Split review: Sloppy Seconds / The Queers – “Split Hits the Fans”

Failure Records and Tapes – 02 Dec 2022

A match made in old school pop punk heaven.

After a couple of quiet years, Indiana based Failure Records & Tapes is finishing 2022 strong. Less than a month after volume six, (Sloppy Seconds/Antiseen), here comes lucky number seven in the Split Hits the Fans series. The newest edition again pairs two punk legends – Sloppy Seconds and The Queers. This match made in old school pop punk heaven is another beauty, and features each band doing a cover.

Sloppy Seconds present “Action”, the 1975 hit from British glam favorites Sweet. (The record has no clear A or B side.) This is a slightly different mix than the one that appeared on their 2008 LP Endless Bummer. It’s a punked up take on the already great original, with some snotty, sneering vocals and even a Misfits twist. The art features Sloppy Seconds’ lovable mascot Al Testicles, which is derived from the name of the band’s own label, Alternative Testicles. That of course is a play on words of Jello Biafra/Dead Kennedys home, Alternative Tentacles. 

The Queers’ song is exclusive to this release. (That in itself is pretty unusual. Most of The Queers’ EP tracks for the last two decades have been recycled LP songs.) “Julie Don’t Live Here Anymore” is a 1981 B-side from Electric Light Orchestra. It’s a catchy, concise pop song that easily translates to Queers’ treatment. (Unlike the majority of ELO’s bloated, pretentious prog rock.) In the capable hands of Joe King and company, the song takes on a breezy Beach Boys type of sound. It would have felt a home on last year’s all covers album Reverberation, although that was mostly ‘60s songs. The Queers’ artwork features the Queers Cat, which is based on Felix the Cat, an image that dates back more than 100 years to the silent film era. 

This is a fun record. It’s easy on the eyes and the ears, and seems destined to be highly collectable. It’s a great way for Failure Records & Tapes to celebrate 20 years of nearly breaking even. 

For vinyl fiends: These 45 RPM seven inch records are UV printed on both sides by the capable people at Pirates Press, and come in a clear plastic sleeve. Even though they’re a little pricey, with only 1000 copies available, rabid fans of these two bands are likely to snatch them up in no time.