What is Truth?

These platters were released between 1986-90. The first two are numbered limited-edition volumes, each unit featuring individually hand-crafted cover art. They feature artists like: Eugene Chadbourne; Legendary Pink Dots; Haters; German Shepherds; Phil Minton & Roger Turner; Hunting Lodge; & many others. They were released by Panic Records & Tapes, Chicago, which existed from 1984-1991.

PANIC RECORDS & TAPES was an outgrowth of broadcasting & associated musical activities at WZRD-FM 88.3, Chicago (the Wizard), during the heyday of DIY cassette culture, encouraged by the 'zines & other radio stations that catered to like music. Panic Records & Tapes released about twenty cassettes, this three LP compilation (four discs in total), three editions of a 'zine, & perhaps a dozen live shows.

This compilation LP series is entitled WHAT IS TRUTH? after the first LP track from Eugene Chadbourne. The first two LPs were packaged in 1,500 junk sleeves picked from a dumpster behind a record store that feature individually hand-crafted & numbered artwork (painting & collage) done over the original cover. The third 2xLP featured custom hand-crafted marbled paper. 

 

Various - What is Truth?, Panic Records & Tapes PANIC 001, 1987.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
What is Truth? - Eugene Chadbourne
Teenage Urban Barbarians - Devil Bell Hippies
Why Did You Give Yourself Cancer? - German Shepherds
Spudmatron - Furry Couch
Then Some Bad Boys Beat Me with Sticks (excerpt) - Research Defense Squad
Orgy Porgy - German Shepherds
Burden of Every Belief - Burden of Friendship

Side B -
May this Meat Kill Me - Hunting Lodge
Woman in the Mirror - Randy Greif
Sea Hunt / Phone Fun - Furry Couch
Invitation to a Jam Session - Eugene Chadbourne & The Hank Gonzalez Orchestra
Known a Knowm - Phil Minton / Roger Turner
Untitled - Gary Marks

 

 

 

 

Various - What is Truth? (Volume Two), Panic Records & Tapes PANIC 002, 1988.

Side 1 -
Butchered Edit - Violence & the Sacred
Theme from 'A Summer Place' - Blitzoids
It's Always Wet in Debby's Prison - German Shepherds
A Lot like You - Randy Greif
The First Man to Give Birth - German Shepherds
Weasels of Tibet - Musica Menta
Skeleton Orchestra - Furry Couch
Hot Rods to Hell - Proof of Utah

Side 2 -
Improvisation 1-19-88 - Gary Marks
The First Porthole Solo in History - Eugene Chadbourne
The Last Communist Banjo Solo of 1987 - Eugene Chadbourne
Huwa - Haters
Green - Elizabeth Harper
The Enemy Within - Scott Marshall

 

 

 

 

Various - What is Truth? (Volume Three) 2xLP, Panic Records & Tapes PANIC 013, 1990.

Side One -
Sleep - Proof of Utah
IPAC & the Legions of Doom - Scott Marshall
Integrity - Illusion of Safety
Flowers for the Silverman - Legendary Pink Dots

Side Two -
Le Marais aux Images - Sebastian Gandera
As We Go - Pupaum
Ambient Samples - Furry Couch
A Summit & the Rain - Blitzoids
Wrink - Jabon
What Men Fear Most - SM
Help Me Lassie - German Shepherds
Becoming Animals, Pt. 2, Chicken (Every Town has an Annual Event) - Randy Greif
Lok Nutz - Scott Marshall

Side Three -
L'Attente - La Sonorite Jaune
Rape of the Amazon    - Unit 731
I Begged Billy not to Beg - German Shepherds
Alfred Hitchwhat is Truth? - Eugene Chadbourne Baptist Church Quartet

Side Four -
Arzhklahh Olgevezh
Prüümptje Kürss
They Don't Horses, Shoot They?
Break Day - Legendary Pink Dots

Enjoy,
NØ