Category: Fred Schneider & The Shake Society

The B-52’s – Rock Lobster (US 7″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1978

A. Front

“Rock Lobster” is a song written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson, two members of The B-52’s. It was produced in two versions, one by DB Records released in 1978, and a longer version, which was part of the band’s 1979 self-titled debut album, released by Warner Bros. The song became one of their signature tunes and it helped launch the band’s success.

“Rock Lobster” was the band’s first single to appear on Billboard Hot 100, where it reached No. 56. A major hit in Canada, the single went all the way to No. 1 in the RPM national singles chart. Its follow-up was “Private Idaho,” in October 1980, which reached No. 74 in the US. It was well received by critics and was placed at No. 147 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

SIDE A:
Rock Lobster 4:38
Written-By – Schneider*, Wilson*

SIDE B:
52 – Girls 3:23
Written-By – Ayers*, Wilson*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1979/80 Rock Lobster U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #56
1979/80 Rock Lobster U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #24

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: DB Recs ‎– DB-52
Format: Vinyl, 7″, Single, 45 RPM, Yellow logo
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave

CREDITS:
Engineer – Bruce Baxter
Photography By – Ann States
Producer – B-52’s*, Kevin Dunn

NOTES:
Recorded at Mountain Studios, Atlanta, February 1978

Find the 7″ On DISCOGS

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard:
ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Fred Schneider & The Shake Society – Monster (US 12″ Promo)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

A. Front

“Monster” is a 1984 US only promotion single released by Schneider frontman of the rock band The B-52’s. The track was taken from Schneider’s first solo album Fred Schneider and the Shake Society. Kate Pierson, also from The B-52’s, performs backing vocals on this track.

“Monster” is one of my favourite tracks, as there is an innuendo implied, although Fred states in the disclaimer that this wacky space-age song with tag team guitars that it’s about a dinosaur walking around in his polka dot PJ’s and not what some dirty-minded people might think. Think about it: “There’s a monster in my pants and it does a nasty dance. When it moves in and out. Everybody starts to shout. Monster aah!”

The music video was actually banned from MTV in 1983. The video stars Keith Harring and Chris and Tina from the talking heads & tom tom club and the late Drag performer, playwright, and actor, artist Ethyl Eichelberger.

SIDE A:
Monster 3:30

SIDE B:
Boonga (The New Jersey Caveman) 4:45

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎– PRO-A-2224
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Co-producer – Bernie Worrell
Mixed By – Steve Peck, Ted Currier

NOTES:
From the LP “Fred Schneider & The Shake Society”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi