CAUSTIC EYE PRODUCTIONS
Supporting Local Music Since 2001
HISTORY
The first proper Caustic Eye release wasn’t until March of 2002 when the first CD by The Fringe, 'Electro-Space Orchestration, Volume One' (CAUS001) was released. About 30 copies were made, primarily for giveaways.
In August of that year, Caustic Eye released the Byzantine self-titled CD (CAUS002), which consisted of material compiled from two earlier band-released CDs. An initial pressing of 100 was done, and word spread quickly about Byzantine. It was this release that made it into the hands of Chris Adler, the drummer for Lamb of God, and consequently peaked the interest of Prosthetic Records.
In September 2002, a limited pressing of the second CD by Against, 'Spiritual Technology' (CAUS003) were first available at the Logan County Music Festival. The band, however, ultimately decided to get the CD pressed up themselves. Only about 30 copies were made.
In January 2003, the buzz surrounding Byzantine had grown to such an extent that another pressing of the S/T CD was done (CAUS002B). This version featured an enhanced sound mix by Xack at Thermal Breakdown, and improved cover art. Not more than 150 were made.
In May Caustic Eye assisted Byzantine in putting together the 'European Sampler EP'. Although not a proper C.E. release, it is noteworthy in that the tracks for this CD were from the still unreleased DK Entertainment version of Byzantine's first real CD. More than 300 copies were pressed and sold out very quickly. This was yet another stepping stone for the Byz, and helped secure their deal with Prosthetic Records.
September saw the release of 'Sci-Fi Guitar' (CAUS004) the first solo CD by David White. David is an accomplished studio musician who has performed in front of crowds of several thousand and recorded with the likes of Full Devil Jacket. More than 125 copies were pressed and sold very well, garnering David much positive press.
In May of 2004, Caustic Eye assisted the Alt-Rock band Guinness Clarke's Wine with the production of the 'Next Big Thing' EP. Although this was initially designed to be a promotional only release, the response to this new material was so great, GCW decided to make these CDs available for sale. This version was not a Caustic Eye release per se, but it was later repressed as CAUS008, although it was credited to Jeff Ellis and Guinness Clarke's Wine instead of just GCW.
Having completely sold out of their self-titled, self released first CD, Guinness Clarke's Wine approached Caustic Eye about doing a small run of represses. Instead of doing a straight reissue to the CD, two unreleased acoustic demos were added to the already well-received CD, making it an even better bargain. (CAUS005).
In September 2004, Caustic Eye was again requested by David White to put together artwork for his new jazz CD, 'A Different Approach' (CAUS006). Although stylistically different from his previous release, it too shows off David's prowess as a musician and is a good introduction to one of his many styles.
Shortly thereafter, David put together another CD along the same lines as 'A Different Approach', but with more of an R&B sound. 'Urbanite' (CAUS007) was released in November of that year.
February brought about the re-release of the Guinness Clarke's Wine 4-song EP, 'Next Big Thing' (CAUS008). By This time, GCW had gone its separate ways, and Jeff Ellis, the lead singer and songwriter was in the process of recording his first solo CD. In order to peak the interest of the music scene and college radio prior to the release of that CD, the reissue was brought forth, this time with more Jeff-centric artwork. This was to focus more on his invlovement in the group, and familiarize the media with his name and face for the impending solo release.
'The Enemy' (CAUS009) appeared in May of 2005 to much critical acclaim. Although similar to Guinness Clarke's Wine, 'The Enemy' took more of a Rock & Roll approach to Jeff's songwriting. The album features guest appearances by GCW alumi Joe Bailey, Phil James and Tom Berry as well as Chris Ojeda's vocal contributions to the cover of Byzantine's "Hatfield".
In July 2005, Jeff Ellis Learned that his reserve unit was being called to active duty to fight in Iraq. With little time left before he was to depart, Jeff entered the studio and recorded demo versions of some songs he had been working on. This was released in October along with a set of demos from 2003 as 'Demo Sessions Vol. 1' (CAUS010) and 'Demo Sessions Vol. 2' (CAUS011) respectively. These limited-edition CDs were packaged in deluxe fold-out sleeves, assembled, burnt and hand numbered by Caustic Eye. Only 50 copies of each were made available exclusively thru the Caustic Eye website, and they all but sold out in less than 2 months.
June 2006 saw the release of area Stoner Metal group Stone Ka-Tet's first full length CD (CAUS012). The first pressing of 100 copies of this CD featured an impressive foil sleeve and was only available at the CD release show at the Empty Glass.
Without missing a beat, Caustic Eye quickly put together a retrospective compilation entitled 'Guilty By Association: Five Years Of Caustic Eye' (CAUS013) to be made available at the Adamfest 3 music festival in July. In a short amount of time, a quality compilation was assembled with a single track from each Caustic Eye release plus the addition of 6 bonus unreleased cuts from roster artists and "Friends of the Eye". The bonus tracks consisted of an omitted track from 'Sci-Fi Guitar' by David White, "Hyperflux"; a solo funk piece from Byzantine's lead guitarist, Tony Rohrbough called "Downtown Up"; a years-in-the-making epic from The Jims (featuring Nate Stuart of Against), "Masquerade"; an unused track from an EP session for Frauenfeld (Jeff Ellis of GCW and Russ Fox and Matt Gingerich of Sinks of Gandy and Carrie Crash), a crunchy rocker entitled "Growing Up"; Byzantine's Skip Cromer submits a track under the guise of his sardonic alter-ego, The Burt Reynolds Death Metal Experiment in the form of "Finding Emo"; additionally, an unreleased remix version of Against's "My Bitter Half" was also included.
In December 2006, the long-awaited first CD by The Burt Reynolds Death Metal Experiment was released. ‘The Definitive Collection Volume 2’ (CAUS014) was released to coincide with a BRDME performance opening for Unknown Hinson. T-shirts were also available and quickly sold out.
After returning from Kuwait, Jeff Ellis was anxious to get his name back in the local music scene. Quickly, a previously recorded live show by Jeff and Guinness Clarke’s Wine was edited, mastered and packaged in order to get something out to his fans for Christmas. ‘Guinness Clarke’s Wine – Live Bootleg’ (CAUS015) was sold at the first couple of shows back in town with the reformed GCW. Only 25 hard copies were made in either a color or black and white sleeve. The CD (with artwork) is still available to download for free HERE.
In March 2007, Jeff’s ‘All Masters Will Serve’ (CAUS016) was released. This EP contained tracks from Jeff’s then unreleased sophomore full-length. This release, too, was to help get his name back out into the local scene and expose people to some of the music that he had been working on over the last year.
In early July, Caustic Eye was contacted by Larry McClurg of the Mind Garage. Mind Garage had been a psychedelic rock band based out of Morgantown, WV. They released 2 LPs thru RCA in the early 1970’s. Caustic Eye had previously contacted Mr. McClurg about a possible CD release of the two albums, but it hadn’t worked out before. Now with the Goodstock Festival only weeks away, the need had finally arisen. Within 2 weeks, 100 copies each of the ‘Mind Garage / Electric Liturgy’ (CAUS017) and the previously band released ‘Early Years’ CDs were designed, printed, burned and assembled and shrinkwrapped. The CDs sold well, and will likely be repressed.
August began the preparations to release Jeff Ellis’s long-awaited sophomore full-length CD. During this time, Caustic Eye released a limited amount of Jeff’s ‘Gospel Sessions Vol. 1’ (CAUS019) which had been recorded in December of 2006 and previously only available to family and friends. This CD was available about a week in advance of the ‘AFSFTEOTW’ CD release party in order to be available at the annual Hollerpalooza music festival.
September finally saw the release of ‘A Front Seat for the End of the World’ (CAUS018) in a limited edtion pressing. This release had a bonus disc that contained the demo version of "The Men in Sago Mine", a crowd favorite that has not been available in recorded form yet, as well as the one self-penned track from the ‘Gospel Sessions’, "On the Right Road Now". These have sold well, but there are still some available from the SHOP.
2008 started off slow until June when there were two releases. First, Maximum Headlessness released their second CD, 'Songs to Sleep to' (CAUS020) in a limited release, and Bud Carroll and the Southern Souls released their self titled EP (CAUS021). Within a few months, the Bud Carroll CD had sold out twice, and had to be repressed.
During the summer of 2008, Caustic Eye released a limited version of Jeff Ellis' third full-length, 'Covering The Distance' (CAUS022). This limited version does not have a catalog number, as it was produced to solicit to record labels and sell on the road. By October, Jeff tired of waiting for a label, had taken the matter into his own hands and had the CD professionally pressed in an edition of 1000. Although Caustic Eye didn't actually produce these CDs, they carry a catalog number as a "Thank You" of sorts for assisting in the production of the pre-release copies. This is the first Caustic Eye labeled release on a pressed disc, as opposed to a burn.
Also during this time, CE was approached by Doom/Ambient band Hyatari to assist in the production of their second CD. The CD had been finished for two years, and the band decided to release it themselves, after lack of major label support. After convincing the band that a limited burned pressing of the CD would not do it justice, It was professionally pressed in an edition of 1000. 'They Will Surface' (CAUS023) was released December 2008.
In January 2009, 'Soul Singin' (CAUS024) was released by local Jazzman Kevin Arbogast. Better known as the frontman for the Funk/Jazz band Luke Jivetalker and a former member of The Mother Trucker Trio. Kevin's CD features songs played with Luke Jivetalker as well as solo favorites.
COMING SOON:
MARCH - Bad Employees - Looking For Werk (CAUS025)
FEBRUARY - Bud Carroll & the SS / The Demon Beat - Split Single (CAUS026)
SPRING - Bud Carroll - Solo EP
SPRING - Scrap Iron Pickers - CD
Caustic Eye Productions - Now In Our 9th Year (Holy Crap!)
[TO BE CONTINUED]
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