Versus -- Big Head On 7"

Before his relative success with +/- (plus/minus), James Baluyut was in the band Versus, sometimes with his 2 brothers Richard and Edward and sometimes a couple other guys along the way. Teen Beat release this 7" in 1995. Versus specialized in the loud/soft dynamics of so many 90's bands but they focused on good pop song stucture. Big Head On has a great intro, a huge head banger chorus and a really cool off beat accent on the hi hat during the verses. N*I*T*A on the b-side is more tame with a rolling repetitive bassline but the chorus is classic Versus.. I just love that distorted guitar. As an aside, my old band readymaid got to open for +/- in '01 or '02 and James was great to hang out with.

Side A mp3 -- Big Head On
Side B mp3 -- N*I*T*A

See Saw -- Everyone Knows This Is Not Hot 7"

Trevor Kampmann, musician/producer/designer from D.C., records now under the name hollAnd but back in the 90's he used the name See Saw or sometimes Sea Saw. This record grew on me over a few weeks. It was at once familiar like an old Sebadoh 7" yet new in a weird way.. weird, but good. Long live lo-fi. This is from '95 on the Simple Machines label.. Sexy white vinyl with no label!

Side A1 mp3 -- My Stereo
Side A2 mp3 -- Diplomat's Daughter
Side B1 mp3 -- Needle
Side B2 mp3 -- Jeff Koons Three-Way