Stephen J. Perron Guidry

These two songs were recorded during the same sessions that will become the Torches' full length album released in 2012 but, for now, are exclusive to this release.

Recorded live in the BSR studios in Providence, RI.

The Torches go the easy route and call their first ep "The Torches," but consider it a formal introduction to the band. You'll get to know their dramatic (melo- and otherwise) ways quite quickly here, and in less than an hour. The official story: "DC-based ramshackle roots-rock collective The Torches will release their debut self-titled EP on August 24th via Lujo Records both digitally and on 7-inch vinyl. Cobbled together by front man Stephen J. Perron Guidry in 2009 while his band The Cassettes took hiatus, The Torches is a mix of friends old and new, banjo, oboe, harmonica, cello, saxophone, guitar, several-part vocal harmony and cacophony, not to mention some hollering and stomping. The 6-song EP opens strong with The Torches' special brand of raucous verve on "Mister Vampire," followed by sweet group vocals boosting Guidry's raspy croon on jaunty "Daughter Leg." The group shows the softer side of their rough and tumble spirit on "The Coming Rain," and southern-inspired closing track "Antax (Broke Down Busted)" ends things with a heartfelt, age-old tale of feeling down and out. "

Songs recorded in Jillette's bedroom

The album that cemented the “steampunk” status of The Cassettes and which took the band across the United States on tour, to Steampunk/Sci-Fi Conventions and even to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center! Originally on Buddyhead Records in 2007, Rogue Records in Australia in 2008 and then purchased back by the band and self-released in 2010. No fourteen-song album can be adequately summed up in few words, of course, but the Cassettes have provided the world with an album that could provide enough copy for an entire pamphlet, perhaps printed by ink-stained partisans in the cellar of a deserted tavern. For, there are hints of revolution here: the lyrics' subtle dissatisfaction with mechanized, modernist life, the linear notes' demand for a re-examination of everyday objects, although the message is perhaps diffused by words, and rather taken up sonically by the band. A sort of manifesto of music, then, as what the album lacks in verbal "message," it makes up for in music of a variety enough to broaden the mind of the most emo-fabulous-core listener. In recent missives, the band has described itself as a Musical Explorers Society, and indeed this album might be signposted as the early stages of whatever phase the band is now in. And yet, this variety does not mean the tracks don't feel good all together, as it were, as The Ganges River Delta Blues of "Muji Achi Larki" fits right alongside the more traditional "Sweet Virginia" as well as the riverside kraut-rock of "Burglar In The Bungalow." The Cassettes invite you to come along for a rollicking air-balloon ride over a landscape dotted with greasy resonator guitars, screaming accordions, and soaring theremins!

The Cassettes rarities collection that includes tracks originally intended for ‘Neath The Pale Moon. Some tracks originally appeared on the split 7” with Disco Drive and others on an Australian-only double-CD issue of the ‘Neath The Pale Moon album. Contains the cult-favorite “Monkeyshine Pantsuit”

A single for “Snö” from “Writing Analog Letters (A Collection)” Released in 2010 to commemorate a snowstorm that spread through DC and originally recorded during the blizzard of 2003 in Arlington, VA. Originally included on the Australian issue of ‘Neath The Pale Moon. Contains an exclusive B-side of a track by the Swedish pop/folk act New Moscow.

The opus to the inner-child and seemingly unconnected (yet connected) themes! To quote: “There’s something slightly schizophrenic about Countach, The Cassettes’ new album. The songs aren’t so much composed as hammered together from utterly random cultural detritus: The Patrick Swayze film Black Dog, Navajo warriors, reptile people, Italian horror movie scores. Guitarist/vocalist Shelby Cinca—former member of spazz-core pioneers Frodus—describes Countach as “Choose Your Own Adventure” rock ‘n’ roll: a type of music where one page turn (or in this case, song break) can bring a disorienting shift in subject matter.” — A. Leitko Originally released on cassette with download card, toy horse and race-car. Limited edition of 250 (2008). New edition of 100 cassettes pressed in 2011. Make a courageous choice!

"O'er The Mountain" was recorded in 2002 during the last months of The Cassettes original lineup of Shelby Cinca on Guitar/Vocals and the Dead Meadow rhythm section; Steve Kille (Bass) and Stephen McCarty (Drums) with the additional assistance of Jennifer Potter on 2nd Guitar. Finished post-humously when the band in this configuration decided to part ways. These recordings are a culmination of late night sessions between Shelby Cinca and Steve Kille obsessing over Wings, T. Rex, and Badfinger records, creating their own take of inspired and positive rock tunes. Driving songs such as "All The People" and "This Will Pass" with their hopefully Lennon-esque message. Also herein is the rare vocal performance of drummer Stephen McCarty on "Meteor Rock". The opening and closing tracks of "O'er The Mountain" illuminate a prescient vision of what was to come with the mystic country/steampunk sound that The Cassettes later adopted on the album "'Neath The Pale Moon". Conceptually, the prequel of a musical journey that begins with an un-named protagonist through mountainous terrain and enchanted forests. Recorded by Shelby Cinca and lauded as one of his favorite 8-Track recordings he has ever done. Mixed later in the year 2002 by Chad Clark at Silver Sonya and now self-released after an obscure Italian CD pressing in 2003 on Alice Records. This digital release also contains original demos of Shelby and Steve recorded at the fabled Mystic Gnome Mobile Studios in Arlington, VA at The Stonehenge House.