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SKAFISH (Remastered Reissue)

by Skafish

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    This album was released on May 7, 2020, exactly 40 years from the day of its original release. This record had been out of print since its first and only prior vinyl pressing in 1980. This vinyl reissue is a limited edition collectible pressing and here are the unique features of this release:

    *Hand numbered limited edition of 500 copies
    *180 gram red vinyl
    *Personally autographed by Skafish
    *Meticulously remastered for vinyl
    *Includes the bonus track Sink or Swim
    *Includes a unique, collectible digital download card (lossless quality)
    *Purchase also includes immediate high quality digital download via Bandcamp
    *All new artwork design includes restored original cover
    *Redesigned inner sleeve includes complete lyrics with photos
    *Pressed and manufactured to the highest industry standards by Smashed Plastic Pressing in Chicago

    PERSONALIZATION:
    This album is only sold with a personalized autograph. When you choose the Buy Record/Vinyl option to make your purchase, click on Include a message to Skafish. Then, make sure to indicate your name and the inscription you would like.

    You will be given the lowest numbered copy available at the time of your purchase.

    SHIPPING NOTE:
    Album ships in a substantial cardboard LP mailer with 2 cardboard inserts to protect this collectible. Price reflects Priority Shipping in the US and International First Class for other areas of the world.

    TRACK LISTINGS:
    SIDE A
    1. INTRODUCTION :33
    2. JOAN FAN CLUB 3:29
    3. MAYBE ONE TIME 2:54
    4. OBSESSIONS OF YOU 2:56
    5. WE'LL SEE A PSYCHIATRIST 3:29
    6. ROMANTIC LESSONS 3:39
    7. SINK OR SWIM (Bonus Track) 3:57
    Time: 21:01

    SIDE B
    1. WORK SONG 3:47
    2. GUARDIAN ANGEL 4:16
    3. DISGRACING THE FAMILY NAME 3:33
    4. NO LIBERATION HERE 4:49
    5. TAKE IT OUT ON YOU 3:16
    Time: 19:44
    Total Album Time: 40:45

    Includes unlimited streaming of SKAFISH (Remastered Reissue) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 7 days
    edition of 500 

      $40 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The digipack CD package includes the restored album cover, photos (circa 1979), a 16 page booklet that contains every lyric (both sung and spoken), along with the original and reissue credits.

    Includes unlimited streaming of SKAFISH (Remastered Reissue) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The digipack CD package includes the restored album cover, photos (circa 1979), a 16 page booklet that contains every lyric (both sung and spoken), along with the original and reissue credits, personally autographed by Skafish.

    Please indicate how you would like this personalized (name, message).

    Includes unlimited streaming of SKAFISH (Remastered Reissue) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $25 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    The download includes a 22 page digital booklet which features the complete CD digipack artwork and photos, all lyrics, and original/reissue credits.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Poster/Print

    11" x 17" limited edition poster, personally autographed by Skafish, shipped in a sturdy poster container.

    Please indicate how you would like this personalized (name, message).
    ships out within 5 days

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • T-Shirt/Apparel

    Black t-shirt with full-color album cover on front. Sizes available are S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL. The shirts are Gildan 5000 Heavy 100% preshrunk cotton. T-shirt comes in a plastic bag.

    First run, limited quantities. This is a pre-order and starts shipping on November 29, 2019.
    ships out within 5 days

      $27 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 6 Skafish releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Conversation & The Rejects, Nothing I Can Do, SKAFISH (Remastered Reissue), BOOTLEG 21-35, What's This? 1976-1979, and Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Jazz Piano Trio Christmas. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $36.75 USD or more (25% OFF)

     

1.
Introduction 00:33
Hi, I’m Barbie C’mon right in I think we have a lot of things to talk about You know, when I was in high school I was a cheerleader and I was very popular I went on dates, to dances, to parties, And I had so much fun Now, it’s a few years later And I’m just waiting to fall in love With that right person Then, everything will be wonderful © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
2.
3.
As my spirit cries out Hoping someone might be there Well I guess I could forget All the affection I wish to give Watch me look the other way As I watch them walk right by me Holding hands, being close My half smile is so forced Just look at me (la la la la) You know I'm a sight After all this time Love’s still not right I'm warm and safe (la la la la) Yet shaking with fright Such a lonely night Lovers clinging together Never alone out every single night Love could end anytime Hanging on, hanging on till a goodbye Just look at me (la la la la) You know I'm a sight After all this time Love’s still not right I’m warm and safe (la la la la) Yet shaking with fright Such a lonely night They touch each other I’m touched by it lf I could run to the store Buy it now How much would it cost to be held? Maybe one time Maybe one time Maybe one time Maybe one time © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
4.
You aren't turned on by me at all You don't like the way that I look Every night I will cast a spell, it is put on you So you lose your will then you will be mine Obsessions, obsessions, they are of you Possession, possession, I want your heart Together, together, we never part So happy, so happy, just me and you When I’m with you I just put myself down (down, down) I act nervous, you must think that I’m a clown (clown) You don't think that I am in pain when you're with your love Sitting way too close then you go to bed Obsessions, obsessions, they are of you You infest my blood stream You grow roots in my heart (in my heart) You are the disease in me that spreads and won’t stop (it won’t stop) I might kill myself today 'Cause I want you You don't want me I want my way I won't give in This time I will not compromise my dream of having you But should I wait just one more day To be a pest And ring your phone To act like I Just called to talk? When I want every word and every breath to be a dream I shake When I see you I shake For you it's nothing Now I pray my life can come to an end (now) Rest in peace There's no rest when a soul is black when disease is there There will be no peace there is no escape Obsessions, obsessions, they are of you Possession, possession, I want your heart Together, together, we never part So happy, so happy, just me and you And now the time has come To take a stand I won't back down I cannot live with nothing I want everything I want my way I am stuck alive My soul (soul), it cannot die I've tried before The body dies The soul lives on My soul is sick It has disease I watch it grow It spreads and kills my heart (no, no,) And travels through my bloodstream (no, no, no,) Finding every part of me (no, no, no) © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
5.
Spoken: We’ll see a psychiatrist We’re going to the psychiatrist We’ll see a psychiatrist! ln the car I go Where I go, I don't know I am beat black and blue That's what I learned in school I try to run away But I get caught each day I swallow lots of pills I try to die but We'll see a psychiatrist (Don't be afraid) We'll see a psychiatrist (Don't be afraid) We'll see a psychiatrist (Don't be afraid) Mother cries all day Spoken: (crying and whimpering) She kneels and prays to God Spoken: Oh Jesus help me Jesus save us She never thought her kid Would flop and be so weird Daddy's busy now He doesn't want to hear Spoken: Shut up I’m busy He's dreaming of more money Spoken: Nothing’s really wrong Spoken: It’s just a check up now We'll see a psychiatrist (Don't be afraid) We'll see a psychiatrist (Don't be afraid) We'll see a psychiatrist (Don't be afraid) There is no escape today Who’s there? Who’s there? Who's there? © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
6.
Walking slowly through the park Holding hands I see a boy and a girl Beauty glows in their eyes All day I will follow them But don't run from me I’m not a thief I won't take anything I won't harm you You're teaching me What love should be I will try and learn Learn a lesson every day About love The pain remains in my heart Late at night, I’m alone I sit and dream about love But I always knew Love was for two Something hurts in my soul It is throbbing I want to learn I will observe You won’t know I’m there I watch you kiss I sense the bliss Of hearts entranced by love I watch you to learn How your love flows with ease And without strain l can’t believe (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it,) No love for me (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it,) I try hard every day (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it,) To be hopeful (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it,) Time passes fast (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it,) Lessons can last (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it,) All throughout my life (doubt it, doubt it, doubt it, doubt it) And the time may never come (ooh,) When I know love will grow in my life (ooh, ooh, ooh,) Instead of teaching me painful lessons (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh,) Every day I watch one kiss (ooh, ooh, ooh,) So wonderful to see (ooh, ooh,) But not for me (ooh,) It's out of reach (ooh, ooh) Romantic lessons every day Ooh ah © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
7.
Funny baby, gotta get rid of it Drop it in the water Get it on its own Get rid of it Sink or swim Okay baby, you’re on your own Get away from me I don’t want you anymore Sink or swim Drop you in the water Mister, want a baby? Hey mister, want a baby? Take this baby away from me I don’t want it anymore Get away sink or swim Finally born, baby just sink or swim Cockroach baby Gotta drop you in the water, lake, lagoon, toilet Here’s a sink or swim ugly baby I am trying I am drowning I try to swim Help me to swim Finally born, just sink or swim Get, get, get, get, get, get away from me, baby You’re on your own Just sink or swim Drop the baby in the water © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
8.
Work Song 03:47
What's the average guy gonna do? What's the average guy gonna do? He just has a labor job He can't find a better job Work all day in the steel mill Be a cop or drive a truck Get a four-year college degree End up in the factory Be the man who works all day You get your pay Spend it on a Friday night Life's not great but it's not bad You don't think much about being sad You just do what you have to do Work all day you got a job to do Muscles work Your body is as hard as rock Hit him like a rock tonight Drive the car through morning traffic Punch the clock and start the day The loud machines ring in your ear The air is grey, your body’s aching (Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh) When does it stop so you can relax? Get up every morning, work for your money There's a bar right down the street After work the guys meet They're dirty and hot, they want a beer They watch the baseball game here Chicago Cubs will play today They're gonna shout, "Hey! Hey!” Blacks and whites and Mexicans Ethnic men from Poland Call your friends You'll have some fun when you get drunk Drinking with the guys tonight Drive the car through morning traffic Punch the clock and start the day The loud machines ring in your ear The air is grey, your body’s aching (Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh) When does it stop so you can relax? Get up every morning, work for your money No one helps you out You're stuck like millions, working every day Just work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, Work, work, work, work, work, it won't stop (Uh, uh) Ah (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh) All the men work, they're stuck in the middle Nowhere near richness but they aren't starving Taxes, food, car payments, electric bills Oh, but you're not starving Now you’re an old man Do you get to retire? Or do you die soon from a heart attack? You worked your whole life and broke your back Every day just seemed the same, you did your work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
9.
Guardian angel, guardian dear To whom his love commits me here Ever this day be at my side To light and guard, to rule and guide, amen There is an angel Flying above With fine white wings Does she know? He will protect her From pain or harm When she's asleep He will watch Late at night She's alone Then she cries Nothing can harm you ‘cause he will be there You will always have a guardian angel (Ah, ah, ah, ah) Look above and see your guardian angel (Ah, ah, ah, ah) He’ll watch He guards with his white wings As you’re sleeping He is so strong Stronger than men He guards the street When she walks From the car To the door ln the house Nothing can harm you ‘cause he will be there You will always have a guardian angel (Ah, ah, ah, ah) Look above and see your guardian angel (Ah, ah, ah, ah) He’ll watch He guards with his white wings As you’re sleeping Now I lay me down to sleep tonight Guardian angel, fly above my bed ln the dark Don’t be scared Just sleep tight Nothing can harm you ‘cause he will be there You will always have a guardian angel (Ah, ah, ah, ah) Look above and see your guardian angel (Ah, ah, ah, ah) He’ll watch He guards with his white wings As you’re sleeping Now I lay me down to sleep tonight Guardian angel, fly above my bed lf I die, make sure I fly above Guardian angel, guard my soul And watch me as I sleep all night Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
10.
Spoken: How are the old folks at home? Grandmother built respect for family name My father worked to keep it just the same My mother once was proud of family name Paralyzing the family name with paralysis My brother, Peter, does not understand My sister, Mary Lou, hopes the best When I was small they knew I was a pest Pesty little moron, now I am Disgracing the family name Debasing the family name Erasing their fine, fine reputation How are the old folks at home? Parents rejected me, household germ I crawl all through the garden with the worms I am the rotten apple with the worms Chewing at my core, now I am Disgracing the family name Debasing the family name Erasing their fine, fine reputation Listen to them whine as they dine Whi - whi - whi - whi - whi - i - ne, yeah I started school at a primal age Teachers were so enraged, hated me I lifted old ladies dresses at age three Dirty as a baby, goo goo, now I am Disgracing the family name Debasing the family name Erasing their fine, fine reputation How are the old folks at home? Oh, they hang their heads in shame Better leave the neighborhood And change your name ‘cause I am Disgracing the family name Destroy Debasing the family name Wrecking, ruining Erasing their fine, fine reputation I will embarrass Defacing their lovely reputation Disgracing the family name Destroy Debasing my family name SuffocatIng Erasing, oh their fine, fine reputation Defacing their lovely reputation Wrecking, ruining Mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
11.
Spoken: There’s no liberation here There’s no liberation anywhere! I am feeling like I need some abuse Throw me 'round the room. let me be misused We don't have a right No liberation here Rub my nose in doggie's duty today Please embarrass me so l'l be ashamed We cannot be proud No liberation here We can't walk with our heads held high We can’t walk the streets now Our faces get beat now We will not pretend that we have real rights Here, prison does not need bars Bloodshed today And we know it will not change We live in shame Guilt produces sex that's awkward and cheap As my hands caress you I must be beat And I know we can't meet again, forever Every night, there's tension on the streets every night I cruise up and down ‘round the town Behold, bodies are ripe But you can’t stop years of conditioning Even when you turn out the lights My darling, darling it’s you and me, oh yeah Here is my bed We pretend to understand and make The birds and bees We can’t walk with our heads held high We can't walk the streets now Our faces get beat now We will not pretend that we have real rights Here prison does not need bars Bloodshed today And we know it will not change We live in shame We don't have a right No liberation here We cannot be proud Fellow prisoners, we are prisoners We can’t walk with our heads held high No liberation here (yelping) © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved
12.
Hell exists on this earth You have created mine I’ll throw you in eternal fire Gonna take it out on you (you), you (you) You beautiful you You can slice a stray dog You can beat a retarded kld But you kicked me in the teeth Gonna take it out on you (you), you (you) You beautiful you The only wounds that time heals Are just tiny hangnails I reject false resolutions Gonna take it out on you (you), you (you) You beautiful you We will throw a funeral ln memory of you You'll be six feet under Gonna take it out on you (you), you (you) You beautiful you (you), be (be), Six (six) feet (feet), six feet under Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, I will live a short life (ah, ah, ah,) I won't resolve a thing (ah, ah, ah,) I will die suspended (ah, ah, ah,) But before I do (ah, ah, ah,) I’ll jump onto your heart (ah, ah, ah,) Trampoline on you (ah, ah, ah,) All your guts will fly out (ah, ah, ah,) I cease the life inside of you (ah, ah, ah) Jump on your heart Spoken: And just remember All of this is because of you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you), you (you) © Copyright Skafish Music BMI - All Rights Reserved

about

After being out of print for nearly 40 years, the debut Skafish album is finally available for the first time digitally and on CD on Skafish’s own label, 829 Records. The meticulously remastered album includes the bonus track Sink or Swim, one of the most radical Skafish tracks of that era. The CD package includes the restored album cover, photos (circa 1979), a 16 page booklet that contains every lyric (both sung and spoken), along with the original and reissue credits.

Long considered a cult classic, the debut album was originally released on the now legendary I.R.S. Records label on May 7, 1980 at 4:30 PM Greenwich Mean time.

At the time of its original release, the album cover, featuring the delicately posed, androgynous image of Skafish, was so hated by American radio that they refused to play the album, based solely on the cover.

Skafish wrote the album's compositions between 1975-1979, and was the sole producer and arranger of the project.

The music represented a seemingly-contradictory, diverse mixture of genres and styles, with each of the songs being often dramatically different from each other. Elements of punk, new wave, alternative, indie, post-punk, classical, orchestral, electronica, 20th century avant-garde, noise, polytonality, atonality, progressive jazz, pop, and doo-wop were featured.

As a lyricist, Skafish was one of the first to ever write about a variety of controversial, taboo topics. Those included the still relevant, brutal reality of bullying, fat shaming, and gay bashing. Skafish foreshadowed the dysfunction and psychological torment that is now a commonplace topic in today’s music. He directly confronted being a social misfit, and flaunted disgracing his family name.

I.R.S. Records CEO Miles Copeland credits Skafish as being the artist who “helped put Chicago on the map as the pioneer of Punk and New Wave there and on the international stage, gave audiences a really insane ride."

Skafish first burst onto the Chicago scene in February 1976 when the then 19 year old unleashed his shocking new style of performance with his newly formed band. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick attended many of Skafish’s earliest shows. Here’s what they went on record to say: “Unpredictable, over the top with life or death conviction and reckless abandon, Skafish created punk, new wave, and alternative rock in Chicago.”

His performing resume includes being the first Chicago punk / alternative artist to perform at CBGB in New York in April 1977; Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles in February 1978; appearing at the first Milton Keynes bowl in London in July 1980 before an audience of 45,000; and that August, being filmed in front of approximately 20,000 people in the south of France for the international live concert film extravaganza, Urgh! A Music War, while on tour in England and Europe with The Police, XTC, Squeeze, English Beat , UB-40 and others. Skafish has also toured and/or performed with the likes of: Ramones, Iggy Pop, The Stranglers, New Order, Ultravox, Scorpions, The Cramps, Mumps, The Lemonheads, Scorpions, Sector 27, Sha Na Na and Dead Boys.

credits

released November 29, 2019

Skafish: Piano, Telephone Call, Vocal
Ken Bronowski: Guitar, Bugle, Vocal
Javier Cruz: Synthesizer, Mellotron, Clavinet, Organ, Vocal
Barbie Goodrich: Adapted Slide Guitar, Slide Whistle, Vocal, Spoken Female Parts
Larry Mazalan: Bass Guitar, Vibraslap, Vocal
Larry Mysliwiec: Drum Set, Synthetic Drum, Maracas, Tambourine
Gayle Crowder: Vocal

Astrological guidance and calculation: Cheryl Weiss
Psychic assistance and predictions: Glinda Harrison
Magickal incantations and psychic assistance: Merlin
Cover photograph: Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve
Inner photographs: Bill Sosin/Photo Reserve
1980 personal management: The Cameron Organisation
1980 road manager: Jimy Sohns
Recorded at P.S. Studios, summer of 1979, Chicago, Illinois
Engineers: Paul Serrano, Scott Rowley
1980 album mixed by Javier Cruz
Sink or Swim mixed by Skafish
1980 release mastered by Frank De Luna
1980 executive assistance: Miles Copeland, Jean Cameron
1980 special thanks to David E. Webb

2019 reissue Executive Producer: Skafish
2019 reissue remastered by Trevor Sadler at Mastermind Productions
2019 reissue image restoration: Printlab, Chicago, Illinois
Band photograph (circa 1979): Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve
2019 reissue collage: The Design Studio at Disc Makers
2019 reissue design: Skafish/Glinda Harrison
Graphics by the Design Studio at Disc Makers

In memoriam: Barbie Goodrich and Scott Cameron. I wish you were here for this.

Special thanks to all the fans who generously contributed to supporting the reissue of this album. You are forever appreciated here and beyond - Skafish

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about

Skafish Chicago, Illinois

Chicago and Indiana's first punk, new wave, alternative, indie and underground rock artist, and a pioneer of these art forms internationally. Skafish made his first record in 1970, has released 7 LP’s, toured/performed with such artists as The Police, Ramones, Iggy Pop, XTC, UB-40, Stranglers, The Cramps, English Beat, Sha Na Na, Scorpions, & U-2, and appeared in the film "Urgh! A Music War! ... more

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