The Outsiders
Isaac Slusarenko has, through his two Jackpot Records outlets in Portland, already made a sizable mark on the musical landscape and the bank accounts of our fair city. Their annual Film Festival has showcased an impressive array of rare and classic music videos, live performance footage, and documentaries about bands and artists big and small. Their in store appearances by the likes of Thurston Moore, Menomena, or Rodriguez are always packed with music lovers and curiosity seekers. And their well-curated stores are a vinyl collector’s dream, forcing us to choose between the latest releases in from around the world, and a brilliant stock of used gems.
All of this, though could be quickly eclipsed by their work running their self-named record label. This Jackpot Records has been a collector’s dream. They’ve released a number of jaw-dropping reissues (almost all of them on vinyl only, natch) including the first three LPs recorded by Jandek, the complete recorded works of local heroes The Wipers, and some obscure ’60s psych classics.
Recently, though, they outdid themselves by finally pulling into the light of day the third and final album by Dutch garage rockers The Outsiders. Entitled CQ, this Nederbeat gem foresees the world of punk, the new wave of British heavy metal, and the current class of stoner rockers that are combining the two in exciting and unusual ways.
Hell, don’t just take my word for it, have a listen to a track and read below what Jackpot Records has to say about this reissue.
With The Outsiders still spoken of in hushed tones in even the deepest circles, we’re thrilled to help shine some light on what might be one of the most underrated bands ever. Originally released in Holland in October 1968, “CQ” (pronounced “Seek You”) was the third and final album by Dutch garage punks The Outsiders. These rowdy teenagers from Amsterdam were part of the thriving “Nederbeat” scene with the band taking their cues from British and Stateside garage acts of the day (including singing entirely in English). “CQ” spans R&B, spacey experimental numbers, folk rock and a revved-up kind of punk that pre-dates the angular moodiness of what would become the no wave/post punk sound a decade later. This unpredictable stylistic approach, when coupled with across-the-board amazing songs, make this one of the masterpieces of late 60’s psychedelic garage rock, and a cornerstone album of the genre.
Pressed in a vinyl-only limited edition, this deluxe reissue is replicated precisely with gorgeous silver foil cover art. Extensive liner notes include a 2009 interview with lead guitarist Ronnie Splinter about the recording of the album and an exclusive introduction by Mike Stax, editor of Ugly Things magazine.
