We don’t typically host special events at my place of work. We’ve had a couple in-store performances during my tenure there, but the owner doesn’t like to dedicate too much labor to activities that stop us from making money. Closing down even a part of the store retail could result in a loss of sales, and ceasing work on the mail order business for several hours limits the chances of high-dollar items being purchased. Generally speaking, “events” are rare occurrences. In 2012, though, we did throw a kind of a record release party for a new Null And Void album. Former member Bill Shifflette used to work with my boss, and they have remained friends through the years. So when the Brooklyn-based record label Bunkerpop announced they would be releasing the band’s 3rd LP Possibilities (Discoverable Thoughts) — originally recorded in 1981-1982 — we heralded the long-awaited album’s arrival with Bill and friends. It was a fun afternoon filled with old friends reminiscing and listening to the record several times.
Before Possibilities… there were two other Null And Void records. In 1982 there was Montage Morte, a really awesome 45PRM LP that was issued on clear blue vinyl in a limited quantity. I think the six songs on that LP — or at least different takes on those songs — wound up on the 2012 Possibilities… LP. Before Montage Morte there was 1980’s Happiness And Contempt. It’s more straightforward synth pop/punk that the venerable Mutant Sounds blog once described as, “Very Nash The Slash-like high energy synth driven arty new wave classic from this Orange County, California unit that was featured on the seminal minimal synth comp “The Up Another Octave Selection“. Note: despite what the jacket indicates, tracks 3 & 4 on side B are banded together and listed as one track on the label.”
You can still find copies of this one relatively cheaply if you know where to look. It shouldn’t set you back more than $30 or $40 for a sealed copy. Montage Morte is the hardest one to find, so that might cost a little more but again…they’re out there if you know where to look. I highly recommend buying Possibilities…, as it’s the easiest one to find and it’s very experimental and synth-y. Sixteen bucks over at the Bunkerpop store.
Null And Void
Happiness And Contempt
(MAO Records – MAO 1001, 1980)
A1. All The Old Humans
A2. I Can See What’s Happening
A3. Un Sedatif Ce Soir [MP3]
B1. Procreation
B2. Dogs Of Christ
B3. Revlon / Good Buy
