This 3LP/2CD set collects the entire studio-recorded output of the U-Men, remastered, plus 5 unreleased songs, with 16 pages of photos, liner notes and interviews w/ the band. Executive produced by Jack Endino.

Yes, you read it and even we can’t quite believe it’s true. So let us calmly reassure you that YES … IT’S FUCKING TRUE. Sub Pop Records will release U-Men, the self-titled anthology from the legendary Seattle band, worldwide on Friday, November 3rd, 2017.

This comprehensive remastered collection features the track you just pressed ‘play’ on, “Dig It a Hole”.

U-Men is now available for preorder from Sub Pop right here and is available in the following formats:

• 3xLP box set housed in a cardboard slipcase with printed inner sleeves + 16-page booklet
• 2xCD digipack with custom dust sleeves + 16-page booklet
• Digitally

U-Men
Tracklisting:

Volume 1
1. Blight
2. Flowers DGIH
3. Shoot ‘em Down
4. Gila
5. Trouble Under Water
6. Mystery Pain
7. Last Lunch
 
Volume 2
1. Clubs
2. The Fumes
3. Cow Rock
4. Green Trumpet
5. A Year and a Day
6. Ten After One
7. They!
8. U-Men Stomp
9. Solid Action
10. Dig It a Hole
 
Volume 3
1. Whistlin’ Pete
2. 2 X 4
3. A Three Year Old Could Do That
4. Juice Party
5. Flea Circus
6. Too Good to Be Food
7. Willie Dong Hurts Dogs
8. Papa Doesn’t Love His Children Anymore
9. Pay the Bubba
10. Freezebomb
11. That’s Wild About Jack
12. Bad Little Woman
13. Selfish

[Photo Credit: Cam Garrett]

More on the U-Men from Mudhoney’s Mark Arm: 
The U-Men are one of the best bands I’ve ever seen. They were hypnotic, frenetic, powerful and compelling. It was impossible to resist getting sucked into their weird, darkly absurd world. They effortlessly blended The Sonics, Link Wray, Pere Ubu, and Captain Beefheart. Their shows were loose-limbed, drunken dance parties and no two shows were alike. The U-Men were avant garage explorers and, most importantly, they fucking rocked. I was lucky enough to live in their hometown and I saw them every chance I could.  
 
From 1983 to 1987, the U-Men were the undisputed kings of the Seattle Underground. No one else came close. They ruled a bleak backwater landscape populated by maybe 200 people. They were the only band that could unify the disparate sub-subcultures and get all 200 of those people to fill a room. Anglophilic, dress-dark Goths; neo-psych MDA acolytes; skate punks who shit in bathtubs at parties; Mod vigilantes who tormented the homeless with pellet guns; college kids who thought college kids were lame; Industrial Artistes; some random guy with a moustache; and eccentrics who insisted that they couldn’t be pigeonholed: all coalesced around the U-Men.
 
Sub Pop co-founder, Bruce Pavitt released the first record by the U-Men, a 4-song 12” EP on Bombshelter Records. By the time they had recorded songs for another record, Bruce was too broke to release it on his proto-Sub Pop label, so he hooked them up with Gerard Cosloy at Homestead Records. This was a big deal. Homestead had a heavy rep at the time with recent releases by Foetus, Nick Cave, Sonic Youth, and Big Black. I was sure that the release of their second 12”, Stop Spinning, would propel the U-Men into the ranks of those Homestead acts and the worldwide underground would get hip to Seattle’s finest.
 
The U-Men bought a pink school bus and made a couple of valiant attempts at touring. Touring was tough in those days. You’d arrive in town and learn that the show you thought you had fell through. Communication was difficult and long-distance phone calls were expensive. The band stayed in Austin for a month just to play two shows. They became fast friends with Poison 13, Butthole Surfers, Scratch Acid, The Hickoids, and Tales of Terror. Without any income they starved. Starvation and stress amplified fractures within the band and soon bassist Jim Tillman was out. That was the end of the classic line-up of the U-Men.
 
They remained a very good band, but with Jim they were a great band and they never quite recovered. They recorded two fantastic singles, but something was missing live. They must have sensed it because they played fewer and fewer shows. They recorded their one full-length album, Step on a Bug, for Black Label which was run out of Fallout Records. They became increasingly disenchanted with the direction the Seattle underground was heading and called it quits in 1989. The U-Men had nothing to do with Grunge. They were their own unique thing. I loved them and I still miss them.  
 
I remember thinking at the time that most of their recordings were a little soft and didn’t capture the power of the band live. Now, thirty years later, their records sound great to me and we are lucky that they exist. I’m stoked that Sub Pop compiled these long out-of-print records and scrounged up some unreleased songs so that everyone has a chance to take a trip back to old weird Seattle.

Strange Peace will be out September 22, 2017 from Sub Pop Records (Worldwide, ex-Canada) and Royal Mountain Records (in Canada).

METZ Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines illustrated 32-page book will be available this Friday from Sub Pop and Fantagraphics

Shabazz Palaces defy expectation and convention once again by delivering a wonderfully surreal new video for “Shine A Light” (feat. Thaddillac) from Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star. The new visual, directed by Neil Ferron, tells the story of a half-human/half-goat baby that gets ritualistically sacrificed at a countryside, teenage wedding. The “Shine A Light” video poses the question,  “In these times, what is truly weird?!”

Quazarz Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines, the group’s third and fourth albums for 2017, are available now on CD / LP / DL / CS worldwide through Sub Pop right here.

 
Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines will also be available as a special-edition illustrated album (get it here): illustrated by cartoonist Joshua Ray Stephens this full-color, hand-numbered, 32-page book includes a download code for the full album. Joshua Ray Stephens worked directly with Shabazz Palaces to interpret the album track-by-track, creating a cohesive whole that synchronizes music and image. Printed in a large 11” x 17” format, with saddle-stitch binding, this limited-edition art piece further expands the ambitious universe of Quazarz and Shabazz Palaces. The illustrated album version of Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines will be released in collaboration with Fantagraphics Books, this Friday, August 18th.

Shabazz Palaces Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Shabazz Palaces have extended their 2017 tour schedule in support both Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines with international dates that resumes this Wednesday, August 16th in Portland, Oregon at The Star Theatre and runs through November 9th-12th at Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Aug. 16 - Portland, OR - The Star Theater*
Aug. 18 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall*
Aug. 19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theatre*
Aug. 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom*
Aug. 21 - El Paso, TX - Lowbrow*
Aug. 23 - Austin, TX - Mohawk (Outdoor Stage)*
Aug. 24 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada*
Aug. 25 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon*
Aug. 26 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West*
Aug. 27 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm*
Aug. 28 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle*
Aug. 30 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups*
Aug. 31 - Detroit, MI - El Club*
Sep. 01 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace*
Sep. 02 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Fairmount*
Sep. 03 - Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle*
Sep. 05 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair*
Sep. 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw*
Sep. 07 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer*
Sep. 08 - Washington, DC - Black Cat*
Sep. 09 - Baltimore, DC - Ottobar*
Sep. 11 - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall*
Sep. 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall*
Sep. 16  - Chicago, IL - Riot Fest at Douglas Park
Oct. 06 - Copenhagen, DK - Jazz House
Oct. 07 - Stockholm, SE - Debaser
Oct. 08 - Oslo, NO - Parkteateret
Oct. 09 - Gotheburg, SE - Pustervik
Oct. 11 - Helsinki, FI -  Kuudes Linja
Oct. 13 - Riga, LV - Skaņu Mežs festival
Oct. 17 - Bratislava, SK - A4 Zero Space
Oct. 19 - Ljubljana, SI - Kino Siska
Oct. 20 - Istanbul, TR - Garajstanbul
Oct. 21 - Vienna, AT - Arena
Oct. 22 - Prague, CZ -  Struny Podzimu Festival
Oct. 23 - Berlin, DE - Gretchen
Oct. 24 - Cologne, DE - Yuca
Oct. 26 - Dudingen, CH - Bad Bonn
Oct. 27 - Zurich, CH - Rote Fabrik
Oct. 28 - Geneva, CH - La Graviere
Oct. 30 - Paris, FR - Batofar
Oct. 31 - Lisbon, PT - Lux Fragil
Nov. 01 - Madrid, ES - Taboo
Nov. 02 - Barga, PT - Gnration
Nov. 03 - Dublin, IE - Sugar Club
Nov. 06 -  London, UK - Oval Space
Nov. 07 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute
Nov. 08 - Glasgow, UK - Art School
Nov. 09 - Leeds, UK - Belgrave Music Hall
Nov. 10 - Brussels, BE - AB
Nov. 09-12 - Utrecht, NL - Le Guess Who? Festival
*w/ Porter Ray

Sub Pop is currently accepting resumes from energetic, responsible, detail-oriented, and dependable candidates for a part-time/weekend/night Sales Clerk position at our new-ish and (let’s not be coy about it…) terribly impressive store at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This guy.

Responsibilities include:

 • Greeting and assisting customers in a friendly manner. 
 • Full compliance with Sea-Tac operation rules and strict TSA regulations and restrictions. 
 • Efficient handling of cash and credit card transactions. 
 • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively. 
 • Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays. 
 • Assist in organizing and restocking the store. 
 • Maintaining the general appearance of the store. 
 • Contributing to the team retail effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed. 

Qualified candidates will have: 

 • Previous experience in the retail environment. 
 • Knowledge of the Sub Pop catalog, Pacific Northwest music, the Seattle music community, and the City of Seattle.
 • A friendly and enthusiastic disposition with customers and staff. 
 • Strong and clear communication skills. 
 • A general understanding of retail Point of Sale systems. 
 • Flexibility in schedule and willingness to work early or late hours. 

The Sub Pop Airport Store at Sea-Tac is open unusually long hours, generally 6am - 10pm, and 365 days a year. 

Please send your resume to airportstore@subpop.com.

Light Information will be available in Canada from Flemish Eye, and the rest of the world from Sub Pop Records.

And here we have Chad VanGaalen’s “Mind Hijacker’s Curse”, another highlight from his forthcoming sixth album known as Light Information.

VanGaalen says of the song, “Mind hijacker’s curse is the outcome and side effects of vacationing inside of another organism’s consciousness. Once we can do this, I see the potential to forget your physical self and just live inside of some other beings mind. Hook me up to the fungal web that allows entire forests to communicate. I imagine the dolphin package would be very popular…”

[Photo Credit: Marc Rimmer]

Europe
Oct. 15 - Utrecht, NL - EKKO  
Oct. 16 - Rotterdam, NL - Rotown  
Oct. 17 - London, UK - Oslo  
Oct. 18 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club  
Oct. 20 - Hamburg, DE - Molotow (Sky Bar)  
Oct. 21 - Copenhagen, DK - Stengade
Oct. 22 - Berlin, DE - Kantine am Berghain  
Oct. 24 - Düdingen, CH - Bad Bonn
Oct. 25 - Lyon, FR - Le Sonic  
Oct. 26 - Amiens, FR - La Lune des Pirates
Oct. 27 - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere  
Oct. 28 - Nantes, FR - SOY Festival
Oct. 29 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix
Oct. 30 - Luxemburg, LU - Rotondes  
Oct. 31 - Gent, BE - NEST  
 
North America
Nov. 09 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret
Nov. 10 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern *
Nov. 12 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir *
Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel *
Nov. 15 - Los Angeles, CA - Satellite Club *
Nov. 16 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar *
Nov. 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar *
Nov. 19 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive *
Nov. 20 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
Nov. 30 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace
Dec. 01 - Detroit, MI - El Club **
Dec. 02 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle **
Dec. 03 - Indianapolis, IN - The Hi Fi **
Dec. 05 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe **
Dec. 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade NYC **
Dec. 07 - Allston, MA - Great Scott **
Dec. 08 - Montreal QC - Fairmont
*w/ NE-HI
**w/ Un Blonde

The first US Hot Snakes tour in six years happens November 8th-18th, 2017; Fan pre-sales begin TODAY at hotsnakes.shofetti.com.

[Photo Credit: Rick Froberg]

We’re incredibly excited to share the news that Hot Snakes – the band comprised of Rick Froberg, Jason Kourkounis, John Reis, Mario Rubalcaba, and Gar Wood – have signed to Sub Pop for the world!  We will release the group’s first new album since 2004’s Audit in Progress, as well as reissue their exceptional catalog – Audit…, Suicide Invoice and Automatic Midnight – in the Spring of 2018.
 
These influential post-hardcore all-stars – boasting members of Pitchfork, Rocket From the Crypt,  Drive Like Jehu, Earthless, Obits, Burning Brides, OFF!, The Delta 72, and more – have released three of our favorite rock records of the past 20 years. And soon enough that’ll be four…

Tour Dates + Ticket Links

While we wait for new tunes, Hot Snakes have just scheduled headlining tour dates (their first new shows since 2011!), which begin November 8th, 2017 in Long Beach at Alex’s Bar and run through November 18th, 2017 in Philadelphia at Underground Arts. The trek includes stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, Boston, and Philadelphia.
 
Early pre-sales for these shows begin today, August 14th at noon ET, with tickets on sale to general public Thursday, August 17th at 12pm EST.  For up to date ticket information, please visit hotsnakes.shofetti.com.
 
Nov. 08 - Long Beach, CA - Alex’s Bar
Nov. 09  - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour
Nov. 10 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel
Nov. 11-  Portland, OR - Star Theatre
Nov. 12 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
Nov. 15  - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
Nov. 16  - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House
Nov. 17 - Boston, MA - Middle East - Boston
Nov. 18  - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts

There’s no time like the present to obsessively follow news of the Hot Snakes variety via Facebook, or right here on subpop.com.

More on Hot Snakes from Swami John Reis:

Hot Snakes formed in 2000, after the release of their first record, Automatic Midnight. They were John Reis, Jason Kourkounis, Rick Froberg, and Gar Wood. The band’s sound represented a return to the unrealized past of its members. This time their musics would be direct, undraped and rock ‘n’ roll while still maintaining the dense and turbulent character of the members’ previous work (“hard” labor). In April or May of that year, Hot Snakes found their live sound and established themselves as primo, down-stroke warlords.
 
Wikipedia says that in 2002 the band released their second album, Suicide Invoice. The album exhibited Hot Snakes slightly larger palate in mood and dissonance. People enjoyed the shows and listening to the recorded music. But, strain from controversy and fame would reveal cracks in the worn hides of these old road dawgs. Exit Jason Kourkounis to focus on other musics.
 
In 2004 Mario Rubalcaba joined the band and Hot Snakes released their third and last studio album, Audit in Progress. An increased attraction to dissonance surfaced as the band spiraled downward into a mid-life punk crisis. Yet, more shows were played and enjoyed and the band visited many cities all over the world. By 2005, the band had stopped performing.
 
2011 saw the return of Hot Snakes. The band appeared on the premier festival circuit. Both drummers performed with the band on the songs which they each recorded. The reformation proved the band to still be in the top 5. They discussed writing new material and building upon this revitalized momentum. After an additional 6 years of discussions, Hot Snakes returned to the studio in 2017 to commence recording. And, lucky for all of us, 2017 finds Hot Snakes charging back, renewed, playing shows and planning for the release of a new album in 2018 on Sub Pop Records.