SOUND OF PIG label - obscurities

[FreakAnimalFinland]

While ago mentioned in other topic that I'd be quite curious to see people discuss for example what is good in SOUND OF PIG label releases. So what is it? If one doesn't know, I'm not to blame. One of the old tape labels who released c. 300 tapes of experimental/industrial/noise stuff, but hardly among most hot & wanted labels? But perhaps because many don't realize it is still around, and vast majority of catalogue is still available:

With over 200 titles offered through the Sound of Pig Cassette Mail Order Catalogue, Al Margolis has certainly earned his title as "Cassette Godfather"

Here are two insightful articles by Al which originally appeared in the book Cassette Mythos. Edited by Robin James and published by Autonomedia in 1992, Mythos comprises an exhaustive collection of essays, reports, stories, and manifestos surrounding the home tapers network. This book is perhaps the single greatest source of documented information on the Cassette Culture. Authors include Miekal And, Chadbourne, Chochololak, Chris Cutler, Amy Denio, Dave Mandl, Fioretti, Harkey, Carl Howard, James McGee, Minoy, Stevie Moore, Gen Ken, Myers, Plantenga, Neil Strauss, and many more. Get a copy if you can still find one!

1985 by Al Margolis
(from Cassette Mythos, 1992)
Cassettes, cassettes, cassettes -- What do they mean? These days, everything! Who would have thought when I started getting involved with them -- first through the purchase of them from the artists, and then starting to release my own -- that I would become enslaved to the dreaded cassette? The need to score tapes, hear more tapes, trade for more tapes, hear from people who have more tapes -- I got hooked. And like any good junkie, I keep slipping (or, should I say diving?) deeper into it. So now when I come home at night I start shaking, wondering "are there any little packages for me?" I never thought that Sound of Pig music would grow into a catalog of ten releases; that I would be in contact with people all over the world; that for every compilation I do, I receive enough material for two more; that I would receive letters on fancy looking stationery addressed to "Promotional Director" or "President". But it's true, and that's the beauty of the cassette revolution: anybody and everybody can get involved and be heard -- there are lots of  people out there who want to hear something new.

That's one of the reasons behind the existence of  Sound of Pig, and particularly compilations: to help the artists be HEARD by others. It's a good feeling when someone lets me know that because they appeared on one of my tapes someone contacted them or came to see them. If that happens I've been successful. And more and more I see compilations as an art form in their own right: never before have these particular artists appeared together, so the resulting trip is, in a sense, a musical composition of its own.

Working as pretty much a one-person operation has also given me the chance to cover all areas of what needs to be done: artwork, distribution, promotion, finances. It's been an excellent experience, and I've learned quite a bit. Unfortunately, being on quite a low (read: "non-existent") budget has meant that while the catalog is expanding, I can never quite get enough tapes out. Things are released in dribs and drabs as I can afford them. Back to the search for that great tape score...

There are a lot of people out there who are doing a great job of making music -- doing distribution, putting out magazines, helping to network, and just being inspiring. One idea / ideal / hope that I have is the possibility within the network of perhaps the further pooling of resources, so that for a tape of a band or a compilation, perhaps one person can do the covers and printing, one the compilation, another the duping -- something along those lines. I don't know if it's practical or possible. It's just a thought / suggestion for the time being. Any ideas? SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENCE!!!

Al Margolis, as featured in Electronic Cottage, 19921990 by Al Margolis
(from Cassette Mythos, 1992)
Once again, I write an update (the second one) to my original piece from 1985. As I reread [the original] I notice that while the whole "cassette thing"  has greatly blossomed and expanded, a great deal of what was written remains the same. SOP is still a one-person operation (with occasional assistance), I still can't quite get out enough tapes (though I have close to three hundred releases now), and still I don't have enough time or money.

0f course, much is also changing, and this book is a testament to that. It has taken years to put it together, and much of it will be out of date almost immediately. This also reflects the great number of people who have come and gone within the whole thing (I hesitate to use the words "work" or "underground" because if they were ever applicable -- which is doubtful -- they certainly aren't now). It's funny because now that so many people are making tapes, which is the point of all this, it has become impossible to get in touch with everyone doing something interesting. But particularly in the midddle of 1990, with the record censorship and [parental advisory] labeling mess going on, it is great that more and more people are taking the means of  musical production into their own hands.

As the mainstream becomes blander and many people making music means having to wade through more garbage, [this revolution] is crucial, to outside arbiters of "taste" and "worthiness" anyway. So as many people plug away and move on to other things and expand their options, it is still important to remember: SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENCE!!!

Out of the catalogue, there are many known names, but also lots of names what doesn't probably ring a bell for anyone else but those who were active in old school tape underground. To get some quick recommendations beyond the obvious, I'll just thow few links what could convince...

BIRTH OF TRAGEDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8D--w_wTXg

NATURE & ORGANIZATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2CfuCKDeZA

DOG AS MASTER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-LGPoKH5cI


But very curious for example what is Viktimized Karcass ? Mental Anguish ? Merz ? etc....

[throneheap]

I recently discovered that someone scanned a SOP catalog and posted it on discogs:

http://www.discogs.com/label/12082-Sound-Of-Pig

Just click "more images" ... The descriptions offer some clues at least....

Unfortunately the SOP mail order is temporarily closed as Al's dubbing decks are busted.
It's been at least a month or two - I hope he gets them fixed!!

[F_c_O]

I recently discovered that someone scanned a SOP catalog and posted it on discogs:

http://www.discogs.com/label/12082-Sound-Of-Pig

Just click "more images" ... The descriptions offer some clues at least....

Unfortunately the SOP mail order is temporarily closed as Al's dubbing decks are busted.
It's been at least a month or two - I hope he gets them fixed!!

thanks, wouldnt have noticed otherwise. Theres a lot of bands I have no idea what they are about so this helps a lot. Hope he gets shit fixed too, I find it really nice that he keeps things going on and tapes available and not let them languish into oblivion in some 50 copy editions for which you have to pay your left leg and right kidney.

[Theodore]

Domaine Poetique : Jeph Jerman & John Hudak, late 80s. Do you need anything more ? Nah, that's enough to know you expect something good. They have 3 tapes on SOP. And they meet your expectations. Got them recently via Tordon Ljud. 'There and Then' tape is the only time they played together physicaly. A-Side of physical, objects noise. B-Side based on field recordings in the city. Laid on my bed, felt like i was laid on the pavement near a busy road, out of a building they do constructions inside, a playground opposite, a cafe at the corner, i dont give a fuck about the passengers, just dont step over me ...

'Exhale Slowly' : A: Harsh noise like, i think i listen vocals buried in the background, maybe my idea [?] , great ! B: Industrial murk, radio [?] . Tracks on YouTube dont do any justice, bad rip. - Tracks on these two tapes are lengthy, but not a moment i thought ehm OK that's enough.

'Great Many' : I havent played yet, but i know it's good. Its after i listened files of it, i was looking to buy the tapes.

Now i need the rest ! Really need. If anyone sells, i am here. - Or reissue them, someone ... - Is here anyone that has listened them ? Any comment ? Similar to SOP tapes ?

[urall]

Domaine Poetique : Jeph Jerman & John Hudak, late 80s. Do you need anything more ? Nah, that's enough to know you expect something good. They have 3 tapes on SOP. And they meet your expectations. Got them recently via Tordon Ljud. 'There and Then' tape is the only time they played together physicaly. A-Side of physical, objects noise. B-Side based on field recordings in the city. Laid on my bed, felt like i was laid on the pavement near a busy road, out of a building they do constructions inside, a playground opposite, a cafe at the corner, i dont give a fuck about the passengers, just dont step over me ...

'Exhale Slowly' : A: Harsh noise like, i think i listen vocals buried in the background, maybe my idea [?] , great ! B: Industrial murk, radio [?] . Tracks on YouTube dont do any justice, bad rip. - Tracks on these two tapes are lengthy, but not a moment i thought ehm OK that's enough.

'Great Many' : I havent played yet, but i know it's good. Its after i listened files of it, i was looking to buy the tapes.

Now i need the rest ! Really need. If anyone sells, i am here. - Or reissue them, someone ... - Is here anyone that has listened them ? Any comment ? Similar to SOP tapes ?

Ah, i didn't realise this was Hudak & Jerman! Need to check it out then.

I have a couple of SOP releases, mostly Hudak i think.
And i listened to some Big City Orchestra, Hands To, City of Worms, Minoy stuff which i liked a lot. But i def need to catch up.

[muppet1]

Domaine Poetique : Jeph Jerman & John Hudak, late 80s. Do you need anything more ? Nah, that's enough to know you expect something good. They have 3 tapes on SOP. And they meet your expectations. Got them recently via Tordon Ljud. 'There and Then' tape is the only time they played together physicaly. A-Side of physical, objects noise. B-Side based on field recordings in the city. Laid on my bed, felt like i was laid on the pavement near a busy road, out of a building they do constructions inside, a playground opposite, a cafe at the corner, i dont give a fuck about the passengers, just dont step over me ...

'Exhale Slowly' : A: Harsh noise like, i think i listen vocals buried in the background, maybe my idea [?] , great ! B: Industrial murk, radio [?] . Tracks on YouTube dont do any justice, bad rip. - Tracks on these two tapes are lengthy, but not a moment i thought ehm OK that's enough.

'Great Many' : I havent played yet, but i know it's good. Its after i listened files of it, i was looking to buy the tapes.

Now i need the rest ! Really need. If anyone sells, i am here. - Or reissue them, someone ... - Is here anyone that has listened them ? Any comment ? Similar to SOP tapes ?

Those Domaine Poétique cassettes on Sound of Pig are fantastic. Would love a reissue of the Big Body Parts cassettes or the SJ Org. release.

[New Forces]

I'd completely overlooked that Nature and Organisation did a tape on SOP. Gotta check that out asap.