at the ol' HHBTM blog. Those cute lovable bubble twee poppers the Smittens are hitting the road this month overseas with their second UK tour and their first tour of Sweden. To kick things off here is the new video for "100 Roses". It has been around for a bit, but I wanted to wait till close to the tour kick off.

SMITTENS UK TOUR
JULY
19th - @ The Head of Steam, Newcastle w/ One Happy Island, Pale Man Made, Frankie and the Heartstrings
20th - @ the Flying Duck, Glasgow w/ The Just Joans, The Specific Heats, Maple Leaves, One Happy Island
21st - @ the Victoria, Birmingham w/ One Happy Island, Pete Green
22nd - @ the Wilmington arms, London w/ One Happy Island, Standard Fare, The Melting Ice Caps
23rd - @ Packhorse, Leeds w/ One Happy Island, The Wednesday Club, The Seven Inches
26th - @ Indietracks festival w/ Camera Obscura, Teenage Fanclub, Stereo Total & many more
SMITTENS SWEDEN TOUR
28th - @ TBA, Gothenburg
29th - @ Insikten, Jönköpings Kulturhus, Jonkoping w/ Nils Folks Valdemar
31st - @Lasse I Parken, Stockholm w/ Would-Be-Goods, Burning Hearts, Strawberry Fair

LET'S WHISPER & COLIN CLARY SHOWS
15th - @Buffalo Bar, London w/ The Secret Charisma (aka Brad from One Happy Island), Ich Bin Fin, The Sunny Street
17th - @The Betsey Trotwood, London w/ Sweet Baboo, Allo, Darlin'
25th - @ Indietracks festival
30th - @ The Southside Cavern, Stockholm w/ Johan Hedberg (from SKWBN), MJ Hibbett

Forever. Forever-eva?

2009-06-07T00:59:00.002-04:00

Forever will be hitting the road yet again to support their debut self titled EP. You should really go check them out if you get the chance.
June 6 Portland, OR @ Camp Rainbow
June 11 San Francisco, CA @ The Hemlock Tavern
June 12 Oakland, CA @ TBA House Show
June 13 San Diego, CA @ The Treehouse
June 14 Phoenix, AZ @ The Manor
June 15 Tucson, AZ @ The Red Room
June 16 Las Cruces, NM @ The Equinox
June 18 Austin, TX @ Sound on Sound Records
June 19 New Orleans, LA @ The Saint
June 20 Huntsville, AL @ The Battlefield
June 21 Little Rock, AR @ ACAC Arkansas Community Arts Co-Op
June 22 TBA in Tennessee
June 23 Birmingham, AL @ TBA
June 24 Pensacola, FL @ Kelsey's House
June 25 Gainesville, FL @ The Wayward Council
June 26 Athens, GA @ ATHFEST
June 27 Richmond, VA @ Show Pending / Playing a radio show in the day
June 28 Washington DC @ The Girl Cave
June 29 Philadelphia, PA @ JR's Bar
June 30 New Brunswick, NJ @ TBA
July 1 Brooklyn, NY @ Death By Audio
July 3 Brooklyn, NY @ Dead Herring House
July 4 Boston, MA @ Great Scott
July 5 Greenfield, MA @ The People's Pint
July 6 New England TBA
July 7 New England TBA
July 8 Providence, RI @ AS220
July 9 Portland, ME @ Slainte
July 10 Buffalo, NY @ Sugar City
July 11 Pittsburgh, PA / Cleveland, OH @ TBA
July 12 Columbus, OH @ Monster House
July 13 Detroit, MI @ The Lager House
July 14 Chicago, IL @ TBA
July 15 Milwaukee, WI @ TBA
July 16 Minneapolis, MN @ 501 Club
July 17 St Louis, MO @ Dickberg House
July 18 Kansas City, MO @ The Pistol
July 19 Denver, CO @ Old Curtis St Bar
July 20 Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA
July 21 Missoula, MT @ Zoo Town Arts Collective
July 22 Seattle, WA @ TBA

bUnnygrUnt

2009-05-18T04:05:00.002-04:00

Bunnygrunt will be doing a tour to and from the SF PopFest starting this weekend. We had hoped to have the new album ready, but the mixing and mastering is still being worked on by Casper & Matt. Look for the new Bunnygrunt album “Matt Harnish and Other Delights” later in the summer with a southeast tour to follow. We’ll be announcing the pre-order for the new album in 2 weeks for both CD & LP.

MAY
18th News Room, Kansas City, MO
19th Hi-Dive, Denver, CO
20th Baxter's Coffee, Salt Lake City, UT
21st R5 Records & House Party, Sacramento, CA
22nd San Francisco, CA SF PopFest
23rd Works/SJ, San Jose, CA
24th Soda Bar, San Diego, CA
25th Biko Garage, Santa Barbara, CA
26th Stinkweeds (record store), Phoenix, AZ
27th Hangart, Tucson, AZ
28th GarageTequila Bar, El Paso, TX
29th J&J's Pizzeria, Denton, TX
30th Tap Room, St Louis, MO

Modern Silence

2009-05-15T01:10:00.003-04:00

It's a slight bit late, but getting these files to work so I could post the photo has been a bit tricky. (I'm not the best at getting files to work, and trouble shooting web problems) The new Casper & the Cookies album Modern Silence hit stores on Tuesday and is now available via the band and the HHBTM website. The record has been getting some press, and starting to chart on college radio, so please call your local college radio station and request some Cookies already. We have the the regular CD for $10.00 or the special edition version which comes with a printed fabric banner of the design above and 3 more banners featuring the tape ninjas on the record sleeve and a button for $13.00. The Cookies will also be hitting the road this summer to support Modern Silence.

MAY
15th Spazzatorium, Greensboro, NC
17th Cake Shop, New York, NY-- NYC Popfest
30th Caledonia, Athens, GA CD Release Party *
JUNE
5th Prevue, Charlotte, NC
26th Cine, Athens, GA ATHFEST HHBTM SHOWCASE @
JULY
18th Brillobox, Pittsburgh, PA #
20th Middle East, Boston, MA #
21st Cake Shop, New York, NY #
22nd Bruar Falls, Brooklyn, NY #
23rd Danger Danger Gallery, Philadelphia, PA #
24th Solly's, Washington, DC, Early Show #
27th Twisted Branch, Charlottesville, VA #
29th Caledonia Lounge, Athens, GA #
AUGUST
10th Daytrotter, Rock Island, IL
11th The Mill, Iowa City, IA
29th Caledonia Lounge, Athens, GA HHBTM 10 YR BDAY PARTY $

* w/ the Lolligags & Marshmallow Coast
@ w/ Cars Can Be Blue, Forever, Tunabunny
# w/ Everything Now
$ w/ High Water Marks, Visitations, Red Pony Clock

Marshmallow Coast - Phreak Phantasy PREORDER

2009-03-30T03:45:00.002-04:00

Phreak Phantasy the new album by Marshmallow Coast will be officially released on May 26th on both CD & LP. This is Andy Gonzales aka Forrester aka Sailboat's 7th album to date and 2nd for Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records. The new album features mainly Andy on vocals, guitar, keys, and drum machines, but he also gets some help from his wife Sarah on flute and Will Cullen Hart (Olivia Tremor Control & Circulatory System) with some tape manipulations and noises. The pre-order will be limited to 50 people for the CD or LP for $15.00 or both for $20.00 that comes with a small painting by Andy. The vinyl is limited to 100 copies and will have a silkscreen sleeve. The image above is what the front cover of the CD looks like, and the LP will be a little different but pretty much the same artwork as the CD.

HHBTM @ SXSW

2009-03-18T03:18:00.002-04:00

There is this festival in Austin Texas called SXSW. It's pretty big, and from what I hear the big event of the year. It's where all the soda companies, cell phone makers, food network stars, publicity companies, beer companies, shoe companies, lifestyle branding agencies all go to promote their business with cool showcases and parties. Well we thought hell yeah, we need to get in on that and this is where you can catch some of the HHBTM family while in Austin.

Bearsuit
19 - Bloody Massive House Party @ 3100 King St Austin
19 - After The Jump Showcase @ The Rusty Spurs Saloon
20 - KVRX session
20 - Back To The Future Party @ 1024 E. 44th St
20 - If I Like It @ The Ant Art Farm, 4901 Blueberry Trail
21 - NYC Popfest @ Waterloo Cylces

Casper & the Cookies
20 – Standard Recordings / Craftser Day Party
20 – Back to the Future (HHBTM) Party @ 1024 E 44th St
21 – NYC Popfest @ Waterloo Cycles

Forever
18 – Todd P’s All Day Party @ Ms. Bea’s
20 – Back to the Future (HHBTM) Party @ 1024 E 44th St
20 – the H.M.S Hazard House Party
20 – Alison’s House Party
21 – NYC Popfest @ Waterloo Cycles
21 – Void Space Bliss Cave Showcase

Fishboy
20 – Back to the Future (HHBTM) Party @ 1024 E 44th St

Loppy Dallion Superstar

2009-03-16T18:20:00.005-04:00

Today was one of the hardest days of my life. Leslie and I had to have our pet Loppy put to sleep. Loppy was 14 years old, and well we never fully knew exactly what type of breed of dog he was, but he was the best dog I have ever had. Loppy had never bitten anyone or let out a growl at even a stranger. He has so friendly and laid back. Anyone who had come over to the house or stayed with us on their stop in Athens while on tour could tell you, dogs don’t get sweeter than Loppy. I was given Loppy by my sister in the fall of 1995. He was just a puppy and a bit too hyper for her and my niece Christina. My sister got him from our cousin, but he had never taken him in for shots, and on my 21st birthday I found him dehydrated in the woods near my house sick from parvo. We took him to the vet, and with lots of fluids we got him through it. (most dogs don’t live through parvo). We used to live across the street from a practicing cowboy when we lived in Florida. When I say practicing I mean he rode bulls, would lasso cows, the whole rodeo lifestyle. Well, we soon found out Loppy loved to herd cattle. He was a natural herding dog from what our neighbor told us. This however came to end once he got into the pin with the bull while I was at work and the bull put a horn through his leg. Leslie and I came home and found him on the porch with a massive tear inside his inner back leg. We took him to the vet and once again he was patched up. He used to get to run free with all his other dog friends back when we were in Florida, but this would come to an end when someone stole him. He was missing for 3 days. We drove all around looking for him, no luck. He had tags, so I knew if he had been picked up by the dog catcher we would have been called. I decided to call the pound anyway, and they had him there. I asked where they picked him up and they told me it was on the other side of town. I guess he got free from who took him, and maybe he was heading home. We got him back, and from that moment he became a house dog. We moved to Athens in 2004, and at 9 years old he seemed just fine. In November of 2007 we took him to the vet and they told us he had a heart murmur and an enlarged prostate. The main thing that would help was to have him neutered. Yeah I know, you had him neutered at 12!!!!! It was the only thing that would help his heart and prostate. He bounced back in about a month, then he jumped up in his favorite chair one night like he always did and let out this yelp like he had been bit something. He wasn’t bit by anything, but he had given himself a hernia when he jumped up on the chair. So then he went under the knife once again. This time to put his guts back in the right place, but he never really fully came back from this one. After this surgery he became an older dog. There would be times where the inner puppy would come out, or he’d run across the yard to tree a squirrel, but he started to stay in bed much more than he used to. Then about a month ago he started to have trouble going to the bathroom. He had flairs of colitis over the years, but the cries he would let out now were ones we had never heard before. We tried different medicines, changed his diet, everything we could do. The last few days the pain was so much we had to help it to go away. We fed him the best dog food, we made sure he had all his shots, check ups, heartworm pills, walks, exercise, and plenty of hugs, rubs, and kisses, but you can’t keep them going forever. We let his last day be one of the best we could. We gave him a small cup of vanilla ice cream, some homemade sweet potato chips (baked and a bit on the softer side), and today before we took him in we gave him an old favorite he hasn’t had since we lived in Florida….a sausage biscuit.[ My dad when taking care of Loppy would give him a sausage biscuit.] He loved sausage biscuits. It has rained from Saturday all the way till today, so we didn’t get to take him to the walking park, and he didn’t get to tree one last squirrel, but he was given 14 years of love and care. I’ll never have another dog like him, and honestly I don’t think I’ll ever get another dog for myself. Leslie has her little Pip, and he is warming up to me more and more, but he’ll always be Leslie’s dog. I just want to say Loppy you have always been my best friend and I love and miss you.

a song Keith John Adams wrote about Loppy
Sloppy Loppy

Casper & the Cookies

2009-03-13T04:05:00.002-04:00

I am a bit behind blogging about the Casper tour, things have been a bit crazy around here over the last few days (you'll read why on monday). The new Casper & the Cookies album "Modern Silence" will be hitting in May, but I'm sure you can pick up a copy from them on tour. We are working out a sweet pre-order version, and those will be posted and available shortly. The vinyl will be coming out on People in a Position to Know (one of the few labels to have a longer name than us) shortly there after. The cookies are rockin' this tour as a three piece so be sure to check them out.
March TOUR
14th - Valdosta, GA @ Vito's Rock N Roll Pizzeria
15th - Panama City, FL @ Gallery Above
16th - New Orleans, LA @ Dragon's Den
17th - Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box
18th - Lafayette, LA @ Blue Moon Saloon
19th - Austin, TX SXSW
20th - SXSW @ the Art Project
20th - SXSW @ 1024 E 44th St HHBTM Party w/ Bearsuit, Forever, Fishboy, Ryan Anderson
21st - SXSW @ Waterloo Cycles w/ Forever, Bearsuit, Besties, One Happy Island
21st - Dallas, TX @ the Cavern
23rd - Little Rock, AR @ ACAC
24th - Memphis, TN @ Murphy's
25th - St Louis, MO @ the Firebird
26th - Bloomington, IN @ Cinemat
27th - Indianapolis, IN @ Locals Only
28th - Louisville, KY @ Glassworks

Boyracer "Happenstance"

2009-03-11T05:49:00.002-04:00

One of my all time favorite releases on HHBTM would have to be the Boyracer album Happenstance. I couldn't believe that HHBTM even was able to put out a Boyracer record. Long story super short, I pitched the idea of HHBTM & 555 getting together to release this awesome record with each label making it's own sleeve and insert for it. The HHBTM version comes in a vinyl fabric sleeve. (pic shows 3 combinations, but there are many more, and you get a random sleeve)I pressed 50 copies and I think 555 ended up doing 100. Anyway we finished our sleeves first so we are going to go ahead and start taking orders for it now. (however most copies will not ship until next week when the mailers from bagsunlimited get here). Oh yeah, you can order the LP at the HHBTM website for $15.00 in the USA & Canada (shipping costs apply everywhere else).

drop by later in the week for more singles club news: It's almost finished.....Mike

Cars Can Be Blue VINYL

2009-02-27T02:58:00.004-05:00

The Cars Can Be Blue "All the Stuff We Do" VINYL is now in. Everyone who did an early preorder for $20.00 not only received the vinyl but a patch, a button set, a promo photo, an olan mills photo, and a Cdr of the vinyl. All orders now will include what few extras that are left till they run out. We have just a handful of copies left, so pick them up while you can. The band will have copies at shows, but I don't think they will be around too long. Oh, yeah all the preorder copies were shipped out on Tuesday as well.

Singles Club Round #3

2009-02-27T02:51:00.002-05:00

GREAT NEWS: the Of Montreal / James Husband single is nearly ready...it's just waiting on the single from the plant, and the sleeve. The High Water Marks / Love Letter Band single is being mastered now, and will go to the plant on Monday, and the sleeve will be finished this weekend. The final single is in the works and it's looking good that these singles will ship out in May 2009 hopefully before the postage increase. The bonus 150 stuff is almost done too, so thanks to everyone who has been patient. I will send out a reminder to get correct or current addresses in mailing wise the last week of April. Also for anyone who has not picked up a club I did a count, and there are only 12 subscriptions left now. To show everyone that it is in fact being worked on above is a photo of the Apples in Stereo / Patience Please & All Girl Summer Fun Band / Cars Can Be Blue singles.

Randy Bewley

2009-02-25T21:38:00.003-05:00

This afternoon Randy Bewley (guitarist from Pylon) died from a heart attack that he suffered while driving on Monday evening. He will be missed. Randy was a real super funny guy, very kind, and one of the most innovative guitarists of our time. Pylon played a big role in my fascination with Athens while in high school in the late 80's. I found a copy of Athens, GA Inside Out at a pawn shop in Panama City, Fl where I'm from on cassette. I picked it up because R.E.M. were on it and I had never heard the song "Dream" which after getting the tape I found was a popular cover. This cassette opened my world up to so much it's almost impossible for me to think of what would be if I had not found it that day. The Pylon track " Stop It" was the highlight of the soundtrack. I was able to trade some Judybats singles and EPs I had to a girl at my school that had a copy of the actual VHS of Athens, GA Inside Out, and I knew then I would someday move there. I picked up loads of DB stuff over the next few years, and would give a bit more time to a band coming out of Athens than I would from anywhere else it seemed. I made trips to Athens through the 90's only
to finally move here in 2004. Shortly after moving here Pylon reformed and played a secret show in August of 2004. The timing was a nightmare though, as I couldn't go to it as I was in the middle of the first Athens PopFest, so i missed the show. They played again that new year's eve which might have been the best show I will have ever gone to. In the spring of 2005 I sat down with Randy, Vanessa, and Michael from Pylon (Curtis was out of town at the time) for an interview for an issue of the Bee's Knees that never went to print. I was so nervous talking to them, to me they were like the Beatles or Rolling Stones. Everyone was so polite and funny, and soon they put my nerves on ease. After that interview we ended up actually getting to be friends. They played the second Athens Popfest and a dream that seemed impossible before moving to Athens had came true. I never thought I'd ever see them play, but for Pylon to play at the Popfest..... it just couldn't get better. Pylon shows in Athens were always special because they had such a fan base here, and everyone was
there to dance and have a good time. (I mean when was the last time you went to a show and have an entire room moving on the floor?). When they played the Popfest however only about half the crowd knew them, most of the out of towners had no idea who they were. When booking them it never struck me that they would be playing to an almost completely new crowd, but when they went on you could see a bit of nervousness on the first song or two. After a few songs the audience couldn't help but to start dancing, and soon the entire club was getting to experience that Athens dance party that was a Pylon show. I could go on and on about each member, but I want
to share mainly about Randy. It was shortly after the show that I got to know Randy. We met downtown one night and he had dinner with my wife Leslie and I at Clocked. We talked about art and music, he shared a bunch of funny Pylon stories, and gave me an original 1" pylon button (or badge as known in the UK). Leslie and I that night dubbed him Rockin' Randy which we always called him after that. The nickname never caught on to others, but it was our little thing. Randy would drop by Wuxtry and we'd talk for hours about new records and reissues, he even took Leslie and myself backstage after the Gang of Four show in 2005 and introduced us to them all. He was just such a great person, always friendly, and open to talking about nearly anything. He helped me out when I was looking to buy a new guitar...anyway my thoughts are getting all muddy now. Randy you will be missed, and you have no idea how much you have touched all of our lives. My heart goes out to all his friends and family. [this is a video of one of their best songs " Danger" which was also taken at the last show by Pylon that I was able to attend].

The Mummies

2009-02-25T05:43:00.001-05:00

This isn't from 1986. I was 11 in 1986, why the hell would i want to go back there. The mummies rule. news being posted later tonight.

OOP Catalog Found & Sale Items

2009-01-28T04:28:00.002-05:00

It’s almost February and I’m just now doing the first HHBTM blog post this year. I had this big plan of doing more posts, and updating the site more often. It’s crazy how life gets in the way of your plans sometimes. The big news is that the HHBTM website is going to get a full renovation next month, so be on the look out for that. The HHBTM singles club is almost done. The Of Montreal / James Husband single is being mastered shortly. The Circulatory System single will be split with the Sunshine Fix, and the Love Letter Band single will be backed with High Water Marks. I’m going to put up scans of the All Girl Summer Fun Band / Cars Can Be Blue single and the Apples in Stereo / Patience Please single next week. The club should be ready to ship no later than May 2009. Sad to say but that will be officially two years after the club startedWTF I know, I know…

The Athens PopFest will take place this year from August 11th – 16th. The website and invites will go up and out next week with bands being announced as they are confirmed.

The crazy sales from December are still up, and will run till the end of February or until supplies run out. There are also lots of last chance items that I have found.

LAST CHANCE (down to just a few or one copy) * = not on website, so just email me for availability.
fablefactory – chocolate rainbow 7” $4.00*
passerines – hhbtm cdr club CDR $3.00*
pegasuses xl – hhbtm cdr club CDR $3.00*
titans of filth – hhbtm cdr club CDR $3.00*
zuno men – hhbtm cdr club CDR $3.00*
carrots – sunshine CD $5.00*
the smittens – gentlefication now CD $10.00*
the instruments – joy division covers 7” $7.00
gwens / breezy poritocs – split 7” $3.00
boyracer – it’s not true grit 7” $4.00
calvin don’t jump – hhbtm 1999 singles club 7” $4.00
Moscow Olympics – still 7” $5.00
Keith John Adams – sunshine loft CD $5.00*
gwens – devil’s cliff CD $10.00
elekibass – welcome wonderful world CD $10.00

In doing inventory we had a bit of a over run on a few of the current HHBTM singles club singles. Each single is $5.00.
Boyracer / Faintest Ideas – split 7” (2 copies)
Fishboy / Baby Calendar – split 7” (1 copy)
Velcro Stars / Keith John Adams – split 7” (2 copies)
Ideal Free Distribution / Poison Control Center – split 7” (1 copy)
Bunnygrunt / Phil Wilson – split 7” (2 copies)
The Marbles / Casper & the Cookies – split 7” (2 copies)

Some of these items due to only having one copy available might not have an order button at the hhbtm website store, so just email me to check if we still have a copy.

Also anyone who has not pre-ordered the Cars Can Be Blue “All the Stuff We Do” LP you might want to soon, I’m cutting off the preorder in a little over a week, and will only make enough bonus stuff to cover the people who got their order in before the February 8th cut off date. After that any copies left will be sold at a lower price with just the record and none of the bonus goodies. I will have a scan of the bonus package goodies early next week.

Lots of updates coming next week as well so stay tuned…….. Mike

Eux Autres - Another Christmas at Home

2008-12-17T21:12:00.001-05:00

Today we have the new video for an old song by Eux Autres. The single this came out on might be out or print, but you can now download the track via itunes. keep posted over the next week for more HHBTM bands sharing holiday themed tracks.

Cars Can Be Blue & Mega Sale

2008-12-06T05:55:00.006-05:00

Hey Folks,
It’s been a busy couple of months since the last update. We had a CMJ showcase that featured Bearsuit, Cars Can Be Blue, Forever, and long time label friends the Great Lakes. The Lolligags were to also play that show but Leslie and Eric were in a car accident that damaged the moog and totaled Eric’s car, so they had to call off going to NYC. The HHBTM head quarters moved into a bigger house in October as well, so the office is now no longer shared with the bedroom, which is super nice. Cars Can Be Blue finished a 60 date 2 month tour of the USA only to get denied entry and detained in the UK before getting shipped back home losing their airfare and having to cancel their UK tour.(you can read the full story here) The Forever EP was to be released this month but it has been pushed back due to the track listing on all the artwork being incorrect, so we are in the middle of fixing that now. The Lolligags “Out of Peversity Join Hands” EP is now out. It features 5 new tracks and 2 remixes by Andy Gonzales (of Montreal & Marshmallow Coast) & Dan Geller (I am the World Trade Center & Ruby Isle). The SINGLES CLUB is still in the works with the All Girl Summer Fun Band / Cars Can Be Blue single due back from the plant any day now. The Circulatory System single is set to go to the plant first week of January followed shortly by the Love Letter Band single with the of Montreal single going in the first or second week of February. Goal is to have the club shipped out in late spring. I am running some sales for the Christmas Season (deals below), and we are doing a special PRE-ORDER for Cars Can Be Blue “All the Stuff We Do” LP (limited to 100 copies), the sleeve will be silkscreened, come with a cdr, and some more bonus goodies. All the profits from the LP will go to getting CCBB their airfare back, and to help with legal fees to get their passports and visas cleared up. The LP will is $20 in the USA (shipping for outside the USA will depend on where you are having it shipped price wise). We hope to have the LP ready to ship by the end of January. This LP will not be around very long. DEALS BELOW…..

PREORDER
Cars Can Be Blue “All the Stuff We Do” LP $20.00

NEW ITEMS
The Lolligags “Out of Peversity Join Hands” CD EP $5.00

NEW DISTRO ITEMS
Afternoon Naps – Sunbeamed CD $10.00
Bunnygrunt / Sex Robots – split 7” $4.00
Cats on Fire – Draw in the Reins CD EP $ 6.00 RESTOCK
Liechtenstein – Apathy 7” $5.00
Moscow Olympics – Still 7” $5.00 RESTOCK

MEGA DEALS
Keith John Adams DEAL
- Unclever CD + Pip CD $10.00

Bearsuit DEAL
- OH:IO CD $10.00 (pick foxy boxer 7” or more sould than a wigan casino 7” for FREE)

Elekibass DEAL
- California CD + Welcome Wonderful World CD + Tour CD $10.00

Eux Autres DEAL
- Cold City CD $10.00 + FREE Eux Autres / Summer Cats- split 7”

Fishboy DEAL
- Albatross… CD + Little D CD $10.00

Patience Please DEAL
- Fleeting Frequencies CD + Parallel Plots CD EP $10.00

Various DEAL
- HHBTM vol 4 CD + No Parachute DVD $10.00

E6 DEAL
- Calvin Don’t Jump – Away with Birds CD + Fablefactory – Freak Out Hard on You CD + Fablefactory – We Won’t Rock You CD + High Water Marks – Polar CD + Ideal Free Distribution – st CD + M Coast – Say It In Slang CD + 63 Crayons – Good People CD $15.00

ALL ORDERS BETWEEN $50 - $99 DOLLARS PICK ONE FREE HHBTM CD
ALL ORDERS OVER $100 DOLLARS PICK TWO FREE HHBTM CDs
FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES & CANADA.
THIS SALE WILL RUN TILL JAN 1st or UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST.

New website and lots of new records coming in 2009, see you then. Mike

All the Sales can be found at this link here.

SORRY

2008-10-20T03:49:00.006-04:00

I have some bad news. Leslie (the Lolligags & my wife) our little dog Pip (pictured above with Leslie), and Eric Hernandez (HHBTM, Athens Popfest) were in a car accident Sunday afternoon in Nashville as they were returning to Athens after a weekend of Lolligags practice before CMJ this week. A girl in a SUV ran a stop sign hitting the passenger side of the car. Everyone is okay, Eric has some cuts, Leslie is really sore, and Pip will be checked out by a vet tomorrow. Eric's car is totaled, our Moog is not working, and my amp is acting funny. With Leslie being really sore, Eric being shaken up and without a car, and since most of the Lolligags sound is based around their Moog, it looks as though the Lolligags, Eric, and myself will not be at CMJ after all. The showcase will still go on, but the new line up will be Forever, the Great Lakes, Cars Can Be Blue, and Bearsuit.

Where to Start?

2008-10-17T02:30:00.003-04:00

I have been trying to post a video of Cars Can Be Blue from Youtube, but it never seems to work. I guess the person who put it up has it blocked from being shared. Anyway they are still on tour, and have been for 3 weeks now. The dates to their tour and a new track are below. I also wanted to update everyone on the HHBTM singles club. The Apples in Stereo / Patience Please split single is back from the plant, and David Crane from Boat sent in the artwork, now I just have to screen them after I get back from CMJ. The All Girl Summer Fun Band / Cars Can Be Blue single has been mastered, and will be sent to the plant on Monday. Jen Sbragia (All Girl Summer Fun Band / Softies) is doing the finishing touches on the artwork for the single now. The Circulatory System / Sound Houses aka New Sound of Numbers singles will be sent off to the plant in November. The Love Letter Band single looks like it might be backed with a new Dressy Bessy track. I haven't heard back from Tender Forever in ages, so we might have to move on in order to keep the club from being further behind. Then last but not least the Of Montreal / James Husband single should be going into the plant in January. Right now I am using a few different pressing plants, but most are still pretty backed up due to the massive demand for vinyl. It looks as though the club will ship in March if all goes well. The Apples single was at the plant for over 2 months, so the delay is partially from the plant, and from me thinking a split single singles club was a smart idea. I just wanted to keep everyone posted on the progress of the club.

Cars Can Be Blue "Shake it to the East" Tour

October

18th - Columbus, OH @ the Monster House *

19th - Gambier, OH @ Kenyon College

22nd - Brooklyn, NY @ Spike Hill CMJ SHOWCASE *#

26th - Geneseo, NY @ Molly's House

27th - North Hampton, MA @ the Elevens

28th - Keene, NH @ Armadillo's Burrittos

29th - Somerville, MA @ PA's Lounge ^

31st - Waltham, MA @ Chum's

November

1st - Winooski, VT @ Monkey Bar %

3rd - Baltimore, MD @ the Hexagon

5th - Richmond, VA @ Rumors

6th - Charlottesville, VA @ Rapture

7th - Asheville, NC @ Apple Alley

8th - Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor

10th - Charleston, SC @ Tin Roof

12th - Valdosta, GA @ Vito's

13th - Jacksonville, FL @ Eclipse

14th - Miami, FL @ the Vagabond

15th - Delray Beach, FL @ Dada

16th - Orlando, FL @ Stardust Video $

18th - Gainesville, FL @ 1982

19th - Panama City, FL @ TBA

$ = w/ Marc with a C

% = w/ the Smittens, the Besties, and James Kolchaka

^ = w/ the Howlies

* = w/ Forever

# = w/ Bearsuit, the Lolligags, Great Lakes

Cars Can Be Blue - Touch It (one of the 4 new songs from the upcoming HHBTM Singles Club single between All Girl Summer Fun Band & Cars Can Be Blue)