Here is a list of the in print GTG Records catalog; high quality downloads are available at the Big Gig / GTG webstore. Updated 1/9/2013
OUT NOW:
The Hat Madder “Orgy Opposite” LP (GTG060)
The Hat Madder have outdone themselves with Orgy Opposite. This time around the pop songs are catchier, the noisy songs are crazier, the instrumentation is more adventurous (strings? drum loops? church organ? wha?!?!?), and the arrangements are bigger. But whereas many bands would fall flat in the face of their own ambitions, Isaac and co. hold it all together and it’s one of the great records that is not only engaging on the first listen but also a grower that rewards repeated listens. “A fine piece of vaguely grungy, semi-new wavey, pop-rock goodness” – Razorcake. Mixed by Scott Bozack, 12″ LP mastered by Jim Diamond. $10
Digital download available here and here.
The Need You Nows “Joey Lawrence Pubic Domain” (GTG059) 
Another “Snowhawk” to real-world offender, this band finds two Plurals and one Frank and Earnester (we’ve gotta find a better way to simplify that) playing dumb, catchy, pop-punk that they probably think is more clever than it is. Originally available as a limited release at GTG Fest 2012, you can download these 7 glorious songs for a pay what you want price (proceeds going to put out more sweet GTG releases!) at bandcamp.
Not the Bees “Another Hour to Burn” CD (GTG058)
Debut EP from melodic north Jersey basement punks. The Hot Water Music influence is not understated by any means, but the guys aren’t afraid of doing their own thing, dipping into catchy Face to Face style choruses or embracing atmospheric, almost psychedelic, musical interludes. 5 great tunes of working class, enduring punk rock anthems. Features killer art by Jersey artist/ musician/ filmmaker Anthony Catanese. Get sweaty and shout along. $5
Various Artists “Secret Identities: Lansing Covers Lansing” CD (GTG056)
A tribute to the capital city home of GTG Records, Secret Identities was compiled by Sean Bradley of LansingMusicTV, who co-released this CD with GTG Records. A wide rang of genres from folk to hardcore to punk to pop, spanning artists from the 1960s to today, are covered here, featuring performances by many GTG bands (The Plurals, Narc Out the Reds, Small Houses, Frank and Earnest, Drinking Mercury, Jason Alarm, The Break-Ups) and other great Lansing bands (Calliope, Fields of Industry, Cavalcade, American Gothic). Artists covered on the compilation include Small Brown Bike, Flatfoot, The Fix, The Ones, Jen Sygit, Ronnie Hernandez and the Sweet Energy, Cathy Illman and more. By no means a definitive catch-all for the great and diverse music of Lansing, but a decent place to start. $5
Small Houses “North” CD (GTG055)
New full-length from Jeremy Quentin’s Small Houses project. This album finds Small Houses exploring the more subdued and melancholy textures of their indie-folk sound, with Quentin’s vulnerable voice and intricate guitar playing firmly in center stage. A definite-must listen for the Johnny-come-latelys of the Mumford and Sons crowd – this is the real deal, begrudging midwestern stoicism intact. $8
Drinking Mercury “Orcades” full-length CD (GTG054)
The long-awaited full-length album from GTG’s spacey godfathers. Dreamy folk-rock, noisy shoegaze, and classic alternative rock sounds intermingle within a 13 track song cycle. “The vocals are absolutely amazing and all the musicians are extremely talented at what they do. The dynamics are complicated and beautiful, and it’s just awesome.” - Idle and the Bear. $7
CD Out of Print, Download at Bandcamp!
Frank and Earnest/ The Plurals “Funemployment” split 7-inch (GTG051)
2 brand new songs apiece from the crown/clown prince/princesses (we’ll let you decide who’s who) of GTG. The Plurals turn in anthemic paeans to dissatisfaction, while Frank and Earnest continue down the ragged midwestern singer-songwriter punk path of last year’s excellent Old Francis.Recorded in a weekend in the spring of 2011 and available on a fine slab of 7-inch vinyl (digital download code included), Funemployment is a great new addition to the catalog of two of Michigan’s finest. $5
Honah Lee “Life Won’t Let Me” (GTG049)
9 songs from the hardworking New Jersey party machine Honah Lee that find the boys confronting the reality of “growing up” and deciding to give life the finger and crank up the guitars. The songs are catchy and the guitars are wailing with all pretense checked in at the door, creating an infectious sound recalling everything from the early (more rockin’) days of Foo Fighters, Weezer, and The Replacements to the anthemic punk rock of Against Me! and regional brethren The Bouncing Souls. A must for anyone who wants a wicked soundtrack to live life by their own terms. $7
The Plurals “The Plurals Today, The Plurals Tomorrow: A Futurospective” (GTG047)
A 9 song rush of pop-infused garage-punk-alt-whatever, concisely crafted and busted out by The Plurals mostly live in the studio. Eric Merckling (CrookedSound) returns to the mixing desk for what has already been declared the finest work by The Plurals to date. “It’s their Zen Arcade, their Double Nickels. The record where they truly put to disc what we’ve always seen them do live. Futurospective is the past and the future all in one place, with a voice that is undeniably their own. No hype, no bandwagon-jumping, no bullshit. Album of the year, hands down.” – Ryan @ Lexington Music Press. $7
Various Artists “The Metaphorical Steven” (GTG046)
Brand new 15 song compilation of the GTG Records crew in the first half of 2011. All of these songs were released between spring 2010 and spring 2011, with some of the songs being exclusive to this compilation. This compilation is available for free download here (although donations are welcome). Featuring a nice ride of sounds ranging from pop to noise, acoustic to bombastic, and tranquil to heavy, The Metaphorical Steven captures the feeling of this particular music scene at this particular time. Artwork by Dave Dunn. Features songs from The Hat Madder, Frank and Earnest, The Plurals, Small Houses, Drinking Mercury, Honah Lee, Josh David and the Dream Jeans, Calliope, middleman, Stargrazer, Jason Alarm, Fade to Black, CrookedSound, and The Break-Ups.
Drinking Mercury “Words” (GTG045)
Six tracks culled from the sessions for the group’s as-yet-untitled long awaited full-length album due out this summer. “Words” features psychedelic melodic rock with folk and shoegaze leanings throughout and is the first release from the band since 2006. Serving as both a crash course in the decade-long evolution of Drinking Mercury and a teaser for a long overdue full-length from the band, Sean Bradley of Lansing Music TV calls the EP “infectious and instantly recognizable.” $5
The Plurals “Austin Gump” (GTG043)
Digital-only 5 song offering from The Plurals, featuring 3 new “rawk” tunes recorded by Isaac Vander Schuur (The Hat Madder) and 2 acousticky tracks cut with Eric Merckling (CrookedSound). A nice little slice of what is to come from the perennial GTG trio, with the pull of both noise and pop resulting in a great little musical tug of war. Download it at the Big Gig / GTG webstore. $3 download in wav, mp3, whatevea w/ artwork.
Various Artists “Explosions: Lansing Salutes Devo” (GTG042)
A years in the making compilation / tribute to Devo finally comes to light courtesy of GTG. Many GTG artists are featured on this compilation (The Hat Madder, The Plurals, Narc Out the Reds, Frank and Earnest) along with some friends we’ve worked with many times and some people we’re psyched to finally get a chance to work with (particularly Thick Records artist Calliope, longtime staples of the Lansing music scene and a personal favorite of the GTG crew). The end result is a fantastic joyride through the Devo catalog ranging from faithful renditions to dramatic re-interpretations. Recommended for fans of Devo and any of the artists involved, or just anyone curious about music… so… everyone! Listen to it on bandcamp!
Stargrazer “Trieste” (GTG039)
A fascinating instrumental interpretation of a dive to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in 1960 by the submarine Trieste. This EP is perhaps the most unique contribution to the GTG catalog, which has already been described by the British music site Oh Drat as a “compelling narrative that left me feeling electric.” Download it for a pay-what-you want price over at Stargrazer’s bandcamp page.
Frank and Earnest “Old Francis” (GTG038)
Another debut release from an up-and-coming Michigan band that features ex-and current members of The Cartridge Family, The Tease, Hell or Highwater and Shoelace. Frank and Earnest weave story-telling and melodic punk into an engaging mix that will leave the listener checking the liner notes to “dog-ear” their favorite clever turns of phrase and quote-ables. Featuring art from ubiquitous superstar graphic artist Craig Horky, the 8 songs on this release stand as a primer for those about to enter uninspiring working class midwestern life. Frank and Earnest, much like the comic strip characters, deliver honest and heartfelt observations through a full-time shit-eating grin. A must for fans of the Lawrence Arms, Lucero or anyone that enjoys solid, catchy singer-songwriter rock n’ roll. (co-release w/ Bermuda Mohawk Productions!) $5
CD Out of Print, download at bandcamp.
MK Ultra Culkin “Homeland Insecurity” (GTG037)
Post-hardcore punk revival with a wicked sense of humor, these punk rock soldiers have been slaving away in dank basements and dive bars for years, delivering an intense attack of a live show whether playing to a packed space or an empty room. Soupy guitars that recall a spaced-out Greg Ginn wash over the wall of distorted bass and harsh cymbals that always seem to be on the verge of losing control but somehow hang together, while Liz Garcia’s wide-eyed vocal shrieks and murmurs flail atop the rush of noise. Loud and fast with no time given to think about what’s going on; this band is a frantic journey of dissonance that will leave you bewildered. (co-release with Silver Maple Kill Records!) $5
The Plurals/ Honah Lee “Lick It EP Split” (GTG034)
A 16 minute musical joyride with three new songs from Lansing, Michigan’s perennial “post-fun” power trio The Plurals, and three tales of hard-partying working-man powerpop courtesy of Trenton, NJ’s Honah Lee. The three Plurals each sing a new song, rushing by in a blur of pop, atmosphere, noise, and frustration, while Honah Lee kick your ass with some of the catchiest and in-your-face hooky pop/rock that Rivers Cuomo wishes he could still write. This EP is the sound of two bands on a roll, hitting the road with full-force and hoping they crash into each other. $5
Narc Out the Reds “… Are on the Run” (GTG033)
Frantic, disjointed, constantly- moving, paranoid sounding pop/ rock, orbiting in some post-punk world between Cheap Trick and Shudder to Think. Chris Baratono’s powerful vocals, ranging from sweet, Queen-esque falsetto to gut-wrenching screams, are the cherry on top of the engaging noise-pop musical attack, and the hooks are so catchy they’ll be drilled into your skull before the end of this disc’s first spin. Put it on and hit repeat, and pretend that no one is watching you. $5
The Hat Madder “Rogue Notes and Phones” (GTG031)
Michigan trio that fully embodies the fusion of pop and noise that the mitten specializes in. Fuzzy guitars, pummeling drums, big choruses, and sugary vocals swim around with ambient keyboards in an anthemic noise-pop stew. Led by sound wizard Isaac Vander Schuur, these guys employ a tri-vocal attack and an intense energy at live shows that is almost tiring to watch. Rock and roll that will blow your mind and your ears. CD Out of Print. Download at Big Gig Productions.
The Break-Ups/ Head and Toe “GTG Sessions” (GTG027)
Split album from GTG mainstays, as well as a final offering from Lansing folk favorites Head and Toe. 5 songs apiece, with big guitars and sizzling pop from The Break-Ups, gentle melodies and stirring strings from Head and Toe, and lush vocal harmonies throughout. $5
The Plurals “The Broadside Sessions” (GTG025)
5 songs pumped out in one day, mostly live, with noisier, punkier textures from the Lansing trio. $5
The Plurals “Whatevers Forever” (GTG021).
10 song full-length of heavy pop and spacey stuff chock full of harmonies and storming guitars. $5
The Break-Ups “Skulls and Stuff” (GTG020)
7 song cycle of youthful emotions, ranging from the frustration of “Beautiful Tragedy,” “Pratt Lake Road,” and “Revolution Summer,” the anger of “The Bodyguard,” the maturing sadness of “Loyal,” the jubilation of “New Wave Jessi,” and the painful honesty of “Pure,” all wrapped up in a dense 90s alt rock flavor akin to Hum or Foo Fighters, soaked in group vocal harmonies both haunting and sweet. $5
