by Jordan Minnick
In the latter part of the '90s and beyond, Speed! Nebraska Records laid the foundation for ‘tractor punk’ bands like Pioneer Disaster, Frontier Trust and D Is for Dragster. The bands helped featured twangin’ guitars, dissonant-punk-style vocals and thumping tempos. The label and bands also share a common thread in the form of Gary Dean Davis, the father of the label and collective band member ? each band came at the demise of the other, respectively. The Omaha label specializes in recording and issuing 45 rpm vinyl singles, although they’ve also released a handful of albums, too. (Ed. Note: And if you haven't checked them out yet, what are ya waitin' for? The quintessential "Nebraska" label, they're putting out new records all the time.)
The label’s namesake? The 1995 Frontier Trust album Speed Nebraska, recorded and mixed at Whoop Ass Studios in Lincoln by none other than the Mogis brothers, A.J. and Mike (originally from North Platte). The job took all but two days in early May 1995 and was later released by Caulfield Records, "Nebraska's original indie label" and Saddle Creek of the '90s, as Lazy-i columnist and HN contributor Tim McMahan will tell you.
The record features Davis doing lead vocals and harmonica, Joe Kobjerowski on drums, Brian Swanson on bass, William Thornton on guitar and Mike Mogis on the slide guitar and banjo. Mercy Rule’s Heidi Ore also provides supporting lead vocals on the band’s cover of “Jackson.”
Frontier Trust’s Speed Nebraska is this week’s featured album on TheBandBrokeUp.com; head over to the site to download it in its entirety.
1. Kicked To The Curb
2. -30º
3. Cracker Network
4. Willa Cather Proud
5. Jackson
6. Noodle (Psalm of The Reckless)
7. Second Communion
8. Clock In
9. Apple Jack
10. True Love
11. Spit