Category Archives: Re-Issues

Retroactive Records to Release Fluid, Grace Shaker, and A Kiss of Life on CD and Vinyl

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Retroactive Records has announced that they are reissuing Michael Knott’s Fluid, L.S.U.’s Grace Shaker, and Lifesavers A Kiss of Life on CD and vinyl. They all come with historical write-ups and and images. The Fluid release will come with a re-imagined version of the “Get Well Jenny May” card that was part of the advertising campaign. The CD version of A Kiss of Life will feature the original artwork for the first time on CD. Check out the full announcement details here, along with links to pre-order.

Help Reissue Rocket and a Bomb on Deluxe CD and Vinyl

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From Lo-Fidelity Records: “I’ve been putting records back into the world for a long time now. Some because I was asked to. Some because they were/are favorites of mine. And some because they never really left the people who heard them the first time.

Rocket and a Bomb fits all of these criteria.

This is Michael Knott at his most locked-in as a storyteller. It was not the loud, chaotic, full-band Knott most people expected. This was him writing about the strange, broken, funny, and very real people who surrounded him when he was living in Hollywood. Junkies. Neighbors. Lost souls. Friends. Himself. The whole thing plays like a stack of short films set to music. It’s messy, human, sometimes hilarious, sometimes brutal, and somehow still full of grace.

When this record appeared, it didn’t fit neatly anywhere. It wasn’t CCM. It wasn’t alternative rock in the way people wanted it packaged. It just existed in its own strange little orbit…and over the years it quietly became one of the Knott records people kept coming back to. The one they mentioned in emails. The one they asked about at shows. The one they didn’t forget.

So, let’s bring Rocket and a Bomb back properly.

Not as nostalgia. Not as a quick repress. But as a careful, fully-realized reissue for the people who’ve lived with this album for decades…and for the ones who are just now discovering how deep Michael’s catalog really goes.

If you already know this record, you know why it matters.
If you don’t, you’re about to find out.”

Reissue of the Aunt Bettys 1996 Debut Available on CD, Vinyl, and Cassette From Lost in Ohio

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From Lost in Ohio: “All I ever wanted was Aunt Bettys on vinyl. Reissue copies now available for pre-order. Remastered from tape, new artwork, extensive liners. Available on two vinyl variants, plus CD and cassette. Ships Feb 20. And a release celebration on Feb 28.

Lost in Ohio is reissuing Aunt Bettys on vinyl for the first time, with a deluxe package that honors the album’s legacy. The original Tim Okamura paintings are lost, so renowned artist Stephen Cefalo created two brand-new 12×24 oil paintings inspired by the originals. The album has been freshly remastered by Christopher Colbert from the original tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Liner notes by Lara Noel Hill (the band’s A&R rep at Elektra) and never-before-seen photos complete the package. CD and cassette versions are also available, all featuring the same care and detail. This is the version the album deserved in 1996.”

Help The Choir Reissue “Flap Your Wings” and a New Album on Vinyl

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Remember when Michael Knott painted the cover for The Choir’s Flap Your Wings album? It is now time for that album to be re-issued on vinyl – with a few surprises as well as a new album by The Choir.

“The Choir’s first album, Voices in Shadows, was released in 1985. Forty years ago! Can you believe it? And now we are intent on making another. It will be our 20th. So… it feels poetic and apropos to offer 20 more new songs! Dragonfly will be our most ambitious project to date: a double CD and double vinyl.

Dragonflies symbolize transformation and self discovery as they emerge from water to air. As a band and as seekers we are still evolving, still adapting, still chasing beauty and authenticity. As friends and co-creators we enjoy making music together as truly as ever while extending each other the grace to explore alone. We’ve learned that it is important to honor each other’s individuality, which sometimes means existing in adjacent zones. Derri, Steve and Dan. Like “a dragonfly on the water, another on a sunny rock, and another on a flower stalk,” there comes a time to dance on the wind again, as a musical team and as brothers. So here we go!

To mark this moment, we are also excited to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Flap Your Wings with a limited deluxe edition on CD, vinyl and download. The audio has been newly remastered for clarity and depth from the original DAT of the final mixes. We are making this extra special (deluxe) by adding two new tracks. We will cover a classic song from Adam Again and another from Michael Knott. It feels appropriate to honor both of these artists on this project. Our tribute song, “Hey Gene,” is on Flap Your Wings and it’s been 25 years since our dear friend, Gene Eugene, left this world. Also our friend Michael Knott, who recently departed, painted the iconic cover art. Packaging will reflect the original spirit with thoughtful modifications. The Flap Your Wings 25 Year Anniversary Deluxe Remaster is bundled in select reward tiers or simply as an “add on” when you back Dragonfly.”

Help Reissue the Aunt Bettys Debut Album on Vinyl, CD, and Tape

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“The Aunt Bettys album has lived on as one of the most celebrated releases of Knott’s career. Lost in Ohio has had the pleasure of working with Mike Knott on prior reissues of his albums The Grape Prophet and Strip Cycle, and we’ve now decided to take on a deluxe reissue of this album as well, with the direct involvement of Knott’s family and band.

We will reissue the album on vinyl, in two stunning color variants. Each will be pressed on heavy 180 gram vinyl in a deluxe gatefold package, with liner notes and never-before-seen photos and memorabilia. We will reissue on glass-mastered CD, in a digipak with a full booklet, with the same attention to detail afforded the vinyl. For those still rollin’ the streets in their ’80s Camaro, we have a cassette option, with a large fold-out J Card (magnifying glass not included). All production will be handled by trusted partners that we have worked with multiple times for great, consistent results.

The iconic album artwork paintings are lost to time, as confirmed by artist Tim Okamura. We have chosen to work with another renowned painter Stephen Cefalo, who will be creating two brand-new 12×24 oil paintings for the release. The new artwork will be inspired by and an homage to the original art, designed specifically for the larger vinyl format. Like Okamura, Cefalo is a celebrated painter with a background in surreal life-like paintings. He has also done work in comics and as a staff artist for Nickelodeon, so he brings experience relevant to the unique demands of this project. And some fun facts for those in and around the Mike Knott scene:

  • Stephen is fan of Knott’s work in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and is excited to be involved in the project.
  • He went to high school with Blaster the Rocket Man, and painted the cover to their album The Monster Who Ate Jesus in his younger years.
  • We have definitely heard him name Fluffy Luvs You as among his all-time favorite albums.

We will be working with Christopher Colbert to remaster the album, and hope to obtain the original master tapes for the highest quality results. (Warner Bros. maintains meticulous master archives and will begin the search and restoration process at the conclusion of the Kickstarter. Although we expect to have access to the master tapes, we will ultimately use the best available audio sources.)”

See the Kickstarter page for pledge levels, samples of Cefalo’s artwork, budget breakdowns, stretch goal statements, and more.

Pre-Order Both Browbeat and Alternative Worship Reissues on Vinyl and CD

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Retroactive Records is re-issuing Brow Beat – Unplugged Alternative, Alternative Worship – Prayer, Petitions & Praise, and Browbeats – Wither Wing on CD and vinyl:

“We want you to know just how hard we have worked to make these treasured releases SPECIAL for fans who have waited and waited and waited for these three albums to receive the care and treatment that COLLECTORS CRAVE! We have tried our best to give you the very best reissues on the planet.

As the owner of Retroactive Records, I recall putting Brow Beat – Unplugged Alternative in my CD player, not knowing exactly what Brow Beat was or what to expect. I just knew I loved all the artists. I could never have anticipated just how much I would love that unique compilation. I listened to it over and over and over again for many years. That album made a distinct imprint of brokenness, healing, despair and hopefulness on my heart and soul that I carry with me to this day like it’s a badge of honor.

Later, I would come across another gem, Alternative Worship – Prayer, Petitions & Praise. It received very little promotion and could easily be missed if you didn’t know who was on it or that it existed. I am certain music fans passed by it, assuming it was part of the mindless gut of corporate worship music releases at the time. But Alternative Worship was just that – an alternative to the cookie-cutter worship music we knew. It was an alternative to the theologically and artistically stagnant worship scene we were trying to escape. The fact that the album was an offering and outpouring from Michael Knott, Terry Taylor, and Gene Eugene only made it more essential that fans find this under-the-radar bit of brilliance. The music is powerful and the lyrics will wiggle into your DNA.

I was excited to see a second Browbeats album released in 1998 – Wither Wing. I wondered if it would be able to touch the brilliance of the first one. To be honest, the first track shocked me with the hard edged, guitar-ripping rap rock from Ted Cookerly of EDL. It sent the message that this album was different. So I opened my mind to what it had to say and offer. The all-star cast of the album was mind-boggling and the music did not disappoint, even if it took some time to adjust to the fact it was fully plugged in and loud and proud! I am glad I did. Truthfully, it’s the perfect third album from Michael Knott and company. The first Brow Beat was spiritual, introspective, and soul searching. Alternative Worship led us down the path of authentic worship and seeking of the Holy One. Now, we were ready to have fun, celebrate, and party! Browbeats – Wither Wing is exactly that for us – a party. And, like any good party – it better be fun and the second Browbeats is that to perfection.

These three albums were never promoted as a trilogy, but I came to see them as companion pieces that belonged together and I’m grateful they were in my life. I always thought they would be amazing to experience on vinyl – especially the softer songs. I could imagine the warm, dynamic vibes going from my vinyl record needle, out of my speakers, and filling much more than my home. I am glad we get to experience that now. Thank you for being part of this experience.”

Help Fund Michael Knott’s Classic “Screaming Brittle Siren” on Vinyl

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“Screaming Brittle Siren is one of Michael Knott’s best releases from start to finish. Come join us in making this historic event happen. This alternative classic will be available finally on vinyl! Unfortunately, in order to properly release this it has to be a double vinyl, which means higher manufacturing costs. I have tried to keep the costs down where I could. I think in the end it will be a release we will all love to play on our turntables. This is the moment we have been waiting for and we can’t do this project without you the fans! So please pledge and also spread the word around to your fellow Michael Knott Fans!”

L.S. Underground’s “Finding Angel” Re-issued on CD

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Remember the CD-R release in 2001 of Finding Angel by L.S. Underground / Michael Knott? Unfortunatey, many of those CD-Rs did not last long, so Joshua Lory has spearheaded a re-issue of this lo-fi entry in Knott’s catalog on pressed CDs in a slimline case. A limited number have been manufactured, so make sure to grab a copy from Young Earth Records on BandCamp.

Lost in Ohio Announces Another Small Pressing of “Strip Cycle”

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The vinyl version of Strip Cycle has arrived, and it looks and sounds amazing. But some fans missed out on getting a copy because it surprisingly sold out quickly. But if you missed snagging a copy – don’t despair!

“Another small pressing of Strip Cycle is happening, to help take care of those who missed it the first time around. Pre-orders coming later this spring. (Or for the impatient there are a few copies available at retail…)”

Lost in Ohio to Release “Strip Cycle” on Vinyl

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“In 1995, Mike Knott was unstoppable. His bands L.S. Underground and Bomb Bay Babies had grown to become staples of the southern California rock circuit. Through his successful indie label Blonde Vinyl, he had produced and released over 20 albums. Most notably, his group Aunt Bettys had been signed by Elektra Records after a bidding war between labels and was primed for wide success.

Knott also released three critically-acclaimed solo records. Each showed a distinct style and approach, with influences ranging widely from Bauhaus to Tom Petty to Dinosaur Jr. And while his band Aunt Bettys were preparing their major label debut, he sat down and wrote his fourth, Strip Cycle.

Strip Cycle is unlike anything Knott has released before or since. While some of the lyrics call back to the deranged storytelling of his album Rocket and a Bomb, they quickly take a more personal turn, with a heavy emphasis on the challenges of being a new dad and struggles with alcohol. The musical shift is more obvious, recalling the sound of early Violent Femmes with its all-acoustic instrumentation. Shortly before recording began, Knott’s daughter Stormie found his guitar and messed with the tuning knobs. Knott like the weird sound it created and made it an intentional aspect of the record (dubbing it “Twisted Toddler Tuning”); it yielded a very unique sound, with the loose strings frequently snapping against the fret board in a percussive manner.

The album features a strong lineup of songs, performed by capable Knott collaborators Brian Doidge and Chuck Cummings (Aunt Bettys) and drummer Ed Benrock (Starflyer 59). There is a sound of spontaneity throughout the album, with Knott himself playing drums—poorly—on “Super Girl” and another song cutting off mid-chorus amidst screaming. It was ultimately released by fledgling indie label Tooth & Nail (a spiritual successor to Knott’s own label Blonde Vinyl). The artwork matched the grittiness of the music, featuring grainy high-contrast images from photographer and musician Matt Wignall, and a handwritten scrawl for the titles and credits.

Lost in Ohio is pleased to reissue Strip Cycle on vinyl for the first time. True to the original, the album is presented in all black and white packaging, with freshly-restored copies of Wignall’s original photos, including never-before-seen images from the photo shoot. Great care was taken to preserve the highest quality possible sound, with lacquers cut by hand at The Vinyl Room in the Netherlands, and processed at Pacri Group in Italy, before being lovingly pressed by Precision Record Pressing in Toronto.

Pre-Order Now“