Expanded Reissue of Beatifics How I Learned To Stop Worrying

Years ago, I got to know the Beatifics’ Randy Seals fairly well, at least as well as one could know a co-worker. We spent more than a few hours toiling over clients’ website links as we tried to artificially boost their online standing through some questionable seo strategies.

One day the discussion turned to new music we had heard. That day, the topic of discussion was Betty Drake and the work of ex-Beatific, Andy Schultz. Only then did I realize who I had been working with.

Now, so many years later, The Beatifics’ How I Learned To Stop Worrying has been reissued with previously unreleased tracks. And I couldn’t be more excited.

As time went on, Randy shared the occasional story about the band and it’s auspicious start. One of those stories centered on their appearance on Vin Scelsa’s Idiot’s Delight show on WNEW, the only radio station in NY that mattered at the time. The band would deliver a memorable in-studio performance. The 20th Anniversary reissue of The Beatifis’ How I Learned To Stop Worrying includes seven songs from this radio performance.

Back in 2012 I interviewed Randy Seals (a co-interview with Kurt at Powerpop Overdose). You can read it HERE.

For those who know the Minneapolis scene, The Beatifics need no introduction. But for those who somehow missed them, The Beatifics were a better version of The Replacements, in my opinion. They had a regional hit and opened (or played on the same bill) as some major talent. If memory serves, Seals shared a story or two about playing on the same bill as Cheap Trick and Material Issue. Those must have been some heady days.

Now with the reissue of The Beatifics’ first LP, How I learned To Stop Worrying, we get to hear live tracks from that performance as well as newly re-mastered tracks from the original album. You can get the original tracks plus the live show and an outtake or two on the new Bandcamp site that was set up. Additionally, the Bandcamp only EP contains a cover of McCartney’s “Junior’s Farm”. If you prefer vinyl, Kool Kat Musik is selling the vinyl version with liner notes.

To clarify, the cover of Junior’s Farm is available on the Bandcamp only EP that is included with the deluxe vinyl edition of How I Learned To Stop Worrying.  Seven of the Idiot’s Delight songs are included with the download, but the cover is only on that EP.  (Thanks for the correction, Tim.)

If you’re an old fan of the band, you’ll want to pick this up. If you’re inclined to dig deeper, you’ll want to check out Andy Schultz. Under the band name Betty Drake, Schultz released a terrific LP entitled Red or Grape. Randy Seals has released solo work as well under the name Tommy Flake. You’ll find his album, Second Skin, on CD Baby. Your’s truly did the cover art for that one. I’ve included a visual of it here. Yes, it’s a bit off topic but it’s my blog and I can do whatever I want. So there.

Get your digital copy of “How I Learned To Stop Worrying” (20th Anniversary Edition) HERE. Get the vinyl version at Kool Kat Musik HERE.