Those winsome blokes in Gas Huffer are back! After a slight respite from he rigors of road, studio, and soul-smothering pain of super stardom, Seattle’s proud progenitors of Punk Rock Plus ™ recently saw fit to ensconce themselves in the studio and record Just Beautiful Music, the fifth installation in their ongoing saga of thrills and spills of life in This Here Modern World. The music careens fearlessly from flat-out punk to wild experimentalism as the lads bring vividly to life their everyday tales of Viking attack, deep sea treasure hunting, failure to realize that certain wars have ended, quasi-sadistic teenage bonding rituals, love, bitter sweet cynicism, homemade explosives, and of course, greed. And it’s all available at a reasonably fair price on LP, CD, and Cassette from Epitaph Records!
Recorded in state-of-the-art Stereo ™ sound by boy genius producer Phil Eck, you’ll notice right away that Just Beautiful Music isn’t "just another record by some dudes". Rather, it’s an aural tour de france rife with boldly progressive statements and Cro-Magnon rock riffs flirting in a devil-may-care fashion with various U.S. copyright infringement laws! In short, it’s the perfect gift for the kid who digs punk but "kinda wish some of it had more, like, personality or something". And it’s all available at a reasonably fair price on LP, CD, and Cassette from Epitaph Records!
As if a platterful of prime Punk Rock Plus ™ wasn’t enough, you’ll find that Just Beautiful Music also comes with a 28-page comic book chock full of comical stories lavishly illustrated by bassist Don Blackstone, drummer Joe Newton, guitarist Tom Price and vocalist Matt Wright! Okay, okay, it’s a little slapdash looking, but it’s totally scott-free with the LP and can be had for a truly nominal fee by scrupulously obeying the simple-to-follow ordering instructions in the CD and Cassette. And it’s all available at a reasonably fair price on LP, CD, and Cassette from Epitaph Records!
Granted, Just Beautiful Music may not change the face of modern rock, clear up that skin problem, or make you happy - - BUT IT PROBABLY WILL!
Gas Huffer, bio
Matt Wright. . . vocals
Joe Newton. . . drums
Don Blackstone. . . bass
Tom Price. . . guitar
Back in 1989 George Bush was President, the "infomercial" was only beginning its insidious takeover of America's airwaves and in the Pacific Northwest, the so-called grunge explosion was just reaching its local peak. Out of this soggy cultural launching pad shot the X-series punk rocketship now known the world over as Gas Huffer. Five years later, that rocketship is still hurtling through space at untold speeds. During the course of its mission, Gas Huffer has jettisoned a slew of singles, landed on many compilations and explored new punk galaxies on three full-length albums. Such venerable record labels as eMpTy, Estrus, Regal Select, Sub Pop, Sympathy for the Record Industry, and now, Los Angeles-based Epitaph, have received and released sonic transmissions from the hurtling Huffer comet. All this output has been squeezed into a busy touring schedule that has left no part of mainland USA or continental Europe untouched and has delved into parts of Canada and Mexico.
Currently riding high on the release of their third and latest album, "One Inch Masters," the men of Gas Huffer prepare for the next stage of their super-rocket to blast them even deeper into the unknown. The new record is clearly some of the Huffer's best material to date, and with production assistance from Kurt Bloch (of Fastbacks fame), "One Inch Masters" is also the best sounding album ever concocted at the Gas Huffer laboratories.
Well, OK, maybe "One Inch Masters" was actually whipped up at the fabulous Egg Studios in north Seattle, but Mr. Bloch really was there. In fact, after ten days of recording and mixing, Kurt said, "That hardly felt like work at all!" Yes, the thrilling good-time energy of Gas Huffer puts a little zing into even the most monotonous drudgery.
"Yes, it's been quite a ride," says chief guitar operator and former U-man Tom Price. "You can tell just by looking at his hair," quips bass technician Don Blackstone, once the proud wearer of the crown bestowed only to those in the Kings of Rock. If drum officer Joe Newton wasn't too busy tuning his instruments, he might add, "It sure ain't over yet."
Optimism runs high in this young man who honed his blistering but artful chops during the years he spent in Aerobic Death. The yodeling stowaway, Matt Wright, who did time in the crew of the Holy Ghost People, just mumbles something about bugs and shoes before wandering off.
Though Gas Huffer no longer calls Seattle's eMpTy Records HQ, due to their recent linkup with technologically advanced Epitaph Records, they would like the world to know that they are very grateful to eMpTy for all the help and support. Remaining close allies and friends with everyone at eMpTy, the band hopes the record buying public will continue to support smaller labels such as eMpTy. Hand in hand with this farewell, Gas Huffer would like to thank Epitaph for the warm welcome and express their excitement at what promises to be a long and mutually beneficial relationship.
Taken from AMG
Gas Huffer was formed in 1989 by vocalist Matt Wright, guitarist Tom Price, bassist Don Blackstone and drummer Joe Newton. As befitting their Seattle origins, the band plays rootsy punk rock with equal nods to Neil Young and the Cramps. Debut single "Firebug" was released in 1989, followed a year later by the Ethyl EP. Empty Records signed the band and in 1991 issued Gas Huffer's debut album, Janitors of Tomorrow. Two years later, the band returned with Integrity, Technology and Service, but moved to the Epitaph label for 1994's One Inch Masters. The band kicked off 1996 with a salute to their country roots by offering a song to the Willie Nelson tribute album Twisted Willie. Their fourth album, The Inhuman Ordeal of Special Agent Gas Huffer, was released less than a month later. Gas Huffer released their second album for Epitaph Records, Just Beautiful Music, in the spring of 1998; the group also has a surf rock project called the Del-Lagunas which has released several singles. -- John Bush, All-Music Guide