Fecal Matter was a punk rock band from Aberdeen, Washington. The group was formed in 1985 by Kurt Cobain, the future frontman of Nirvana, along with Dale Crover of the Melvins and drummer Greg Hokanson. Melvins members Buzz Osborne (also known as "King Buzzo") and Mike Dillard appeared in a later version of the band during rehearsals the following year. The band was short-lived, disbanding in 1986.
Songs from the group's sole recording session were issued as the 'Illiteracy Will Prevail' demo tape. With the exception of the song "Spank Thru", the tracks from this session remain unreleased officially. A re-recording of "Downer" was also released on the first Nirvana album, 'Bleach'. 'Illiteracy Will Prevail' is the earliest documentation of Cobain's songwriting in circulation, and helped Cobain establish himself as a composer and performer among his peers in the emerging grunge scene in Washington State.
Although the band had become inactive, Cobain continued passing around the Fecal Matter demo tape to friends and peers. His acquaintance Krist Novoselic, with whom Cobain had briefly jammed previously and had wanted to collaborate for some time, heard the tape and particularly liked the song "Spank Thru". The two agreed to form a band, which eventually became Nirvana. They began rehearsals later in 1986 for the new project, and reused the Fecal Matter songs "Downer", "Anorexorcist", and "Spank Thru". Novoselic later mentioned in the liner notes for the 'From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah' live album that "Spank Thru" was "...the first Nirvana song" and it is perhaps the earliest known example of what would become Nirvana's signature combination of punk energy, noise, and pop melodies.
"Spank Thru" has been featured on several official Nirvana releases and was performed live numerous times early in the band's career: January 1988 during the band's first studio recording session and a second version was recorded a few months later. This second version was included on the 'Sub Pop 200' compilation released in December 1988, making it the third ever Nirvana song to be officially released. Later in 1989, "Spank Thru" was also recorded at the band's first BBC Peel Session.
"Spank Thru" holds the distinction of being the only Fecal Matter song played live after 1988. It was included on many 'Bleach'-era setlists and rarely on 'Nevermind'-era setlists.
Officially released live versions include: a 1990 live version that was included the UK "Sliver" CD single pressing and later deluxe versions of 'Bleach', a 1991 version included on the 'From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah' live album, and the band's 1992 'Live at Reading' performance.
A video recording of a 1988 band rehearsal performance was included on the 2004 'With the Lights Out' boxed set's DVD.
The 2005 Nirvana rarities album 'Sliver: The Best of the Box' included the original "Spank Thru" recording; this is the first and only official release of any recording from 'Illiteracy Will Prevail'.
"Downer" was re-recorded by Nirvana in January 1988 during the band's first studio recording session. Although originally omitted, "Downer" was eventually added to Nirvana's 'Bleach' album starting with its 1992 reissue and was part of the 'Incesticide' compilation also released that same year.
The song "Anorexorcist", part of a nine-minute medley on the Fecal Matter demo, was on setlists of several early Nirvana shows. "Anorexorcist" was played during a 1987 performance on KAOS when the band was named Skid Row; this performance was eventually officially released on the 'With the Lights Out' boxed set.
'Illiteracy Will Prevail' remained a highly sought-after and elusive item for collectors as Nirvana rose to fame, and became notorious for forged versions being bootlegged as being the demo. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]
Label:
Not On Label (Fecal Matter Self-released) – none
Format:
Cassette
Country:
US
Released:
1986
Style:
Sludge Metal, Grunge, Punk Rock, Lo-Fi, Pigfuck, Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Noise Rock
Tracklist:
A1 Sound Of Dentage 3:42
A2 Untitled 1:19
A3 Bambi Slaughter 3:25
A4 Laminated Effect 2:11
A5 Untitled 2:40
A6 Untitled 4:01
A7 Untitled 1:57
A8 Untitled 9:16
B1 Untitled 4:35
B2 Spank Thru 3:52
B3 Untitled 1:31
B4 Class Of '86 4:20
B5 Blather's Log 2:29
B6 Downer 3:04
B7 Untitled 1:41
B8 Turn Around 2:07
B9 Untitled 6:13
Notes:
Recorded on a TEAC A-2340 four-track recorder at Burien, Washington in December 1985 (according to Michael Azerrad) or Easter 1986 (according to Gillian Gaar).
Tracks A2, A5 - A8, B1, B3, B6, B7 and B9 are not indicated on the cover. Only tracks A1, A3, A4, B2, B4 and B5 are listed.
Track B8 is "Turn Around" by Devo. Nirvana later covered the song on their 1992 album 'Incesticide'.
Track B9 contains the guitar riffs to all the songs on the album.
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