Photo by John Muheim
Revisiting the creative kinship forged more than a generation ago, legendary punks 7Seconds, along with hardcore pillar Ian MacKaye have connected to give the reissue treatment to their 1986 collaboration, New Wind.
The album was first produced by MacKaye back in 1986 and originally released by seminal DIY punk label, BYO Records. For the refreshed edition, MacKaye is along with Kevin Seconds have compiled a reimagined version of the original 1988 release.
The reissue of the album will also feature two previously unreleased tracks from those pivotal D.C. recording sessions with “Change In My Head” and “Compro” - in addition to the fully redone version by MacKaye. The former of the tandem is also the title track for updated edition of the full length release and is now being released as the preview of the spring release.
The 1986 release of New Wind was a considered a hugely pivotal moment for 7Seconds. Held in high regard for their pioneering, melodic hardcore sound, the 1985/86 sessions found the band at a creative crossroads - adamant on evolving as players and songwriters while still looking to maintain their integrity and ethos.
Aligning with MacKaye to take on the role as producer, 7Seconds split their time between Inner Ear Studios in Washington D.C. in the Fall of 1985 and Radio Tokyo Studios in Venice, CA early the following year to piece together what would become one of their most celebrated full length efforts.
Kevin Seconds recalling the significance that era for the band, “The whole time period, between the winter of 1985 and all throughout 1986, was arguably the most important and life-changing period for 7SECONDS. We all were starting to feel like the adults that we fought so rigorously to never become. Members were getting married, having kids, trying to hold down real jobs and face responsibilities while still maintaining our so-called "hardcore cred" and attempting to feel relevant. It was an incredibly emotional and complicated time for all of us but man, did it ever make us tough and more determined to do what we wanted to do as creative people and as a band.”
Steve Youth of 7Seconds shared how shifting stylistically was a gamble, but a move that was indicative of the band at the time. "There were certainly bands that came before us. Bad Religion, they made records like Into the Unknown, where they shifted their sounds. People were calling T.S.O.L. L.O.S.T, but I loved their second album, Beneath the Shadows, which is more melodic and psychedelic. The Rites of Spring record was also very important to me. Egg Hunt. The boys were listening to U2 as well as the Buck Pets. I was listening to nothing but metal: Metallica, Megadeth, Dark Angel, but I was also listening to a lot of R.E.M.”
New Wind and Change In My Head will be made available as one release. The album lands May 23 via Trust Records, in partnership with BYO Records. The vinyl release is packaged with a 24-page retrospective featuring unseen photographs, show flyers and memorabilia from the era.
To further celebrate the new release and reissue, Ian MacKaye and Kevin Seconds have announced a Live In Conversation guest appearance set for April 15th at Brain Dead Studios in Los Angeles. The event will feature an at length discussion between the two punk pioneers, revisiting the New Wind sessions and the decision to reimagine the project at Change In My Head decades later. Tickets and info are available - HERE
New Wind / Change In My Head arrives May 23rd via Trust Records in partnership with BYO Records. Pre-order the release - HERE
