Avail — Each Other Demo 1988

It looks like this is an SHZ exclusive! I can't find any record of this online, but it's nevertheless definitely early Avail. If the 1988 is true, this would be one of the first things the band ever recorded, when they were still a bunch of kids based in Reston, Virginia, up near DC. It's likely that Tim Barry isn't even on this record, or if he is he's probably on drums. But the music is still that brilliant blend of roots rock'n'roll and impressive lyricism with all the energy of hardcore. It sounds like this is probably a rip off of a cassette, with a few stutters, but overall sound quality is pretty good. Most of the songs appear to be original and don't ever appear elsewhere, with the exceptions of "Bob's Crew," which resurfaces on Satiate (their first LP), and the music of "Who Agrees," which was reworked into "Armchair" on 4AM Friday almost a decade later. It also has "Hope," a weird acoustic song that also reappears on Satiate, but actually closes out the record really well. It's a solid early effort by an incredibly important Virginian band, even before they were in Richmond.

Avail — Each Other Demo 1988

Track Listing:

1. Bob's Crew
2. Aim To Reach
3. Who Agrees
4. One Half
5. Then And Now
6. Have They Won
7. 1 Divided By 2
8. Always
9. Make It Stop
10. Hope

Excerpted from Jade Tree Records: "What some may not realize about AVAIL is that, like most bands, they came from humble beginnings in suburban Reston, VA. They were just like any other kids rocking in their parents’ garage, but instead of ripping out covers or aping their heroes, AVAIL were defining their unique sound at a very early age. By the time Joe Banks (guitar), Tim Barry (vocals) and Beau Beau (cheerleader / uber-roadie) moved the band to Richmond in 1990, the group had already almost honed their effortless blend of the classic Southern rock and protest folk that was in their veins with the melodic skate punk that constantly filled their ears. The backdrop of everyday life in Richmond, though, proved to be the key ingredient in solidifying the band’s immediately recognizable sound. Barry’s tales of everyday struggle and triumph became inextricably tied to the life (and death) of his hometown, at once creating blue-collar anthems that are often not just highly personal, but also highly political. It’s this ability to seamlessly streamline both sonic and lyrical content (along with a relentless touring bug) that has truly made the songs of alienation, travel and anti-establishment triumph… legendary."

http://www.myspace.com/availrva
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avail