old information
THIS IS OLD NEWS
click here
for current unwound news
If you have any news to share at all, please mail me
(tour dates and info have been moved to a separate page)
COLLABORATION (18 December 1999) - from Dane: "Internal/External:
Paul Schuster, the person who produced albums by Julie Ruin and the Spells,
is putting out a record on K Records on Feb. 8. It has a collaboration with
Justin Trosper, as well as Kathleen Hanna, Calvin Johnson, Carrie Brownstein,
and more."
NEWS FROM KRS (12 December 1999) - "Unwound
will start the recording of their next masterpiece beginning in February
at their new studio. Most likely in late spring they'll be heading down
south for a tour of Brazil."
YOU HEARD IT HERE LAST (2 December 1999) - They
played a show. You should have gone. I didn't tell you in time. Sara Foster
told me: "November 28 - Unwound, Bangs, Tight Bros, Calvin Johnson
@ Graceland in Seattle ALL AGES WTO-RESISTANCE SHOW - DOORS 1:30 PM"
Why do I put old news on this page? Is old news better than no news? Smash
the WTO.
TROUBLEMAN (2 November 1999) - This is kinda old
news, but the split single with Versus is finally really coming out in January
of 2000. It's official. Check the Troubleman web site for order info.
RUMORS MORE THAN NEWS (26 October 1999) - Brian
M. says Unwound told him they may have a new album out in April 2000. Also,
Sara cleared up a few of the moldy old rumors at the bottom of the front
page of this web site; she addressed them at the KRS
Questions site. Eventually, the KRS site will effectively eclipse the
usefulness of this site, if it hasn't already. Check it out, if you haven't
yet: http://www.killrockstars.com
COMPILATION TRACK + LIVE SHOW (30 September 1999)
- two separate bits of news. Chris Corday reports that a compilation called
"Nowcore!; The Punk Rock Evolution", which was put out by K-Tel
Records, features Unwound's "Unauthorized Autobiography", from
the Repetition album. Also featured are The Promise Ring, Modest Mouse,
Jawbox, Drive Like Jehu, etc.
Also: Kill Rock Stars reports that Unwound will be playing a show with Bonfire
Madigan and Yind (from Sweden) on 28 October 1999 in Olympia, WA at the
Metropolis.
SPLIT SINGLE (17 September 1999) - From Troubleman:
The split 7-inch with Versus is coming. How long have we been hearing that?
This time, they say that Unwound finally recorded their vocal track, so
the release can go ahead. We'll see... The release date is set for 24 January
1999. It will be a vinyl-only release.
BACK TO EUROPE (27 August 1999) - From KRS: Unwound
is going to Europe to play the Matador records 10-year anniversary party.
Any info regarding the exact date and location of this party would be appreciated.
NEWS PILEUP (21 August 1999) - All the news I am
just now getting around to posting.
KRS is releasing Unwound: A Single History 1991-1997 (KRS 345) on 27 September
1999. See below for details.
The film Songs for Cassavettes is reported to be completed, featuring Unwound.
There is a link somewhere on the front page.
NO PEEL SESSION (25 June 1999) - From Michelle:
Unwound was scheduled to record a Peel session when they visited London,
but the project fell through somehow.
NEW VIDEO (22 May 1999) - From Greg: KRS is releasing
a video. It includes "arranged viewing by long hind legs; lifetime
achievement award by unwound; million man march by mens recovery; teenie
weenie boppie by free kitten; lots more..." including the Frumpies,
Elliot Smith, Deerhoof, and the Pee Chees. It's KRS #200, available at their
web site or in the mail.
FURTHER INFO ON NEW RELEASES (22 May 1999) - From
various sources, including KRS, Pat Castaldo, and Brian McDonald: Vern has
reportedly said that the next full-length Unwound album will probably be
released in April of next year.
In September of 1999, KRS will release an Unwound Singles Compilation LP/CD,
which will compile all of Unwound's seven inches and compilation appearances.
The track listing is as follows:
- Mile Me Deaf (from The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Is A Train)
- Broken E-Strings (from the "Good To The Last Drop"
Jabberjaw compilation)
- Totality, Mkultra (both from the MKUltra single)
- Seen Not Heard (previously untitled song from the split
single with Steel Pole Bath Tub)
- Caterpillar, Miserific Condition (both from the Caterpillar
single)
- Everything is Weird (from the Corpse Pose single)
- Negated, Said Serial, Census (all three from the Negated
single)
- Plight (a Minutemen cover song from the "This Band
Could Be Your Life" compilation)
- Stumbling Block (from the "Throw" compilation)
- Eternalux (from the "Day In the Park: Now Sounds"
compilation)
- New Radio Hit (from the "Smitten" compilation)
- The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train (from the
record of the same name)
- Crab Nebula (from the original Unwound demo tape)
KRS is calling this release "Unwound Singles
Compilation LP/CD", but Pat C. has reported it under the title "Unwound:
A Single History". KRS also reports that a new Unwound 7-inch single
will be released at some point in the future.
On June 22, 1999, KRS will release a new Replikants LP/CD, titled Slickaphonics
(GER 005) on KRS's "other label", 5 Rue Christine. The lineup
on this recording will be Justin Trosper, Brandt Sandeno, and Joe Plummer
(of Bare Minimum). It is described as "A little bit of everything:
jazz, electronic, dub, experimental noise." A West Coast tour in scheduled
for July.
PROMISES, PROMISES (6 May 1999) - Troubleman Unlimited
claims to be putting out the fabled Unwound/Versus split single this year.
Just like last year. And the year before.
TOO LATE (20 April 1999) - Justin will be doing
a solo show at The Smell club in Los Angeles on Feb 8 1999, Also on the
bill is Buzz Osbourn of the Melvins also doing a solo set. This news would
have been useful back in February. Sorry.
LOVELETTER RELEASE (20 April 1999) - from David
Wilcox: "My label, Loveletter, will be releasing a live 12" by
Unwound that will be ready to go by the end of March. It was recorded during
their European tour from last May, and consists of three extended songs
("Hexenszene""Side Effects of Being Tired""Kantina").
This is the record that was mentioned at another point on your site (it
was originally a split with Thrones)." Check Sound Exchange for info.
NEW K RECORDS RELEASE (20 April 1999) - from K,
via Stephen: "Unwound has plans to put out three seven inches, with
songs recorded in their new studio. One will be on K, one on Matador, and
one on Touch and Go. The seven inches will then be compiled on a CD put
out by Kill Rock Stars."
UNWOUND AT YO YO A GO GO (18 April 1999) - from
Pat Castaldo: "Unwound very well may play, but we're working out some
logistics. The Replikants want to play, as does a side project of Vern's..."
http://www.olywa.net/yoyo (soon
to be yoyoagogo.com)
POSSIBLE NEW RELEASE (18 April 1999) - from Pat
Castaldo: "There's an Unwound compilation of some sorts coming out
on KRS sooner than later." Brian McDonald speculates that this could
be a 7"/oddities CD compilation. There is also a new Replikants record
in the works.
THE LATEST FROM KRS (11 December 1998) - Maggie
says: "they are playing the Cooler in New York on new year's; the first
week of February they are touring the west coast, and then recording for
a fall release when they get back, this time in their own studio."
According to Stalin, a Swedish band called Yind will tour with Unwound for
some dates in the U.S.
JAPANESE RELEASES, ETC. (11 December 1998) - From
PNMV: "Unwound toured, as you probably know, europe and japan. the
guys in japan liked it and decided to release some stuff there. they released
their new record, with the new 12", on cd and a anthology cd containing
tracks from all their records and some 7" release(s) except the new
one, challenge for a civilized society. These two records, or at least the
challenge with the 12", will also be released in europe on matador.
the label in japan is called rebel beat factory. matador will in the future
release new unwound records in europe."
OLD NEWS (11 December 1998) - News that came in
but was not posted, due to my computer troubles: Alex and Chris reported
that Unwound was going to play a show November 20th in an old firehouse
in Redmond, WA. Mike reported this rumor: "I just got my weekly annoyance
from CDNow, and it said something about new releases on November 10th and
one thing that they mentioned was Unwound." Dane corrected the rumor:
"It is Long Hind Legs...I asked KRS about this a couple weeks ago.
CDnow screwed up." Also, Troubleman says the split single with Versus
is still eventually going to happen.
UPCOMING SHOW (8 October 1998) - According to the
Blonde Redhead website: Unwound is playing with Blonde Redhead on Saturday
17 October, at the Capitol Theatre. The Thrones are opening.
UNWOUND ON MATADOR (19 September 1998) - From Ted:
Unwound has just signed to Matador Europe. The Matador web site has released
this news:
"More exciting signing news: UNWOUND are officially signed to Matador
Europe (under license from Kill Rock Stars). The first release will be a
European reissue of Challenge For A Civilized Society with one extra track.
Later on there will be a 25-track "greatest hits" compilation
of sorts, followed by new material."
THE TROUBLEMAN SPLIT (16 September 1998) - From
Troubleman: The Unwound/Versus split 7-inch will be released before the
end of winter. They promise. Also, a compilation LP is in the works which
will include a new Replikants song.
SHOW INFO (4 September 1998) - From Chris V: Unwound
is playing Friday night for Bumbershoot in Seattle at 7:30 pm, in a benefit
show for the Capitol Theater in Olympia. They played a similar benefit last
Saturday's (29 August) featuring Frequency Db, This Room, Engine 54, Love
as Laughter, Dub Narcotic Sound System, Mary Lou Lord, Rebecca Pearcy, Miranda
July with Zac Love, C-Average, Simple Ritual, and Us of All.
PEEL SESSION (29 July 1998) - From Greg Ellis:
John Peel is airing an Unwound session Wednesday night (tonight!) on the
BBC. Listen for it at this site: http://www.broadcast.com/bbc/
SEATTLE SHOW (27 July 1998) - From Chris Vandebrooke:
"Unwound is playing this Saturday with Bare Minimum at the Breakroom
in Seattle."
RECORD NEWS (2 July 1998) - From Mike at Troubleman:
The Unwound/Versus split single is STILL on hold. However, Lance at Honeybear
says: "I finally got the Young Ginns CD out. It's Justin and Brandt's
band with Tim Green from Nation of Ulysses and the Champs. It's 13 songs
including their Gravity EP and a Void cover version." There is also
a compilation out called Fruited Surfaces (can anyone confirm that title?)
with a song from Justin's other project, the Replikants.
NEW SONG (27 April 1998) - From Jay: Punk In My
Vitamins has released a new compilation CD called the "Multi-Vitamin
Comp" featuring Unwound, Mocket, Long Hind Legs, Karp, Lowercase, New
Bad Things, the Thrones, the Waydowns, One Ton, and Bunnyfoot Charm. Unwound's
song is a previously unreleased recording called "Pinwheel Signaling".
Jay describes it as "this little minute-and-a-half, lo-fi recording
of them jamming". All the other songs on the compilation have been
previously released.
NEW RECORD PLANNED (26 March 1998) - From Brian
McDonald: "After the Troubadour show in L.A. last month, Jared (of
Island Of Joy video zine fame)
and I interviewed Justin and Sara from Unwound. If all goes well, the interview
will appear on the second volume of the video zine "Island Of Joy".
Also if all goes well, there will be a printed version of the interview
appearing in a future KUCI program guide.
One of the things mentioned in the interview was plans of an upcoming split
12" between Unwound and The Thrones. All recordings would be from live
shows. In fact, Unwound were planning on recording a lot of their shows
during their current huge tour to grab some choice recordings for the 12".
The Thrones, of course, being Joe Preston's solo thing. (Last I saw them/him
live)."
VERN RUMSEY IS NOT DEAD (21 January 1998) - at
least not yet. Here's the original rumor: "vern rumsey, the bassist
for unwound was killed in an automobile accident monday night in Olympia,
WA. this is shocking and sad news for anyone who loved unwound. the rest
of the band are said to be in shock and mourning right now, no further news."
Here's the word from Kerri Harrop at SubPop records, provided by Ian Connelly:
"It has since been confirmed that there was a slight miscommunication
of the facts. Vern was not killed or otherwise involved in a car wreck Monday
night; the correct information is that he attended a screening of Wag the
Dog. There is a subtle but nonetheless clear distinction between these events."
SPLIT SINGLE WITH VERSUS (15 January 1998) - is
going to be released this month, according to a Versus
website.
NEW ALBUM RELEASED TODAY (13 January 1998) - It's
called Challenge For A Civilized Society. There are nine songs on it. Buy
it as soon as possible.
2 ALBUMS - IT'S ALL
IRONED OUT NOW (see below) (4 December 1997) - Jason Costanzo wrote to tell
me: "'Light At The End Of The Tunnel...' is a 12" out December
5, 4 songs. 'Challenge For A Civilized Society' LP and CD, out on January
13. All reports I've heard are that this is the eclipse of Unwound's creativity.
I remember reading somewhere that "Unwound think this is the best record
they've ever made, hands down..." or something to that effect. I've
also heard that it is a bit of a departure from the classic Unwound sound,
much more experimental, not as much raw aggression." How confusing,
for Unwound to release two records at once...
CONFLICTING REPORTS (26 November 1997) - the MusicMatch web site says that the
new Unwound album is actually not out yet (see below) but it's coming. It
is called "Challenge For A Civilized Society" and is due to be
released 13 January 1998. It's on KRS, of course. I guess we'll just have
to see who to believe, MusicMatch or the Rocket... anyone with info, send
it or I will kill you. I will physically kill you.
NEW ALBUM! - From Matt: He says it came out 11
November 1997, according to the Rocket; it's called "the light at the
end of the tunnel is a train" (another train-theme, a la Fake Train?).
I personally haven't heard (or seen) it yet but it's supposed to be pretty
good. Well, what else could it be?
NEW SPLIT SINGLE (11 November 1997) - from the
horse's mouth: Mike from Troubleman
says the Unwound/Versus 7" split will finally be out in late winter.
They've been talking about this since the "Future of What" days...
UNWOUND PERFORMANCE - From Brian Price: "Earlier
this month (September 3rd & 6th) Unwound played 2 great shows in NYC
at Tramps and the CMJ music festival. The first night, they were accompanied
by Modest Mouse (amazing!), the Delta 72, and Blonde Redhead. The second
night they played with the Peechees, the Great Unraveling, Comet Gain, and
the Cold Cold Hearts.
Each night they played five new songs, two of which were rather lengthy,
and one of which Vern premiered on vocals. Needless to say all of the new
songs are amazing, and as usual with Unwound they're always coming up with
new sounds."
UNWOUND DID NOT PLAY AUSTIN contrary to what I
said before (25 September 1997) - From Jason Costanzo: "There is a
local country and western band called Unwound here in Austin who play at
some of the honky-tonk type bars all the time. I know this because I have
been duped into thinking the real Unwound was playing here more than once..."
BRAND NEW ALBUM NEWS (13 September 1997) - From
Deana Hare: "A friend of mine talked to Sara at a show and she said
the album should be coming out in January. They played a lot of new songs
and they sound really really good."
IT WORKED! I put big letters on my page and someone
noticed. A. Cris Hamilton wrote and informed me that Unwound recorded earlier
this spring (25 July 1997). No news on any release dates.
As far as I can tell Unwound are currently touring (13 Sept 1997)
but I haven't got any sort of schedule of dates. Check your local listings,
I guess. They hit Austin TX a couple weeks ago (not really, see above).
Mail me if you've got any information at all, or even just to shoot the breeze
Return to Unwound
This document was last updated 8 October 2001, probably for the last time.