Touch & Go Records

86: Max Koshewa (from left), Ken Schenck, and Mac McNeilly. Photo by Mary Alexander.

Chunklet Industries is dusting off a crucial piece of Atlanta’s post-punk and new wave past with an online reissue of 86’s first two singles. The trio—featuring Mac McNeilly (before his seismic drumming found a home in the Jesus Lizard), Ken Schenck’s jagged guitar lines, and Max Koshewa’s brooding bass—captured a restless energy that redefined the city’s underground music scene in the early ’80s.

“Useless” and “Behind My Back” were recorded at Southern Sound in Knoxville, Tenn. in July of 1983. “Youth Culture” and “Inside” were laid down a year later 1984. Both singles were originally released via Knoxville’s short-lived indie label OHP Records. Placed together here, both singles channel the urgency of the era while hinting at the band’s singular presence in Atlanta.

Audio restoration duties for this new issue fell to Jason NeSmith at Chase Park Transduction, where the songs were delicately digitized from the original vinyl 7-inches. NeSmith applied subtle de-clicking and EQ adjustments, preserving the grit and urgency of the recordings while amplifying their visceral punch.

While 86 is often remembered as the band that gave McNeilly his start, these singles cement the group’s place as a vital force in Atlanta’s music history. And this is only the beginning: Chunklet reportedly has a trove of unreleased recordings from the 86 archives queued up for release later this year.

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Nearly 27 years after the tragic death of Brainiac frontman Tim Taylor brought an end to the group’s meteoric rise, the beloved Dayton, OH post-punk freak out ensemble is returning to stages once again. The group’s Surviving members—guitarist and vocalist John Schmersal, drummer Tyler Trent, and bass player Juan Monasterio—are paying homage to Brainiac’s fallen leader with the addition of guitarist, keyboard player, and vocalist Tim Krug of Dayton-based indie rockers Oh Condor as well as the electronic projects Hexadiode and Halicon.

From 1992–1997, Brainiac twisted the boundaries of indie rock, industrial music clatter and collage, and noise rock to the tune of a mangled Moog synthesizer. The group’s sound was truly revolutionary, as evidenced by their three steller full-lengths 1993’s Smack Bunny Baby, 1994’s Bonsai Superstar, and 1996’s Hissing Prigs in Static Couture.

The group’s final offering, 1997’s Jim O’Rourke-produced Electro-Shock for President EP offered just a hint at the bold and engaging new sounds the group had in store. But Taylor’s death in a single car accident that same year marked the end for Brainiac.

Cincinnati’s drums and cello two-piece Lung opens the show with a set of blackened and apocalyptic post-grunge, post-goth dirges.

Brainiac and Lung play The Earl’s 25th anniversary celebration. Monday, February 5, 2024. $22 (adv). $25 (doors).

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Tag: Touch & Go Records

86’s first two 7-inches restored and reissued

Brainiac and Lung play The Earl’s 25th anniversary celebration on Monday, February 5