Jay Reatard

Blood Demos 7"

limited to 50 tour-only copies

Just about ten years ago Jay Reatard opened some shows for the Dirtbombs in Australia. He could've just as easily been playing his own gigs, but we shared a promoter and I guess it was a "the more the merrier" situation.

Stained Circles put out tour-only singles by both Jay and the Dirtbombs and at one of these shows I presciently bought FOUR copies of the tour-only sleeve. Even back then...thinking ahead.

(I gave a copy to Justin in Jersey City back then...I think he asked me about it before I had even arrived back in the US. Justin rules)

The songs here are killer, even in this early state, there is a unfuckwithable quality that just does not grow on trees. These were compiled with his two NECESSARY Goner singles and other things floating around for the "Singles 06-07" 2XLP. If you don't have...you need.

I remember the buzz when Jay started touring solo, folks literally like "HOLY SHIT!" and telling you forget everything you know about the Lost Sounds or the Reatards. It really felt like some important breakthrough and to be able to see certain parts of it up close...it was exciting.

Jay and I weren't the closest dudes in the world, but we crossed paths enough over a decade that I was still quite bummed when he died. Listening to his records makes me feel bittersweet...kinda like this half-assed non-snow snowday away from work. Deep in my heart, I feel like 15 years from now I'll be telling my daughters that I knew this guy and that they absolutely will not believe me. There's no good ending here...drugs suck, tell your friends you love them and always make time for music.