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Racer-X

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This article is about the EP by Big Black. For other uses of the term, see Racer X (disambiguation).
Racer-X
EP by
Big Black
Released1985
Recorded1984
GenreNoise rock, post-hardcore
Length15:36
LabelHomestead, Touch and Go
Big Black chronology
Bulldozer
(1983) 		Racer-X
(1985) 		Atomizer
(1986)
1992 reissue
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideA−[2]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide[3]
Tom HullB+[4]

Racer-X is the third EP by American post-hardcore band Big Black. It was released by Homestead Records in 1985 and reissued by Touch and Go Records in 1992.

Racer-X was the first of Big Black's recordings to cement their instrumental lineup of two guitarists, one bassist, and a Roland TR-606 drum machine. It was the final Big Black release to feature bassist Jeff Pezzati, who left to dedicate more time to his primary band Naked Raygun.

Title

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Racer X was a character on the anime series Speed Racer. The EP's title track makes numerous references to the original TV show.

Single

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The song "Il Duce" (about Benito Mussolini) was recorded in the same session as the songs from the Racer-X EP. The song was released the same year as a 7" single backed with "Big Money" from Atomizer. Homestead records also issued a promotional 12" version of the single with "Il Duce" and "Big Money" on the A-side and three live tracks on the B-side.[5]

Cover art

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The original EP featured cover art by Nate Kaatrud (better known as National Kato/Nash Kato) of Urge Overkill. When Touch and Go reissued the EP in 1992, the original artwork could not be found and a new cover was produced.[5]

Track listing

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  1. "Racer-X" - 4:01
  2. "Shotgun" - 3:28
  3. "The Ugly American" - 2:41
  4. "Deep Six" - 3:14
  5. "Sleep!" - 2:42
  6. "The Big Payback" (James Brown) - 2:29

Personnel

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Recorded by Iain Burgess in Chicago.

Influence

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The Japandroids covered "Racer-X" during their Dec 15, 2009 Daytrotter session. Of “Racer X” they say this:

We’re recording a 7-inch in January and this going to be the B-side. This song was originally done by Big Black and came out on the Racer-X EP in 1984. Our version is pretty good, but the original is a masterpiece.

References

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  1. ^ Kellman, Andy. "allmusic ((( Racer-X > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "B". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via robertchristgau.com.
  3. ^ Brackett, Nathan. "Big Black". The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. November 2004. pg. 69, cited March 17, 2010
  4. ^ Tom Hull. "Grade List: big black". Tom Hull - on the web. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b Anti, Obik. "Big Black: Racer X". Big Black, from pre-history to present. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
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