LABEL SHOWCASE: REFLEX RECORDS

Reflex Records was established by Hüsker Dü and friend/record store owner/sound engineer Terry Katzman as a ‘reflex’ against their 3 song demo being rejected by local Minneapolis label Twin/Tone (the story goes that the three owners all liked a different song, so they passed as they couldn’t come to a unanimous verdict). This led them down the DIY path, in which they released their first single themselves, the Statues/Amusement 7” in 1981.

They soon began releasing records and compilations of local artists showcasing the Twin Cities music scene, with many of the records being produced by Bob Mould, Terry Katzman and with artwork from Grant Hart (under the ‘Fake Name Graphx’ pseudonym). The label’s catalogue numbering system was unique, with each release being a letter - ‘REFLEX A’, ‘B’ and so on. Reflex never suffered the dilemma of finishing the alphabet with their catalogue system, as REFLEX M, Ground Zero’s ‘Pink’ LP, was its final release in 1985.

Some Reflex releases were reissued by Terry Katzman on his Garage D’Or label between 1998 and his death in 2019, with other releases being reissued by other labels and some never receiving a reissue. The Reflex name has been revived in recent years for some Hüsker Dü releases, though in name only as they were released through other labels. (‘Statues/Amusement’, ‘In A Free Land’ & ‘Savage Young Dü’ on Numero Group, ‘Tonite Longhorn’ on MVD Audio).

REFLEX RECORDS DISCOGRAPHY

REFLEX A - Hüsker Dü - Statues/Amusement [7” single] (1981)

The first record release by Hüsker Dü, a double-A-side release with Grant Hart’s ‘Statues’ and Bob Mould’s ‘Amusement’.

Statues was recorded at Blackberry Way Studio in June 1980, with Amusement being a live recording from Duffy’s in Minneapolis on the 27th October 1980 (recorded by Terry Katzman).

While the Hüskers had a local reputation of having short, fast punk tunes and would soon become ‘the fastest band in the world’ as hardcore punk trailblazers, these two songs are unlike almost everything in their repertoire, even at the time, being slower numbers more akin to post-punk groups of the time.

The 7” was reissued as a 2x7” by Numero Group on Record Store Day 2013 with outtakes ‘Writer’s Cramp’ and ‘Let’s Go Die’. All four of these songs are available on Numero’s 2017 ‘Savage Young Dü’ 3CD/4LP box set. ‘Amusement’, ‘Let’s Go Die’ and a near-9 minute extended version of ‘Statues’ available on Rhino Records 1993 CD ‘Everything Falls Apart And More’ - this version of Statues is not available anywhere else.

REFLEX B - Barefoot and Pregnant [Cassette compilation] (1982)

Barefoot And Pregnant was sold as a zine (left) with the hand-dubbed and labelled cassette (middle) in a poly-bag. The tracklist (from the zine) is on the tight.

The second release on Reflex was a compilation showcasing 12 local bands on the Twin Cities underground music scene. The cassette format was a low-cost ($200 for the initial 100 copies) of representing and distributing the music. A DIY effort made possible with access to a 4-track, 2-track and a mixing board, with the bands submitting the cassettes and sending them out to fanzines and radio stations, the original liner notes feature the DIY challenge - “If you have constructive criticism, please pass it along. And if you don’t like it, see if you can do BETTER.”

Featuring Loud Fast Rules (later to become Soul Asylum), Hüsker Dü, Idol Threat (featuring Bradley J from later speed metal band Impaler) , Rifle Sport, In Decision (their only recorded release), The Replacements, Tulsa Jacks, Lou Santacroce, Man Sized Action, Mecht Mensch (featuring members of Tar Babies), Red Meat and Shiek.

In 1998, it was received a CD reissue by Terry Katzman on his ‘Garage D’Or’ label, with new artwork and liner notes.

REFLEX C - Kitten Kompilation [Cassette compilation] (1982)

Kitten Kompilation was similarly packaged to Barefoot and Pregnant but the cassette case had inlay artwork which can be seen above.

Following the local success of the Barefoot and Pregnant compilation earlier in the year, Reflex decided to do another cassette, though this time focusing on the live scene. Featuring 11 bands, some also featuring on the previous cassette, all tracks were recorded live at Goofy’s Upper Deck in Minneapolis (Bob Mould booked shows for this venue), the first side being from October 8th 1982, and the second side being from October 9th. Some early copies included a 16-page zine with a page submitted by each band, along with credits.

Featuring Proud Crass Fools (an alias of Loud Fast Rules), Propaganda (later to change their name to Civil Defense), Exmo-6-Desmo, Todlachen, Rifle Sport, Radio For Teens, Ground Zero, Willful Neglect, Red Meat, Man Sized Action and Hüsker Dü.

Following the reissue of Barefoot And Pregnant, Terry Katzman’s Garage D’Or label reissued it on CD in 1999 with updated artwork, liner notes and two Hüsker Dü tracks added.

REFLEX D - Hüsker Dü - Everything Falls Apart [LP] (1983)

After releasing their ‘Land Speed Record’ live LP and the ‘In A Free Land’ 7” on Minutemen’s New Alliance Records, the Hüskers self-released their debut studio album on Reflex.

The first of their material to be recorded outside of the Twin Cities, the band were sleeping on the floor of SST records and recording at Total Access Studios in Redondo Beach, California with Spot, the in-house producer and engineer for SST, and producer of the next four Hüsker Dü releases. More SST alumni appear as part of the ‘Hümper Dü Boys Choir’ credited on the sleeve - Mugger of Nig Heist, one-time Black Flag roadie and later co-owner and accountant of SST Records, Merrill Ward of Overkill and SWA, and also Robin Henley of Nig-Heist and Germs. Soon after the record’s release, the band signed to SST, yet kept Reflex going to release other bands’ records.

The iconic ‘Fake Name Graphx’ sleeve features 12 pieces of Hart’s ink art to represent each of the record’s songs. This is the only studio album to feature songs written and sung by bassist Greg Norton. The songs vary from blistering hardcore, such as the 32 second ‘Punchdrunk’, to longer melodic songs such as the title track and a cover of Donovan’s Sunshine Superman which point toward the direction the band were heading. The album’s length of 19 minutes and 22 seconds is only 25 seconds longer than the band’s next release, an EP ‘Metal Circus’!

The album was never reissued as-is, and first received a CD and cassette reissue in 1993 by Rhino Records entitled 'Everything Falls Apart And More', including seven bonus tracks (no Reflex logo on that release). It was later reissued on CD and vinyl as part of Numero Group's 'Savage Young Dü' box set in 2017.

REFLEX E - Rifle Sport - Voice Of Reason [LP] (1983)

Minneapolis post-punk band Rifle Sport (taking their name from a downtown arcade) released their debut LP on Reflex. Their following 2 studio albums, 1 live album and 3 singles were released on either Ruthless or Big Money Inc.

‘Voice Of Reason’ was co-produced by the band, Terry Katzman and Steve Fjelstad, a member of many local bands but also producer of many, including The Replacements. Brian Paulson of Man Sized Action (and producer of many great records) did the sleeve art and labels.

This record, along with the majority of Rifle Sport's work, has never seen a CD or digital release.

REFLEX F - Man Sized Action - Claustrophobia [LP] (1983)

Arguably the first band to be influenced by Hüsker Dü, the band were part of the ‘veggies’, the hardcore following of the band appearing at all of their local shows wrestling in the pit.

They appeared on the two Reflex cassette compilations, with a couple of those songs being reworked into this debut LP. Claustrophobia, like its follow up Five Storey Garage, is a true gem and worthy of rediscovery. Sounding like a mix of British post punk, think Entertainment!-era Gang of Four, and the local hardcore stylings of Reflex labelmates (but certainly original sounding), this record boasted production by Bob Mould (engineered by Steve Fjelstad) and a Fake Name Graphx sleeve.

Criminally, this record has never been reissued in any form. Track down a copy!

REFLEX G - Final Conflict [7”] (1983)

The only release by this Minneapolis hardcore band, though a cassette of 1983 demos circulates with more songs. Produced by Bob Mould (engineered by Steve Fjelstad).

This 7” was reissued on vinyl in 2010 by Havoc Records.

REFLEX H - Otto’s Chemical Lounge [7”] (1983)

A Minneapolis band releasing their debut EP on Reflex, later to release an LP on Homestead Records in 1985.

Produced by Bob Mould and Grant Hart (engineered by Steve Fjelstad), with uncredited Fake Name Graphx sleeve. Hart (along with Katzman and Paul Osby of the band) produced their 1985 follow-up LP.

Terry Katzman’s Garage D’Or released a CD compilation titled ‘Otto’s Chemical Lounge’ combining the 1983 Reflex EP, 1985’s ‘Spillover’ LP and seven bonus tracks recorded from 2006-2017

REFLEX I - Ground Zero - Ground Zero [LP] (1984)

The first of two LPs (their only releases) on Reflex by this Minneapolis hardcore band. Produced by Bob Mould (engineered by Steve Fjelstad).

Like its 1985 follow up, Pink, Ground Zero has never been reissued in any form.

REFLEX J - Articles of Faith - Give Thanks [LP] (1984)

One of the few releases on Reflex from a non-Twin Cities band. Articles of Faith were a hardcore band from Chicago, and released material on various labels - this was their only appearance on Reflex. Produced by Bob Mould, and mixed by Mould and Steve Fjelstad.

This album was reissued in Germany in 1992 on LP and CD with altered artwork and two bonus tracks.

REFLEX K - Man Sized Action - Five Storey Garage [LP] (1984)

The second and final Man Sized Action LP was co-produced by Terry Katzman and new guitarist Brian Paulson (also handling the artwork), who went on to produce several notable artists such as Slint, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco.

Garage D’Or released a 30th anniversary CD in 2014 featuring eight live bonus tracks recorded at the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis in 1986 that do not feature on any of their two records.

REFLEX L - Minutemen - “Tour-Spiel” EP [7”] (1985)

Released as a returning favour to Minutemen who released the Hüskers’ Land Speed Record LP and In A Free Land 7” on New Alliance, Reflex released this live 7” EP ‘recorded direct to 2-track in front of a ‘live’ audience of about 15 people’ at Sound Factory Studio in Tuscon, Arizona on 24th August 1984, for a local radio station.

All four songs are covers, Van Halen’s ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love’ was also covered on Minutemen’s landmark 1984 double LP ‘Double Nickels on the Dime’, Blue Öyster Cult’s ‘The Red and the Black’ was also covered on their final LP ‘3-Way Tie (For Last)’, and by fIREHOSE on their ‘Live Totem Pole’ EP in 1992. SST colleagues Meat Puppets are covered here with their track ‘Lost’ which was also covered on 3-Way Tie (For Last).

This EP has never been reissued as a standalone release, but can be found on CD, cassette and digitally as part of SST’s 1988 ‘Post-Mersh, Vol. 3” Minutemen compilation along with several other EPs.

REFLEX M - Ground Zero - Pink [LP] (1985)

The second and final Ground Zero LP was produced by Bob Mould and engineered by Steve Fjelstad.

Like their first album, this has never been reissued in any form.

REFLEX (no catalogue letter) - Hüsker Dü - Live Featuring J.C.

[CD EP] (2008)

The final release to bear solely the Reflex name/logo (not including the later Hüsker Dü releases stated above), revived in tribute to John Clegg who died on the 18th February 2008.

Clegg was a saxophonist who occasionally performed locally over the years with the Hüskers. He was a member of ‘The Eastside Horns’ who released no records but were credited on the album version of Hart’s band Nova Mob’s ‘Shoot Your Way To Freedom’. The three tracks here (‘What’s Going On?’ and two performances of ‘Drug Party’) were recorded in 1982 and 1983 at Duffy’s and Goofy’s Upper Deck in Minneapolis.

There was no catalogue letter given to this EP, which was limited to only 500 copies. The recordings are not available anywhere else.

The following Hüsker Dü releases:

MVD8220LP - In A Free Land [7" reissue] (2016)

NUM704 - Statues/Amusement [2x7" reissue] (2013)

NUM200 - Savage Young Dü [4xLP / 3xCD Box Set] (2017)

NUM714 - Extra Circus [7" / CD EP] (2017)

MVD12373A - Tonite Longhorn [2xLP / 2xCD Box Set] (2023)

All bear the Reflex logo, but due to them being released via other labels and not solely through Reflex (and not having Reflex catalogue letters), they are not included in this discography. All are highly recommended, especially Savage Young Dü, Extra Circus and Tonite Longhorn which include a wealth of previously unreleased Hüskers material.

This Reflex discography is included in Issue One of SECRET SAUCES (with exclusive print-only typos!) which you can get hold of here.