24/01/2025
Order here: www.splatteredrecords.com
It's been quite a while since I've done a new release, so I'm happy to write this newsletter and hope it finds you well. As of today, January 24th 2025, Splattered Records presents a vinyl reissue of Victor Griffin's 'Late for an Early Grave.' For those that are unfamiliar, this was originally put forth by Outlaw Recordings back in the early 2000s. And for those completely brain dead, Victor was most famously known as the guitarist in Pentagram. It was well received during its debut and came along with a big buzz of Pentagram reunion shows/tours just on the cusp of the doom-craze that followed. I've been friends with Omid (Outlaw Recordings) for many years and expressed my interest in helping this album live again for quite some time. It wasn't until a random night after an Overdöse show that we struck up conversation and arranged the deal. Once in touch, Victor and I felt like kindred spirits. Our first issue to tackle was to make the Shovelhead facing the right away on the new version, hah! We are both bikers that that came similar upbringings and had dealt with our share of wild years, regret, and redemption. The whole reissue seemed to come to fruition out of a slightly mysterious fate. For those that know Victor now, I'm sure they know that he'll appreciate the deeper spiritual connection. The hidden hand always points in the right direction, or as I like to believe, it grabs the throttle for another quarter turn.
Now that the positive announcement is out the way I'll subject you to my personal opinion for a moment. Longtime loyalists of my small label will know that I have strong feelings about supporting American manufacturing and jobs when it comes to the business of music. There are 1000s of labels that take your hard-earned dollars and funnel it into brokers and other garbage foreign companies only to save a few pennies. I refuse and always have. I'll consistently spend the extra cash to support record pressing plants right here in the USA, along with their workforce. Don't cry when those plants start shutting their doors after you've just sent all your money overseas! Buy American or Bye America, I say. So you'll be happy to know that every piece of the release was made in North America. It's got nothing to do with politics and everything to do with economics.
While we're on the topic, I'd like to say one more thing. I'm out of the loop with the modern record industry or scene. In the past decade the whole thing has changed dramatically. Records cost more than they ever have, whether new or used, and some are exceeding 200-500% increases in just the past few years. It's just out of control and ridiculous. Music fans are obsessing over product details, packaging, and collectibility. They're forgetting to talk about the vibration between the grooves; the music! Splattered Records was boosted as a reissue label to combat the exclusivity of the record collecting scum and outrageous market over old used records that fans deserve to own today. I take expensive old records that I love and make them affordable and available again, all while getting the artists paid.
In the modern age, there is this misconception that inflation has put us in a place where every new LP should cost $40+. Have you gone to your local record store and seen the prices on the new release rack? It wasn't long ago that they were half that. You can roll your eyes as you read this, but I'm not wrong. I've been a fan long enough to have seen these phases come and go, but this trajectory is hurting what's most important; supporting the music and the artists. Be weary of opportunists and greedy stamp-collecting bastards. They hide behind some silly internet personas and flood social media like rats. You have to be able to see through all this bu****it in order to keep the flame burning for those that truly love it. So despite all the excuses that I hear from other labels/distros and money-driven music fans; here is the new version of 'Late for an Early Grave.' 100% made in N. America and available for $22 new. Back in print, affordable, and available for generations young and old to enjoy. Keep the rubber side down and your ear to the ground. THANK YOU again and again for the continued support!
-Reed
