"Capitalism, Inc."

The original "Capitalism, Inc." cassette release from 1986 was a result of both technology and frustration. The core duo of Pink Bob and Brian Keys had come off of a brief stint with a horrible so-called "punk" band which devoted much more attention to outrageous behaviour than to actual music, and they were keen to get back into the home studio by mid-1985.

A number of tunes were written, but several tracks were scrapped because they simply wouldn't all fit onto the tiny tape with so few tracks. By the beginning of 1986, Pink Bob had invested in a DX-7 digital synthesizer and a QX-7 sequencer, and the boys were back in business. By the summer of 1986, the first take on "Capitalism, Inc." was completed and released to a yawning public.

In 1987, Pink and Brian took all of the original 4-track recordings over to Willie Wells' studio and let an experienced "real" engineer have a whack at them. The idea was to put out either a vinyl LP or at least a 7" 33 RPM EP, but vinyl was giving way to compact disc and the Home Recordings/Fot label decided to cancel all pending vinyl releases. The mixes were shelved and Brian Keys vanished from the scene before they were dusted off for "Capitalism, Inc. 1992".

Also released on cassette only, "CI '92" consisted of many of the remixes from 1987 but not all of them. Some songs were dumped outright, and others were re-recorded by Pink Bob and guitar virtuoso Tommy O'Donnell (ex-Something Brothers). New tracks were also penned to replace material abandoned from the original. While Pink hoped the new duo with O'Donnell would pick up where the last one left off, Tommy decided to devote some time to intensive guitar study instead and the handfull of recordings on this version of "Capitalism, Inc." are all that exist. Tommy returned, however, on both the Tiny Tim CD I Love Me and "Liars, Cheats and Acid Freaks" in a supporting role.

There were actually two versions of "CI '92", the most common of which was the repackaged version from 1993 which bears the title "Capitalism, Inc. 1993". In spite of the extra added confusion, "CI '93" and "CI '92" were musically identical. The original version of the release recycled packaging from the 1986 version with an additional insert containing song listing and credits. Very few were made, and most of those were sent out for promotional purposes.

With the advent of affordable CD recorders, the ultimate version of the project was released six years later as "Capitalism, Inc. 1998". Completely remastered from the original stereo mixes, this incarnation finally allows listeners the luxury of hearing these quirky songs on compact disc for the first time, with the entire "Blasphemous Music" EP plus Pink's 1997 composition "This Must Be the Heartland" as bonus tracks.

Capitalism, Inc. 1998

1. Adolf, Inc. (Tommy O'Donnell/Pink Bob)
2. Ballad of the Green Beret (B. Saddler, R.I.W.)
3. Theoretical Concerto #1 (Pink Bob)
4. Lead a Horse to Water (Brian Keys/Pink Bob)
5. Spelunker's Theme (Tommy O'Donnell)
6. All-American Mom (Pink Bob)
7. -CENSORED- (Pink Bob)
8. A Lesson in Space (Brian Keys/Pink Bob)
9. Capitalism, Inc. (Pink Bob)
10. Mutton Stew (Pink Bob)
11. Intimate Lightning (Scott Lucas/Brian Keys/Pink Bob)
12. Ass Soul (Pink Bob)
13. Onward (Brian Keys/Pink Bob)
14. S.L.P. (Pink Bob/Brian Keys)
15. Nowhere Man (You Know Who)
16. Why Do You Think They Call It "Rearing Your Children"? (Pink Bob/Brian Keys)
17. The Underbelly's Showing (Brian Keys/Pink Bob)
18. Secret Dave & Michael Goodrich vs. Bob Dylan (Secret Dave/Michael Goodrich)
19. Opus March (Pink Bob)
20. My Car (Pink Bob)
21. Our National Anthem (arr. Pink Bob)
22. This Must Be the Heartland (Pink Bob)
23. An Introduction (Pink Bob/Brian Keys)
24. Old Man Campo Santo (Pink Bob)
25. Jimmy Swaggart's Dick (Brian Keys/Pink Bob)
26. The "N" Word (Brian Keys with Scott Lucas/Pink Bob)

Musicians:

Pink Bob Vocals, Keyboards, Drum Machine, Sequencing, Guitars, Bass, Kazoo, Tapes, Trumpet, Violin, Guitar synth (all tracks)
Brian Keys Bass, Vocals, Guitars, Tapes, Keyboards, Sequencing, Violin (7-14, 16, 17, 19-21, 24-26)
Tommy O'Donnell Guitars, Effects (1, 4-6, 10, 11, 24-26)
Scott Lucas Drums, Keyboards, Drum Machine, Vocals, Guitars (9, 11-13, 20, 25)
Michael Goodrich Guitars, Drums, Vocals, Whistling (9, 15, 18)
James McMannus Trumpets, Banjo (10, 15)
Edwin Pierce Guitar Solo (9)
Rob Reed Marimba (9)
George Ludwig Fretless Bass (19)
Gary Hicks Harmonica (22)
Mike Williams Guitar (22)
Darrell Williams Guitar (22)
Shawn Samii Bass (22)
Kurt Kelly Drums (22)
Shawn Freed Vocals (12, 13)
Nancy Retterer Vocals (2)
Willie Wells Tapes, Effects (2, 7)
Chuck Fudge Treatments & Mixing (5)
Dean Carlson Backing Grunts (2)

Produced and Engineered by Pink Bob with Brian Keys, Scott Lucas, Ed Perce, and Chuch Fudge.
Recorded and Mixed at the various Sedistudios except 22, recorded at Shiny on Top.
Mixed by Willie Wells, Pink Bob, Scott Lucas, Tommy O'Donnell and Chuck Fudge.
Mastered by Pink Bob at Sedistudio Lexington.
Packaging design and layout: Pink Bob.