Good people of the Internet,

And we’re back. Hello once again after great silence from all of us at Comedy Minus One.

The return of the CMO newsletter brings an exciting revelation! On September 19, 2011 Comedy Minus One will make two albums by the excellent Washington, DC outfit Edsel available digitally for the first time.

Long out of print, these records have both been remastered by Joe Lambert at JLM Sound and will be accessible through all of your favorite digital providers.

In celebration of this event we asked the members of Edsel to write up a pair of lengthy essays to provide you with more information on each release, from the history of both recordings to the stories behind some of these specific songs. Each piece has been supplemented with vintage photographs and show flyers.

Check out the new Edsel website and Facebook page supporting this project.

In the years since they have disbanded, members of Edsel went on to play in Obits, New Wet Kojak, Paramount Styles and Chicago Stone Lightning Band.

Hopefully these new CMO titles will introduce one of the 1990s best bands to a new audience.

cmo017 Edsel “The Everlasting Belt Co.” digital download

Coming September 19!

In September of 1992 and throughout the spring and summer of 1993, Edsel recorded “The Everlasting Belt Co.” in Arlington, Virginia at Inner Ear with Don Zientara and WGNS Studios with Geoff Turner.

This experimental and very ambitious project was their first of two albums for Grass Records.

Read all about the record here.

cmo018 Edsel “Detroit Folly” digital download

Coming September 19!

Edsel traveled all over the country in 1994, playing with Velocity Girl, Pitchblende, Polvo, Rodan and Brainiac. After extensive touring, the band returned to the studio in August – this time at a cabin owned by Sohrab Habibion’s parents in Shenandoah National Park.

Dubbed “Humidity Lounge,” the cabin was uncomfortably hot and muggy, but the week spent there with engineer Steve Palmieri proved to be intensely creative. They finished up their work at Steve’s Baltimore studio, Oz, and the resulting album, “Detroit Folly,” was their last release for Grass Records.

Read all about the record here.

Fall 2011 Tour Dates

Rebecca Gates & The Consortium

Sat. September 10 – Backspace – Portland, OR

Obits

Fri. September 16 – Red 7 – Austin, TX with Hex Dispensers, Broken Gold & Ghost Knife

Obits and Bottomless Pit

Thu. October 20 – Club 21 – Louisville, KY
Fri. October 21 – Subterranean – Chicago, IL
Sat. October 22 – The Sett – Madison, WI

Obits

Sun. October 23 – Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI with Minutes
Mon. October 24 – The Office – London, ONT
Tue. October 25 – Rivoli – Toronto, ONT
Wed. October 26 – Babylon – Ottowa, ONT
Sat. October 29 – Glasslands – Brooklyn, NY

Comedy Minus One has a Facebook page and a Twitter handle for those of you who dig such things. More frequent bursts of news can be found there or on the Comedy Minus One blog.

For those who keep asking, we hope to have details on a trio of long-anticipated physical releases very soon. When we know, you’ll know.

Members of the press and music bloggers are encouraged to get in touch for promotional copies of our releases or if you want to write about what we’re up to.

Stores and distributors are welcome to contact us about stocking these titles. Comedy Minus One is distributed directly through Carrot Top, Matador Direct and Revolver.

Good to see you again.

Jon Solomon
Comedy Minus One
comedyminusone.com

Ps. There is ONE LAST COPY of the Tre Orsi album left in our shop. Then it is out of print. Who wants to order it?