THE FAKES Real Fiction 1995

 

Discogs

 

Real Fiction Review by Chris Nelson

The Fakes' Real Fiction works better as a manifesto project than a listening experience. The band is a Traveling Wilburys of the Olympia, WA, indie set, with primary players including Bikini Kill and Le Tigre singer Kathleen Hanna, Nation of Ulysses and Fucking Champs guitarist Tim Green, and Kicking Giant and the Need drummer Rachel Carns. Their sole album is designed as something of a rock opera, but without a lyric sheet (and with song titles apparently listed entirely out of running order), it's difficult to ascertain a story line. There is, however, a clear theme of confronting sexual abuse, its perpetrators, and the scars of survivors. "This is not a piece of art, this is my life," guest Billie Strain says with angry vulnerability at a spoken word piece. In another song, Hanna appropriates lyrics from the Charlie Rich hit "The Most Beautiful Girl" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" to draw an especially creepy portrait of a predator. Sonically, however, the album is less compelling, a mish-mash of ragtag punk with occasional touches of keyboard that play like an early blueprint for Hanna's later work in the guise of Julie Ruin. Still, the album's artwork is chock full of intriguing essays, statements of purpose, and pointed rock criticism, such as "why do all the indie boys like women who sing like angels or children?" Ideas, rather than execution, are key here.

 

Tracklist

1		Identity Smidentity	2:43
2		No More Scary Moustache Men	1:17
3		Li'l Mommy	1:49
4		Pop Song	1:25
5		Fake Country Song	4:26
6		New Wave Song	2:34
7		Steve Society	2:23
8		Held	5:39
9		Official Hex	1:45
10		Competition Fiction	2:11
11		Freak	2:03
12		Humunculous	1:16
13		Burnt Girl	1:11
14		Holly Hobbie Outfit	3:10
15		Pretty Ballerina Pleasure	2:27
16		Secret Weapon	4:49
17		Safety Cuts	2:50
18		Sgt. Fuckerman	5:14

GO OLYMPIA! Audio Walking Tour of Olympia 1997

Cassette only release included a map for the walking tour of Olympia, Washington

 

Discogs 

 

 

Tracklist

A1	–Paul Pearson (4)	Story
A2	–Christine Corey	Apostrophes
A3	–Khaela Maricich	Epic #1
A4	–Julie Ruin , Starring Kathleen Hanna	The Well
A5	–Sandman* And Camo (7)	Bread And Roses
A6	–Termite X-1	Old School Pizza
A7	–Jason Trager*	Rewind
A8	–Agent Wires	Unposted Document
A9	–Jenn Kleise*	Ramada Inn
A10	–Lois Maffeo	Switch Shower
A11	–Carrie And Sarah	State Library (Come With Me)
A12	–Sandman*	Capitol Shark
A13	–Little Red Car Wreck	Capitol Lake Playground
A14	–Hallie Ruth	Lakefair
A15	–Mirah (3)	Tumwater Falls
B16	–Krista Krusher And The Krushettes	Harrison Hill
B17	–Co-op Choir	Untitled
B18	–The Grits	Walking, Yes Indeed
B19	–Star Siefert	Garfield Trail
B20	–Jenny Jenkins	Tiny Town
B21	–Diana Arens	Standing On A Bridge
B22	–Paul Schuster	Internal/External
B23	–Nikki McClure	Pirate Song
B24	–Early Morning Initials	Repeated Parking Lot
B25	–Pat Maley	Lights And Bells
B26	–Refect Refect	Shadow
B27	–Andrew Austin	Olympia, You're My Friend
B28	–Arrington De Dionyso	Telephone Call
B29	–Jen Smith	Winter Song
B30	–Tae Won Yu	Remember When
B31	–Calvin Johnson	Post Ritual
B32	–Oklahoma Scramble	Town