Fear Of Smell

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“E.T…. Yes we thought it was a good idea!”

Another good copy, lots of stuff going on and bears a passing resemblance to Variation #81 in style and form.  The writing as well looks like the swoopy hand writing from what seems like a good half dozen submissions. Here’s what Hiroyuki had to say about it:

I got this copy at ebay. It has very simple E.T. drawing, and still looks funny. When the first pressing of Fear Of Smell was out, I’ve never seen them at any record store in Tokyo.

Green E.T. clearly phoned home to Japan. Which makes a lot of anime make a lot more sense. E.T. was some sort of anime character in real life! Just like the giant Gundam that got built outside of  Tokyo.. anime as a method of world cultural control, bow to your Pokemon masters now.

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“Ted you be fearin’ the smell?”

“Yo man, I be fearin’ that smell!”

This came from a Buy It Now auction that eventually went for a best offer of $98.  Here’s what the auctioneer had to write about it:

There are 2 pressings, 1000 hand drawn originals (a database http://fearofsmell.robotvsrobot.com of covers is available online!) and 1,441 second pressings with the same cover. 2,441 made total. This is the original copy with a hand drawn cover. Black vinyl with yellow label. Comes with insert. This is very rare and increasing in value and notoriety every day!!

Thanks for the plug and the correct information – it’s funny how many of the auctions out there try to blow one by the people – saying only five made with this cover, or the classic only five made total, then get no bids. $98 is a bit of a head scratcher, but hey, not my money and if I had it to spend and didn’t have a pretty decent copy of the comp, I’d spend it. Especially for a copy with an parka wearing “Ted”.

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Close Up – “We’re Going to Play in Our Underwear”

Dwayne Dixon sent in this copy, and here’s what he had to write about it:

I discovered your amazing site the other day and am finally getting a chance to send you photos of my FOS comp.  I’m pretty sure I got my copy from Charles Maggio while hanging out with him and Jon Hiltz in C’s basement.  I was really siked on this comp since it represented the diversity and intimacy of the early 90s punk scene in Jersey, NY, and Philly that I was deeply involved in.  The Sam & Joe freak-out was seriously the best track and while on tour with Policy of 3 and Shotmaker we’d scream “Where little dogs wear suits & ties!” randomly at  strangers.  Delightful.

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Another great find from RJ, this time a visual depiction of the classic Cro-Mags album, Age of Quarrel (on Profile/Rock Hotel). Ironic seeing as the Born Against side of the debate about hardcore waaay back when was not on the side of Rock Hotel I suspect (seeing as Rock Hotel was more business oriented than the DIY scene of the 90′s would really dig).

This one’s brilliant, I love it.

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Here’s another look at pigs, certainly Vermiform was pro-pork. Or liked how they looked. Or were trying to be funny and make fun of cops. Or maybe they’re easy to draw? This one’s owned by Tony Perkins (clearly the guy who was in Psycho) in Olympia, WA. Here’s what he had to say about it:

I got this in 1993 from Jose Ruiz of Merel, who was a college friend.  I was a recent transplant to New Jersey, and either this record or the first Iconoclast 7″ was my introduction to the hardcore scene there.  The cover of my pressing is kind of boring, but I love the record.

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Here’s a tasty treat to finish off March, and the current NHL season where the Leafs are yet again fucked for life. From John Steinheimer:

This F.O.S. was given to me personally by Charles Maggio of Rorschach.

The record itself is a test pressing with a white label.

The front cover depicts a hockey goalie fending off a slap shot from centre ice.

The goalie’s jersey has “McP” on it.

The back cover depicts a graveyard with ascending zombie.

The side one label has a pair of television “rabbit ears” antenna.

“Only 5 made” gold sticker and a featuring John Woods! sticker.

Well, finally another one comes in, hopefully that means more are on the way folks – I don’t care if they’re plain as plain can be – like Pokemon, gotta collect (pictures) of them all. So, get your five minutes of fame, shortened for the Internet attention span.

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Quite possibly my new favourite. Herve Villachez. What can be said about this? Masterpiece.

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Heh, this one is currently at Double Decker Records in Allentown, PA – probably for a decent price. Last time I was there was in 2005 when we went to Philly, and I was really impressed. Certainly the sort of store that would drive me into the poorhouse if it were near me.

Funny thing about this copy is that it bears a strong resemblance to Variation #63. Also this is the second copy with “File Under Fuck” stickers, that I’ve seen on some Gloom Records (off the top of my head, the US tour pressing of  Total Fury-13 Songs, which I picked up at Thrashfest 2003). Gratuitous use of the word “fuck” as well. Fuck.

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Here’s another one from epheron over at VLV:

it’s a blank back of the cover.

amoeba discount bin. $5.99. looks like it has gone up in price since the other one that was picked up at sf amoeba for $2.99.

amoeba employee asked me about this record-i told him i was buying it for your blog and that he should find a copy someday ’cause the comp rules-haha.

Dude, you should invest in finding an interesting cover… sheesh. King of the plain ones (he’s also the owner of Variation #7) – either way, thanks for the real world plug!

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Isn’t this the cover of one of the Big City comps? Or maybe I’m crossing my NYHC history with the Cro-Mags? Either way, 1980′s Cold War hysteria brought to you via 1990′s PC hysteria. Not that any of the bands on Fear of Smell were particularly PC.

Thanks for the submission Phil!