News | Touch and Go / Quarterstick Records

Scratch Acid Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set Available March 14, 2025

PRE-ORDER HERE

On March 14, 2025, Touch and Go Records will release the Scratch Acid Box Set - limited to 2000 sets worldwide. Remastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service, the box set includes 180-gram clear LP pressings of all three releases as well as a 24-page booklet featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, liner notes by David Yow, Brett Bradford, and photographer/journalist Pat Blashill, as well as full-color paintings by contemporary artist Mark Todd from the same era as the cover art for the S/T EP and Berserker releases. In addition, this limited Scratch Acid box set includes an exclusive clear vinyl 7" with both tracks the band contributed to the 1986 Touch and Go Records compilation, God's Favorite Dog. The 7-inch includes cover art by Mark Todd as well.

Born out of the early 1980's Austin noise punk scene, Scratch Acid deliberately eschewed the loud, fast rules of hardcore as everything they didn't want to be and embraced a weirder, artier sound. The band's eventual permanent line-up consisted of David Yow on vocals, Brett Bradford on guitar, David Wm. Sims on bass, and Rey Washam (Big Boys) on drums. During their brief existence from 1982 to 1987, the band released 3 records, including a full-length album (Just Keep Eating) and two EPs (S47T EP, Berserker).

Prior to the release of their 1984 debut S/T EP, someone gave Touch and Go Records owner Corey Rusk a cassette of the recording, and he was instantly a huge fan. Rusk was immediately interested in releasing the EP and contacted the band to express his admiration. At the time, Scratch Acid had already committed to working with Rabid Cat Records.

Although Scratch Acid was Sims' first band and Yow's first turn as lead singer, the group quickly developed a riveting performance aesthetic. As the debut EP made its way around the country via fanzines, college radio, and word-of-mouth, the band mounted short tours to the Midwest and the East Coast. While Rusk was not able to work with Scratch Acid directly through Touch and Go, Rusk had begun booking shows with Scratch Acid in Detroit, so he could see them live and meet them. A friendship formed, and Touch and Go Records would eventually release the band's second EP, Berserker, in 1987.

After playing a total of 146 shows, Scratch Acid broke up after the long tour that followed the release of the Berserker EP. Since that time, the band have had many imitators. Many alternative bands have cited Scratch Acid as one of their influences.

Sims and Washam joined up briefly with Steve Albini in Rapeman. After Rapeman broke up, the two Davids formed The Jesus Lizard. In 1991, Touch and Go released The Greatest Gift, a compact disc which collected most of Scratch Acid's recorded output.

Remembering Steve Albini

Tuesday night, one of my dearest friends, Steve Albini, unexpectedly passed away.

He was supernaturally talented (in far more disciplines than you or I could ever hope to be), kindhearted, generous of spirit, and generous with his time. He had the warmest, most genuine smile and he always greeted you with it.

He was a member of more bands on Touch and Go than any other musician. He played on more Touch and Go releases than anyone else. He recorded more bands on Touch and Go than any other engineer. He was a cherished friend of mine and a champion of my record label for 40 years.

When I met him, in 1984, we immediately bonded over music, barbeque, and fireworks. I had booked a show for Big Black in Detroit. We stayed up most of the night barbequing, laughing, and talking about musical influences, small explosives, and food. By morning, I felt like we'd been friends all my life.

On many 4th of July's, our shared inner pyromaniac tendencies emerged and we indulged our mutual love of fireworks. Surrounded by members of various bands, and other brave friends, we'd spend the day blowing up thrift store finds, fruits & vegetables, and gas-soaked bags of flour with small explosives. Once darkness fell, the bottle rocket wars would begin. An immaturely good time was had by all… especially Steve and I.

Our lives intertwined over the following decades. Steve made music, and we released it. We signed new bands, and Steve recorded some of them. Once Steve's dream studio, Electrical, was completed, our bands started recording there.

For a few years, Steve (and Bob and Todd) deemed me Shellac's soundman and took me all over the world with them (despite my obvious hearing loss which resulted in excessively loud concerts). The adventures we shared on the road will always be some of my fondest memories.

Shellac finished their new album last year. It's incomprehensible that Steve will not be here when it is released next week.

My life, and the lives of everyone close to Steve, will be forever altered from this moment forward. There's no replacing a big-hearted friend and kindred spirit like Steve. I love him and will miss him for the rest of my life.

-Corey Rusk

Shellac Announce New Album, To All Trains, Out May 17, 2024

DATA
This is Shellac's sixth studio LP. Recording & mixing took place at Electrical Audio in Chicago over a bunch of long weekends in November 2017; October 2019; September 2021; and March 2022. The record was mastered by Bob & Steve at Chicago Mastering Studio.

THE PACKAGING
LP and CD packaging and artwork are identical (the CD is just smaller). Bob took all the photos; some with a fancy camera and some with a telephone.

QC
Audio quality is paramount, as always, with Shellac. The LPs are being manufactured by Green Vinyl Records using an injection molding process. This new process uses 100% recyclable PET (like soda bottles) and is environmentally friendly, containing no PVC or Phthalates. The process also uses 79% less CO2 than conventional hydraulic PVC vinyl presses. The records weigh 180 grams.

PRE-ORDER your copy of To All Trains on 180 gram LP or CD HERE

Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits To Be Released On Record Store Day - April 20, 2024

On April 20, 2024, Touch and Go Records will release Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits. Pressed on 180-gram opaque green vinyl, this double LP represents an archival legacy of the band from early beginnings in rural Illinois to their dissolution over a decade later. The tracks selected for side A/B compile 17 fan favorites from Didjits' Touch and Go discography on a single LP. The bonus LP, entitled Bring Me the Head of Jaco Pastorius, includes the unreleased four-track recordings from UXB as well as early unreleased (pre-Fizzjob) Didjits' recordings. In addition, the full-color gatefold LP jacket and printed inner sleeves reveal unseen photos and memorabilia from the band's history. Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits on double green vinyl is limited to 1500 copies and will be available in conjunction with Record Store Day in the US as well as at independent retailers outside of the US.

This release is dedicated to the memory of Doug Evans.