If you are not familiar with the rock band Cheap Trick, you may recall the theme song to the television sitcom about the Wisconsin teenagers, That 70’s Show. It is a cover song by Cheap Trick of Big Star’s “In the Streets.” It definitely has that 70s feel with its carefree and rebellious attitude. Properly enough the band Cheap Trick dates back to the 70s and so does their new release titled “The Latest” which in addition to being available in CD and Vinyl, they will also make available in the 70s format 8-track cartridge.
In the band’s 35-year career they have been an influence to bands such as Everclear, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crew, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and Weezer. There was a recent piece here on custom guitars, Cheap Trick is known for it use of unusual guitars themselves. Cheap Trick has been able to stay relevant as well. Recently, they performed the theme song for the mega-hit film Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen and have a song on the popular video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Rock Band 2.
Cheap Trick or Marketing Gimmick
The 8-Track portable format was popular from the mid-1960’s to the early 1980’s. So why bring it back? If a bunch of these stations weren’t going to play it anyway, we’ll send them something that will be a nice conversation piece, explains Dave Frey, the group’s manager. The 8-track is something that’ll sit on their desk for a while, attract some attention.
Bringing the 8-track into the 21st century
If you want to have your very own NEW 8-track produced check out KTS Productions “Bringing the 8-track into the 21st century.” You can find them from their sister site Kate’s Track Shack. You can also order used sleeves for 15 cents in case you need them.
For all of the forty something and younger nostalga folks, if you want 8 tracks, just buy them to look at. Otherwise, keep needle nose pliers near every tape player. This is required to remove 100 yds. or so of tape from the rollers inside of the player when it “eats” another tape. I kept the pliers on the console of my ’69 GTO without fail. Enjoy the music.
yeah, but who the f*** is pigface?
Check out EGNEKN’s 8 Track Magic
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2009/04/egnekn-montgomerys-8-track-magic.html
My name is Jon and my boss is Martin Atkins of Pigface. He actually just released his latest Pigface record on 8-track
(which, shameless plug, you can buy here)
When Cheap Trick does it it’s news, but where was everybody for Pigface? : P oh well… haha