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The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.

Matador Revisionist History : Considering Unsane's 'Total Destruction'

January 18th, 2019 at 6:00 am by Gerard





(photo by Michael Galinsky)

stream / order 'Total Destruction'

What would possess a respected independent label entering an (ill-fated) joint-venture with a major record company to make one of their inaugural releases a record as uncompromisingly unpleasant and visceral as Unsane's 1994, 'Total Destruction' --- once again, re-pressed by Matador and now on sale to mark the album's 25th anniversary? Well, for starters, we were a bunch of arrogant motherfuckers who thought we knew better (MAN, DID THE YEARS BEAT THAT OUT OF US). Also, maybe you had to be there (and I was there --- over and over and over again and I have the hearing/brain damage to prove it) but Chris Spencer, Pete Shore and Vincent Signorelli were a devastating force. That we did a somewhat crap job of convincing more than a few people of this is something we'd love to lay at the feet of Atlantic Records...so there you go. It's everyone's dream to do what they love and here we are still doing it.



("Body Bomb" video, directed by Richard Kern)

Fast forward a quarter century later and Unsane are still making sick records, touring the globe (now with Dave Curran in Pete's spot) and setting an impossibly high bar for a new generation of bands. And Matador's still working O.T. hoping you won't be overcome with noxious nostalgia fumes, but not before you jump on a totally destructive a 25% off sale.

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The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.

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