So, readers of my blog will note that I have gone all in for the work of Bobby Hussy. Wristwatch, The Hussy, Fire Heads, Whippets, Cave Curse…
Wristwatch / Starcrawler – High Noon Saloon, Madison – 11/02/2022
Wristwatch – The Hussy – Fire Heads And more!
I saw him live for the first time as his new band Wristwatch (see Wristwatch/Starcrawler post above, and loved it. Wristwatch has a second album! More on that later.
When I entered the world of Bobby Hussy I cleaned out Bandcamp of The Hussy digital, and got all the full length vinyl albums (even some that were sold out on Bandcamp), but there was one item that I couldn’t get my hands on and I really wanted, for 2 reasons.
There was a 5 cassette box set!
I know I know, cassette… but I still play them on occasion. I had picked up a few other live Hussy tapes since there was no digital version and thought they were cool artifacts. This one kept catching my eye every time I scrolled through The Hussy’s Bandcamp page.
https://thehussy.bandcamp.com/music
First of all, I love live music. So this was right up my alley. Second of all… I had held this in my hand on Record Store Day years ago (in 2016 I believe) and thought it looked cool then, but, alas did NOT buy it. Regret. At that point I had heard OF The Hussy, but wasn’t into it like I am all these years later.
However, I was determined to find one now. With only a mere 30 produced I knew that my chances were pretty slim. I set up an E-bay search to alert me and also one on Discogs. It was the best I could do. That was in early December. It finally happened. Someone posted it!
It was described as Brand New still in shrink, which turned out to be mostly true. The sticker was not included, so someone opened it, but the tapes themselves were minty fresh… and now mine!
Here is a look at the spines creating a picture. Alan and I used to do this when we made our letter tapes back in the day. Cool.
Each tape is a different color.
Cover photos from each show.
Bottom right tape is recorded at High Noon, but it is different than The Hussy at High Noon that you can get on bandcamp. FYI.
I’m going to let the info on The Hussy Bandcamp page detail the contents:
EXTREMELY LIMITED EDITION
5 x CASSETTE BOX SET!
Features 5 cassettes of historic Hussy live performances chronologically packaged. 65 tracks in total! Over 2.5 hours of recordings! Complete and extensive research went into locating photographs and uncovering the recordings themselves. Each cassette comes expertly hand-crafted with a 5 panel foldover j-card featuring photos and liner notes. Each cassette features completely exclusive live recordings that have never been released or heard before! First and last time performances of songs! Never before seen photos! Guest musicians and surprises! This is a career spanning compilation that highlights some of the most unique and magic moments of the Hussy’s past 8 years as a band. High quality download included!
Cassette 1 finds The Hussy in rare 4-Piece mode as Bad Omens. Both Bobby and Heather performed in this band. The set catches the band at their most brutal. This was a short-lived, four-piece Hussy side project in 2011. Eventually all songs become Hussy recordings on later records. We’ve presented them here for the first time in the doom-garage glory we originally intended you to hear them in!
Cassette 2 features the band’s first LP release show at the High Noon Saloon for their 3rd LP, Pagan Hiss. Multi-track recorded by the Mystery Girl’s Michael Zink, the set is an intense and quick burn, further blown out by Michael’s recording and production techniques. Somehow The Mystery Girls reformed to play this show along with locals Fire Retarded and Non Travellin’ Band.
Cassette 3 is the band’s headlining performance at Crystal Corner Bar for Turkeyfest 5. Turkeyfest is Bobby’s annual gathering of punk weirdos at a couple of Madison’s finest establishments (Mickey’s Tavern and Crystal Corner Bar). Turkeyfest 5’s show at Crystal Corner featured performances from Digital Leather, Nots and Proud Parents as well. The first and only live performance of “Made In The Shade” is recorded here.
Cassette 4 brings you into Karl’s Kastle for Bobby Hussy’s birthday! Karl’s Kastle is home to the “Graveyard of the Gods”, a basement “venue” on the near East Side of Madison. The Hussy played a set for the filming of their video, “Take You Up” (Emily Massey) as well as the partygoers! Incredible night caught on 90’s era film footage for the rest of eternity.
Cassette 5 brings you up to date. Galore era Hussy. The LP/CD release show at High Noon Saloon for that record to be exact! Complete with lap steel, violin, bass and an additional guitar player….and of course HEATHER and BOBBY HUSSY front and center. This recording showcases the evolving sound of the two songwriters. Exclusive songs from Galore that the band never again attempted live as well as old favorites completely fleshed out with a full band live for the first time ever.
released April 2, 2016
I was so stoked to get this. I can’t even tell you. The only bummer was that I was going to have to get a new cassette converter to digitize them so I could listen on the go. My last converter that I tried to use on The Hussy Live w/ The Useless Eaters ATE it. I managed to get the tape out, but one song was definitely hosed. I may have to buy that one again. Sigh.
B U T
I had forgotten about the download code. Would a download code from 2016 still work?
I thought back to the Bowie album I bought, then didn’t open for a year and the download code had expired by the time I opened it!
I braced myself as I went to Yum. To my stunned surprise… IT WORKED!
So now I have the tapes AND the digital. That’s me in the supporters list. The Frankenstein head with the headphones on (lower left).
Another white whale brought in!
Oh. And… the music is great! If you are a Bobby Hussy fan and you run across this, absolutely do not hesitate. What a cool collection. You will not be disappointed.
The Aural Retentive 