0009: Suits Me

Even before getting a recording contract, one of the milestones for upcoming rock bands is making the leap from playing clubs in surrounding towns to playing out of state. In some cases it involves driving for four or more hours and sleeping in the car since the gig doesn't pay enough to cover gas and a hotel room. So, what does it say about a band when their first out of state gig is the 1996 San Diego Comic Con? It says that the members include comic book artists.

I picked up this Action Suits 7" single for the Peter Bagge sleeve art, obviously, but the classic power pop sound of the band was a pleasant surprise. The specifics behind the recording remained a mystery for about 10 years until the release of a CD compilation whose booklet gave a brief history of the band:

The single doesn't actually have a catalogue number on the sleeve or the label, so I'll note the matrix numbers scratched into the trail-off grooves.

Side A: "4-Track Mind" (written by Eric Reynolds) Lead Vocals: Eric
Trail-off groove: "U-43196M-A FL-003A"
Produced by Steve Fisk

Eric Reynolds: Guitars
Andy Schmidt: Bass
Peter Bagge: Drums, Percussion, Harmony Vocals
Steve Fisk: Hammond Organ

Side B: "My Janeane" (written by Eric Reynolds and Peter Bagge) Lead Vocals: Eric and Pete
Trail-off groove: "U-43196M-B FL-003B"
Produced by Steve Fisk

Eric Reynolds: Guitars
Andy Schmidt: Bass
Peter Bagge: Drums, Percussion< Harmony Vocals
Steve Fisk: Mellotron

There were three singles released that year, apparently all recorded during that session in March 1996.