The Grifters
The Grifters are one of the top rock ‘n roll bands of the 1990s. They blew out of Memphis in 1990--emanating from the 3 piece noise-rock trio called A Band Called Bud into several dozen tours-de-force from the Pyramid Club in Memphis all the way to the tip-top of Groningen Europe with stops in every bar along the way in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, & Germany. No band toured more or rocked harder than the Grifters. No band equaled their level of recorded output while destroying their crowds one show at a time, vis a vie the Shops of Ann Adler tour van. They toured with the best of the best: Flaming Lips, Fugazi, Pavement, Guided by Voices, Jeff Buckley, Red Red Meat, & even the legendary Simple Ones!
Shangri-la Projects was lucky enough to sign them up for a flexi-disc, several singles, 2 award-winning genre-busting full-length albums, & two beautiful eps. In the mid-‘90s, a bidding war broke out by every major indie, faux indie, & major label for the Grifters’ services. The winner was Seattle-based “grudge” rock label Sub Pop, whose owners were busy building yurts in the woods, mishandled the band at every step of the way. (Thanks, Bruce!) The Grifters’ records stand the testament of time and are available here for your listening pleasure—in old-school cd/vinyl formats & in the new school Jobsified version for your portable walkman devices. Thanks for your continued support of one of the finest bands to play the rock n roll clubs of the universe.
Shangri-la Projects was lucky enough to sign them up for a flexi-disc, several singles, 2 award-winning genre-busting full-length albums, & two beautiful eps. In the mid-‘90s, a bidding war broke out by every major indie, faux indie, & major label for the Grifters’ services. The winner was Seattle-based “grudge” rock label Sub Pop, whose owners were busy building yurts in the woods, mishandled the band at every step of the way. (Thanks, Bruce!) The Grifters’ records stand the testament of time and are available here for your listening pleasure—in old-school cd/vinyl formats & in the new school Jobsified version for your portable walkman devices. Thanks for your continued support of one of the finest bands to play the rock n roll clubs of the universe.
The Grifters - One Sock Missing CD
One Sock Missing full-length lp/cd came out in April, 1993, to rave reviews & cart-wheeling kids everywhere. Recorded on 4-track mostly in the infamous flower shop where Dave & Stan worked (& where the band practiced at night) & then smoothed over somewhat at world-famous Easley Recording, the heat and beautiful pop dissonance from this record melted turntables across the universe. Currently available compact disc only.
The Grifters - Crappin' You Negative LP
Following many small & large tours & much college radio hoopla, the Grifters went back to Easley Recording for this tour de force of amazing songwriting & guitar fussing. Our biggest seller (4 stars in le Rolling Stone!), we all went out & bought new shoes. Released in May, 1994.
The Grifters - Crappin' You Negative CD
Same as above, but in CD format.
The Grifters - Eureka 10" E.P.
Too big for a 7" but not big enough for a full lp, this slab of beautiful misery arose out of a winter of discontent in Memphis. As of this date, Eureka is the only record cut in the full spector of Shangri-la Projects' slapback. Unleashed circa spring, 1995.
The Grifters - Eureka CD
Same as above, but in CD format.
The Grifters - The Doink Years 10" E.P.
The Doink Years 10" e.p. includes the Grifters' 1st two ingenius 7" records plus a special bonus practice track--busting loose & shattering the market for their ltd. edition 7". Angry & totally different from anything else at the time. Delivered to the masses in January, 1997. Now available in cd too, for those who still listen to them.
The Grifters - The Doink Years CD
Same as above, but in CD format.
The Grifters - Soda Pop 7"
"Soda Pop/She Blows Blasts of Static" 7" was the Grifters first release on Shangri-la Records as the Grifters. This record contains 2 explosive songs of guitar beauty not seen since the days of Marquee Moon.
The Grifters - "Corolla Hoist" 7" / "Thumbnail Sketch" 7"
This 7" followed up "Soda Pop", showing the Grifters wasn't no fluke. The b-side features some of the most hauntingly fine vocals in the history of rock. Seriously. Buy it, rockers!
The Grifters - Bronze Cast 7"
"Bronze Cast 7" With One Sock Missing, we learned that people need to know about a record before it comes out. So we warned people about the then imminent Crappin' You Negative record with this nifty little 7" with an obscure, almost beetlesque b-side called "Confidential." Once again, our friend Roy Berry (formerly a Simple One, now aLucero) came up with the demented cover. January, 1994.
Grifters "Wicked Thing" 7"
Grifters "Wicked Thing"/"Organ Grinder" 7" Sub Pop 382. Released 1997.
Grifters "Queen of the Table Waters" 7"
Grifters "Queen of the Table Waters"/"Return to Cinder" 7" Sub Pop 278 Cool photo on the pic sleeve of the Grifters sitting in the Falcon in Shangri-la Records' garage, photo taken by Dan Ball!
Grifters "Last Man Alive" 7"
Grifters "Last Man Alive"/"Parting Shot" 7" Sub Pop U.K. 339. Released in 1996. Some on colored vinyl! Woo-ee!
Grifters "Stream" 7"
Grifters "Stream"/"Coat of Silence" 7" Derivative Records circa 1995. Some on clear vinyl!
Grifters "Slipknot" 7"
Super 8 Records "Slipknot"/"Subterranean Death Ride Blues" 7" Ltd. edition on nifty raised-lettering sleeve circa 1996. (Excuse the darkness--it's a primarily black p/s!)
Grifters 1st release: A Band Called Bud Flexi-disc
A Band Called Bud "Nothing at All"/Martini Age "Leaf Race" flexi-disc with Kreature Comforts fanzine (remember those things??!) This was the Grifters before Stan joined on drums and Dave Shouse switched to guitar. Came from their long out of print Dad cassette (remember those??)! Released March, 1989.
The Grifters VHS
The Grifters were so big time that we made two MTV-style videos for the songs “Banjo,” a nice black & white pixel vision treat edited by Scott Blen (Pavement) and “Whatever Happened to Felix Cole?” shot at the old Barristers by Kevin Keough. We think they got played on MTV Australia when the Grifters toured down under with Jeff Buckley. Maybe not, but we wish they’d send back the 2” reel we sent them. As seen on youtubes.
