DC music-makers answer: What's your favorite 7-inch? Pt. 1

Anybody who's anybody knows mp3s are just bad style. It's convenient to stream music on the internet, but where's that beautiful intersection between art and commerce that is rock'n'roll? It's in the physical product, baby. Something that ain't too expensive but doesn't come for free. Something I can hold on to.

Cassettes are on the rise in the underground, but what about everyone's favorite classic format? It's compact, concise, and large enough to provide ample space for cover art. In this edition of Make Total Destroy, we're just feeling nosy. MTD asks DC music-makers: What's your favorite 7 inch record? [Ed's Note: This is Pt.1 of a three part series] As always, please write Make Total Destroy.

Kristina Sauvage of Coup Sauvage & The Snips:
Josie Cotton – Johnny Are You Queer? (Elektra)

“Also tied with Kim Fields' (yes, Tootie from Facts of Life) [is] “Dear Michael.” It's a 3-minute off-key fangirl tribute to Michael Jackson. Which is odd, since everybody knows Tootie was the president of the Jermaine Jackson fan club as seen on a very special episode where we learn the dangers of obsessive fandom, so you'd think she'd include a tribute to him too.”

Christin Durham of Silo Halo:
V/A – There's a Dyke In The Pit (Outpunk)

“The first vinyl I purchased in high school was the Lookout Records double LP compilation The Thing That Ate Floyd. I probably listened to Vomit Launch's “Life Sucks” and Crimpshrine's “Summertime” about a million times. Floyd released the floodgates. I bought more and more vinyl, including the seven-inch compilation There's A Dyke In The Pit. My best friend and I had those four songs memorized. We would drive from Virginia Beach to all ages shows at the Kings Head Inn in Norfolk in my folks' blue Cutlass Ciera singing them out loud to each other. (It beat listening to the local radio stations).”

Diana Vashti of Mary Christ and Fell Types:
Fugazi – Furniture (Dischord)

“I've heard bootlegs of that song from '88 through 2000 and it seemed to evolve over time. The studio recording is just as awesome and I think on that version they nailed it. Although the 2009 release of “3 Songs” as a separate 7″ from Repeater is fucking brilliant too. I'll never hear song #1 and not stop what I'm doing and sing along '…everybody's talking about their home town scenes and hurting peoples feelings in their magazines and you wanna know what it all means…its NOTHING!!!'”

Richie Howard of Cigarette and Teen Liver:
The Kinks – “A Well Respected Man“ B/W “Such A Shame“ (Pye)

“This single was released in 1965. Both tracks were originally released on the UK-only Kweyt Kinks. Anywho! “A Well Respected Man” is a classic cut, and the lyrics and vocal delivery filled with sarcasm make this a gem. Ray Davies is mocking the British upper class. Perhaps you can compare this to your feelings toward yuppies or the hypocrisy of the privileged? The B side [lyrics]: 'all the good times have been in vain, such a shame.' Oh how I love the sorrow expressed! It's slow, short and catchy. The annunciation of 'can't' stays stuck in my head. I make no comment on the artwork, as my copy rests simply in a paper sleeve. I have a feeling it is probably a cute picture of the Kinks standing around.”

G.L. Jaguar of Priests:
Big Black – “He's A Whore“ B/W “The Model“ (Touch & Go)

Front:

Back:

“This is Big Black's covers record. “He's a Whore” is originally a Cheap Trick song, “The Model” is by Kraftwerk. I love good covers, and these Big Black renditions are so original! Plus, if you check out the sleeve art, Big Black created exact replicas of the original sleeve art from each record.”

Tim Wright of Troll Tax:
Wardance Orange – Wardance Orange (Tribal War)

“This band opened my mind to a new genre of music.”

Sean Connell of Foul Swoops and Chain & The Gang:
John Phillips – “April Anne“ B/W “Mississippi“ (Dunhill)

“John Phillips was such a gloriously fucked up human being. These two songs are off of his 1970 solo debut John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.). The album features James Burton and Hal Blaine to name a a few and it is easily one of my all-time favorites. “April Anne” is as depressing as it is beautiful and “Mississippi” has hand claps and female backing vocals: a combination that has never been beat.”

Jessica Garson of I Am Your Joey Ramone:
Pansy Division – Queer To The Core (Lookout!)

“It hit me like a comet the first time I put it on. I will never forget that feeling.”

Eva Moolchan of Shitstains:
Mika Miko – Mika Miko (Post Present Medium)

“Well, also Planet Claire by B52s, because its spooky and makes my eyeballs melt.”

Daniele Daniele of Priests:
Psychedelic Furs – “Dumb Waiters” B/W “Dash“ (CBS)

“This record is cool, but I'm picking it as my favorite because the label is inked directly onto the wax instead of label paper! I don't have any other records like this!”