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A Label is Born

Before they rocked the world of Hip-Hop, the boys in the dorm issued this very Punk single.  It’s the first Def Jam seven-inch release : Hose. Mobo // Girls / Zoo. (7″ 45 rpm, no mfg. #, matrix DEF-SP-1, no date [1982]).  Both sided have etched labels drawn by vocalist Mike Espindle, one side with cute lil’ animal drawings and song titles, other side with the band name.  It’s packaged in a brown paper bag w/ small white paper xeroxed info glued on front (band name) and back (credits).  The message to all, etched on the b-side runoff area, “SMURF IT UP Y’ALL !!” Performers are Warren Bell (bass), Autumn Goft (drums), Michael Espindle (vocals) and Rick Rubin (Guitar).  Yep, Rick is the founder of Def Jam.  Is that his signature?  Sorry about the hard to see etched images – but wait for our book on Punk Era singles.  This was the 1,676th one I’ve catalogued to date.  Maybe 5,000 more to go.  Not all swell, not all valuable, but all reflect the times and help define an era.

 


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