Feb 3, 2019 | Rose Blossom Punch
I can’t remember when I first met Aaron Sprinkle. We’ve talked about this and he can’t remember either so, I’m not going to feel bad about tagging him in this post and calling that out.
What I do know is that it was more than a few years ago that we met and I can recall how much I loved hearing his music almost instantly. I can recall hearing Marco Collins play Poor Old Lu and Rose Blossom Punch on the radio. While working at Sonic Boom Records and then atThe Crocodile I know there were some Fair shows we worked on together. And that doesn’t even begin to bring in Blank Books and Luna Wave into the picture and how great they are.
Which sorta brings us to present day. Aaron and I were talking a few months back about the “lost” Rose Blossom Punch EP “Sorry to Disappoint You” and how he’d love to see it released on vinyl. Which I thought made a lot of sense and as that’s pretty much the point of Latent Print Records, seemed like joining forces to get this done was just a logical step in this awesome process. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that without Nick Barber, Terry Coggins, and Paul Mumaw this whole thing wouldn’t be possible as well. Some really fine fellows all around if you ask me.
Please
check it out and if you’re so inclined help spread the word to a friend or two you think might be interested.
-Pete / LPR
Oct 9, 2017 | Black Happy
Pretty sure it was somewhere in ’91 that I first heard about Black Happy. Probably in some sort of awed, hushed whisper in the hallways between classes… in that way you do when you want to impart the gravity of the situation on someone.
“Have you heard Black Happy? They’re coming to town. You’re going to see them right?” stated as much less of a question and way more of an imperative for crucial adolescent development.
No surprise, the next time they came to town I went and saw them. If I’m being truthful, I don’t remember all that much about the show… according to the flyer Small was on the bill, who I’m sure no doubt crushed it (they always do) as well as Empty Set (pre-SDRE) opening up… as for Black Happy, I know I was blown away and I know I wanted more. I recall making my way to the merch table to buy a copy of Friendly Dog Salad and upon finding out they were sold out of tapes, happily upgraded to the CD… and at that time spending the extra $3 or $4 for the CD meant a lack of fries or milkshake at Shari’s later on so, clearly a band had to be really impressive to warrant that sort of upgrade, right? (I do have a clear memory of playing the album over and over at Christopher L. Walker‘s house while playing computer games all day long the next day so, it seems I remember the important stuff I guess)
In any case, it’s fair to say I was converted. Pleased to join the club and help spread the word in any way I can. Happy to drag any friend remotely interested in music to see the band whenever they came through (looking at you Matthew Johnson) Always eager to pile friends into the car to roadtrip to see the band in such exotic locations as Yakima and Ellensburg (there was even one time I tried to sneak into a 21+ show of theirs in San Diego) As any fan of the band can attest, once you join that club, you happily join for life.
So here we are, however many years and shows later and I’m still so ecstatic to wave my Geek Club flag with delight and be able to announce that Latent Print Records will be reissuing Black Happy’s Friendly Dog Salad and Peghead albums on vinyl in August of 2018. And yes, there will be reunion shows to support these releases too.
Many many many thanks to the band for their confidence in LPR to make this happen. Their enthusiasm for seeing this whole thing through has been so very wonderful.
And while I’m at it, absolutely need to mention/thank Arthur Hagman, Steve Bergstrom, Chris Hanzsek, Megan Roberts, & Jason Doctor for the support, advice, and hard work to help make this happen. It sounds cliché, but this couldn’t be done without you. And the band. Definitely them too.
Mar 6, 2017 | Goodness
Oh man, too many years ago I had the bright idea that I wanted to put on rock shows.
I had been helping friends put on theirs and at some point, felt like the time was right for me to try it on my own. The timing worked out pretty well for me as about the time I decided I wanted to figure out how to be some sort of local show promoter, Carrie M Akre (of then Hammerbox fame/Tri-Cities fame) was starting up a new band named Goodness.
Within moments of hearing their first demo tape, I knew I had a new favorite band. And after a handful of years of promoting shows, I moved from the Tri-Cities to Seattle where the band managed to rope me into being their merch guy as they toured all over the state and beyond (okay, full disclosure… I say “roped” but, I’m fairly certain I bugged them incessantly until they let me have the job)
Little did I know that 20+ years later, after too many shows to count, in at least 6 different states, and countless wonderful memories, that I’d be just as excited to work with them today as I was at that first show way back when.
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that Latent Print Records second release will be Goodness’ first album, due out this November. I can’t thank Carrie M Akre, Garth Reeves, Danny M Newcomb, Fiia McGann, and Chris Friel (who for some reason isn’t on Facebook but, you can find him on Twitter @ChrisFrielworld) for trusting me and Latent Print Records with helping to reissue their stellar debut album on vinyl.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Barbara Dollarhide Pritchard, Kevin Suggs, Mike Todd, and Julian Gibson for helping me get into (and stay) in the van with Goodness for as long as I was lucky to.
Additional thanks most definitely go to John Goodmanson and Chris Hanzsek for their help and support of making this reissue possible.
Aug 16, 2016 | Small
As if this year wasn’t busy enough, it seems I’ve also decided to start up a project management-style record label with my good pal Jason Doctor. Latent Print Records has been created to help reissue some phenomenal records that never got the vinyl treatment but, most assuredly deserve that special spot in your music collection.
The first release we’re excited to announce is a vinyl reissue of the Tri-Cities Small‘s Finished One. Originally released in 1992, Finished One garnered great reviews in The Rocket, Maximum Rocknroll, and of course their hometown paper, the Tri-City Herald.
Small released a couple of 7″s, two albums, appeared on a compilation, sold thousands of cds and cassettes, had their own trading card in the NW Bands trading card series, had a PSA on MTV, toured the nation and inspired countless other acts from the area. Not too shabby for a punk band in the pre-Internet days. When the Seattle scene broke open in the early ’90s, Small was eastern Washington’s answer to what was going on the other side of the mountains. (Okay, that last line felt pretty cheesy to write but, it doesn’t make it any less true)
It’s fair to say I love this band and am excited to be working with them. We’ve come up with some pretty great campaign rewards to help fund this project (including digging up an unreleased song and even getting the band back together for a couple of shows!!) and I hope you’ll take a look and help spread the word if you’re so inclined.
Additionally, many thanks are owed to Guy Fusman, Chris Hanzsek, Tom Fortier, and the band (Jim Acquavella, Kris Boisoneau, Bill Hughes, Craig Woodall, & Jon Boetes) for getting us this far. Apologies if I’ve left anyone out of this list… it was late when I composed this. Rest assured this won’t be the only post I put up regarding this and will do my best to give credit where credit is due as soon as I can.
Thank you for reading and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out.
