Controversial Trousers

The Scientific Americans - Beyond Rational Thought EP (1979)

2008-05-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

First up is the Beyond Rational Thought 7" EP by the Scientific Americans, released on their Tekno Tunes label in 1979.

Formed in the late 1970's in Amherst, Massachusetts, the Sci Ams existed in numerous incarnations up until their dissolution in early 1983. Over the course of their existence, in addition to this 7", they released a 10" flexi EP entitled Beyond Fiscal Distress (also on Tekno) in 1980; the Some Dumb Fucks cassette in 1981, each featuring a handmade cover by member Sean "Alias" Elias; the Load and Go cassette on ROIR; and contributed to compilations on both Ladd-Frith (Psyclones, Blackhouse) and Ding Dong Tapes (Bene Gesserit, The Legendary Pink Dots, Van Kaye & Ignit) from Holland.

This is the band's first release, recorded as a five-piece. The record sleeve credits members as Ricky Ritardando, Luthor, Mr. Big, Crank, and Al Capella and features a giant "Sci Ams Man" boldly in black on the front - a logo that would grace all of their releases and merchandise in some form.

Beyond Rational Thought differs in sound from their later more stripped-down, drum machine/synth-driven material the band became better known for. Generally, it's quirky punk-wave with synth flourishes and a few odd touches. Also, on this record is the first appearance of their cover of Epp Opp Ork from the Jetson's television show - a song that was later remixed for the Ding Dong comp. and even remixed into a dub version for an OP Magazine flexi.

Beyond that, I can't claim to know very much else. In fact, the small amount of information I have about the Sci Ams comes from a web page done by former member (and now avid sailor) Craig O'Donnell. Rather than just reiterate more of its content, I'll just post the link below.

http://www.friend.ly.net/~dadadata/n_the/sci/sciams.html

Tekno Tunes also released a 7" by the Higher Primates which was recently shared on the 7" From The Underground blog. You can get a copy of it here.

If anyone has any additional information about the Scientific Americans, the former members, related projects and/or general information about bands in the smaller towns/scene outside of Boston, please share.

Zip includes 256kbs rip from original vinyl and scans of the liner notes, sleeve and labels.

First Things First

2008-04-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

Well... Looks like I'm going to try and commit to yet another project. I wanted to start a blog for sometime and have been sitting on this URL for almost 2 years now. Pretty pathetic, if I say so myself. During all this time, I've continued collecting records, toys, junk and ephemera with no other purpose then to keep myself amused.

I want this blog to not only serve as a way to share rare records with readers, but also as a general dumping ground for some of the other interesting things I've come across. I mapped most of it out today and I should have plenty of garbage to keep both myself and you readers occupied for months to come.

As far as the vinyl ripping goes, I'm still fine tuning/working the bugs out of the process. Hopefully, in the coming days/weeks, I'll have it all dialed and be able to quickly get things digitized and up for you to enjoy. If it were just a matter of ripping it for the sole purpose of this blog and I didn't care about the quality, I would have been ready months ago. Have confidence in the fact that I strive for quality and patience as I work to achieve said quality.

All I ask from you is that you share any relevant information you have on the records/stuff I post about.

Thank you.

Controversy

2006-12-20T01:25:00.000-08:00

Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction," from contra – "against" – and vertere – to turn, or versus (see verse), hence, "to turn against."

Perennial areas of controversy include history, religion, philosophy and politics. Other minor areas of controversy may include economics, science, finances, and race. Controversy in matters of theology has traditionally been particularly heated, giving rise to the phrase odium theologicum. Controversial issues are held as potentially divisive in a given society, because they can lead to tension and ill will, as a result they are often taboo to be discussed in the light of company in many cultures.