Home Recordings releases by THE DITS

HRCD-020	"Dits 2000" (2 CDs) As a follow-up to their W.T. Fits debut, Matt Seniff and Pink Bob were looking for another improv-based side project. Pink insisted that anything along those lines simply had to include Scott Lucas, so some sessions were arranged during the week of July 4, 2000 to see what would happen. This double CD is taken from those sessions, and it marks the first new recordings by The Dits--founded in 1981 by Scott Lucas and Brian Keys--in over a decade. The deluge of live and studio recordings (and releases) that followed stand as a testiment to the gravitational pull of this weighty improvisational trio. Recorded in digital stereo at the SediLab studio.
HRCD-021	"Dits 2000 Live!" (2 CDs) After over 19 years, The Dits finally take their brand of improvisational mayhem to the stage, namely Lizard's Lounge in Bloomington, Illinois. This double CD is the complete recording of the debut Dits concert, as taken from the corner of the stage with a decent stereo mic. An all-digital production, this (and all other modern Dits CDs) boasts an authentic stereo soundstage that sounds FANTASTIC through headphones. Lots of guests help out the basic trio of Lucas/Seniff/Pink Bob to produce music that is without a doubt some of the strangest stuff ever presented in a bar in McLean County, Illinois. September, 2000.
HRCD-022	"The Dits Family Band--Live!" (2 CDs) Astounded that the "Dits 2000 Live" gig went so well, the new incarnation of The Dits decided to expand on the concept and brought the "Dits Family Band" to the stage barely a month later. It's a similar recording to D2K Live, but the lads learned a few lessons from the debut concert and seem to strike a nicer balance between the various band members and guests here. As such, this is a very good example of early Dits stage work and would be a welcome addition to the collection of any sophisticated noise lover!
HRCD-023	"In Labor" (2 CDs) In order to keep the stage shows fresh, The Dits get together every few weeks to try out new instruments from their vast collection and to plot out new approaches to improvised music. This, their second studio CD, was recorded over Labor Day weekend to prepare for what became "Dits 2000 Live". While The Dits were resurrected as a side project, the quality of the music and the amount of ground broken prompted the core trio to (gladly) spend a lot more time on it than they originally intended. This finds The Dits/Dits 2000 discovering that they're in it for the long haul and hunkering down for some SERIOUS sound seeking. As with all modern Dits, this sports the true stereo soundstage that sounds awesome in headphones...
HRCD-024	"An Evening with the Modern Dits Quintet" (2 CDs) In most cases, The Dits usually have a large number of guests in tow for live performances. Due to various circumstances, however, there were only two guests who could make it for the Nov. 29, 2000 concert: Ken Thornton and Mike Manna. The Quintet proves more than up to the challenge, however, and, if anything, the smaller roster makes the nuances of The Dits' unique brand of improvisation stand out in a way previous live recordings couldn't. It's only their third concert, but this is clearly the sound of a veteran improv collective; recommended.
HRCD-025	"Our Sunday Best" (2 CDs) Their third studio release features the trio from two sessions in October, 2000. Interestingly, the studio recordings--which were originally intended to provide fodder for live performances--usually have NOTHING in common with the concert that happens shortly after. Such is the case here, where the band was contemplating the show that became "Dits Family Band Live". This is music that is as intense and uncompromising as it is rewarding to the open ear and mind.
HRCD-026	"A Very Special Dits Family Christmas" (2 CDs) For their very last concert of the year, The Dits give an early Xmas present to the few lucky souls who found themselves in Lizard's Lounge on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000. A stunning, amazing collection of sounds and atmospheres, this is already a personal favorite of the band members and guests themselves. With the exception of one short (and silly) narrative piece by Matt Seniff and a few sloppily-dispensed fragments of Xmas cliche melodies, this isn't really a Christmas CD at all and is appropriate fare the whole year around. For the live stuff, START HERE!
HRCDmp3-002	".mp3 #1" (PC-compatible CD-ROM) Do you play .mp3 files on your computer? Well then why not get ALL SEVEN of the double CDs that were released by The Dits during 2000 (HRCD-020 through HRCD-026) on a SINGLE CD-ROM in mp3 format? This doesn't include any fancy extras on the disc itself, JUST 12 1/4+ hours of some of the coolest improvised music ever made. The packaging includes ALL of the track titles, release information, and track lengths. All files are CD-quality 128KB mp3 format playable by nearly any mp3 software or harware device. In general, if you can play .mp3 files, START HERE!
HRCD-027	"Dits Big Band" (2 CDs) After a few months off, The Dits returned to the stage in March, 2001 and presented a monster the likes of which has never been seen in Bloomington-Normal. An improbable creature with twin trombones for arms, dual cellos for legs, countless guitarists and percussionists for teeth and talons, and a synthetic brain that won't stop until the entire universe of sound is conquered. The entire concert in breath-taking stereo.
HRCD-028	"Space for your Face" (2 CDs) As if the "Dits Big Band" concert weren't a resounding enough opening statement for the new year, this stunning studio CD breaks new ground on each and every cut. Recorded at their own SediLab studio in March, 2001, this is the most sophisticated and atmospheric improvised recording The Dits have ever made. As far as studio releases go, we recommend that you START HERE!
HRCD-029	"Dits 2000 est Mort" (2 CDs) A couple of studio sessions from the end of 2000 became the basis for this final chapter in the band's history. Eleven tracks of pure improvisational bliss explore the entire musical spectrum, from gentle nudgings to multiple sledgehammers on the noggin. Cellos, theremin, guitars, ukulele and trumpet battle it out with all manner of synthetic sound sources, from MicroMoog to Yamaha FM madness to Roland guitar synth...
HRCD-030	"Dits Alive VI" (2 CDs) As the title would suggest, this is taken from the band's sixth live performance at Lizard's Lounge in Bloomington IL on April 11, 2001. While the packaging and song titles are spoofs based on rock legends Kiss, the music is of course all improvised and has nothing to do with anything. Special guests Tom Sparrow, Dan Meyer, John Ganser, Mike Manna and Tommy O'Donnell join the regular trio of Lucas/Seniff/Pink Bob for an evening of fun, noise, laughter and noise. Did we mention noise? Includes the hits "Deth", "Detroit Rock Hudson", "Love Bun", and "The Dits Meet the Phantom of the Park".
HRCD-031	"The New Modern Dits Quintet--Caesarean Session" (2 CDs) Long-distance email buddy "California Chris" Cory was on a business trip to the midwest, so he figured why not take in a David Thomas show in Chicago with The Dits and then burn a couple of MiniDiscs in the old SediLab the next day? Sediments drummer Tom Sparrow couldn't help but join in on the festivities, which are spacier than usual due to the fact the rest of the lads were operating on little sleep and some particularly suspicious donuts! While such circumstances might dull the common band, however, The Dits were in rare form on this April day in 2001. "Caesarean Session" continues the proud tradition of "Space for your Face"-style Dits and is one of the highlights in their rapidly-expanding catalog...
HRCD-032	"Physiological Graffiti" (2 CDs) This studio offering from spring, 2001 consists of eight extended improvisations, all named for types of sweaters. While the album title and one of the song titles are obvious Led Zep references, the ancient sepia-toned packaging and baffling array of sounds are guaranteed to confuse and befuddle. For the most part, this is the trio of Lucas/Seniff/Pink Bob (though Tom Sparrow does make a cameo appearance on "Cotton"). Instrumentally, the band pulls out all of the stops and "PG" marks the original studio appearance of Scott's drum machine as well as Pink's short wave radio.
HRCDmp3-003	".mp3 #2" (PC-compatible CD-ROM) The second in a series of mp3 CD-ROMs contains all of the music from The Dits' EIGHTH through THIRTEENTH double CD releases (HRCD-027 through HRCD-032) on a SINGLE disc. Yep, well over 11 hours of some of the coolest improvised music ever made. The packaging includes ALL of the track titles, release information, and track lengths. All files are CD-quality 128KB mp3 format playable by nearly any mp3 software or harware device. In general, if you can play .mp3 files, these discs offer the best value for your listening dollar!
HRCD-033	"The Dits Clean House" (2 CDs) Here's a little Dits trivia for you: modern Dits music (meaning stuff recorded since 2000) is also released on mp3.com and is available there as well. Naturally, the official Home Recordings releases have better packaging, better fidelity and are cheaper, but you can get this stuff from The Dits' mp3.com pages as well. Since they limit their releases to 60 minutes per disc and since the band typically records on 74 minute MiniDiscs, there are often leftover tracks that tend to pile up on the shelf. After thirteen double CD releases, there were finally enough vintage leftovers to compile a collection of these anything-but-scrawny orphans. And don't think this is second-rate stuff, either--oftentimes, tracks are discarded due to their lengths rather than their content. In this case, the leftovers are from "Space for Your Face", "Our Sunday Best", "Dits 2000 est Mort", "Caesarean Session", and "Physiological Graffiti"...
HRCD-034	"Live! Bootleg" (2 CDs) Ok, the artwork is a cheap joke. We'll admit that. And song titles like "Walker This Way", "Dudes Look Like Old Ladies" and "Steven Tyler Support Tights" are low blows. Granted. That doesn't, however, negate the fact that this live set from May, 2001 will delight Home Recordings fans nearly as much as it dismayed the unsuspecting nightclub patrons waiting for their "alternative" experience to start via the three-chord wonders that followed. This contains the entire concert that features special guest Ken Thornton from The Sediments.
HR-PROMO1	"Live at Lizard's" (Promotional CD) When Pink and Matt's band The Sediments shared the bill with Scott's band Stumpwhoopt, they figured, what the hey? Why not do a short Dits set as well? The result is this promo disc that totals about 40 minutes. Live at Lizard's is a bit of a novelty in that it is the trio playing live without guests, and it is a bit of a rarity in that it is not available for sale. Want one? It's yours for the asking. Order any other Dits CD on this page and ask for "Live at Lizard's" for FREE!!!
HRCD-035	"DITS 20.01" (2 CDs) Properly pronounced "Twenty-ought-one", this studio recording from July 4, 2001 marks the first anniversary of The Dits' triumphant return. Special guest Tom Sparrow (from The Sediments) joins in for a yanking doodle good time. The packaging consists of bizarre photos of pianos. The tracks are named after various models of firearms. The music has little to do with either of these things!
HRCD-036	"File Under Populist" (single CD) Where do we start with this one? 1) It is based around the original "classic" duo of Scott Lucas and the late Brian Keys. 2) It features Pink Bob and his beloved DX-7 synth on a majority of tracks. 3) It was recorded on 4 track cassette in 1986. 4) It was mixed onto half-track reel-to-reel in 1987. 5) It was edited and assembled in 1988 with literally hundreds of razor blade splices. 6) In spite of the bogus story that documents the "legend" of FUP, the music is completely improvised and about nothing in particular. 7) It was resurrected in 2001 from a Beta HiFi safety master (since the original tapes were deemed destroyed due to seepage of the adhesive of the splicing tape used in the previously-mentioned razor blade edits). 8) It's totally out there and sounds absolutely fantastic. Amen.
HRCD-038	"Tales from Topo Gigio Oceans" (2 CDs) Musically, this is a potent double-length studio set by the trio recorded on Labor Day, 2001. A large part of the joy, however, is the packaging that delivers a skewering to a certain pretentious art rock institution as well as a nonsensical story in the tradition of "File Under Populist" taken to epic extremes. This is an impressive release that contains material ranging from their most potent noise to their most delicate improvised tone poems. Highly recommended.
HRCD-039	"Exxon on Main Street" (2 CDs) Will the puns never end? Apparently not. This is yet another studio trio offering, this time from Autumn, 2001. By this point the players know each other so well that the frequently morph into each other and it's hard to tell who's playing what. For that matter, it's often hard to tell even what instruments are being used. Just when you think you have a handle on something, a hypnotic loop is shattered or a discorporated voice serves notice that things are now going completely the other direction. Try getting that from a major label release!
HRCD-040	"The Modern Dits Quintet Jr. with Strings--Summer Slummin'" (2 CDs) Imagine The Dits' surprise when they learned there was another noise band in our little town fronted by an 18 year old attending the same university The Dits attended in the early '80s! What else was there to do but invite the kid over to play with the old farts??? Tom Sparrow joins in to form a proper quintet with Mark Web (from Mark Webb and the New Destructionists) as The Beaver. Mark is a seasoned improviser for his tender age, and his first encounter with The Dits is an indisputable success. Studio recordings from late 2001.
HRCDmp3-004	".mp3 #3" (PC-compatible CD-ROM) The third in a series of mp3 CD-ROMs contains all of the music from The Dits' FOURTEENTH through NINETEENTH double CD releases (HRCD-033 through HRCD-035 and HRCD-038 through HRCD-040) plus the promotional CD "Live at Lizard's" on a SINGLE disc. This is over 12 hours worth of high-octane improvised music straight from Central Illinois. The packaging includes ALL of the track titles, release information, and track lengths. All files are CD-quality 128KB mp3 format playable by nearly any mp3 software or harware device. For those who like their noise in industrial-sized packages.
HRCD-041	"The Dits" (a.k.a. "The White Album") (2 CDs) In December 2001 and January 2002, The Dits set out to record something that would serve as a definitive recap of everything they'd been working on the last eighteen months. Over a series of three studio sessions, they came up with this totally twisted masterpiece. Built around the nonsensical titles "Revolution Nein!" and "Hitler Skelter", this is two hours of music that never ceases to surprise and amaze. Two hours of concentrated trio with no guests, no distractions, and absolutely no destination in mind.
HRCD-042	"The Dwight Album" (2 CDs) You're probably asking yourself if it isn't about time for another "The Dits Clean House" kind of mop-up collection from the vaults, aren't you? Here's a collection of a dozen orphans, dusted off and polished up to sound almost wonderful. Many of these tracks are from the "White Album" sessions, but "Topo Gigio" and "Exxon" are represented as well. A must for all Dits completists!
HRCD-043	"The Dits Clark Five--Catch Us in the Can" (2 CDs) The Dits Clark Five is the latest quartet incarnation (!) of the band, with master percussionist John Ganser (Something Brothers, Spelunkers, Von Frickle) joining in for a festive romp. The addition of John brings rhythm to the forefront, with Roland Octapad wrapping itself around everything from obtuse guitar to synthetic loops. While it's not at all predictable, it's some of the most accessible Dits material to date. You still won't be able to hum it in the shower, though!

We are pleased to make these recordings available via our exclusive retailing partner, Mother Murphys. You can phone in your order (have your credit card handy) during their normal business hours of 10AM-6PM M-F and 10AM-5PM Saturday -OR- you can send your order via regular mail. Please write legibly and include a daytime phone number in case there are any questions. Make checks or money orders in US Dollars only payable to Mother Murphys. Credit cards are also accepted. Mother Murphys 111 1/2 North St. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-6712 All titles (including the double CDs) are $13 post-paid in the US and $15 post-paid elsewhere. Domestic orders are sent via USPS first class or priority mail; destinations other than the US are shipped air mail.