#8TrackTuesday #Punk #NowPlaying #8TrackCartridge #8TrackTape
Were the Connecticut #HardcorePunk band #ViolentChildren the first to release a self-consciously retro #8Track release? I do believe so. This was originally issued in December 1988. Mass production of 8-track tapes had ceased by then, so each tape had to be duped/hand-spliced on to blank, dead stock cartridges by the label owner himself. It was a perverse joke; what self-respecting punk ever owned an 8-track player?
Other bands would latch on to this idea in the ensuing decade - notably #SpinalTap, who released a promo 8-track of their 1992 "Break Like The Wind" album. But for a moment let's acknowledge the foresight of Violent Children. United Nutmeg forever!
The back side of the same 8-track cartridge by the band Violent Children, with text credits and original release dates of songs.
An 8-track cartridge by the band Violent Children. Cover art shows grainy, black and white photo of a young boy with a look of serious concentration on his face, balancing toy blocks precariously in a tower. Text includes the band name at top right and and track listing at the bottom.