There’s no cassettes in this sweet lil’ illustration, but well, it IS cassette related . . . yeah? Whatever.
Nice illustration dude.

via behance via ffffound

Candy Chang does some really cool, interesting and community minded work, for instance a clear and informative guide for the thousands street vendors in NYC, or even community chalkboards for townships in South Africa.

She does the kind of work that makes me feel that my life lacks any creativity at all. Yeah thanks Candy . . .

Anyway, the piece featured here is not quite as extensive as those, but it has got cassette tapes in it. So that’s why it’s appearing here.

Ok, I know bands like to put images of cassette tapes on their covers but, they really, really like naming themselves after them. So yet again the lowly cassette is honoured in a weird and wonderful way.

Maybe these bands will despise me for putting together this list potentially bringing attention to their, um, unoriginality. Maybe they don’t give a shit because they’ll never read this article. The latter, most likely. Unless they google their own band name. heh.

Now, I’m not going to provide any kind of reviews here – it’s obviously not the place – so I’ve quoted from the biographies on their websites.

Firstly, the Cassette category:

Cassette (NZ)
www.myspace.com/cassettenz

“Cassette play a blend of country/folk/soft/hard/moderate/spritural mantra ROCK! Generally though, it’s just a laid back accoustic sorta groove that is the glue that holds the Cassette sound.”

Cassette (ZA)
www.playcassette.com

“The band has collaborated with local legends such as the Mahotella Queens, Zubz and Vusi Mahlasela and has supported international artists such as Pink, Evanescence, Eagle Eye Cherry, Blof and many more. At the request of Nelson Mandela, they also opened the 46664 Concert in December last year.”

Cassette (US)
http://bakeryoutletrecords.com/cassette.htm

“Cassette is Samantha Jones. Though the live and recorded manifestations of Cassette may take on many forms–sometimes alone and unguarded with just acoustic guitar and voice, while at other times backed by a rotating band of friends–the songs and the warm, compassionate, inviting feelings projected from them are wholly Samantha.”

The (world renowned & esteemed) Cassettes (USA)
thecassettes.tumblr.com

“…a four-piece self-proclaimed “steampunk” stompy rootsy rock n’ roll band from Washington, D.C. started by Frodus frontman Shelby Cinca as a solace from his post-punk screaming endeavors.”

The Cassettes (UK)
www.thecassettes.co.uk

“. . . If you’re looking for an exciting & professional band that exudes character and talent and has the experience to make your party or event a storming success, then look no further. . .”

Cassie and the Cassettes (UK)
www.myspace.com/cassieandthecassettes

“Cassie and The Cassettes met on suburban school buses in the halcyon days of early adolescence… Cassie spent her formative adolescent years spinning out electric piano masterpieces in the safety of her own bedroom, initially never intending them for public consumption.” (lastFM)

Cassette Kids (AU)
www.cassettekids.com.au

“With typically indie rock influences that include The Rapture, Klaxons, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and No Doubt, Cassette Kids craft a grinding, colourful version of the genre which is as catchy as it is innovative.”

And now, the Tape category:

Tapes ‘n’ Tapes (US)
www.tapesntapes.com

“Tapes ‘n Tapes are an indie rock band which formed in 2003 … After a year spent honing their musical stylings, the collective developed a sound that Splendid calls “a hybrid that resembles Low fighting it out with My Bloody Valentine…eclectic, style-defying stuff.”” (lastFM)

TAPE (DE)
www.tape-music.de

“TAPE headlined a lot of club shows and performed as opening act for Limp Bizkit in Germany’s big arenas. After that they got personally invited by “die Ärzte” and rocked the center stage at “Rock im Park” and the “With Full Force”-Festival.”

Press Play on Tape (DK)
www.pressplayontape.com

“PRESS PLAY ON TAPE is a Commodore 64 revival band, (almost) exclusively playing tunes from the 80’s home computer Commodore 64 as rock on real instruments.”

War Tapes (US)
wartapesband.com

“The band has also already played shows and/or toured across the US and in the UK with The Smashing Pumpkins, Tiger Army, Shiny Toy Guns, Moving Units, The Bravery, Longwave, VNV Nation and The Unseen–even before releasing their first retail EP in Oct 2008.”

Oh shit. Look. I’ve just had a second look on last.fm and there’s actually HEAPS more cassette bands/artists.

Holy shit. Really! . . .
from: http://www.last.fm/search/overview?q=cassette&type=artist&page=1

Michael Cassette

Michael Cassette is a finnish progressive house trio made up of singer-songwriter Michael Cassette and the producers Matti Heininen &…

Memory Cassette

Memory Cassette is a recording alias of New Jersey-based Dayve Hawk, former frontman of Philadelphia-based Hail Social. He also has…

Cassette

There are at least seven different outfits who are currently recording or have recorded under the name of Cassette.

Benny Cassette

Benny Cassette is not just the newest face in popular music, he’s an artist that’s managed to create his own sound by mashing up hip hop,…

Color Cassette

Color Cassette currently consists of Jason Corder (aka offthesky), Lendin Hopes (aka set in sand) with guests vocals by Clint Colburn,…

Cassette Electrik

In the year since their inception, Cassette Electrik have been quick to win interest and acclaim from many sources. 2007 sees them bring…

Yes Cassette

Yes Cassette is a new project from Dan Neale who used to be in The Electric Cinema. Along with Mark R (ex- The New Shapes), Jamie O…

Red Cassette

Red Cassette is in reality just one man Andrew Balls, known to his close friends and distant relations as simply ‘Ballsy’. His unique…

Cassette Club

Ben Macklin and Tom Hammond use their obsessive knowledge of all things electronic and soulful to create irresistibly good-looking pop…

cassette for cassette

cassette for cassette were an Oxford, UK based four-piece playing angular, brooding post-riot grrl infused music.

Snout Cassette

About SNOUT CASSETTE turn a leaf, here we are, under a stone, inside a jar, wherever the mountains meet the sea, thats NoT where we’re…

Ghost Cassette

From the shattered remains of the anti-climax that was the start of the second millenium come Ghost Cassette, fueled by the degredation…

Black Cassette

Black Cassette started with Sjoerd Bruil recording music on his 4track cassette machine surrounded by mice and coffee in an attic room in…

Curious Cassette 120

Curious Cassette 120, or CC120, is the noise solo project of Bianca Diana. Various cassettes are variably controlled, destroyed,…

And there’s more – I only included the bands that had a description.

It’s crazy!

see more : http://signaltonoise1.blogspot.com/

I came across two more album covers while browsing the local secondhand record store today . . . didn’t buy either of them. They’re probably good albums. Probably.

Thirsty Merc – Thirsty Merc

Kenny Segal – Ken can Cook

Was reading an interview at the engaging Grain Edit with the talented and insightful designer and illustrator Frank Chimero and lo and behold! a cassette tape illustration! Everyone loves cassettes! Hey! why the f*ck not!?

Bonus!

More from Mr Chimero:

“Greatest Hits
Self-promotional package about how good music binds us through shared experiences.”

More tapes!
Grouse!

It’s no joking matter.

. . . a scene from that mystical time when cassette tapes reigned and CDs were the harbinger of the digital age.

A few things to note about this pic:

• Is that the original Walkman on the left there? Actually, no, it’s not.
• That’s a TV Walkman on the right!
• Uh-oh . . . Betamax
• It’s amazing to think that you can get almost all the capabilities of this equipment in a device that fits in the palm of your hand.
• It’s difficult to tell by his expression if determined . . . or just confused.

From the always interesting barnobi.tumblr.com

What more is there to say?

Actually, this is one of those sites that makes you forgive the interwebs for all the other shit on there . . . at least partially.

http://awesometapesfromafrica.blogspot.com/

It’s a site that’s been running since 2006 – there’s a wealth of great music to experience and the cassette sleeves have some great artwork! I’m looking forward to spending more time on the site.

More sleeve art:

A quick one! From a fellow Cassette tape admirer

Mixtape Zine on Flickr – Photo Sharing.

“So, I want to draw your mixtapes. I want your sad songs, you love jams, your sing at the top of your lungs car tunes, your break-up tape, your make-up tape and your BFF-4evah cassette.”

Nice!

Check out her Esty store for more Cassette Tape goodness – like this great poster! Buy one!

Ahh, sorry for the shit title. Just found this round-up of cassette inspired t-shirts at coolmaterial.com

I especially like the obey one, seems the most original of all of them . . . yeah, the nudie jeans smells of this,  while the Urban Outfitters has a whiff of this . . . hmmm.

Oh well.