Above the Arctic Circle is the fourth full-length from Chicago punk popping indie rock champs, Soft Targets. This new disc shows the band improving on their sound and delivering their most focused effort to date. Recorded by engineer Kris Poulin at PRECISION! Studios, the Softies deliver up ten delectable tracks of of solid rock and roll.

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SOFT TARGETS
Don't Put Out
CD RC013

Having jumped the sophomore slump and gotten over on the hump, Soft Targets return with their third full-length for RoosterCow. Some short punk rock blasts co-exist with some stretched out grooves in typical Softie fashion. This may be their best effort to date. Recorded by Poulin @ Armitage Shanks in Logan Square, Chicago. Priced to move. $6.00 CD.

SOFT TARGETS
Soft Targets Must Be Destroyed!
CD RC012

Soft Targets Must Be Destroyed! is the sophomore effort from the prolific rock band Soft Targets. This new record from the Softies completes the Soft Target's trilogy of records bestowed with exclamatory sentences for titles (?!!). Ten songs of pop, punk, rock and shoe-gazing bedazzlement. $6.00 CD.

SOFT TARGETS
We Hate You Soft Targets!
CD RC011

The Soft Targets debut full-length features 12 tracks of indie rock and rocking pop. Recorded by Kris Poulin at O.G.D.M.U. in Logan Square this release looks and sounds great. Is that a trombone I hear? Why yes. Yes, it is a trombone. $6.00 CD.

SOFT TARGETS
Whatever Happened to
Soft Targets?
CD RC010

Chicago's Soft Targets deliver an "icy-cool postpunk sound halfway between the Only Ones and Joy Division" (Sharp Darts, Chicago Reader) on this five song CD EP. Recorded at Electrical Studios with engineer Kris Poulin. Order several copies today! $5.00 CD EP.

SOFT TARGETS
"(Let it) Ricochet" b/w "Straight Line"
7" RC008

The seven inch debut from Chicago rock sensation, Soft Targets. These two gems were recorded at Semaphore with Eric Block. Cover art by Chris Auman. Limited edition of 300 copies. Order yours today! $5.00 7".

KASPAR HAUSER
"4-time Winner" b/w "Western"
7" RC006

RoosterCow and Spacesuit Records have teamed up to bring you a tasty 7" platter from Chicago's own Kaspar Hauser (led by indie filmmaker Tom Comerford). Like all RoosterCow releases, these are part of a limited run--only 300 were pressed, so scoop one up today! $4.00 7".

Columbus may not have discovered America but you can be one of the first ones to discover Columbus, OH's The Means and their much anticipated four song seven inch EP. Recorded by Kris Poulin at Acme Studios in Chicago, this sounds and looks great! Includes 12-panel fold-out poster by Jason Fredrick. $4.00 7".

ROOSTERCOW DISCOGRAPHY

RC001 REAGAN NATIONAL CRASH DIET Administration EP CD
RC002 THE MEANS The Means EP (a.ka. "Gimme the Creeps, Steve") 7”
RC003 DECIBATORS/RNCD Split 7"
RC004 THE CLERICS The Clerics EP 7"
RC005 REAGAN NATIONAL CRASH DIET Sucktastic! dbl 7"
RC006 KASPAR HAUSER "4-time Winner" b/w "Western" 7"
RC007 REAGAN NATIONAL CRASH DIET Sucktastic! CD
RC008 SOFT TARGETS "(Let it) Ricochet" b/w "Straight Line" 7"
RC009 THE CLERICS Magnae Quassationes CD
RC010 SOFT TARGETS Whatever Happened to Soft Targets? CD
RC011 SOFT TARGETS We Hate You Soft Targets! CD
RC012 SOFT TARGETS Soft Targets Must Be Destroyed! CD
RC013 SOFT TARGETS Don't Put Out CD
RC014 SOFT TARGETS Above the Arctic Circle CD
RC015 THE MEDIUMS/SOFT TARGETS Split 7"

ROOSTERCOW NEWS

SOFT TARGETS
LIVE @ PANCHO'S
UPDATE

Turns out the Soft Target's cassette, The Rise & Fall of Soft Targets will not be ready in time for the release show on Saturday, January 14th @ Pancho's (2200 N California). This show however, will be the LAST SOFT TARGETS SHOW! Yep, after 8 years in the trenches the Softies are amicably throwing in the towel. You can still catch guitarist Reg "Shredder" Shrader in The Sentinels and bass player, Daniel P. Kiss, Esq. has joined drummer Chris Negrete in the long-running Chicago band Vamplifier. And that other guy, who knows?

SOFT TARGETS
LIVE @ PANCHO'S

At long last, the Soft Targets cassette EP, The Rise & Fall of Soft Targets is in production. Thanks to Cassetty and the folks at Cassette Pet, this colorful cassette should be out in early 2012, just in time (we hope!)for the release show on Saturday, January 14th @ Pancho's in Logan Square, Chicago with Arsenal Road and Party Downers. Comprised of seven inch singles, outtakes, and alternate versions, this nine song piece of rolling plastic history is sure to be fun for kids of all ages!

SOFT TARGETS
LIVE @ BEAT KITCHEN

Check out Soft Targets, Thursday, September 29, 2011 @ Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont with Reg Shrader's alternate band Sentinels, also Warhellride and Board of Governors share the bill. Don't miss this exciting event!!!

SOFT TARGETS/MEDIUMS
AVAILABLE LOCALLY

The new Soft Targets split with The Mediums is now available in Chicago at Permanent Records, Laurie's Planet of Sound and all three Reckless locations. Demand it by name.

SOFT TARGETS/MEDIUMS
SPLIT SEVEN & RELEASE SHOW NEWS

Just in time for summer, the Soft Targets/Mediums split 7" is complete. Super Artist, Mike Dixon whipped up the Softie's side with a Zombiefied Stones tribute and Mediums guitarist Adam Scott knocked out the pyramidically-inspired flipside. A hand-painted cover wraps wonderfully around this gorgeous piece of colored, limited edition vinyl. Check out the release show, Friday, August 12 @ Memories Bar, 4358 N. Cicero in Portage Park, Chicago. The Mediums won't be on the bill, unfortunately, but bands called The Uma Thurmans, Bill Ura Dik and The Life Champions will be! Order the new record from RoosterCow right friggin' now!

INTRODUCING
"THE SOFT TARGETS COLLECTION"

Ladies and Gentlemen, we here at RoosterCow Records are so pleased to introduce to you The Soft Targets Collection. This handsome collection of recordings meticulously produced by the artisans in Soft Targets makes the perfect Memorial Day gift—or any holiday for that matter. This five CD set (4 LPs & 1 EP) captures the essence of this remarkable band as they shift, grow and mature. From the 2006 debut of Whatever Happened to Soft Targets to the muscular riffs encapsulated on 2010's Above the Arctic Circle, these men have honed their craft into a singular narrative of unparelleled awesomeness. This entire collection can be yours for the remarkably low price of ten U.S. dollars plus a miniscule shipping and handling charge of two dollars and fifty cents. But wait, there's more. If you act now, RoosterCow will throw in a complimentary (NO CHARGE) 1" Soft Targets or RoosterCow button. That's 4 LPs, 1 EP and 1 one inch pin to wear on your jacket or shirt lapel to let the whole world know that you are a Soft Targets or RoosterCow Records fan. Friends, please do not hesitate to act. Supplies are limited and can not be expected to last forever—not like the timeless music of this classic band.

SOFT TARGETS LIVE @ MEMORIES w/ PHANTOM WORKS, THE CELL PHONES, DAYS OFF

Soft Targets next live performance will be Saturday, May 21 at Memories, located at 4358 N. Cicero Avenue in our beloved Chi. This joint has been described by Soft Targets guitarist, Reg Shrader, as a "hobo stabbing bar." Sound's perfect. Also on the bill: Phantom Works (feat. San Diego transplant, Kris Poulin, he of Chicago recording and sound fame) as well as The Cell Phones and Days Off. So take the night off and come out to the show. FYI: Still workin' on the covers for the new Soft Targets/Mediums split 7". Maybe they'll be done in time for the Memories show. Yeah, and maybe a hobo won't get stabbed there. Ha!

SOFT TARGETS LIVE @ CAL'S & ON THE RAZOR AND DIE RADIO PROGRAM

April will be a busy month for Soft Targets. Catch this power quartet live @ Cal's Liquors (400 S. Wells) on Saturday, April 9th with The City Streets (from Montreal), Lake Street Dive (from Brooklyn), Somersault Factory from Chicago. The band will also see the release of a RoosterCow split 7" with The Mediums, which should be available in local record shops by month's end. Then on Friday, April 29th tune in your radio to the Razor & Die Show @ 2PM on 88.7 WLUW for a live in-studio performance. Do all that, please.

THE MEDIUMS SPLIT WITH SOFT TARGETS

This is the latest news you need to know right now: RoosterCow standbys, Soft Targets, and red hot rockers, The Mediums, are splitting a platter of technicolor vinyl that should be out in time for Record Store Day (April 16th, 2011). It will certainly be a Zombie Holiday that will have you out of your mind. (That's a hint as to the track titles, just so you know.)

SOFT TARGETS LIVE @ QUENCHERS

Sure it's cold and miserable outside but you can't stay inside all winter long, yah bum. Get out of the house and check out Soft Targets Saturday, February 26th @ Quencher's Saloon (Western @ Fullerton). $5 suggested donation. The Softies may even play you the track from their upcoming split 7" with the Mediums. Ooooh.

FIRST SOFT TARGETS SHOW OF 2011

Do you like excitement? You do? Then you will be excited to learn that the Soft Targets first show of 2011 will take place, Saturday, January 8th @ Pancho's Bar, 2200 N. California in Logan Square, Chicago. The irony is not lost on us that the Heavy Bombers and Via Versoare on the bill as well as the unfortunately named Victory Auto Rockers. $5 cover. The Softies will be playing a brand new set which they will be recording later in the month with engineer Kris Poulin at a studio to be named later.

THIS OTHER TIME AT BAND CAMP...

Get FREE downloads of the first Soft Targets EP "Whatever Happened to Soft Targets" through Bandcamp.com! Download songs from all Soft Targets CD releases for as little as 20¢ per song.

THIS ONE TIME AT BAND CAMP...

Soft Targets Above the Arctic Circle is now available for download through Bandcamp.com and Dig Station. Download individual songs or the entire album. More Soft Targets releases available soon!

MORE ANNIVERSARY DEALS!

Sack of 3. Get three seven inch records for $10! The first Clerics 7" EP, and a single apiece from Kaspar Hauser and Soft Targets. Includes shipping!

MORE ANNIVERSARY DEALS!

Own the first three Soft Targets CDs for a ridiculously low price. That' s 2 LPs and 1 EP for $10, postage included.

HOLY ROOSTERCOW!
IT'S SOMEONE'S BIRTHDAY

It has occured to me that RoosterCow Records got it's official start as a record label ten years ago this past summer with the inaugural release of Reagan National Crash Diet's Administration EP. Therefore, 2010 marks the ten year anniversary of the label. Huh. Go figure.

We'd like to celebrate this historic feat by reminding you, the public, that there are still a few copies of this important artifact left in the RoosterCow vaults. Five bucks gets you a hand-silkscreened cover in a shiny plastic CD case, 8 songs of earnest punk rock, AND postage is paid! How can you resist a deal like that? That answer is, you can't, so buy a copy today!

TEAM SATAN REUNION
(SORT OF)

The founding members of Team Satan reunited for a brief four song set this past September @ The Knox Avenue Hoedown which also featured performances by Soft Targets and Dinero. Drummer Mike Wing and guitarist Chris Auman performed such Team Satan classics as, "(C'mon Baby) Let's Sin," "Death & Destruction," "Were Not Those Kids" and "Devil Rockers/Boot Knockers." These songs hadn't been performed live in over a decade and it sounded like it. It was horrible. The above photo was taken by Chef Dana Cox.

SOFT TARGETS
ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

Soft Targets fourth full-length, Above the Arctic Circle is finished and will be enjoying an October 5th release on RoosterCow Records. This new 10 song disc just might be the best Soft Targets recrod yet (yeah, I typed recrod, so what?). Recorded by 'Fifth Target' Kris Poulin at PRECISION! studios in Chicago this CD kicks tail from beginning to end, so buy it, baby. Record release show will be Thursday, November 11 @ The Mutiny, 2845 N. Western in Chicago—the rest of the talent is TBA.

REAGAN NATIONAL CRASH DIET DOUBLE GATEFOLD SEVEN INCH ON WHITE VINYL

Hey, it's the 8th Anniversary of the release of RNCD's totally awesome Sucktastic EP. This five song double 7" was the fifth official release for RoosterCow. It still sounds and looks great today and there are a few dozen copies still available. Buy one today. Hell, but two!

SOFT TARGETS LIVE AT THE MUTINY

Soft Targets return to The Mutiny to celebrate singer/guitarist Chris Auman's 40th Birthday (holy shit!). As old as this relic is, Auman still knows how to bring the rock. Or does he? Come out and see for yourselves. Mean Ohio are also on the bill as are Extra Special Guests TBA & the TBDs (wink, wink) who play your favorite punk rock songs from the '70s and beyond. That's Friday, April 23rd, 9pm. 2428 N. Western. No cover! Hey Phantom Works fans! Phantom Works just got added to the bill. Another reason to come out on the 23rd!

CLERICS GUITARIST GOES ROGUE

The Clerics, a well-known three-guitar rock music group, have recently been shaken to the core. Clerics #1 guitarist, Tim Davison, has forsaken the instrument. After receiving a banjo as a Christmas gift, the former guitarist has increasingly focused his attention on the twangy 5-string instrument. Without notice to his bandmates, Davison deleted all guitar tracks from their forthcoming, as-yet unnamed release. In their place he has promised to re-record banjo tracks. Though not yet a polished banjo player, his enthusiasm for the instrument is palpable.

CIRCUS LUPUS DEMOS ON CHUNKLET.COM

Hundreds of millions of years ago, Soft Targets guitarist, Reg Shrader, played bass in the original, Madison WI configuration of Circus Lupus. Check out the Chunklet website for some killer demos from that incarnation of the band before they moved to DC. These demo tapes were donated by Circus Lupus/Monorchid/Red Eyed Legends frontman, Chris Thomson. Read more about that donation here.

CLERICS SPOTTED IN MICHIGAN ATTIC

There are rumours that the elusive and reclusive Clerics (pictured above L-R: Paul Johnson, Chris Butler) came pretty damn close to finishing their sophomore album this past fall. Not only that, certain sources have confirmed that the Flab Four even spent a weekend drinking and recording music in a remote Michigan location. Should either of these rumours prove true, you will read about it here first. Until such a time as new Clerics music becomes available for the planet to enjoy, please consider purchasing one of their RoosterCow releases before they are gone forever.

SOFT TARGETS TO RECORD NEW ALBUM

Soft Targets (pictured above driving their van to a gig at the Bottom Lounge) are scheduled to return to the studio this month to start recording their fourth full-length CD for RoosterCow Records. Engineer Kris Poulin will once again be at the helm. Any release date would be impossible to predict at this time, but surely a late summer/early fall 2010 release would not be out of the question.

INDIAN BOUNDARY LINE
NEW FILM BY TOM COMERFORD OF KASPAR HAUSER

The premiere of Tom Comerford's (Kaspar Hauser) new film Indian Boundary Line will be February 4th, 2010, at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street @ 6pm. This particular screening is a part of Conversations at the Edge, presented by the Department of Film, Video, New Media at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

SOFT TARGETS PHOTOS

Soft Targets got their picture taken—a whole bunch of pictures taken—this past summer. They were all spectacular as The Softies are smolderingly handsome, however, the above and below photos are a few of the better ones. Thanks to photographer Jenny Runde.

In case you missed the pleasing irony of the above photgraph, that is the Civic Opera House there in the background—but the Soft Targets play rock & roll which is the opposite of opera!

NEW CD BY SOFT TARGETS

Well, what the fuck do you know, Soft Targets have released their third full-length for RoosterCow Records. The ten tracks that compose Don’t Put Out were recorded by engineer Kris Poulin (Pinback, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Smog) at Armitage Shanks in Logan Square during the early winter months of 2009. This disc features all the Soft Targets trademarks; there’s the short bursts of punk rock energy on “When the Apocalypse Comes,” and “Idiot Clause” (a song sung by new drummer Chris Negrete). And there are longer sonic stretches too, as on the disc opener “Figure it Out” and the slightly eerie “Some Days.” Reg Shrader takes on vocals for a cover of “Frustration” by the psychedelic garage band, Mystic Tide, featuring some manic guitar work from Adam Scott (The Peelers, The Mediums). Don’t Put Out ends big with “Big Cats” getting a little help from former Soft Target bassist/vocalist, Tina Finch.

THE CLERICS
Magnae Quassationes
CD RC009

If you took all the great (and not so great) bands the member of the Clerics have been in over the years, and laid them end to end, they'd reach to Milwaukee! Magnae Quassationes (that's Latin for Great Shakes) was recorded by Scott Ramsayer at Two Rooms Studios in Chicago in June of 2005. After fermenting for over a year in the overdub & mixing process, this soon-to-be classic batch of guitar-laden rock is now available for public consumption. $6.00 CD.

THE CLERICS
The Clerics EP
7" EP RC004

Despite a recent spike in sales, The Clerics EP is still available. Don't miss out on this lo-fi gold. Features former members of New Rob Robbies and an ex-member of Cincinnati's Fairmount Girls. $4.00 7".

DECIBATORS/
REAGAN NATIONAL
CRASH DIET
Split 7" RC003

Decibators and Reagan National Crash Diet fans will be excited to learn that there are a still a few copies available! Features one song apiece from two great Chicago bands. The RNCD side features cover art by Mike Dixon. $4.00 7".

REAGAN NATIONAL
CRASH DIET
Administration
CD RC001

The well-received debut EP from RNCD and the inaugural release for RoosterCow Records, Administration is ground zero for the evolving Reagan National Crash Diet sound. Recorded in late 2000/early 2001 this record shows where The Diet was after only little more than six months of playing together. Covers were hand silkscreened by Jason Fredrick. $5.00 CD.

REAGAN NATIONAL CRASH DIET
Sucktastic!
CD RC007

We'll let Punk Planet say it, 'cause they said it best:

"The much needed CD reissue of the already classic double 7" inch from this wacky, sloppy Chicago-area band with dual male/female vocals... totally wild. Includes three bonus tracks, two of which were recorded at the Fireside Bowl."

They're totally right! $5.00 CD.

REAGAN NATIONAL
CRASH DIET
Sucktastic!
DBL 7" RC005

Five raw and rockin' songs on a double platter of delicious WHITE VINYL, served in a silk-screened gatefold sleeve. For those of you who have long abandoned your turntables, you're gonna wanna dust 'em off for this gem. Recorded after hours at the now-defunct Acme Studios in Chicago by K.P. $6.00 x2 7".

PRESSURE COOKER
Compilation of the Chicago Underground Music Scene
FB001

Hard-to-find compilation of the Chicago Underground in the early 90s. A real who's who and what's what and—huh? Songs by Conduscent (featuring Bobby Conn), Scissor Girls (featuring Azita of Bride of No No), Trenchmouth (featuring Damon Locks and Wayne Montana of The Eternals and Fred Armisen of SNL fame), Flying Luttenbachers, Loud Lucy, Hog Lady, Wickerman and more! $5.00 CD.

TEAM SATAN
"Devil Made Us Do It" b/w "1996"
7" OW9701

Lo-fi basement rock from Chicago. This dynamite devil rock unit featured future members of Chicago's Decibators, and Reagan National Crash Diet, Virginia's Alabama Thunder Pussy, and Colorado's Harvey Knuckes. Hand-silkscreend cover. $4.00 7".

TEAM SATAN
Team Satan 1996-1998
CD-R

The best of the worst and the worst of the best, this 60+ minute CD-R captures the raw sound of Team Satan rocking out for each other in their basement lair. Also included are thirteen never released songs recorded by Kris Poulin at the Lab East on Memorial Day 1998. Also includes a live version of the hit single"John Peters". $4.00 CD-R.

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BAND LINKS

The Clerics
Decibators
Kaspar Hauser
The Means
The Mediums
Reagan National Crash Diet
Soft Targets
Team Satan