Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983 – 1987 is the first volume of Captured Tracks‘ new venture into compilations – Excavations. Spread across two LPs, Strum & Thrum includes an 80+ page booklet with an extensive oral history of the ’80s indie scene, an introduction by Captured Tracks label head Mike Sniper, and tons of archival images and ephemera. Along with the announcement, the label releases the first single ‘Trusted Woods’ by The Reverbs. Originally released in 1984, ‘Trusted Woods’ is filled with clanging, jangly guitars, reverb drenched vocals, and a herky-jerky rhythm section; what Strum & Thrum is all about. Watch the compilation teaser featuring ‘Trusted Woods’ and archival footage of many of the bands included on the LPs HERE.
1000 limited edition copies of orange vinyl will be released on Record Store Day’s “Day Drop” on October 24, and Black vinyl/CD/digital will be released on November 13 via Captured Tracks.
Michael Kurtz, Founder of Record Store Day, on Strum & Thrum: “It’s ironic that Strum & Thrum is coming out on Record Store Day’s October Drop Date, as the reason Sheila and I started Three Hits is directly related to discovering R.E.M.’s Hib-Tone single ‘Radio Free Europe’ in a Boone, NC record store in 1981. The look was handmade, the sound was raw and honest, and the 7″ record was limited and special – you could only find it in a record store.”
Mike Sniper on Strum & Thrum: “Strum & Thrum seems like the right fit for the first reissue compilation for Captured Tracks. I’m happy that the first compilation I’ve ever produced features overlooked records that are still affordable – anyone who enjoys this comp can dive deeper into this scene without having to take out a loan. People nowadays sometimes say that guitar music is dead. Strum & Thrum is certainly against that notion. Listening to it and reading the oral history sheds a light on a largely forgotten scene full of great bands with some really great songs. I’m glad to be able to help share this story and get the bands some of the recognition they’ve deserved all along.”
