Panic Records and Tapes

PANIC RECORDS AND TAPES, Chicago, IL 1984-1991. Begun as international audio correspondence, it quickly turned into a part-time job. PANIC…

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Biography

PANIC RECORDS AND TAPES, Chicago, IL 1984-1991. Begun as international audio correspondence, it quickly turned into a part-time job. PANIC was an outgrowth of broadcasting and activities at WZRD-FM 88.3, Chicago, during the heyday of DIY cassette culture, and the 'zines and radio stations that catered to same.
All told, about twenty cassettes, three compilation LPs (four discs in total), three editions of a 'zine, and perhaps a dozen live shows were produced. Radio playlists, distributors, musicians, and correspondents eventually totalled fourteen countries. Cassettes were packaged in melted junk LP "fortune cookies" that had to be broken open to gain access.
The compilation LP series was entitled WHAT IS TRUTH? on the suggestion of, and first LP title track by, Eugene Chadbourne. The first two LPs were packaged in junk sleeves that featured individually hand-crafted and numbered artwork (painting and collage) executed over the previous cover. The third LP featured custom hand-crafted marbled paper.