Following Royal Trux’s first release with Fire Records, they continue their new monochrome classic vinyl series covering 1988-1993 with newly remastered ‘Hand Of Glory’ and ‘Untitled’ both out today.
From a long-forgotten trunk; two extended jams, twin slabs, circa 1989, ‘Hand Of Glory’ will be released on silver vinyl. 1992 brought the band’s third album that re-cemented the duo once again as the progenitors of the “lo-fi” genre; ‘Untitled’ will be released on white vinyl and features updated monochrome and silver artwork.
‘Untitled’ (Remastered)
This breakthrough set transitioned “The Trux” into a never ending all-inclusive rotating cast of musicians.
As unpredictable as ever, Neil Hagerty and Jennifer Herrema shook off the next level layering and noise of ’Twin Infinitives’ to embrace the history of rock ‘n’ roll in all its deformed grandeur. Utilizing their ever present mind set of macro-inclusivity, they allowed the subconscious “radio stations” of their lives to infiltrate, lead, and dictate. Culling from their collective minds and memories twisted tunes that touched them. After the blood rush of their much-hailed avant-garde masterpiece ‘Twin Infinitives’ (1988), this eight-song opus added to the lo-fi genre that originated on ‘Twin Infinitives’.
On ‘Untitled’ Hagerty uses his 5 string blues roots and hails rock’s twisted potential, while Herrema slurs and snarls in ecstasy. They sound like they’re locked in a fourth-floor boudoir at the Chelsea Hotel; bottles clink, an album clicks on its run-out groove, the band plays on. In the mix are the characters and casualties of the 90s, a roll call of swaggering misfits. These aren’t superficial sketches, the Trux cut much deeper than that…
“‘Junkie Nurse’ isn’t just about addiction; it’s about the twisted hope that even the most broken people can somehow mend others, even when they’re falling apart themselves.” Jennifer Herrema, Royal Trux.
With ‘Untitled’ Royal Trux justifiably increased their coterie of convicted followers, becoming the cult heroes for a transgressive generation.
‘Hand Of Glory’ (Remastered)
This bad-ass black, white and blue magic is a kind of Burial Dub… or so preached the sleeve of ‘Hand Of Glory’ on its original release in 2002. Legend has it, the two sides of this 40-minute gem were recorded between 1985 and 1989. The resultant mountain of creativity from where they hail were inevitably left under a scuzzy sofa as life and a career that ebbed and flowed over nine albums. Royal Trux became an inspirational tipping point for everyone from Pavement & Sonic Youth to the Black Keys, Kurt Cobain, The Avalanches & Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor.
“I urge and encourage you to enter the harmolodic multiverse of their music.” Alexis Taylor, Hot Chip.
‘Hand Of Glory’ is not like their other albums but then again none of their albums are alike, it’s a two-faced masterpiece. Side one’s ‘Domo Des Burros’/‘Two Sticks’ is on par with Beefheart’s sprawling ‘Troutmask Replica’. It plays out in 19 minutes, sounding like it was laid down on Warhol’s sofa in The Factory; like Dylan’s sprawling ‘Desolation Row’ with background squalls, interruptions and both Neil Hagerty and Jennifer Herrema’s overlayed stream of consciousness peeping through a multi-layered backdrop. It’s just staggering.
Side two’s ‘The Boxing Story’, a loose homage to William Burroughs, moulds and morphs from tape to tape, a multi-speed soundtrack, while the dynamic duo press pause, guitars ring, occasional melodic lines arrive and evaporate. Lou Reed’s pastoral ‘Metal Machine Music’ could perhaps be recognized as an older and perhaps less challenging sibling.
“The Boxing Story” (A loose homage to William Burroughs) : Electric Boxing Show, Four Kings, Golden Lament, Pots And Pansy, & K-9 To The Core are thematically related to key elements in the ‘Veronica Clare’ episode “The Boxing Story” which focuses on themes of loyalty, power, the cost of ambition, and the struggles of those trying to survive in a brutal environment” Jennifer Herrema, Royal Trux.
A two-sided masterpiece featuring two wayward pieces of creative genius.
