Probably my favorite local band of all time, there's not a lot I could write about this band that already hasn't been heavily documented. In fact, I'm just beginning the book by Andrew Earles.
But my own collection isn't too shabby. I just really wish I had more flyers... and being from Minneapolis hasn't made that any easier.
-The earliest piece of vinyl I have is the "Amusement" b/w "Statues" 7" on Reflex Records from 1980. Reflex was odd in the sense that it cataloged it's releases by letter, therefore their first 7" was aptly cataloged as Reflex "A".
I always thought this was strange because after "Z", where do you go? "AA" and so on? Could it be that the band could clearly see their end? I suppose depending on who you ask, that could be the case.
-"Everything Falls Apart" (Reflex "D") 1982 12" on 45 RPM. Fucking brilliant e.p. if you ask me. Absolutely essential.
I've always been curious about the matrix lettering on this. Besides the words "Barefoot And Pregnant" appearing in the inscription, unless you go by the track listing, side one and side two aren't specified on the label OR the matrix inscription. Instead, one side has a black label, the other blue. On the record, where the matrix number would normally appear, it says "Refelx Black" & "Reflex Blue" respectively.
I've got two copies of this. One of which, I cant bare to remove from the shrink wrap.
I know.
-The next album, "Land Speed Record" is the same case. I just can't bring myself to open it, since it's a copy on "New Alliance" from 1981 (NAR-007)
This album was my introduction to Husker Du. And I still think of the fact that this was recorded in a room that I spend so much of my time in, The 7th St. Entry.
The first pressings of this came with an insert with tour dates and was a run of 6000. The second press had an insert but no tour dates and the covers are on a heavier stock for the first two pressings than the third and fourth, which state "Marketed by SST records" on the back cover.
Re-issues on SST have changed a bit over the years and eventually anything that said New Alliance was removed. With the addition of a U.P.C. barcode. The stock is of a lighter weight and is white on the inside.
It was also released in the U.K. by Alternative Tentacles in the early '80's.
-"Eight Miles High" b/w "Masochism World" 7" Released in 1984 and was apparently out of print until about '90 when it was re-issued on different colors. (vinyl) It was also re-issued as a 10" together with the " Makes No Sense At All" 7" in the '90's.
-I have an early press of Zen Arcade. (No barcode, extra heavy card stock) (SST # 027) 1984. This double record is insane awesome. It's gotta be up there with some of the finest material the band has ever done.
It can be hard to date some of Husker Du's records since the packaging hasn't really changed all that much. And that seems to be the case for a lot of SST releases. You really have to know what you're looking for when you're dating them. The card-stock can be different, even the construction of the cover itself can all come into play. And even the matrix numbers aren't always be helpful. (see "Everything Falls Apart")
From what I've read about SST pressings, is when it comes to re-issues, they didn't really keep that great of tabs on how many were made. It seems they would do a random colored vinyl press of 1,000, and when they sold out or got low on them, they would press 1,000 more on a different color.
I believe all of these copies were ones that carried a U.P.C. code on the back cover.
That can be a "tell", at least to some extent. Earlier copies didn't have a U.P.C. on the back.
-"Metal Circus" SST Records (sst 020) 12" 45 RPM. No Barcode.
*** I have another copy of Metal Circus that's a mis-press and plays side 4 of "Zen Arcade." Does
ANYBODY have any more information about this record!? It even shares the same etching in the run-off section.
I bought it at a local record fair from a guy who said his brother used to work at Northern Lights back in the day. He did have some cool shit. Including the only Ramones album I've ever seen signed by the entire band. A copy of "Leave Home" (with Tommy!!!)
I've looked for info about this but have found nothing. Not even the insanely thorough "Husker Du Database" was able to yield me any info.
-"New Day Rising" (SST # 031) 1985 was for the longest time, my absolute favorite release from this band. (I've since held that opinion about most of the catalog). I have two copies of this L.P., the first press and a re-issue on blue vinyl.
-"Makes No Sense At All" b/w "Love is All Around" 7" (SST # 051) 1985 Orig. press.
-"Flip Your Wig" L.P. (SST 055) 1985. Early copy, no u.p.c.
-"Candy Apple Grey" L.P. (Warner Bros. # 25385-1) 1986. Their first release for Warner Bros.
-I've yet another sealed Husker's release and it's a 12" single of "Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely", a single from Candy Apple Grey.
-4 song 7" compilation that was a freebie with N.M.E and features 1 song from Husker Du, a version of "Ticket To Ride" by the Beatles. It's interesting...
-"Warehouse: Songs And Stories" 2XL.P. w/ a promo sticker and stamp.
"Warehouse" is another of my favorites, this one showcasing their latter years.
-And finally, I have a promotional double L.P. called "The Warehouse Interview". It's got song clips and interviews about the album. I've came across this a few times and have upgraded my copy twice now.
To date, this is my entire Husker Du collection. There's plenty of singles, and more out there. The rarest, are probably the cassette compilations put out by Reflex back in the day of bands from the local scene. Any leeds....?
