catalog                  discography                    history

VICIOUS FENCE - Dropout / Same Cell Different Paint 7" (Total Life Society)

VICIOUS FENCE - Primitives / Humanoid Front 7" (Total Life Society)

First two releases by VICIOUS FENCE, featuring Matthew Wascovich (SCARCITY OF TANKS), Tom Watson (RED CRAYOLA), Mark Arm (MUDHONEY), Jerry Trebotic, Pete Mazich (both of MIKE WATT AND THE SECONDMEN), and John Talley-Jones (URINALS/100 FLOWERS, etc.)

copyright 2024 Happy Squid Records

URINALS - Negative Capability…Check It Out CD  & digital

The ultimate early-Urinals anthology is now available! Includes the complete "Urinals," "Another EP," and "Sex/Go Away Girl" 7-inch material, 3 tunes from long out-of-print compilations, several unreleased studio and rehearsal pieces, and samples from the band's archive of live tapes, including their very first performance as a three-piece. 31 tracks in all, which, along with "100 Years of Pulchritude," provide a definitive studio portrait of the Urinals/100 Flowers' initial five-year history.

URINALS - What is Real and What is Not CD  & digital

2003 release of  new Urinals material, either the 20-years later album follow-up to the 100 FLOWERS record, or the debut long player by the Urinals -- take your pick. 14 originals including SKYGRIFTER, and TEACH ME TO CRAWL, as well as a cover of the Bee Gees' psychedelic JUMBO. Produced by John Glogovac (SMART BROWN HANDBAG, SEX WITH LURCH.)

URINALS - Next Year at Marienbad LP, CD & digital

The Urinals' third long-player (4th if you count the compilation NEGATIVE CAPABILITY.) 13 new tunes showcasing where the band is now, as a potent and high-energy power trio. The songwriting, while more sophisticated than their earliest material, continues to be recognizably their own, with the songs themselves demonstrating both aggression and tenderness. Includes “Water/Blood,” “Shut Yr Trap,” and “The President and King Shake Hands.” Produced by John Talley-Jones, recorded by Mike Martt (Thelonious Monster, Tex and the Horseheads,) and mixed by Andre Knecht (Human Hands.)

Above titles Digital through BANDCAMP and other platforms

URINALS - Pin the Needles: Live at George's LP (vinyl only)

Live set from 1979 in Santa Barbara. 22 savage perfs, including a couple of rarities. Released by Harbinger Sound on red vinyl (UK import.)

URINALS - Urinals EP / Another EP / Sex 7"

Superior Viaduct reissues of the first 3 releases by the Urinals, on state-of-the-art colored vinyl.  THE URINALS includes "Surfin' with the Shah" and "Hologram," ANOTHER EP features "Ack Ack Ack Ack" and "Black Hole" and the SEX single features, um, well, "Sex" (as well as the band's cover of The Last's "Go Away Girl.")  

URINALS - Urinals EP (1st)  7"

URINALS - Sex / Go Away Girl 7" (SOLD OUT)

(URINALS - Another EP [2nd] SOLD OUT)

100 FLOWERS - 100 Flowers LP

The 1983 debut album by 100 Flowers (aka Urinals).  These 16 songs show what the Urinals could do in a real studio after a string of  classic lo-fi punk singles.  Includes "All Sexed Up," "Presence of Mind, " and "Strip Club.” (digital)

100 FLOWERS- Drawing Fire + (Expanded)

1984's "Drawing Fire" EP, now expanded to album-length. Includes the original 5 tracks plus 7 taken from compilations, singles, and a couple that were not released during the band's initial history.  Includes "Reject Yourself" and "Contributions."

100 FLOWERS - Fascist Groove Thang / FGT RMX 7"

In its first release of new material since 1984, 100 FLOWERS covers HEAVEN 17's perennially-pertinent electropop hit. The flip features an extended remix. Digital or Limited-edition 7" courtesy of Space Case Records.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Keats Rides a Harley CD  

Expanded CD release of the original 9-track compilation from 1981 includes early recordings by EARWIGS, TOXIC SHOCK, S SQUAD, GUN CLUB, MEAT PUPPETS, LEAVING TRAINS, TUNNELTONES, HUMAN HANDS, and 100 FLOWERS. This release compiles one bonus performance each by the original bands, plus the entire HAPPY SQUID SAMPLER from 1980. 23 tracks in all.

Digital through iTunes, Amazon Music, etc.

GOD AND THE STATE  - Ruins: The Complete Works (Digital)

GOD AND THE STATE existed for a few short months in the Los Angeles of 1983, issued this album, and promptly split up. It was a short and sweet career, but one that deserves to be honored. This bracing, literate document of the band's existence has been remastered for its digital debut from the original two-track stereo masters, recently discovered in two unmarked reel boxes in the Happy Squid basement. The Canada/US hybrid featured novelist Dave Hull, Barbara Ann Jaeckel, and URINALS/100 FLOWERS drummer Kevin Barrett.

Digital through BANDCAMP and other platforms

THE PUNDITS  Swirl / Snowed Me In / Dark and Pretty Wish

7" EP

THE PUNDITS were a four-piece from Pittsburgh, PA, whose members included local luminaries John Bell (ex-MANIFEST DESTINY), Scott Turri, Mike Shanley of BONE OF CONTENTION, and John Young, ex of FUSEBOX. Although these are "pop" tunes, they have a powerful moodiness, with an extra veneer of psychedelia courtesy of producer Kramer (BONGWATER, URGE OVERKILL, GALAXIE 500, MAUREEN TUCKER, etc.) and engineer Steve Watson (KING MISSILE).   Reviewers of the day made comparisons to THE JAM  and BIG DIPPER

RADWASTE - End Times Mixtape LP

Recorded in 1988, but unreleased until 2019, RADWASTE's long player has been freshly remixed and mastered for the 21st century. Featuring members of 17 PYGMIES, DETOX, 100 FLOWERS, and known for its propulsive 4-member drum crops, the band was a hit on the underground dance circuit and shared bills with the likes of JANE'S ADDICTION, JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, SWANS, CRIME AND THE CITY SOLUTION, fIREHOSE, and dozens more. Vinyl release limited to 300 copies.

RADWASTE  Cooking and Nothingness 12" EP

Here are five hook-laden pop tunes, each with a distinctive and powerful edge to them. From the LA Weekly: "a six-member musical firing squad whose four-drum threat teamed with the hard rocking guitars and vocals of John Talley-Jones and Michael Kory is fast making them one of LA's most popular club groups."

RADWASTE- End Times Remixes

Two startling remixes from the End Times Mixtape LP (see below.) DAZZ Lysergic Mix is music for an acid test dance party, while NEW MASTER Instrumental Mix is a gorgeous chill-pill of a track. Digital exlusive.

Digital through BANDCAMP and other platforms

THE RUB - What Teddy Puts Together (digital)

THE RUB - Nothing But Net (digital)

Two BRAND NEW Rub songs by Eddie Mooney and Dan Duarte in a BANDCAMP digital exclusive. It's been awhile, but they're back in a big way with two thoughtful, eccentric and cleverly-arranged observational tunes.

THE RUB  - Bikini Gospel (LP / CD / digital)

The debut disk from San Pedro's THE RUB, a trio prone to asking musical questions like "Who Killed Bob Crane?" Tim Baker (drums), Dan Duarte (guitar/vocals), and Eddie Mooney (bass/vocals) compose the band, which recalls the exuberance of bands from Detroit (late 60s and Australia (mid 80s). THE RUB's music is confrontational and high energy, with material that goes from nerve-damaged, guitar-slashing rock and roll ("I'm in Love") to heartfelt pop ("The Death of Pop"). Special guests on the album include Louis van den Berg (of STAN RIDGWAY) and Steve Stain (ex-BLUE DAISIES), with a mixing assist from John Talley-Jones (100 FLOWERS).    CD includes 5 bonus tracks. LP includes download code.

THE RUB - Day Off from Karma (CD / digital)

The Rub's second album, the follow-up to BIKINI GOSPEL includes "1000 DAYS," a wistful, but headlong evocation of lost innocence, which was initially released on the 2nd Italian VIVA LA compilation. Other songs include LEARNING TO LIVE, LAST DREAM, and NO SYMPATHY.

The band, composed of Eddie Mooney, Dan Duarte, and Dirk Vandenberg provides us with material which is trenchant and literate.

THE RUB - The Rub Archives, vol 1 (digital)

Early, pre-album cuts

Visit BANDCAMP and other digital platforms for The Rub's catalog.

VENA CAVA - Desert Mercy / Garden 7"

VENA CAVA was an early 90s power trio composed of John Talley-Jones (100 FLOWERS, RADWASTE), David Nolte (WEDNESDAY WEEK, DAVE DAVIES, DAVID GRAY), and Debbie Spinelli (HOLY SISTERS OF THE GAGA DADA, CINDY LEE BERRYHILL). They have been described as sounding like "METALLICA crossed with the PIXIES," which is flattering but probably inaccurate.    

DESERT MERCY comprises two original songs by the Los Angeles-based trio in a convenient, portable 7" vinyl format, which showcases this band's punchy, melodic and direct approach. The A-side was produced by Earle Mankey (SPARKS, CONCRETE BLONDE) at his studio, with the flip produced by guitarist David Nolte.

VENA CAVA - This Perfect Day / TROTSKY ICEPICK - (I'm) Stranded 7"

VC and TI cover THE SAINTS on a split-artist single. The TROTSKY side was also available on the import-only tribute release "Neurotically Yours," while the VENA CAVA side is exclusive to this disc. A charming blast of crunchy nostalgia rocketed into then-contemporanea.

Digital through BANDCAMP

STUKAS OVER BEDROCK  - The Age of Aquariums LP

The STUKAS were known variously as the "comedy-punk band that time forgot" (Southern California Alliance for Survival--honest!), a band whose lyrics "extol the virtues of Yogi Bear as a youth roll model" (Maximum Rock 'n' Roll), and "the leading purveyors of Pre-Cambrian rock" (themselves). On The Age of Aquariums, the STUKAS cover such pertinent concepts as living on the edge--on a budget ("Four Bucks"), intergalactic territorialism ("Locals Only"), and gloom 'n' doom as a way of life ("Burned," a SWANS soundalike). Beware of the occasional indelicacy for these STUKA boys deal in brutal parody for painful times. Or, as one astute fan wrote, "your a very good band your grate."

UNIBLAB - Analog Kisses EP

UNIBLAB - Couldn't Hold Water EP

UNIBLAB - Bullet Train Holocaust EP

UNIBLAB - The Acid Lounge EP

From 1994-2008, Uniblab (John Glogovac and John Talley-Jones) created a unique library of material, mashing genres & playing instruments that they had no right to touch. Wryly funny/deadly serious, this is playful electroacoustic craziness influenced by punk, pop, lounge, music concrete, hip-hop, and electronica.

Digital through BANDCAMP

Listen HERE

Digital through BANDCAMP and other platforms

HUMAN HANDS - Bouncing to Disc CD /  Backyard Anthems CD

Everything Beautiful and Bright digital EP /  Emily Watson EP(CD)

Clever, colorful, philosophical, and whimsical (with gravitas) -- all this can be said about this pioneering  LA band, the career of which includes the punk era and the new millennium. "Bouncing to Disc 1" is the currently definitive record of the band's late 1970s-early 1980s high points ("Trains vs. Plane," "Jubilee," etc.) and  "Backyard Anthems," their most recent long-player. "Everything Beautiful and Bright" and "Emily Watson" showcase their sunny/dark worldview. Features members of DREAM SYNDICATE, EL VEZ, THE ROMANS.

Digital through BANDCAMP and other platforms

Listen HERE

STRIKESLIP - Strikeslip 1 EP                     STRIKESLIP - Strikeslip 2 EP

STRIKESLIP is what happens when HUMAN HANDS guitarist Juan Gomez, URINALS vocalist/bassist John Talley-Jones and drummer Daniel Johnson join forces. We didn't know what was going to happen, but we're delighted by the colorful, art-pop results. For streaming or download.

Digital through BANDCAMP

About INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: domestic shipping via USPS media mail will be figured at checkout, however if you require overseas shipping, please email

  happysquidrecords (at) gmail.com

with your prospective order.  We can then  provide you with specific information on shipping costs.  Thank you.

SECULAR STATE- Secular State

A rabble-rouser in tune with our divided times.

Digital through BANDCAMP

Shopping cart combines with POISON SUMMER RECORDINGS

A Brief History of the Urinals and 100 Flowers, by Ryan Leach (Spacecase pocketbook)

features interviews with Kevin Barrett, Kjehl Johansen, Vitus Matare, Kat Talley-Jones, Rob Roberge, John Talley-Jones. 78 pages, Illustrated with photos.

ROMANS - You Only Live Once CD

(Warning Label)

This post-Human Hands surf ensemble featured members of the HH, as well as Deadbeats and Monitor. With guests including 45 Grave's Dinah Cancer and Paul Cutler. 8 bonus tracks.

Shopping cart combines with POISON SUMMER RECORDS

-U N I B L A B-

-F E A T U R E D-

- V I C I O U S   F E N C E -

-S T R I K E S L I P-

- H U M A N   H A N D S -

- R O M A N S -

- U R I N A L S -

- 1 0 0   F L O W E R S -

- R A D W A S T E -

-K E A T S   rides a  H A R L E Y-

-G O D  A N D   T H E  S T A T E-

- T H E   P U N D I T S -

- T H E   R U B -

-S T U K A S  OVER B E D R O C K-

- V E N A   C A V A -

VARIOUS -  The Happy Squid Sampler (Spacecase 7")

2023 reissue of the 1980 compilation, features Urinals, Danny and the Doorknobs, Arrow Book Club, Vidiots, and Phil Bedel. On the flip is NEEF's "Atrophy of the Sporting Spirit." Limited pressing.

- S E C U L A R   S T A T E -

- S A S S A S   R E C O R D S -

V1.1 Aaron Dilloway / Extended Organ

Features art by Dave Muller

V1.2 The Nels Cline Singers / Solid Eye

Features art by Sterling Ruby

V1.3 Lee Ranaldo / William Basinski

Features art by Analia Saban

THE SOCIETY FOR THE ACTIVATION OF SOCIAL SPACE THROUGH ART AND SOUND

SASSAS Records is a series of limited editions that pair art and music. Each package includes:h·     A signed, numbered 12”x24” silkscreen by an internationally-recognized visual artist;

·     A previously unreleased track by an experimental music icon on the A-side. B-sides are chosen by them from the SASSAS performance archives;

·     Package design and pulsating SASSAS logo label by audio and visual artist Tom Recchion;

·     Pressed on 180 gram vinyl. digital download card included. Limited to an edition of 110.

soundCD no. 1

Live recordings of improvistions recorded at the Schindler House in Los Angeles. Features Nels Cline, Mike Watt, Pauline Oliveros, Carla Bozulich, Tom Watson, Vinny Golia and a host of others. Package design by Tom Recchion. Includes booklet. 2 CDs.

soundCD no. 2

Live recordings of composed and indeterminate works. Features pieces by John Coltrane, John Cage, Carl Stone and the featured artists, including Nels Cline, James Tenney, William Winant, Carl Stone, Polar Goldie Cats, Kraig Grady, others. Package design by Tom Recchion. Single CD

TEASTORM -  Hungry Hungry Multiverse

New for 2024. Debut recording of a new, all-electronic project by John Talley-Jones (URINALS, et.al.) Three alternately playful, atmospheric and driving pieces that give full flower to the synthesized elements that have popped up in 100 FLOWERS, URINALS, STRIKESLIP and UNIBLAB recordings.

Digital through BANDCAMP