January 10, 2010  Whoah 2010 right!  The Roman Line are on the Road with The Jetty Boys (Rally Records) and I've got s'more in the store

Better late than never.  The Roman Line have been on the road in support of their new album "Morning Portraits" in the U.S. since New Year's eve with an amazing band, Sheboygan Wisconsin's Jetty Boys.  Here are the remaining dates.

1/11/10 - New Brunswick New Jersey @ a secret location! w/ the Weird Fantasy Band and the Radio Exiles
1/12/10 - Philly, PA
1/13/10 - Wilmington Delaware @ the Spot
1/14/10 - Richmond, VA @ W/THE BLACKHEART SAINTS and THE PEMBERTONS@ plaza bowl ALL AGES!
1/15/10 - Morgantown, WV @ Club Octane w/ The Shutouts
1/16/10 - Cincy, OH @ a house w/ Dopamines
1/17/10 - Dayton, OH @ some dudes living room w/ Dopamines
1/18/10 - Fort Wayne, IN @ the Brass Rail
1/19/10 - Louisville, KY
1/20/10 - Nashville, TN
1/21/10 - Evansville, IN @ Lanhucks w/ Be My Doppleganger
1/22/10 - St Louis, MO @ the Wedge with the Haddonfields

New to the store include the latest release from the Jetty Boys "Sheboygan" in CD, a CD-EP from their label mates the Transgressions as well as the latest pop-punk 7"s from No Idea records splits 7"s from The Copyrights/Brokedowns and The Marked Men/This is My Fist.  Buy 'em up...Please and Thanks.  Greg.




December 6, 2009 - MEDIA UPDATE - The Roman Line Live Performance on Aux.TV Talk Show Night at Juicebox Manor - CD RELEASE SHOW

Just before the new album Morning Portraits released the Roman Line stopped by the basement at Juicebox Manor to play a couple of tunes.  If you sit through the sponsor ad on the video below (15 seconds or so) you'll get to experience "Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease" (Sea Creatures #1) and "Dawn After the Wreck" the first track from Morning Portraits.  Enjoy.


Tomorrow evening set your DVR or TIVOs or whatever it is you have to record the Simpson's and head over to Rancho Relaxo, 300 College in Toronto for The Roman Line's CD release show for Morning Portraits (produced by Joe Queer).  Not only will you get a chance to grab the CD and see Pod, Jonny, Shawn and Paul in action, you'll get to see O Pioneers, Junior Battles and Shared Arms.  Doors at 8PM.

November 29, 2009  Order Up - The Roman Line "Morning Portraits" CD is here and Streaming at Punknews.org

It's been quite the weekend.  Lots of Christmas shopping and decorating has made it hard to get a proper order link up for this great CD.  The Roman Line "Morning Portraits" is here and ready to be shipped to your doorstep.  Wanna hear it before you buy it?  The great folks over at Punknews.org have the exclusive stream (http://www.punknews.org/bands/theromanline).

I'm also going to offer a little something special for the holiday season.  If you order the new CD right now I'll throw in along with the free poster and buttons a Merman 7" (The PG-13s or Sea creatures 1 your choice), only catch is to make this happen i have to remove the jewel case (shipping from Canada is annoying).  You will receive all of the artwork and the disk, it will simply be packaged in a paper sleeve.  Be sure to mention your 7" preference when ordering or you will not receive the free 7".  Happy Holidays!


November 16, 2009  The Roman Line "Morning Portraits" CD news and a long waited 7" to the Distro

On Tuesday December 1st, I along with my friend Kevin Aper of Monster Zero Inc. will be releasing the debut full length album "Morning Portraits" from The Roman Line.  The Joe Queer produced debut album combines the classic sounds of punk rock, rock ’n roll and traditional country music with a boundless energy and top notch songwriting. Recorded at the Electric Cave in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, using all analog equipment, “Morning Portraits” boasts 11 songs with lyrical depth that runs the gamut of human emotions while delivering massive hooks through anthemic, sing-a-long choruses. While the band currently resides in Metro Toronto, this album is deeply rooted in the band’s adolescence in Southwestern Ontario, voices awash in gravel and rye whisky singing songs born in the community halls and concession line pubs of the Tobacco Belt. Look for an Exclusive Stream of this album at Punknews.org.

Along with 11 great tracks, while supplies last purchasers from mermanrecords.com and interpunk.com will receive 2 buttons and a glossy poster.
 
The album will be available here, as well as through our European friends Monster Zero Inc., Interpunk as well as your other favorite distros, oh and itunes too.


A long awaited new 7" record has landed on my door step.  The Ergs!/The Measure [sa] "split" 7" is now available.  As it turns out this is not only one but two 7"s, the album has sides A, B, C & D.  Order a single copy and you will get what ever odd copy i have, order 2 copies and you will receive both versions.


October 31, 2009  Happy Halloween

Well it's still Halloween, for another 7 minutes anyways.  Another addition to the distro tonight.  Runspringer S/T 10".  I'm a little late to the party on this band, but does it really matter now that i'm here.  Grab your copy in the store.  Its the first record for sale here that exceeds 7 inches, makes it look weird on the shelf, please buy them up so i can ease my OCD.


In other late Saturday night news, I've finally made time to get all of the paypal buttons up to date, if you've been waiting on them to place your next order.  Also remember to turn your clocks back 1 hour tonight.  If you don't and try and tune in the Bills game at 1 tomorrow it's okay, you don't have to wait until 4 again, they will be on at the old 2 o'clock a.k.a the new 1 o'clock :-).

October 25, 2009  Eight New 7"s In The Store and More To Come

Last week was one of my favorites for stopping by the local post office and picking up "presents" as i like to call them.  Eight new 7"s landed.  It's exciting for me too becuase i snag one from each package for myself.  I won't sell you folks a record that i don't support and own personally.

What were they i know you are all aking yourselves.  I know it's hard to beleive (seeing as i seem to carry every new 7" he puts out) but the first package was all It's Alive from Orange, California.  Adam operates one of my very favourite labels and I do my best to keep the shevles stocked with his great releases.  In the pack were The Crumbs/The Ridicules "Split", Get Bent "Dead It", Festipals "Gold Magic" and The Legendary San Diego Chargers/Sunnyside "Give 'em Enough Booze" all on black vinyl (well the Festipals is on a mix colour black, but it's mostly black).
 

A couple of days later a package came in from the Capital City.  In it I found 45s.  They included White Wires "Pretty Girl", Sedatives "Human Being", Suppositories "S/T" and Mother's Children "Dance To The Rock 'N Roll Band".  White Wires and Mother's Children are on coloured vinyl, Sedatives and Suppositories are on black vinyl and have screened and hand-made covers.  Ottawa seems to be doing all the right things when it comes to music right now.  Be sure to check these out.


On Tuesday night Teenage Bottlerocket and The Cobra Skulls will be playing the Kathedral in Toronto and our good friends The Roman Line will be there too.  Not 100% sure what time doors are but The Roman Line are on at 8:30.  See you there.

And i almost forgot.  Saturday morning i stopped by the embroiery shop and picked up some new toques.  Beanie style with Mer Manny sewn on the front.  This is what it looks like going into a mailer with the PG-13s debut 7" Get Back.


October 5, 2009  Tour updates and My Tour Dates

Check out the updates to the On Tour page.  The Roman Line will be introducing the state of Wisconsin to their brand of punk rock October 8, 9 and 10.  They will be on the road with Sheboygan's Jetty Boys and Pretty Boy Thorson from Minneapolis.

This may not mean much to everyone out there but yours truly is taking a little tour of his own.  I'll going to be seeing Screeching Weasel on December 11.  They are flying into Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA to play a show at the New City Compound with some great Canadian Punk Bands, Edmonton's The Old Wives and Vancouvers The Spinoffs.  I'll be crashing with the head chef himself, Andy from When's Lunch Records.  Get your plane tickets (WestJet's having a seat sale, yo)  and your show tickets ASAP (only 400 tix, it'll sell out fo sho) and join me in Alberta with Screeching "Frickin" Weasel.  It would also be very cool if you bought some records and cd's from me to finance the trip :-).  I used a credit card I never planned on activating to pay for the plane ride.  hahaha, i joke.

September 27, 2009  Sea Creatures 2 Update

I've been holding my cards close to my chest on Sea Creatures 2.  One song is in the can, others are being recorded or are soon to be.  billythespacekid.com has been put to work on the new artwork, and Justin Perkins fresh off of his work on that great new Riverdales "Invasion U.S.A." album with be mastering the tracks for vinyl.  I've been shooting for a pre-Christmas release date but as of today it looks more and more like this will be a 2010 release.  I can't keep everything a secret forever.  Contributing some Can-Con to the 7inch will be none other than Ottawa, Ontario's the Creeps.  Until the EP is available feel free to get your fill of the Creeps in my distro where you'll find two 7inches and a CD, and if you like Skottie's voice check out the Visitors as well he sings on many of the songs and plays guitar, also available in my distro store.

Creeps/Visitors new to the distro


Mom's back to work so after the first batch of hand knit toques are gone they'll take an extra week to get to you as she will be making them on an as ordered basis.

Keep your eyes open for more exciting stuff slated for 2010 on merman records, i'm working on a crazy split 7inch right now, you will be impressed with what i've come up with.

September 20, 2009  New Old Stock Ontario Pop-Punk Rock

While out with my pals from the Roman Line (former members of The Collisions) Friday night I was able to snag a few copies of the classic Ontario Pop-Punk albums by none other than The Collisions, you remember their 7" "Boy What an Idoit" and their ST CDEP.  Mike and PJ from Ruth's Hat helped the boys out with these (they were only 15 or 17 at the time) and Tim from Mutant Pop gave them some pretty good reviews back in the day.  Grab them both now together for $10 PPD.


They also wouldn't let me leave the show without copies of their self released CDEP "Between the Stirrup And The Ground", you won't like it but you should buy it anyway, hahaha, Cover art on it from the illustrious Christy Road.  $8 PPD.


Buy Sea Creatures #1 and paypal me an additional $3 and i'll pop any one of these above items in the mailer for you.  paypal address is mermanrecords [at] gmail [dot] com.

September 16, 2009 More in the Store and Friday Night

My Mom has been knitting you all toques for the upcoming cold weather, grab yours in the store.  Also just added a new 7inch to the distro.  The Methadones 2nd ever 7" record "Exit 17/I Believe" on clear green vinyl.

What R U doing this Friday, September 18th, I'll be at Ranco Relaxo on College in Toronto watch the Roman Line playing along side Kiss of Death artists North Lincoln and Whiskey Trench and Black Pint and soon to be Fest 8 participant Junior Battles.  Should be a great night.  You should come.

August 28, 2009 New Tour Dates Up

It's almost August 29th, my wife and kids are fast asleep and i'm making sure all of you know when and where you can see the best that Merman Records has to offer live in your city, town, whatever.
Checkout the on tour page for the latest details.

It may not actually be Merman news but i just read over on the myspace that the effing Copyrights are coming back to Sneaky Dees in Toronto on November 10th, I'm stoked to see them again (message to Pod - get on this show) and don't forget that Teenage Bottlerocket is coming up to the Kathedral in Toronto of October 27th in support of their soon to be released album "They Came From The Shadows" on Fat Wreck.  Get out to the shows and show these great pop-punk bands that Canada and Ontario especially wants them to keep coming back.

Oh, and if you haven't already done so, or even if you have, please buy some dang records from me so i can afford to release more great pop-punk as well as fill up my distro for you with excellent albums from around the globe.

thanks so much for the continued support,
greg.


August 25, 2009 Another Fine Review a new Underground Locale in Toronto and a Slight Face Lift on the Interwebs

Exclaim! has reviewed the PG-13s "Get Back" 7".  They seem to like it.  Check out the review here.

Their will be a punk rock house party Wednesday August 26th at 37 Jones Ave just North of Queen in the East End of Toronto.  The inaugural show will feature Dead Mechanical from Baltimore and Toronto Punk Rock hit makers the Roman Line, doors are at 8:30 pm, it's a house party so BYOB.

You may also have noticed a slight facelift here at mermanrecords.com.  I've added a little to the sidebars as well as a media page with some more photos and video, i hope you likey. 

August 5, 2009 Big Day at the PO Box

Our friends from Fear of Lipstick, you know the guys, 1st song side A of Sea Creatures #1 have put out a split 7 inch with The Creeps from Ottawa, Ontario, they were supposed to be out for their tour but there was a small delay, I have copies available now.  I think they pressed 500 all on black vinyl.

I also got a re-stock of that great great new 7 inch by The Max Levine Ensemble "Ben Weasel", get this one now before they are all gone.

And last my friend Adam has sent me a handful of 7 inches by the one and only Methadones.  The album title is Gary Glitter, Gold Vinyl, I'm sure this thing will be rad, I haven't even had time to spin it for myself yet, this time around I grabbed the 7" with CDRs which ends up costing a little more for the CDR and shipping, sorry.  I have a very, very limit stock of this record right now, sorry if it's sold out guys.

In other news The Roman Line are roaming through the US playing dives and peddling Sea Creatures #1 7 inches to the masses.  All shows are with the Lanterns who are awesome too .

Aug 6th
Punkhouse!
Jamaica Plain, Mass w/ Coyote Kolb, Viva Viva + more
Doors @ 5 pm

Aug 7th
Goodbye Blue Monday
Brooklyn, NY w/ girlcrush, The Old Switcheroo, Snuffy
Doors @ 9 pm

Aug 8th
The Spot
Wilmington, Del w/ Tit Patrol
Doors @ 8 pm

After this show the Roman Line is heading off on their own to

Aug 10th
Charm City Art Space
Baltimore, MD w/ Dead Mechanical featuring the one and only Dan Bress on the Bass
Doors @ 7 pm

Aug 12th
Ronnys
Chicago, IL w/The Neutron Bombs, The Turbo Vamps
Doors @ 8 pm

and i think there is a show or two coming up after this before they head back to Canada, someplace in Wisconsin maybe.


July 21, 2009 Filling The Shelves

Over the past few days i've received pages full of records and CDs and have finally made the time to list them in the distro store.  You'll find copies of the 4th and possibly final pressing of the Dear Landlord/Chinese Telephones Split 7", The Max Levine Ensemble's "Ben Weasel" 7", the most excellent debut CD from The Gateway District, and 2 more split 7 inches featuring The Copyrights and The Dopamines as well as Greetings from Japan with The Dazes and the Wimpys.  There is another review of The PG-13s up at Squid Pro Quo as well as the good dudes over at Firestarter Records now have some copies to sell, while your grabbing your copies of Psyched to Die's "Sterile Walls" 7", Sick Sick Birds "Heavy Manners" LP or Dead Mechanicals "Binghamton Calling" 7" grab a Merman 7" to fill the order..

That's the meat and potatoes, I've got a load more to post but I really need to get to bed.  Later, greg.

July 9, 2009 Distro News

I've been busy after work frantically trying to get these two 7 inches out for review and get copies to our pal's overseas.  Keep looking to your favorite review sites or zines for reviews.  If you notice one I haven't posted please shoot me an e-mail.  Yesterday I bundled a package destined for my new friend Alan at Different Kitchen Records in the UK and I beleive that a few copies have made their way to the "Land of The Rising Sun" check out Hyper Enough Records and Record Shop Base in Japan.

I am also eagerly awaiting some copies of a contoversial new split 7" from the Max Levine Ensemble.  I arrived in Baltimore at the pre-show just as these guys were finishing up their set and missed what I've been told was the set of Thursday night.

The PG-13s are still out on tour.  They've hit a snag with a little van trouble but should be on the road again tomorrow and could be heading to your town.  Check them out if you get the chance.  Sean Hi-Tone has been tweeting from the road, check out the updates here.


June 30, 2009 Update

Holy crap again, I am so far behind after a awesome weekend in Baltimore at the Insubordination Fest.  Thanks to all who picked up records from me and said hey at the shows.

Lets get down to the news.  The PG-13s "Get Back" and "Sea Creatures" 7 inch pre-orders have been packed and will hit the mail tomorrow.  Sorry for the delay.

I know, I know the t-shirt button on the store page hasn't been working, heck it may still not be working.  If you are interested in a shirt they are $12 USD PPD Can/US you can paypal me at mermanrecords [at] gmail [dot] com.

Distro is a go.  I just got in The Bugs "S/T" full length 7" on limited edition sea foam green.  I've gotta get a minute to snap a picture of the record and upload it.  Just saying sea foam green doesn't do the colour justice.  They are $7 USD PPD Can/US and are available in the store.

What else, what else, reviews, both 7"s have been reviewed.  The PG-13s here and Sea Creatures #1 here and here.

Also, "Oh So" the 4th and final song on the PG-13s debut 7" is featured on PunkRockReview.Org's Punk Rock Pot Luck Vol. 3 free download compilation.

No crazy about vinyl?  Grab the MP3s on ITUNES.  The PG-13s "Get Back" - EP and V/A "Sea Creatures #1" - EP

And last but not least the PG-13s are hitting the road accross Canada and back in support of their 7 inch.

June 15, 2009 Update

Holy crap, it's finally time to sell some records.  

The plant has confirmed that 500 records have been picked up by UPS and will be in my hands on Wednesday.  Just in time for me to hop in the car and race half-way to Ottawa to meet The PG-13s and exchange some copies for their record release show at Zaphods that night.  The PG-13s debut 7" Get Back is set to be offically released on June 22nd (hey that's the same day that Green Day's "Bullet in a Bible" comes out on Blu-Ray).  You can order pre-order this in the store.  Pre-orders will be shipped as the records arrive, i expect them to start shipping on the 18th.  It's selling for $6 US PPD within Canada and the U.S.


A week behind the PGs 7" comes the first in the 4-way split compilation series "Sea Creatures".  This release is should be ready to begin shipping June 29th.  Their is a good chance I will have some copies with me at the Insubordiantion Fest in Baltimore.  You can pre-order a copy of this great comp, with great art for the same $6 US PPD within Canada and the U.S. in the store as well.

Order both until June 29th for a chance to win a test pressing or t-shirt.  If both albums are ordered they will begin shipping once the Sea Creatures Split arrives.


DISTRO is almosto-a-go-go.
Our friends at It's Alive Records in Orange, California will be trading to distro these two releases which means we will have some great stuff coming north.  Expect me to have copies of The Copyrights/Dopamines "Songs About Fucking Up" split 7", The Dazes/The Wimpy's "Greetings From Japan" split 7" and The Gatway District "Some Days You Get The Thunder" debut CD.  If you see anything in their library that interests you let me know and i'll be sure to bring it in for you on the trade.



Miss out on the Bugs 7" pre-order on Interpunk don't worry, i'm getting a small supply in on limited edition sea-foam green vinyl from Cabana 1 Records.  Once the green is gone i'll have some black as well.






Keep checking back for more great stuff including an announcement on the band I hope to have headlining the 2nd installment in the Sea Creatures series, if I can get a for sure yes out of them :)


June 5, 2009 Update

Test presses have been approved for The PG-13s "Get Back" and Sea Creatures #1 split 7 inches.  Both will be available for pre-order as soon as I get a firm delivery date from the plant.  All signs are pointing towards the albums leaving California the week of June 15th and preorders should begin to ship June 22nd and all other orders will ship when I get back from the Insubordination Fest.  I need to figure out exactly what freebies i'm going to package to the lucky pre-orderers, there will be some test pressings and some t's.

Tour notes:  There are 3 shows coming up in the next week featuing bands on Merman.
* Saturday June 6 at L'Absynthe in Montreal, Quebec you can catch The PG-13s and The Roman Line along with Rock N' Roll Television.
* Thursday June 11 at Juanita's in Highland Park, California Regal Beagle will hit the stage with The Leftovers and The Carmines.
* Friday June 12 at the amazing Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago The Neutron Bombs are playing a set with the Beatnik Termites and the Kobanes.


May 24, 2009 Update

Don't say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  I've figured out the paypal button html and can now actually sell you something.  And what a something it is, a high quality white t-shirt featuing the best dang logo in pop-punk (in my opinion anyways).  Check it out in the store.

In other news, I received an e-mail from Rainbo Records on Friday afternoon letting me know that test presses for both current releases (The PG-13s and the Sea Creatures split) will be shipped out next week.  I can't wait to get these into your hands.

There are lots of shows going on this spring and summer featuring bands on Merman Records.  The Neutron Bombs played a great set at the Windy City Sound Clash on Friday night, while The PG-13s and The  Roman Line will be out together on June 4th in North Bay at the Bull & Quench and in Montreal June 6th at L'Absynthe and Fear of Lipstick is hitting the road in July for a little tour with The Creeps.  Check out the on tour page for all the details.


Previous Updates

Well, it's official Merman Records is now in business

Mid June we should be seeing the debut 7" from Ottawa's the PG-13s.  The album is titled "Get Back".  We are all very proud of our 1st release.  500 records and 10 tests will be pressed.  A chance to win 4 of these test presses will be available to those who pre-order the record.  The album is at the plant, artwork has gone to the printers, the wheels are in motion.

Merman Records will also be bringing you a 4-way split 7" series called "Sea Creatures".  It is hoped that their will be a new release in the series every three months.  No. 1 in the series should be available in late June.  The album kicks off with everybody's favorite (or 2nd favorite band if your a Weirdo) from Moncton, NB Fear of Lipstick , followed by Toronto's The Roman Line who are fresh off of a recording session in Porsmouth, NH with the one and only Joe Queer, the flip side features LAs Regal Beagle who have also worked with said Joe Queer and rounding out the release with their first vinyl appearance is Chicago's The Neutron Bombs featuring ex and current members of the Methadones. Mass from Sonic Iguana Studios mastering the songs and Michael Loscalzo has outdone himself with the cover art.

I've got t-shirts now, just haven't figured out the shipping costs and got that darn paypal button added (i'm a n00b at the website stuff).  Send me an e-mail if you are interested in the meantime.

Look for me at the Insubordination Fest in Baltimore in June, i'll be packing some members of The PG-13s and The Roman Line along for the road trip in the Accent .