Down To Green Vinyl

I picked up a few Down To Nothing records last year. I've always liked the band, but over the past 6 or 7 years I'd kind of pushed them aside to make way for newer hardcore bands. When I picked up those DTN records in 2021 on a whim, it reminded me just how great that band was. I found myself listening to them a lot, and I wanted more of their records in my collection.

While I've picked up multiple copies of both The Most and Life On The James, I didn't own a single vinyl copy of the first Down To Nothing album, Save It For The Birds. Of course when this album was originally released in 2003, I was only buying CDs, so it has taken me nearly 20 years to finally pick up the vinyl for this. Prices for this records have been pretty steady over the last 10 years, and surprisingly haven't made a ridiculous jump, so I was able to snag this for a decent price.

I didn't think too much of this Down To Nothing record when it was first released. I really didn't start to appreciate the band until The Most, and with that record they quickly became one of my favorites at the time. Still, I definitely grew to enjoy Save It For The Birds and I'm glad to finally have this one in the collection.

Down To Collect

I listened to a lot of Down To Nothing this past year. It wasn't planned, but when the opportunity came up to grab a copy of Life On The James with the record release cover, it just kind of spiraled from there. Suddenly, I was reminded just how fucking great that band was, and because there are so many different variations of the All My Sons 7 inch, I've had the itch to be an idiot and to pick up another copy of that record.

Apparently, Reaper Records found themselves with 25 to 30 pieces of vinyl leftover for the All My Sons 7 inch, so they threw together a couple different limited covers. This is the version with the live shot. David Wood is looking like a young Ray Cappo here on the cover with the blonde hair, no shirt and X'd up fists.

Second pressing stamped labels. I now have four copies of this 7 inch, and I'm trying to play things cool, but man, I really want more of these.

Record Release On The James

The month of March had already proven to be an expensive one for me when it came to buying records. I'd already picked up a heavy hitter from my Want List, and it seemed like I was buying something through Discogs every other day. It was getting to the point where I needed to hit the brakes and let things cool down for a while...but then Chris from the old Unwavering Spirit blog hit me up to say that he was stuggling with bills due to the impact of COVID-19 and had to sell some records to help make ends meet. Wanting to be a good friend, I dug a little deeper into the savings account.

One of the first records that he was looking to sell was the record release pressing of the Down To Nothing album, Life On The James. I already had the record release version for The Most, so it seemed only logical for me to jump on this one too.

I've kind of rekindled my love for Down To Nothing this year. When I agreed to buy this version of Life On The James, I thought it would be nice for the collection, but I wasn't exactly stoked on it. I remembered being a bit underwhelmed with the album when it was released, so even though I was was happy to buy this record release copy, I didn't find it terribly exciting. Hell, I'd barely given this album much of listen since 2013/2014. Listening to the record today, I'm absolutely stunned by how much I'm enjoying it. This album is a blast, and as we move into warmer weather, I feel that this record is going to be my soundtrack for the summer. So happy to have grabbed this when I had the chance.

DTN Preorder 2010

Back in 2010, Reaper Records released the All My Sons 7 inch from Down To Nothing. At the time, I had no idea that DTN were releasing a new 7 inch, and I completely missed the preorders. Hell, I didn't even pick up a copy until Reaper did a second pressing later that year. Here we are, eleven years later and I'm finally picking up that special preorder cover.

While I do have a number of different pressings for some Down To Nothing records, I've never set out to collect this All My Sons 7 inch. I mean, minus the test pressing, there are sixteen different versions of this record, so it seems kind of dumb to be sitting here and buying a second copy of it. Yet here I am.

I've been spinning Down To Nothing a lot lately as I've kind of rediscovered just how much I love some of their stuff. So while I'd like to say that I'm not going to go down the road of buying more DTN variants, I will say that I'm really feeling that pull to collect right now, so who knows just how stupid I'll get.

REV Catch Up

The REV repress machine can be overwhelming. I refuse to get sucked into buying every record they press, but there are still a bunch that I feel the need to keep up with. I didn't immediately jump when some recent ones were posted, and then lost track of which ones I still needed. I hope I caught most of them with this latest order.

It's Youth Of Today, and although I didn't start buying YOT vinyl until REV started mass producing these reissues, I've vowed to not miss any of them. Someday, I'll work on a few pressings that I missed the first time around.

I wouldn't have guessed it, but this blue vinyl looks great. Nice match to the blue lettering from the cover.

Chain Of Strength falls into the same category as Youth Of Today. I've ignored vinyl for this band for too long...never again. One of the best bands ever.

In My Eyes is one of the few bands that I have a complete collection for, so it's not like I'm going to let any new pressings slip me by. I'm still not a fan of the new labels for this album, but hey, if you want the original labels, buy the original pressing.

While picking up these new pressings, I figured that it was time to finally grab the green vinyl for the new Down To Nothing album. I was nervous that I was going to open this and find it was on blue vinyl.

There, I'm now caught up...oh fuck...what do you mean REV just repressed more of their classic catalog? Damn.

Double Or Nothing

After a tidal wave of vinyl repressings, it was nice to get something new from REV with the Rival Mob LP. Even more surprising was that the label managed to get another new release out in the same year with the Down To Nothing LP. I love seeing REV putting out quality Hardcore releases again.

Down To Nothing always deliver, and this new album is no exception. I don't think it is as good as The Most, but this is solid Hardcore, through and through.

I watch the video for the title track, Life On The James, and it makes me want to spend some time in Richmond. Classic summertime song.

In addition to the blue vinyl, REV also pressed this album on green vinyl. Of course, I ordered one of each. Unfortunately, REV fucked up my order and sent me two copies of the blue vinyl. Damn it. I'm going to need to visit REVHQ in the near future, and order that green vinyl...again.

REV Mystery Box Of Nothing

Bridge Nine started the concept a few years ago of a "Mystery Box". It is basically a crapshoot. While there is a possibility of receiving a test press, or some other out of print rarity, you will most likely receive a box of shitty CDs that no one cared about when they were first released. It is a gamble, and when REV announced they were doing the Mystery Box package, I figured that I'd roll the dice.

I didn't know it at the time I placed my order, but the REV Mystery Box came with an exclusive Down To Nothing 7 inch. Earlier this year, REV released the Greatings From Richmond 7 inch, which has two songs from the forthcoming Down To Nothing album, plus one exclusive b-side track. This Mystery Box 7 inch just swaps out one exclusive song for another, so I basically just paid $15 for one song.

500 pressed.

I set my expectation low and the REV Mystery Box hit the mark. Nothing really cool, and a bunch of CDs from bands that I never gave a shit about. Oh well, it was still fun, and I'll probably play along if they do another one next year.

All Or Nothing

I keep throwing a lot of money at Revelation Records. Typically this is for vinyl re-issues, so it felt good to finally buy something new.

Down To Nothing have a new LP coming out soon from REV, and as a bit of a teaser they released this Greetings From Richmond Virginia 7 inch. This has two songs from the forthcoming album and one exclusive track. Man, I hate these fucking things. It bothers me to spend the money for just one song, and I wish that record labels would stop with this shitty gimmick. What is the real point to these things?

I was so bothered by this 7 inch, that originally I threw my hands up in disgust and only ordered the yellow vinyl. When I saw Marcus' post with all three copies, I threw my convictions aside and placed another order for the white and black vinyl.

So for all my complaining, here I sit with three copies of this record. Why? One reason is because it is Down To Nothing, and as long as the record isn't called Hem Hem, I'll buy multiple copies of it...the second is because it is REV colored vinyl...and the third is that I'll buy whatever Marcus tells me to.

520 pressed on yellow vinyl, 526 on white, and 550 on black.

Repress is the Reason

Like every other Hardcore record collector out there, I'm getting sick of trying to keep up with all these Revelation Records represses. I've never really collected REV colored vinyl, so why the Hell do I feel compelled to keep dipping into my savings account for these things...well, other than the obvious reason of total awesomeness.

I already owned the Texas is the Reason 7 inch on vinyl, but I was pretty happy to have the opportunity to finally grab a copy on colored vinyl. When I'm in a mid-90's Hardcore/Punk mood, this band never disappoints.

Quicksand is pretty hot right now. Since they played the REV25 show out in California this year, they have played the Jimmy Fallon show, and are touring early in 2013. Are they a full time band again? I'm not sure where they are headed, or if I even want them to record new material. It has been over 15 years since I've liked anything that Walter has done, so how would I feel about new Quicksand songs?

I had four different pressings of this Quicksand EP, so I figured that it was time for a photo. Three different pressings in the past year and a half...yeah, they look great, but I hope that REV chills out on this one.

It was nice to see REV repress one of their more recent titles with Down To Nothing's Unbreakable LP. Although, seeing this new pressing reminds me that I missed the boat on picking up the red vinyl they originally released back in 2008.

The dark purple vinyl doesn't look too impressive until you hold it up to the light.

DTN All My Sons

By the end of 2007, Down To Nothing had released one of the best albums of the year with The Most. Man, that LP was killer...solid all the way through. Then three years passed with nothing but some jerk-off 7 inch, and a split with an Australian band that failed to hold my attention. In 2010 they came storming back with a brand new 7 inch called All My Sons. It was released on Reaper Records, who I pay no attention to, and ended up missing out on the first pressing. At some point I picked up the second pressing, and quickly realized that DTN could still deliver the goods.

Looking back, this record should have been rated higher on my Top 10 list from last year. A record so good that I had to pick up another copy. Third press. 497 pressed on clear vinyl.