We are saddened to learn of the murder of our friend Fred Smith, also known as FREAK. He was 55 years old. Fred was the guitarist in Beefeater -- who released two albums on Dischord during the mid '80s -- and later went on to perform in Strange Boutique and, after moving to Los Angeles, a number of other bands. You can read more about Fred's life here and find information on his funeral arrangements here.

Ian Svenonius' Chain & the Gang will release a new album, Experimental Music, this fall on Radical Elite Records. The session was recorded live to four track at World Class Tapes in Ann Arbor, MI and features contributions from members of Tyvek and the Gories.

You can pre-order it now through the Dischord website and also via Bandcamp

This fall, Dischord will release Eyes to the Light, the debut album by Washington, D.C. trio, the EFFECTS. Formed in 2014, the EFFECTS are Devin Ocampo (Faraquet, Medications), Matthew Dowling, and David Rich. The record includes 9 songs recorded and mixed last year with J. Robbins at Magpie Cage in Baltimore, Maryland and will be out on CD/LP/Digital September 29th. You can pre-order it now via the Dischord website and also through Bandcamp. The band will be playing dates throughout the East Coast and Midwest this fall.