The Skull

As Jeff has been going through Tim's old record collection, every once in a while he will pull something out and give it to me for free. A band or a record that is a strong common thread between the three of us, and is just something that Jeff figures that I need on my shelf. Trouble is that kind of band. They were an important band for Jeff and Tim while growing up, and much later as Jeff and became friends, Trouble was a common bond between the two of us.

Of the four classic 80's Trouble records, from Psalm 9 through the self titled on Def American, the only one that I was missing was The Skull (which was the name that Eric Singer used for his last band before his untimely death during covid due to complications... and Jeff were lucky enough to have seen them live in Portland back in 2019). All of that, to say that Trouble and The Skull are a special connection for Jeff and I, so I was very happy when he handed me a copy of the album to fill the hole in my collection.

The cover of this copy shows a bit more wear than I typically like, but the vinyl is mint and it means a lot to have Tim's copy.

The Tempter

After a steady stream of cheap records earlier this year, I started making conscious decisions to buy records that would make a more serious impact on my collection. Records plucked from the dollar bin for unknown and forgotten hardcore bands is fun, but sooner or later it just gets to the point when I question what the fuck I'm doing. I'd added a couple heavy hitters over the recent months, and it pushed me to actually look at my Top Wants list for the year.

The first four Trouble albums are doom metal perfection. I own the vinyl for Run To The Light and the self titled record, but their first two were missing in my collection. The singer, Eric Wagner, died of covid complications a few years ago, and that loss pushed the first Trouble record near the top of my want list. It has taken me longer than I want to get my hands on one, but it was worth the wait because, other than a crushed corner on the cover, this thing is in fantastic condition. Colored vinyl was not that common when this album was released back in 1984, but Metal Blade nailed it when they originally had this pressed on white vinyl.

Ugh. This record is so heavy and Eric Wagner was a force on vocals. He was still touring and recording with his new band, The Skull, at the time of his passing. Such a tragic loss.

At The End Of My Daze

I've been struggling to pay any attention to my Top Wants list this year. I crossed off that Scorpions album early, and then I started to obsess over albums from 1989 and New Wave Of British Heavy Metal records, and that 2019 Top Wants list got pushed aside quick. That's okay though. It is there to be a reminder, and since I'm here posting for the self titled Trouble record, I guess it is going it's job.

I've been wanting to pick up the self titled Trouble album for years...in fact, it was one of the records that prompted me to start putting together a list of the top 10 records that I was hopeful to pick up each year. Year after year, I'd keep my eyes open for a copy, but it never worked out. Either the seller was asking too much, or the condition wasn't too beat up, or I just had other records that were more important to me at the time...so after four years of that bullshit, it feel really fucking good to finally cross this bitch off the list.

Trouble were at the top of their game when this record was released in 1990. This doom masterpiece is flawless.

Two of the guys from Trouble, singer Eric Wagner and bassist Ron Holzner, are now in the band The Skull. It was a perfect coincidence when I picked up the copy of the Trouble record just a few days before The Skull came through town, and I got to see them live. Before the show, the band was hanging out in the lobby of the club, and my friend Jeff and I were lucky enough to grab them both for a quick picture and to talk with them a bit.

The show was great. The Skull were opening up the show, so they only played for an hour or so, but as it was Eric's birthday, the headliner, Weedeater, let the band play a couple Trouble songs for the encore. The Skull songs were so good, but to be able to hear The Tempter and At The End Of My Daze again, made the show that much better. Good times.

Troubled Mind Condition

Since buying my tickets to see The Skull and Saint Vitus next month, I've gone on a bit of a Doom bender...consuming heavy doses of the heavy. Given the connection with The Skull, it is no surprise that Trouble wormed it's way into my daily Doom playlist.

Trouble is one of those bands that I've grown to appreciate more and more over the years. It is funny how my position on them has changed as time has gone on. Initially, I was all about the first two albums...then when I heard Run To The Light, I decided that this album was "the best Trouble album". My mind changed again when I finally heard the Def American self titled album a couple years ago...oh hell yeah, this one is the best. Then earlier this year, I finally downloaded a copy of the band's final studio album with Eric Wagner, Simple Mind Condition. Fuck. Is this one my favorite now? Apparently they can do no wrong.

The album originally didn't see a vinyl pressing when it was released in 2007. However, it did finally see wax with a 2009 US pressing, and then again from High Roller out of Germany in 2010. Since the High Roller pressing looked more cool with the front cover art and gatefold sleeve, that's the one that I tracked down.

300 pressed on black vinyl.

Trouble's A Brewin'

For as long as I can remember, I've struggled to keep up to date with this blog. For the most part, I was getting records in the mail faster than I could write about them, and a twenty post backlog became the norm. This is no longer the case. As of right now, beyond this post, I have nothing waiting in the wings. Sure, I still have outstanding orders with a few labels, and a couple records on the way from recent eBay wins, but as of now, I'm all caught up. Worst. Feeling. Ever.

Not many people are going to be too enthusiastic when a band brings in a new singer, and without Wagner behind the mic, a new Trouble album didn't have the same level of excitement around it. For one reason or another, I still downloaded The Distortion Field, and while I wasn't expecting much, I was surprised at how much I ended up enjoying it. Don't compare it to those classic Trouble albums, and this is actually quite a strong release. I don't know...I can't help but draw comparisons to those first couple of Black Sabbath albums when they brought in Tony Martin...it isn't what you expect to hear, but if you go in with a fresh outlook, you are going to be surprised at how good it really is.

A month or so ago, when I was posting about the new Skull album, it dawned on me that I'd never picked up that last Trouble record. I kind of felt bad about rushing out to buy the new album from Wager, when I'd still never bothered to pick up the last Trouble album. Damn, it still has guitarists Wartell and Franklin, so what the hell was I waiting for? Once I found the double LP Euro import, on eBay, from a US seller, for $15, the deal was done.

Will Run For Trouble

I tend to move in and out of listening habits. Some days I'll only want to listen to new Metal albums, other days maybe I get stuck listening to only Hardcore from 1981, or maybe I just want to listen to Black Sabbath...lots and lots of Sabbath. Over the past couple of years, I've spent a fair amount of time listening to the heavy, crushing sounds of Doom Metal.

While on one of these Doom kicks, I realized that I'd never heard the third Trouble album, Run To The Light. After downloading the songs, I realized that I didn't own any Trouble vinyl. Since I was still caught up in buying original vinyl pressings, I hit up eBay to see what was available. Fuck those overpriced Buy It Now options. I was able to pick up this copy with a solid bid for $15.

I've been nervous to venture any further than the first three Trouble albums, as Run To The Light was the last release with Metal Blade, and they jumped ship to bigger labels...but damn, these albums are just so strong, I may have to find and download the self titled follow up.