Oakland’s Engine 88 released two critically acclaimed albums on Caroline Records – “Clean Your Room” (1995) featuring the modern rock radio hit “Mangos” and “Snowman” (1997) featuring the live fave “Manclub”. Both albums are appearing digitally for the first time on September 18, 2012 and each comes with a bonus track – “Duck” and “Baboon” respectively.

The band – Tom Barnes (vocals, guitar), Damon Wood (guitar, vocals), Eric Knight (bass) and Dave Hawkins (drums) - played prolifically and loudly between 1992 and 1998. In addition to their two Caroline albums, “Engine” (as they were first know) released numerous 7″ singles and other miscellaneous releases. During this time they toured extensively across the US, into Canada and the UK, sharing the road and stage with bands like Jawbreaker, Jawbox, Counting Crows, Buzzcocks, Gang of Four, Ben Folds Five, Nada Surf and Spoon. They enjoyed support from San Francisco’s Modern Rock powerhouse Live 105 and recorded a session for LA mainstay KCRW, and were frequently compared to Pavement, Fugazi and the Pixies. However with members hailing from musical backgrounds as diverse as punk, soul, and soft-rock, Engine 88 retained a quirky, almost perverse edge all their own thanks to Barnes’ voice, at times laconic and plaintive, at others manic and urgent, and the band’s always thoughtful arrangements, crisp driving beats and muscular guitars. By 1998, disillusioned by the state of play at rock radio, they called it a day, but not before releasing a posthumous collection “Flies ‘N’ Death ‘N’ Stuff” on the local Wingnut label, which showcased the tight, musical invention they had developed in their brief but illustrious time together.

For the full history and discography visit the band’s official blog, maintained by guitarist and songwriter Damon Wood : http://www.damonwood.com/engine88/

Engine 88 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Engine88

Download “Clean Your Room” on iTunes: www.smartURL.it/Engine88CYR

Download “Snowman” on iTunes: www.smartURL.it/Engine88Snowman

Download "Flies and Death 'n' Stuff" on iTunes: www.smarturl.it/Engine88FDS

“Mangos” video: http://youtu.be/2Uap9Xbl4xo 

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