Butthole Surfers to Release Previously Shelved 1998 Album Following Astronaut’s Return
In 1996, the Butthole Surfers achieved mainstream success, transitioning from being known as the biggest oddities in the American underground rock scene. This recognition came during a period when the underground rock circuit was saturated with eccentricities, even prompting bands like The Replacements to be apprehensive of them. Their breakthrough came with the release of “Pepper,” a track that deviated from their usual style but garnered significant airplay, ultimately climbing to the top of the Billboard Modern Rock chart. Subsequently, their album Electric Larryland achieved gold status. One might assume that the Butthole Surfers were granted creative freedom following this feat, but that was not the case.
The band originally intended to follow up Electric Larryland with an album titled After The Astronaut in 1998. Despite completing the album, including the artwork and distribution of press previews, Capitol Records decided to cancel its release. Subsequently, the Butthole Surfers secured a new deal with Hollywood Records, a Disney-affiliated label, and reconfigured their After The Astronaut tracks for a 2001 release titled Weird Revolution, which was met with disappointment. Lead single “The Shame Of Life” featured a hook penned by Kid Rock, leading to a chaotic outcome. Since then, the band has not released any new material.
Currently, the Butthole Surfers are regaining cultural traction. Their presence is highlighted in a recent documentary titled The Hole Truth And Nothing Butt, and they performed for the first time in eight years at a film festival where the documentary was showcased. Additionally, their music was featured in one of the final episodes of Stranger Things. It has been announced that the band will finally release After The Astronaut as originally intended.
Guitarist Paul Leary expressed discomfort with the changes Hollywood Records wanted to make to the album, stating that the original vision was compromised. Drummer King Coffey described the album as a return to their experimental roots, akin to the creative process of their 1987 album Locust Abortion. The band is now set to unveil After The Astronaut, reinvigorating interest in their unique sound.
Accompanying this announcement is the release of a visually arresting video for “Jet Fighter,” directed by Jeffrey Garcia, offering a psychedelic trip-hop experience that differs from the previous rendition in Weird Revolution. The tracklist for After The Astronaut includes a range of titles, such as “Weird Revolution,” “The Last Astronaut,” and “Turkey And Dressing,” slated for release on June 26th on Sunset Blvd. The Butthole Surfers are poised to captivate audiences once again with their distinctive brand of experimental rock.