The Benefit of Things to Come is a digital compilation created to support the new field hospital built by volunteers in Bergamo, Italy.
It features 19 previously unreleased tracks by 19 bands from the WILD HONEY RECORDS catalog.
Available only through the label’s bandcamp site. 100% of proceeds will be donated.
This is only Rock’n’Roll, they often say. When we started goin’ to shows, or buying records, we were attracted by the excitement of it, the electrifying music, the cool aestethic, the mysterious aura and the way it made you feel you were not alone.
But there was always something more.
We loved the music, indeed, and the culture behind it. But we also believed something beyond the form. An ethic that comes from Punk, or even from before: don’t be afraid, find your voice, use it, do it yourself.
We craft this everyday, even without noticing: booking poorly attended shows, photocopying fanzines, writing stupid songs, investing all your time and money in an underground record label nobody has heard of.
We’re based in Bergamo, north of Italy. The worst-hit city by the coronavirus outbreak. One night, army vehicles had to transport dead bodies out of the region as the city crematorium was struggling to keep pace.
In these dark nights, I found myself sheltering inside and working on the label, and using the music to kill the constant sound of ambulance sirens.
Then, suddenly, friends and bands from all over the world started reaching out. They sent love, hope, and even songs.
They didn’t forget I once helped them releasing a record, or booking a show, or giving them a place to stay.
So, this reminded me a simple thing: this thing we have, and changed our life, is a powerful tool. And we don’t have to be afraid to use.
To us, this is not only exciting music but our own rebellion, to show the world there is another way.
And we want to use our label to do something good.
Some “rock’n’rollers” recently declared that music should stop out of “respect” in these times and take a backseat. I’m glad the bands on my label disagree with this, and my rock’n’roll community is helping my daily community in the best way they can
Is this only rock’n’roll?
credits
released April 16, 2020
The Benefit of Thngs to Come
All bands on the compilation have released records on Wild Honey; for this occasion, each band donated a previously unreleased song.
Some of the tracks were written and recorded during the quarantine (Langhorne Slim, Freez), some are outtakes from previous releases (Doug Tuttle, The Midnight Kings, The Midwest Beat), some are covers (The Peawees, The Rubinoos, Miss Chain & the Broken Heels, The Midnight Kings), and others are demo or alternate versions of the band’s catalog (Kenny Tudrick, John Paul Keith, Radio Birdman, Bad Sports).
Layout by Chris “Chopper” Capelle
Mastering by Riccardo Zamboni
A triumphant Beatles cover in support of Ukraine, featuring members of Faith No More, Rammstein, and many more; all proceeds benefit UNICEF. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2022