Description
– First ever vinyl release of this classic pop gem from 1993: a lost masterpiece, some said. Smart, irresistible guitar pop, full of strong hooks and melodies, with witty lyrics. Think Matthew Sweet meets Andy Partridge.
– Remixed & remastered. Includes bonus CD “A Sandbox Companion: Demos, Singles & More”. Ltd. Ed. 500 copies
Though he only released a few singles (on the legendary independent labels Bus Stop & Parasol) and the classic 1993 album “Sandbox” (recorded with a cast of friends that included Adam Schmitt, Patrick Hawley, Jay Bennett, Steve Scariano and Nick Rudd), Erik Voeks’ music has resonated deeply with a small but dedicated group of pop and powerpop fans around the world. “Lost treasure,” “hidden gem” are expressions often used to describe “Sandbox,” which is now, for the first time in its 30th anniversary, being reissued on vinyl by Hanky Panky Records along with a CD that brings together 8 demos of the album, his two singles for the Bus Stop label and a previously unreleased original track, “Pristine”.
For years Erik kept a low profile, but never stopped recording music, playing with friends like The Octopus Frontier, or even touring the United States and Europe with Jon Dee Graham. In late 2012, Spring Records released a 4-song EP titled “Free Range” on vinyl, which received rave reviews. Since then, Erik has kept busy putting out more new recordings through his bandcamp page, playing live shows, and touring Spain a couple of times. In 2016, Hanky Panky released “So The Wind Won’t Blow It All Away” his first full-length album in over 20 years. The album garnered much critical acclaim and was the #1 album of the year on John Borack’s influential “Power Pop Plus List.”
After touring Spain in 2017 as Erik Voeks & The Spanglish Settlement, Erik, Juan Ferrari, Pepe Bermejo, and Patrick Hawley decided to record an album together. Plans were made for the four of them to reunite in Spain to finish the album, but the pandemic interfered and the recording process took a long and winding road. But better late than never, as they say: “It Means Nothing To Me Now” was finally released in early 2024 under the Erik Voeks & The Ghosters moniker.. “Pure pop magic,” says the Powerpopaholic website, and who are we to disagree?
It’s been said about “Sandbox”:
“A rather impressive beast of a power pop album” (Pop Junkie website)
“An ‘out of the box’ classic in the power pop genre” (Pop Geek Heaven)
“Pure bliss for the Matthew Sweet set. Its brainy hooks and colorful chord changes recall Robyn
Hitchcock and The dB’s. Its lush harmonies speak to an affinity for Big Star and Teenage
Fanclub.” (Pitch.com)
Side A
1.- My Dentist
2.- Finger Painted Cat
3.- Hannah
4.- Oh My Darlin’
5.- The Symmetry
6.- Let Go Now
Side B
1.- Desiree And I
2.- Compass
3.- Rhymes With Train
4.- Maissie
5.- Unwind
6.- 7 Or 8 More
“A Sandbox Companion: Demos, Singles & More” (Bonus extra CD) – tracklist:
1.- My Dentist
2.- Finger Painted Cat
3.- Compass
4.- Rhymes With Train
5.- Maissie
6.- Unwind
7.- Let Go Now
8.- 7 Or 8 More
9.- Throw Me Out A Line (BUS022, single, 1992)
10.- When Will It All End? (BUS022, single, 1992)
11.- Desire Me And Die (BUS030, single, 1993)
12.- Or What? (BUS030, single, 1993)
13.- Pristine (previously unreleased recording)
GENRE: Pop/Powerpop
BARCODE: 8435725603373
RELEASE DATE: 17/01/2025
