RSD Preview – Vinyl Review – Joe Buck / Flat Tires Split 7″
I’m not one to chase every single limited-release 45 rpm put out by my favorite bands–that can get expensive quickly–but since we are nearing Record Store Day where the 7″ limited-release reigns supreme, and this little gem was thrown in my lap, I thought I would tell you about it’s virtues, and by proxy, the virtues of the single-sized vinyl format for those still perplexed why technology has regressed to move forward.
From Rusty Knuckles, this limited-edition 300-run 45 is a split with madman Joe Buck Yourself, and the Flat Tires. As aesthetics and artwork are just as important as the music for these collector-oriented releases, this one is delivered in clear blue vinyl, with a sleeve that has a parchment-like look with gold flecks you can see if you hold it in the light just right. The sleeve folds out to make a very cool original artistic rendition of Joe Buck and the Flat Tire front man meeting at the torso without interruption.
Anybody who has seen Joe Buck Yourself live can attest his show is like no other. This 7″ includes a staple of his live performance called “Planet Seeth”, which may on the surface sound like an immature punk/metal song targeted to the kids of divorce, while when you take it in, especially live, it can grant the most infinite wisdom.
“I fucking hate that I hate.”
That line is angry, self-deprecating, wise, relieving, and enlightening all at the same time. It is nothing short of genius. And live, when Joe Buck calls for “hate” from the crowd, scowling, pleading with his outstretched arm, with the red light gleaming in his eyes, it is an experience like no other. Of course trying to re-create this energy and interchange with crowd and performer in your domestic abode is virtually impossible, but it is highly more probably when the track your listening to is live like this one, and delivered with the piercing pureness and warmth of needle on vinyl.
On the flip side is the Flat Tires. Straight from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia, their punk-infused, raucous rockabilly juke joint madness comes at you like a kick in the teeth. I’ve never seen them live, but hearing this makes me bust my seams wanting to. The first minute on this live version of “Drink It Dry” is spent rearing back, like a taught slingshot string that when they finally let it fly, exudes more energy then a classroom full of ADD kids. It’s a rocking, wild number that gets your heart thumping and your head banging.
Two guns up!
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Purchase Flat Tires – Joe Buck Split 7″ from Rusty Knuckles
A good chaser to this 7″ would be the Rusty Knuckles Antiseen 7″ that includes Joe Buck on a rendition of the traditional “Black Eyed Susie”.
April 15, 2011 @ 5:23 pm
First vinyl I’ve bought in like 8 years. Had my buddy digitize it since I don’t own a record player anymore.
Damn good record.
April 15, 2011 @ 6:48 pm
Joe Buck is ridiculously cool. I’ve only ever seen him play with III, really want to see his solo set at some point. I had to laugh at the name of the other band here. I got into an argument with someone at my work yesterday when they tried to tell me “tyre” is spelt “tire” in America. Turns out they were right. How did I not know that?!
April 15, 2011 @ 8:30 pm
That is definitely some cool artwork… I am afraid that tomorrow is gonna leave me in the poor house.
April 17, 2011 @ 7:30 am
As it turns out I didn’t spend much money as my closest store wasn’t able to get many of the RSD specials… What they did have was mostly mainstream stuff like Ozzy and Mastodon. The clerk – who is a huge Hank III fan – said they tried to get any and everything. He said that alot of stores will scoop up as many copies as they can and put them on e-bay the next day. Probably doesn’t help that I live in the inland northwest. We can’t get decent bands to play here and now I guess they won’t even ship their product here.
April 15, 2011 @ 8:39 pm
When I saw Joe Buck live there was a ridiculous amount of energy coming from one fed up country musician.
Great blog Triggerman.
April 16, 2011 @ 4:32 am
This looks awesome. I’m a sucker for vinyl and this looks like they spent a lot of time getting the artwork together for it. Really cool. Great review!
April 16, 2011 @ 8:20 am
I can’t wait to give this as a birthday gift 🙂 perfection.
April 17, 2011 @ 12:36 pm
Thanks for posting Triggerman, we appreciate it. Look for more upcoming releases of 7″ Vinyl with Hellbound Glory and a quite a few others I think fans of Saving Country Music will really enjoy. A few surprise guests will be involved for sure.
April 19, 2011 @ 6:50 am
A big thanks to you folks at RK for putting out so much quality music, and all the merch I’ve bought has been top notch quality. Keep on doing what you’re doing, and I’ll keep listening and buying.
April 20, 2011 @ 6:55 pm
Was a worthy buy. I dig it.
April 25, 2011 @ 12:11 pm
Thank you Taylor and everyone else for supporting the label and all the merch. We are here to shake things up and will be doing this in a huge way this fall with new festivals we are partners in putting on. Our entire lineup will be playing along with Hank 3 for our San Diego show and for the Raleigh show we have Mastodon headlining. We will be making a full announcement in about two weeks along with tickets going on sale detailing all the bands and events.
http://rumblefest.blogspot.com/