CRIME MURDER BY GUITAR HOT WIRE SF KBD PUNK 7" EP w/PS

$

27

CRIME – Hot Wire My Heart, Baby You’re So Repulsive b/w Murder By Guitar, Frustration. Happy Tunes 2. 4-track EP, plays at 45 rpm. Originally self issued in 1976 and 1977 on their own Crime Records label, respectively, this edition was issued circa 1990, apparently not authorized by the band, and includes their first two very rare singles, also reproduces the front sleeve art of both singles. PICTURE SLEEVE:  VG++, printed on paper weight stock. VINYL:  VG+, play graded; large hole center, labels are blank with metallic silver ink. DESCRIPTION:  Early DIY punk from San Francisco. Self-taught guitarists/vocalists Johnny Strike and Frankie Fix formed the nucleus of Crime, and their stark vision dominated the band through its lifespan. In the summer of 1976, with bassist Ron Ripper and drummer Ricky Tractor on board and a few hasty rehearsals under their belts, Crime recorded and self-released their debut single, Hot Wire My Heart b/w Baby You’re So Repulsive. The record is a damaged masterpiece of atonal riffs, agitated rhythm and the lowest fidelity allowed by law, but within the murk of black static and needle dust lays a seductive ectomorphic power, an intellectual aggression shot through with delinquent spirit and antisocial urges. Defiantly chaotic, their buzzsaw sound drips with the grease of hard R&B, like a stumbling drunk Chuck Berry fronting the Velvet Underground after an all-night binge. Crime’s first public appearance (a Halloween fundraising party for gay activists) lasted only five songs before the plug was pulled, but bigger outrages were yet to come. “We pretty much sealed our fate early on and became the most offensive band in town when we put H*tler on a flyer,” said Strike, now a Bay Area novelist. “Of course, we knew that the flyer would cause a stir, but we had no idea how much of one. Our records were yanked from the one store in town that sold punk, given no airplay, crossed off lists all over town. Crime was really born then.” Like all great rock & roll bands, Crime meticulously cultivated their image and photo shoots came long before live shows. Four cold, cadaverous men clad in regulation police uniforms wearing dead, drugged sneers on their faces, or perhaps dressed as gangsters, posed around sacks of money and guns. Publicity materials featured images of police brutality, sadomasochism and war criminals. Every dark fantasy conjured by Lou Reed, William Burroughs, and film noir; every secret desire for bondage and f*scism was reflected there in the mirrored shades of these vampires in cop costumes. Punk by any definition, but Crime shunned the label with open hostility, and their rejection of countercultural groupthink was possibly their most grievous offense. Tractor’s rhythmic (and personal) inconsistencies led to a succession of drummers. Brittley Black took over next, playing on the band’s second single, Murder By Guitar b/w Frustration, followed by Hank Rank, who had never hit the skins before but learned on the job and became the band’s manager as well. Self-billed as “San Francisco’s First and Only Rock & Roll Band,” Crime’s sonic assault drew unruly crowds who loved the raunchy, revved-up sound, fetishistic police uniforms and brittle arrogance. But Crime’s insistence on headlining every show and undisguised disdain for the bands they gigged with earned them more enemies than fans. “At first it was with the people who were running things,” said Strike, “a close-knit group left over from the hippie days that included club bookers, journalists, record shop owners, deejays, etc. They definitely weren't up for us. When we saw how things were, instead of playing nice with them like most bands, we drew our swords and made the gap as wide as it would go.” Despite the band’s bad reputation among San Francisco’s rock elite, Crime secured regular appearances at the Mabuhay Gardens and even booked a notorious gig at nearby San Quentin Penitentiary, which they played in full police regalia to the puzzled inmates. Aside from rare shows in Seattle and Los Angeles, Crime remained a local phenomenon, stubbornly staying in the face of a scene that considered them rude and primitive even by punk standards. Of course, the enmity Crime courted wasn’t good for business. Bookings became difficult, audiences shrank, an attempt at a more streamlined, funk-based sound confused their remaining fans and a combination of drugs, apathy, and artistic differences ultimately closed the coffin lid on Crime. The band fell apart in 1982 when Strike quit Crime and focused his efforts on writing (his novel Ports of Hell was published in 2004 by Headpress). Fix made an abortive attempt to resurrect Crime in the early 90s, recruiting Ripper and Black for the gig, but Strike didn’t participate. "Hank and I went to the first show and it was pretty dreadful,” he said. “I heard they played a couple more before dissolving. It was all druggy posturing." Fix’s years following the ersatz reunion were troubled. “I used to run into him on the street now and again and we'd chat a bit,” said Strike. “I had finally found my way out of the dope scene but he never had, so it was a little awkward, but we'd known each other since high school so we still had a bond no matter what.” In 1996, Fix died during surgery, his body weakened by abuse. Crime’s limited-press singles became impossible to find after the breakup, their music available only on expensive bootlegs. Sonic Youth cut a suitably shambolic cover of Hot Wire My Heart for their Sister LP, but it was a weak substitute. Crime was so mysterious and unobtainable that their legend proved irresistible to second and third generation punks with only speculation, rumor and some outrageous promo photos to go by. But conduits opened. In 1995, primitive rock fanzine Ugly Things printed the first in-depth oral history of Crime, telling the story in the band’s own words. Official pressings of frequently-bootlegged live shows got wider release on LPs like Cadillac Fagg*t and Hate Us or Love Us, We Don’t Give a F*ck. Swami Records released the excellent San Francisco’s Still Doomed in 2004, a collection of studio demos previously available only as a rare import, and a long-discussed deluxe set of Crime recordings and on stage video footage is still in development. Killer material any way you look at it.

NOTE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS, PLEASE READ BEFORE BIDDING: 

For the most part these 7” singles and EPs come from my personal collection that, though played, has been well taken care of; they were purchased new. The most noticeable use on the sleeves will be near the open end from removal to play and then placing back in the sleeves. While going through my collection for listing I have removed the discs from the original sleeves and placed them in a plain white paper sleeve, placing the original sleeve and disc within an outer plastic sleeve. Even if the disc was originally purchased with a stock company sleeve or plain sleeve, I will include the original sleeve that came with my purchase along with the disc. As for the vinyl, keep in mind that these come from my personal collection and have been played (used but not abused), though I haven’t played most of them for nearly 20 years (or more). I have been playing both sides completely through for grading purposes on these listings and have noted obvious flaws, if any; if I’ve missed something my apologies in advance I am trying my best to properly grade items. The rating of EXCELLENT, VG++, VG+, VG, etc., represents the overall condition of the sleeve and disc. Additional comments after the overall grading are not necessarily all inclusive of blemmishes, but are the most obvious. Any skips, deep scratches, unplayability due to warpage, audible background noise that is continuous through the complete play, etc. will not be listed. Please e-mail me back with specific details if there is a problem I will gladly allow your return with full refund, minus your shipping cost back to me. Refunds will only be issued once I have received the item back. I worked in a record shop from 74-80 and then set up at record shows thereafter stocking many singles, so most of these items came from distributors or, later on, from dealers who also stocked new singles. By the mid-80s my interest in current singles of punk, garage, psych, and independently released music waned (as did the music itself). For the time being I am concentrating on listing releases from the years 1975 -1985, give or take a bit. I’ve got approximately 500+ singles left to sort through and will list them in small batches of 10-20 per listing on a first come first list basis. Those that don’t sell the first time around will be relisted as a group at a later date. If you have any questions about an item listed please e-mail me. At this time I really can’t answer what items I may have in the future to list as most of the singles are not in any order, due to several moves over the years; I’m taking it a crate at a time. As I am doing this as time permits, I have no idea how long this will take, so keep checking in. Thanks for looking.

PACKAGING:

I use a thick corrugated box that holds up to 10-12 x 7” records to assure safe damage free shipping around the world. Any space inside the box is filled with packing material (above and below the disc/s) to add protection and keep the item from moving around in shipment.

If you have any questions or if you have additional information, especially corrections, to the description, please e-mail me.    

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER CURRENTLY LISTED ITEMS AND EBAY STORE. 

TERMS OF AUCTION: 

Buyer pays for POSTAGE & HANDLING:

U.S. Shipping: 

$4.00 via USPS first class mail for 1-2 x 7” records.

$0.75 for each additional 7” record.

If you purchase more than two 7” records please wait for my invoice total via Ebay with the correct shipping total before making payment.

See U.S. Customers below for additional shipping services and payment method.

INTERNATIONAL Shipping (I ship worldwide; all packages shipped via first class mail international):

Canada:   $6.00 for 1-3 x 7” records. $1.00 for each additional 7” record.

Mexico:  $8.50 for 1-3 x 7” records. $1.00 for each additional 7” record.

Europe, UK, Africa, Central & South America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia:  $10.00 for 1-3 x 7” records. $1.25 for each additional 7" record.

If you purchase more than three 7” records please wait for my invoice total via Ebay with the correct shipping total before making payment.

See International Customers below for additional shipping services, requirements, and payment method.

U.S. CUSTOMERS:

Payment for U.S. customers using credit cards or their Paypal account can be made via Paypal to:  grooversparadise@charter.net . Ebay has changed over to payment only via Paypal or credit cards via Paypal. If this is a problem please e-mail me for acceptable payment alternatives. Insurance for U.S. bidders is $1.75 (for up to a package value of $50.00), $2.25 (for a package value of $50.01-$100.00), $2.75 (for a package value of $100.01-$200) and is optional. Larger valued packages will be invoiced at the appropriate insurance rate, at your request. Priority mail is available upon request, please wait for my invoice via Ebay before making payment. Payment via Paypal must be received within 7 days from the close of bidding or date of purchase. If you can not meet my payment schedule please e-mail me with your needs. I only ask that you keep me informed.

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: 

I have been shipping records and CDs around the world for over 25 years, so purchase with confidence. Payment via Paypal, must be in US $, (to:  grooversparadise@charter.net). Ebay has changed over to payment only via Paypal or credit cards via Paypal. If this is a problem please e-mail me for acceptable payment alternatives before you bid or purchase. Payment via Paypal must be received within 7 days after close of bidding or date of purchase. If you can not meet my payment schedule please e-mail me with your needs. I only ask that you keep me informed. All packages are shipped via first class mail international (air); this is the least expensive method of shipping internationally, but does not necessarily meet all the conditions of Paypal’s buyer protection plan and does not include a tracking number. If security is a major concern than please request Registered Mail, available upon request and at your expense, this is the least expensive method of meeting the conditions of Paypal’s buyer protection plan; actual postal fee for registration is $11.50 in addition to the shipping total (required on all bids/purchases totaling $100 or more; this will be included with the invoiced shipping total). Priority Mail International and Express Mail International are available upon your request and at your expense. If you have any questions please e-mail me. Air Letter Post is now called First Class Mail International, but the method of shipping and delivery remains the same.

*ALL CUSTOMERS*  

HANDLING TIME:  

Packages are usually shipped in less than 72 hours. NOTE:  This is not the same thing as delivery time, which begins once a package is turned over to the post office; averaging 3-7 business days for US delivery and 5 days to 3 weeks for international delivery (Italy seems to take even longer often times). International delivery is largely determined on how long it takes your local customs to process its mail. Due to my full time job and rotating days off, I ship two to three times per week as my schedule allows. Most packages are shipped within 48 hours of receiving a confirmed payment. I will confirm receipt of payment and shipping date via my personal e-mail, adjust your filters accordingly. If you do not hear from me within the first three days after your payment, most likely my attempts to e-mail you have failed. Please keep me posted on your payment plans or any special requirements/needs of your purchase. 

RETURN POLICY:

Please e-mail me with specific details and I will get back to you with your options. I ask that if there is a problem with the item that you contact me as soon as possible after receiving it. Any item that must be returned is done so at the buyer’s expense. Any refund via $ (refunded to your Paypal account or via the same method as your payment), exchange, or substitution/credit will be at the buyers choice, but not made until the original item is received back by me; in the condition as stated in the item description. 

NON-ARRIVAL OF PACKAGES: 

US Customers:  Please wait at least two weeks from my confirmed shipping date before contacting me about the non-arrival of your package. Packages are not shipped with confirmation; this service is optional and available upon request at your expense, e-mail me before making payment so I can invoice you accordingly. It has been several years since I’ve had a package not make its US destination, so risk is minimal.

INTERNATIONAL Customers:  Please wait at least 3 weeks from my confirmed shipping date before contacting me about the non-arrival of your package. If security is your concern please have your package registered (see above for fee). I do my best to quickly post packages, but once the package is in the hands of the world’s postal systems it is beyond my control. With first class mail international my only option for investigating the loss of your package is to verify that it left this country to its destination country. Most all delayed/lost packages have disappeared/been delayed after they have reached their destination country. NOTE:  International mail has been running slower than its stated delivery schedule, in some cases taking more than three weeks to reach its destination.

MULTI-ITEM PURCHASERS:

Multi-bid winners/purchasers:  If you combine various formats such as LPs, 7" singles, and CDs, please wait for my eBay invoice for the shipping total before making payment. For example, US customers purchasing an LP with a 7” single and/or CD, as LPs ship via media mail, your package will ship as media mail. All international purchases are shipped via first class mail international so discounting will be determined by weight. Shipping discounts apply only to multi-item purchases that are paid for in one single payment and shipped in a single package.