June Update (blog #3)

Greetings all.

Just a quick word about the current status of things.
Yes, it has been all-quiet on the Equation front recently, but we are progressing with several new releases ::

• TROUM :: 2xLP :: test pressings were rejected due to incorrect mastering and a new set of plates are being cut this week. All this means more delays ... but better to get it right than half-arsed and wrong. This will be a genuinely deluxe package (= pricey, sorry) but it will be worth every penny I guarantee!
• TNB + DSM :: LP/7" set :: currently waiting on test pressings but as the artwork is all done this should not be too long in the works. However, due to the recent unprecedented rise in postage charges by USPS I may have to wait until the TROUM is out as well as postage is now prohibitive and is making life very hard for honest small independents!
• BASS COMMUNION :: "Pacific Codex" CD/DVD-A set :: The masters are on their way to me right now - so more on that nearer the time. Needless to say we at Equation Towers are very excited about this. The exact numbers to be pressed have yet to be determined but will (most likely) be fewer than 1000. Yes - a proper CD on Equation! We originally wanted this to be a double 1-sided vinyl box set but the test pressings we had made failed to pass quality control (the frequencies were so extreme that making an analogue cut was just not going to work - we DID try, we can't do more than that).

I have a few other "irons in the fire" which will involve both vinyl and CDs. Be assured vinyl is where my true passion lies - but the recent USPS price rises, increased pressing prices (due to oil prices and other lame excuses) makes the general economics of vinyl an increasingly marginal proposition (financially). However more vinyl will be made for sure. Currently (and this list is very likely to change) we have the following in works ::

• The Get :: no title yet :: CD :: Rare material from this Southend-on-Sea [UK] post-punk band who hit the local charts with a home-made flexi disc in 1982. The band have re-formed and new recordings promised. This CD may come with a DVD-R as well (containign everything they ever did).
• Bad Losers :: "Win Again" :: CD :: great 1960's inspired garage/pop :: OK, I mentioned this earlier on the Equation site - had a catalogue number allocated (E=mc13), then I pulled it. It's back on again. Turned out the full LP had been digitally recorded (I LOVED it, trust me, it is stupendously good stuff) but the genius behind the band then went and bought a vintage analogue 8-track and decided to re-record the whole lot -again - on analgue. The fact that it will see the light of day on a digital medium seems to have been lost on them. Just for laughs we may release a 4-track 7" EP (in p/s) - but featuring some of the (great) digitally recorded tracks! Feel this has a nice odd symetry about it!
• Taming The Outback :: "Complete Recordings" :: CD. If you like Echo & The Bunnymen and other such "goth" bands you'll love this. Very early days and it might never materialize (for some very good reasons ... we'll see). This band were from Southend-on-Sea [UK] - where I'm originally from - and existed for a short-but-bright period in 1986-87. One of the very best bands ever to emerge from the area.
• APSE :: untitled :: vinyl LP. Early days yet - but we love the band and we love the prospect of releasing some of their material. Check out their 2 extremely magnificent CD's on Acuarela Records (Spain).

(These are the ones I'm allowed to tell you about - there are a few others that I would be too premature to mention as I am in very early stages).

Cheers until next time.

Bill