March 24, 2014

Unwound’s “Rat Conspiracy”: Like Nirvana, Minus the Pop Accessibility

Courtesy of Numero Group

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Unwound
Rat Conspiracy
Numero Group

Unwound Rat Conspiracy

Arguably America’s most inventive reissue label, Chicago’s Numero Group has built its reputation on thoughtful compilations of ultra-obscure ’60s and ’70s R&B, but excels at other kinds of music as well. Exhibit A: Unwound, the Olympia, Washington, punk trio that made a righteous racket throughout the ’90s through 2002. Check out the 32-track Rat Conspiracy, the second installment in Numero Group’s four-part survey of the band, and prepare to be electrified. Like Nirvana, minus the pop accessibility Kurt Cobain sometimes seemed to rue, Justin Trosper (vocals, guitar), Vern Rumsey (bass), and Sara Lund (drums) swing from pensive and subdued to furious and brutal—and back again—at the drop of a hat on these blazing ’93 and ’94 recordings, which encompass two albums plus 11 equally thrilling loose ends. If you’re seeking catharsis, here it is. (FYI, Trosper and original Unwound drummer Brandt Sandeno will return to action with the debut album of their new band, Survival Knife, in late April.)

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WE CAME UP SHORT.

We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

So we urgently need this specific ask, what you're reading right now, to start bringing in more donations than it ever has. The reality, for these next few months and next few years, is that we have to start finding ways to grow our online supporter base in a big way—and we're optimistic we can keep making real headway by being real with you about this.

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