How to hear a lot of great Huntsville music in less than an hour – AL.com

Back when Andy Vaughn was a teenager, he purchased a compilation album at Sunburst Records on Jordan Lane. “It opened up a whole world of local music I was unaware of as a 14-year-old,” Vaughn recalls.

The comp Vaughn bought at Sunburst, a beloved Huntsville retailer that shuttered in the aughts, was titled “F— The East Bay, This Is N.O.K.”

The abbreviation N.O.K. stood for Nation Of Kids, which was a small, Huntsville-based punk-rock label. The East Bay refers to the San Francisco-era punk hotbed that launched bands like Green Day and Rancid.

Released in 1997, this 30-track affair featured tracks from underground Huntsville-area bands like The Peeps, Pink Collar Jobs, 565 Burnouts and Property.

“I love compilations in general,” Vaughn says, “because it’s a great way to find out about new bands.”

They’re efficient, too. Many compilation collections are under an hour in running time. A single disc of vinyl maxes out at around 22 minutes per side, while a CD can hold 74 minutes of music.

Of course, not every local standout is going to be repped on a comp. But they’re a great trailhead into a scene.

Other HSV-connected comps Vaughn’s fond of include “I’ve Got the Bible Belt Around My Throat. Released by Chicago imprint Foreign Legion Records, this one collects punk, hardcore and metal tracks from the likes of Knockabouts, Dead Pigeons, Jawas and Random Conflict.

Vaughn and wife Ashley Vaughn opened their own Huntsville record store, Vertical House Records, in spring 2007. It’s at arts center Lowe Mill.

In 2007, the Vaughns began releasing their own comps digitally. Called “Eargasms,” these well-curated compilations are available for download for free via the Vertical House website.

To date, Vertical House has released 13 volumes. Local artists to be featured range from classic indie-rockers Sex Clark Five to blog-famous rap duo G-Side to current coolest like Wanda Wesolowski and The N.E.I.G.H.B.O.R.S. Because they’re digital, Vertical House’s “Eargasm” can go long. Each volume contains anywhere from 15 to 60 songs.

Some of music’s most iconic comps ever include “Metal Massacre,” a 1982 album boasting first ever releases by future rock stars Metallica and Ratt, and “Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968,” featuring almost-famous garage-rock.

This summer, Decatur-based indie 10 Ton Records released a 10-song Huntsville-focused compilation called “Mixed Bag.” All tracks were recorded and produced by Jeremy Stephens, who owns both 10 Ton Records and Decatur’s Clearwave Studio.

Stephens learned his craft from Johnny Sandlin, the Alabama recording genius known for his work with the Allman Brothers.

As a teen, Stephens came about a Blue Note compilation album in a record store bargain bin. It introed him to a range of that famed jazz imprint’s artists.

Key local sounds on 10 Ton Records’ “Mixed Bag” comp include: Drop Diver’s punk-pop (“Doublespeak”); Camacho’s classic-rock swagger (“Broken Bridge”): and Lamont Landers’ R&B bona fides (“Into the Fold”).

“Those songs are really all over the map, as far as genre and stuff,” Stephens says. “That’s why it’s called ‘Mixed Bag.’ It just has to do with exposing people to a broader range of music. If you like Camacho then you’re probably going to like Drop Diver. ”

In addition to newer notables, “Mixed Bag” also has longtime local scene pillars. For example, Dave Anderson (Queen meets ELO gem “Welcome”) and James Irvin (Dire Straits/Elvis Costello-style track “Jacob”).

The comp also has music by a couple artists who aren’t based in the Huntsville area but play shows here. Birmingham songbird Taylor Hunnicutt is represented by twangy track “All Or Nothin’.”

“Mixed Bag” is available for streaming on platforms like Spotify. CD copies can be found at area retailers like Vertical House. More info at 10tonrecords.com.

Of course, in addition to being a local sampler, “Mixed Bag” serves as a sonic resume for Stephens’ studio. “But,” he says, “I definitely want to help these artists expand their fan bases.”

On Oct. 15, Vertical House presents Records & Retro 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Orion Amphitheater. The free event features around 100 vendors, as well as bands, food trucks and more. Info at theverticalhouse.com.

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