Iodine Releasing Classic, Out of Print Records From Six Going on Seven + Garrison

BAND SHARES “SEXY LIKE THE TITANIC” VIDEO — WATCH [[ADD LINK]]

Self-Made Mess is the debut album from Boston’s indie rock/emo band Six Going On Seven. Out of print for over 25 years, this highly influential album helped define a genre that bridged the gap between hardcore influenced emo and indie-rock, with its complex bass and guitar harmonies and sincere vocals. Often referred to as a “band’s band,” Six Going on Seven came up alongside many of the household names we still discuss from the era: Jimmy Eat World, Hot Water Music, and The Get Up Kids, sharing the stage with them and many others.

Originally released on Some Records in 1997 and produced by Brian McTernan at Salad Days Studio, Self-Made Mess is being presented on a limited-edition vinyl pressing with all new artwork and remastered by Jack Shirley (Quicksand, Joyce Manor) at The Atomic Garden.

It arrives via Iodine Recordings on October 27. Get it here.

Today, the band has shared the video for “Sexy Like The Titanic.” Watch it here.

“Self-Made Mess was our first full-length, the culmination of three friends woodshedding/gigging around Boston in early days,” the band says. “Follow me here: I drove to Boston in fall of 1994, we played our first show in January of ’95, released a 7” the following year, and made Self-Made Mess in the summer of ’96 — this one was recorded by our friend Brian McTernan after demoing over nine songs the year prior with another great engineer, who abruptly moved to Los Angeles to make a record with The Rolling Sones — true story. Faithful to our live sound, Youth (lost on the young) recorded on a shoestring budget in a small new jersey town (that, a story for another day) — 10 songs remastered for your listening pleasure, enjoy.”

SELF-MADE MESS TRACK LISTING:
“Sexy Like The Titanic”
“Endurance”
“Getaway Car”
“Flu Season”
“Sincerely”
“Deadpan Cool”
“Lampwick”
“New Faith in Loss”
“Method Actor”
“Everybody’s Got a Hobby”

BAND ALSO SET TO APPEAR AT THE FEST IN FLORIDA

Garrison were born in Boston during the heyday of the prolific late ’90s post-hardcore scene.

Their cohort featured heavy hitters like Piebald, Cave In, and Converge. Following in the footsteps of bands like Quicksand, Drive Like Jehu, and Texas is the Reason, Garrison drew from many influences to create a hyper-melodic sound that ranged from hardcore to emo — all without fitting neatly into any genre. They executed a complex and unique sound, seamlessly combining technical guitar riffs, melodic vocals, and heavy breakdowns in a way that few bands were able to achieve.

Garrison toured relentlessly, playing regularly alongside iconic bands of the era such as The Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music, Taking Back Sunday, and New Found Glory. Shortly after forming, the band found themselves signed to Revelation Records where they released their debut LP A Mile in Cold Water. The record was well received among fans and critics and made a place for itself as a notable release for the post-hardcore movement. The album opens with “After the Fight,” which immediately hooks you with its melody, fast tempo, and emotional breakdowns, highlighting the band’s hardcore roots and complex style. The LP rises with heavier post-hardcore moments, such as “The Dumbest Angel,” and falls with several softer emo ballads, most notably on the somber closer “Favorite Goodbye Fuck.”

Though Garrison went on to release numerous albums on Revelation Records and Iodine Recordings, A Mile in Cold Water remained their most significant and important release. While Garrison never broke in the same way that many of their peers did, this record clearly paved the way forward for many bands that followed in the post-hardcore and emo scenes.

Produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge) at God City Studio in 2001, Ballou returned in 2023 to completely remix the album to really make these songs shine the way they always intended to sound. Remastered by Jack Shirley (Quicksand, Joyce Manor) at The Atomic Garden. The album is being presented in a special gatefold jacket and features elements of the original art, and new artwork from Dan McCarthy.

The album is available for the first time in 20 years via Iodine Recordings on October 27. Get it here.

Listen to “The Dumbest Angel” here.

Garrison’s original lineup will appear at The Middle East Downstairs in Boston on October 6 with Orange Island. They are also slated to play The Fest in Florida, as well.

A MILE IN COLD WATER TRACK LISTING:
“After the Fight”
“Selective Hearing Loss”
“Is That a Threat?”
“Squirrel Bait”
“There’s Only So Much Coffee”
“Our Mild Scoliosis”
“Always Be Closing”
“Fuel”
“The Dumbest Angel”
“Penelope”
“Favorite Goodbye Fuck”
“Reprise”