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!

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

Anyway, that silly little paragraph is an introduction to a special post on cassette tape album art!

Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs (2009)

Ryan Adams – Demolition (2002)

Dashboard Confessional – A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar (2003)

American Hi Fi – American Hi Fi (2001)

The American Hi Fi album seems to be the earliest – or at least the earliest I’ve found so far – there’s got to be more out there! Hey if you know of any others . . . write a comment and let me know

I find it interesting that the covers are all so similar; the image of the compact cassette fairly central to the page and the in various stages of decay . . . that Dashboard Confessional album is completely unplayable, but I reckon I’ve fixed tapes in worse condition than Ryan Adams’ . . .

I don’t know all the music of all the bands, but if they’ve got a cassette tape on the front, well at least I’d give it a listen!

Bonus!

Bow Wow Wow – Your Cassette Pet (1980)

And this isn’t some retro schtuff – tapes were hot stuff back when they released this!

And you know what? Bow Wow Wow deserve their own post . . . more later.