Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987

by Strum & Thrum

supported by

Bruno Packard Hill This best best dang compilation I've ever heard, actual heaven.

Terry A great compilation album of early to mid 80's indie and jangle pop bands. It brings back memories of rummaging through record stores looking for something other than hair bands. Its nice to see bands like Salem 66 represented. Favorite track: Salem 66 - Seven Steps Down.

@KillTheBuddha Superb, sheer bliss 😎

more...

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$18 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
2xCD Version of 'Strum & Thrum'. Includes slipcase and 100 page bound booklet.

Includes unlimited streaming of Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

1 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

$24.50 USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
2xLP Black Vinyl Version of 'Strum & Thrum'. Includes extra-wide spine slipcase and 80+ page bound booklet

Includes unlimited streaming of Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

$38.50 USD or more

1.	The Reverbs - Trusted Woods 03:26	buy track
2.	Start - Where I Want To Be 03:14	buy track
3.	Cyclones - I'm In Heaven 02:08	buy track
4.	Windbreakers - All That Stuff 03:16	buy track
5.	Primitons - All My Friends 02:16	buy track
6.	Bangtails - Patron Of The Arts 03:09	buy track
7.	The Love In - Late As Usual 03:48	buy track
8.	Sex Clark Five - She Collides With Me 02:19	buy track
9.	Three Hits - 5 O'Clock 02:36	buy track
10.	Crippled Pilgrims - Black And White (Alternate Version) 03:58	buy track
11.	Vandykes - Breakin My Heart 03:23	buy track
12.	Salem 66 - Seven Steps Down 03:20	buy track
13.	The Outnumbered - I Feel So Sorry Now 02:46	buy track
14.	The Darrows - Is It You 03:40	buy track
15.	Riff Doctors - Say Goodbye 03:50	buy track
16.	The Ferrets - She Was Unkinds 03:17	buy track
17.	28th Day - Pages Turn (Alternate Version) 04:17	buy track
18.	Great Plains - When Do You Say Hello? 02:10	buy track
19.	Downy Mildew - Purple Parlor 03:21	buy track
20.	The Strand - You And Me 03:06	buy track
21.	The White Sisters - Misery, Me, & You 02:59	buy track
22.	Absolute Grey - Remorse 03:09	buy track
23.	One Plus Two - Promise 03:07	buy track
24.	The Springfields - Sunflower 03:54	buy track
25.	Holiday - Change 04:27	buy track
26.	Pop Art - The Meeting 03:13	buy track
27.	The Reactions - Tomorrow's Time Today 02:48	buy track
28.	A New Personality - Essential Things 05:22	buy track

about

Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987 is the first volume of Captured Tracks' new venture into compilations – Excavations.

Inspired by Pebbles, Killed By Death, Soul Jazz and Numero Group compilations, Excavations is a series dedicated to compiling forgotten music from the 1970s – 1990s that has a connection to Captured Tracks’ sound and aesthetic. Much like the Cleaners from Venus, the Wake, and Saäda Bonaire reissues we’ve put out, Excavations releases will bridge the past to our current roster and showcase the kinds of sounds that inspire us.

It makes sense that the first volume of Excavations is Strum & Thrum. As an American label, we've often wondered why British, Aussie, and Kiwi indie rock from the ‘80s has had the most influence on modern acts and the collector's market. Granted, the music released on Creation, Sarah, Cherry Red, Postcard, Flying Nun, et al. during that era was fantastic, but a parallel to this sound existed in the US and Canada as well. Outside of bands like R.E.M., the Rain Parade, the Dream Syndicate, and a few others, most of these bands received little attention from national or international press outlets and markets – unless they opted for a “big ‘80s” sound and signed to a major. The acts on this compilation are the antithesis of that, with a true DiY spirit that lead many of these bands to self-record and self-release within tiny local scenes in small cities and college towns across America.

Though hardcore dominated the American underground at the time, the indie scene was no less vital and operated utilizing many of the distribution channels hardcore set up. The two genres may have sounded nothing alike, but the DiY ethos and dedication to community was the same… But this isn’t the story we’re used to hearing. While noted underground archivist and compilation producer Johan Kugelberg has called the ‘80s the “Dark Ages” of indie rock, Strum & Thrum aims to shed light on this forgotten era of jangly, melodic rock music that emerged from the ashes of post punk and helped kick start the indie rock boom of the early ‘90s that continues to this day. Indeed, many artists featured on Strum & Thrum went on to be part of this boom – Archer Prewitt from the Sea & Cake, Jon Ginoli from Pansy Division, Ric Menck from Velvet Crush, Brent Rademaker from Beachwood Sparks, Barbara Manning, and more went on to be in well known bands in the ‘90s.

We’re very proud of this compilation and guarantee it’s an essential listen for any fan of classic ‘80s indie bands like the Go-Betweens, Felt, the Church, the Bats, Shop Assistants, and the like. And if you’re a fan of the early records Captured Tracks released by Beach Fossils, DIIV and Wild Nothing, you’ll find a lot to love here as well.

Spread across two LPs, Strum & Thrum includes an 80+ page booklet with an extensive oral history of the ‘80s indie scene, an introduction by Captured Tracks label head Mike Sniper, and tons of archival images and ephemera. Long live the jangle underground!

credits

released November 13, 2020

license

total		USD

about

Strum & Thrum

Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987 is the first volume of Captured Tracks' new venture into compilations – Excavations.

contact / help

Contact Strum & Thrum

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Strum & Thrum, you may also like:

Hunger for a Way Out
by Sweeping Promises

supported by 116 fans who also own “Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987”

From the powerful vocals to the catchy bass lines, this is an instant classic. If there was anything that has helped me get through this pandemic, it was this album and the hopes of seeing it performed live one day. eternal beige
go to album
ALPHABETLAND
by X

supported by 116 fans who also own “Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR, easily. effortlessly on a par with X's vintage catalogue, "Alphabetland" is a solid testimony of a band as vibrant, creative and urgent as ever. Honestly, it's THAT good. Strongly recommended. ramblinerikk
go to album
UNTITLED (Black Is)
by SAULT

supported by 103 fans who also own “Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987”

Songs filled with love and rage. Mourning [A] BLKstar meets D'Angelo on the streets - music to live by! chrisjulien
go to album
Altars
by Old Moon

Jangly, hooky post-punk from New Hampshire that strikes that key balance from its '80s forebears of romanticism and gloom. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 6, 2021
go to album
Butch Spring
by Sara Renberg

Sweet, sharp indie rock from PA's Sara Renberg reflects the fluidity of queer identities & relationships through personal storytelling. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 9, 2021
go to album
Pete Yorn Sings The Classics
by Pete Yorn

On his new LP, Pete Yorn offers his take on classic songs by The Pixies, Roxy Music, The Beach Boys, & more. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 17, 2021
go to album
Punisher
by Phoebe Bridgers

supported by 97 fans who also own “Strum & Thrum: The American Jangle Underground 1983-1987”

Can't be described as anything but an emotional powder-keg. Without a doubt deserves to be called the best album of 2020. Emily Violet
go to album

Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Appearances from Injury Reserve, Damu The Fudgemunk, plus Bluestaeb drops off his recent project

listen now