The last batch of singles from Windian Records’ founder, Travis Jackson

windian singles
Getting a big package of singles in the mail is always exciting, especially when you’re not expecting them. It’s bittersweet to open the box and realize that these are the last singles overseen by the late Windian Records‘ head honcho, Travis Jackson. Jackson died unexpectedly earlier this year when hit by car as he worked on a road construction crew.

Looking at the note, which was right on top of the stack of singles when I opened the package, I basically burst into tears. Now, I don’t claim to have known Jackson very well, but he’d been helpful with providing some promo stuff for review and play on the podcast, and every interaction I had with him was kind and excited and full of life.

It’s strange to think that a man who I never met in person would be missed so much, but Jackson’s verve for music and excitement for what he was doing with Windian was infectious, and you wanted him to succeed. Eric Brady will continue the label on, and the music looks to be coming strong.
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Two new singles from Windian Records well worth your time and money

cover-penetrators-gottaThe reissue of the Penetrators‘ “Gotta Have Her,” backed with “Baby, Dontcha Tell Me” on Windian Records, is as perfect a reissue as you could ask for. I love the fact that reissues no longer try for redone art, or changing things up to differentiate them from the original, other than an additional logo from the reissuing label. This is essentially what you would’ve gotten from this garage rock duo in 1976.

It’s rough, dirty, and owes more than a little to the likes of … oh, let’s just say any band featured on Nuggets. It’s cheap shorthand, to be sure, but the drumming is straight off a Sonics record, and the slightly off-key, but enthusiastic vocals could be from anyone from Shadows of Knight to the Trashmen. The titular a-side’s pretty good, but the b-side has a snotty edge that really makes this worth picking up.

GOTTA HAVE HER-THE PENETRATORS [1976] by WINDIAN RECORDS

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