Jandek
Six and Six
scum stats: pretty sure only 1000 of these were pressed
I’ve gone down a rabbit hole recently. I had the idea years ago to get original LPs of all the Jandek records released on that format. Knocked out a handful, but got distracted by something else and kinda forgot about it.
Doing a quick troll through ‘scogs and eBay reminded me that these discs are generally available and not at crazy insane prices has had me on a binge.
Great thing about these records, while history is usually unkind to their jackets (always scuffed, ring worn or with college radio station call letters Sharpie’d on them) the discs were clearly not played often, so they tend to remind in solid condition.
I’ve probably listened to a dozen Jandek LPs in the past month and they are remarkably better than I remember.
“Six and Six” has been my favorite (re)discovery so far.
The first album released under the Jandek moniker (the first LP was originally credited to the Units), this thing is weird and odd in just enough amounts to not be completely off-putting.
In particular, there are actual moments of melody and repeating parts on this disc. I would’ve thought those were completely absent across this guy’s entire oeuvre.
If you don’t know, the backstory behind Jandek is that he’s been incredibly anonymous in his 30+ year career.
The first 25 years he never even performed live. The records are all on his own imprint, Corwood Industries, and have consistent back cover template and vague front cover photographs.
This shit ain’t streaming and only the first three albums have ever been reissued on vinyl.
If you’re looking to try something a little more out there, get the Jackpot reissue of this one and I think you may just be pleasantly impressed.
And I’ve only got five more of these things to track down before I’ve got the entirety of his vinyl output. Little victories keep me grounded.
Hi, Mr Blackwell!! Living in Houston for the last 30 years .I got all the lps. But, the 1st one the Units. I’m a super big fan too!! Living here in Houston I’ve been fortunate to see the Representative of Corwood Industries preform 6 or 7 times !! Each one better than the last!! He was real nice, autographs and pictures!! I know Jack wouldn’t approve but,I recorded video of them !! Shoot me a line and I will send you copies,when I get my computer up and running. Go to my YouTube channel Danorockshouston FPSF show in on there with my good friend Mike!! Say, Hi to Cam for me too !! Dano from Houston
Digging this new mobile vault site format. Feeling the “little victories” thing right now. I’ve been binge buying vinyl since spring and it’s just now starting to hit me now that I can barely walk through my office without stepping on records. I set out to just reawaken the vinyl collection and have a few “trophy” like albums to just like give myself a pat on the back for life wins, and then just stuff that you can only hear on vinyl like TWS “Dead Leaves” and The Upholsterers 7” (still haven’t found or heard this one) because when you’ve heard everything available on iTunes or cds back in the day it was a huge deal to find out, oh shit there’s more? That’s like they are still around releasing stuff, which is cool with bands that you are into that are no longer into themselves lol, well now that I ran into Jack at our Hotel and chat guitar nerd stuff for a few min, and he kindly made his mark on some very old SFTRI stuff I had just bought, I have my sentiment stuff and all the cool albums I wanted to listen to (that I know of) so now what? I’m finding myself in that next stage of “I like this song a lot and it comes in glow in the dark?! Oh.. there’s like none in the world and only released on Halloween in London lol” (Fly Farm Blues glow 7” and accompanying 7”s like TMR 005-012 or something) which is kind of fun, like in a childlike way almost trying to find these, some I will likely have to give up on (your list on discogs of third man rarities) but would I trade some of my really good early SubPop finds for a Meg White picture disc or that upholsterers 7”? Yes. It’s a hobby now, which is good. Hobbies keep you grounded as well. Right??
Another great share! The fear of not knowing whether you’ve heard your favorite song yet is real.
Always enjoy reading these posts, Ben.
Fer the record, got the ferst like on Ben’s comment. Little victories also keep me grounded.
I need…
Your Turn to Fall
The Rocks Crumble
Blue Corpse
Nine-Thirty
Interstellar Discussion
wow sounds cool! gonna check this guy out. Thanx for posting this.
I. Absolutely Love. This…. Buying. Now.
Killer! I knew about Jandek way before The Stripes or JW. I also suggested during the Beefheart Vault that this just may make a wonderful package at some point. If you can track Corwood down!
Favorite Jandek song,“I’ll Sit Alone and Think a Lot About You” from On The Way – 1988.
Thanks, Ben. Great post and record.
Great post Ben – I’ve been similarly intrigued by Jandek in the past year. Which one’s are you still trying to track down?