American Record Co.
Albany, New York · est. 1999 · 1999–2007 · Historical

Great Day For UpOrganic

Northeast heavy, 1999–2007 — "inventively angry music in an angrily inventive way," from Enduro to Small Stone Records.

No. I

The Record

Great Day For Up (GDFU) took their name from a Dr. Seuss book and formed in Albany in 1999 — a cross-pollination of Northeast heavy-scene veterans, with founding guitarist Mike Vitali arriving via a brief involvement with the Helmet offshoot Handsome (per AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia). Five releases across four labels: the self-titled EP and 'Ready Rock' on Enduro, 'Godlovesasinner' on Curve of the Earth, the split with Solace on Underdogma, and 'Flores De Sangre' on Small Stone — 'the sound of riffs upon riffs, compacted into layers so dense and sludgy they could level city blocks' (AllMusic). In 2007 the core folded into Ironweed.

No. II

Eras

  1. 1999Formation

    Three scenes collide

    Named after a Dr. Seuss book, formed 1999 in Albany from NYC/Boston/Albany heavy-scene veterans — Vitali arriving via the Helmet offshoot Handsome. After Boston's Ajna Chakra, before Ironweed.

  2. 2002Enduro

    Ready Rock

    'Ready Rock' released on Enduro Records.

  3. 2003Curve of the Earth

    God Loves a Sinner

    'God Loves a Sinner' released on Curve of the Earth — seven tracks, master WAVs preserved in the estate vault.

  4. 2005Small Stone

    Flores De Sangre

    'Flores De Sangre' released on Small Stone Records.

  5. 2007Dissolution

    Into Ironweed

    GDFU winds down; the Albany lineage continues as Ironweed.

No. III

Releases & Liner Notes

Greatdayforup (EP)2001

EP · Enduro Records · 2001 · 5 tracks

The debut EP — Enduro Records, 2001. Verified on Discogs and Metal Archives. Five tracks that seeded the songbook: 'Crash Landing', 'Ghost Cycle', and 'Hit' all resurface on 'Ready Rock'.

Source record →

Ready Rock2002

LP · Enduro Records · 2002 · 11 tracks

Enduro Records, 2002 — eleven tracks, verified on Discogs with the full track list. From 'My Ex-Girlfriend' to 'Future Shock', the driving, furious Northeast heavy statement.

Source record →

Godlovesasinner2003

LP · Curve of the Earth (cote 751) · 2003-12-19 · 7 tracks

Curve of the Earth, December 19, 2003 (cote 751) — verified on Discogs with full credits. Official styling runs the titles together ('Goldenarms', 'Hanginonarope'); timings here come from the estate master WAVs. An official video existed for 'Below'. Lollipop: 'Clear, tight, bolted-down and butted-together tension/release rock... This is what I thought Danzig's metal move was gonna be.'

Source record →

Split w/ Solace2004

EP · Underdogma Records (ur015) · 2004 · 3 tracks

Underdogma ur015, 2004 — a.k.a. 'Blackmarket / Hammerhead'. GDFU side recorded at New Alliance Audio. Verified on Discogs; Solace's side includes covers of Rarebird and Link Wray.

Source record →

Flores De Sangre2005

LP · Small Stone Records (SS-057) · 2005 · 12 tracks

Small Stone SS-057, September 2005 — recorded at New Alliance, Boston. Verified on Discogs and the official Small Stone catalog. AllMusic (Rivadavia): 'the sound of riffs upon riffs, compacted into layers so dense and sludgy they could level city blocks.' StonerRock.com called it 'one hell of an album.' Twelve tracks, 'Sinner Takes All' through the title cut.

Source record →

No. IV

Personnel

  • Mike VitaliMember · guitar, vocals — founding member (ex-Handsome involvement per AllMusic)
  • Mike LangoneMember · vocals, percussion (final lineup; Flores De Sangre)
  • Brendan SlaterMember · bass, vocals (2000–2007)
  • Jim FeckMember · drums (2000–2007)
  • Michael DiazMember · vocals (Godlovesasinner era)
  • Jason SunkesMember · guitar, vocals (early eras)
  • David LahaieMember · bass, vocals (Godlovesasinner era)
  • Jared KrakMember · drums (through Flores De Sangre)
No. V

On the Record

“Clear, tight, bolted-down and butted-together tension/release rock with breathing room and a touch of melodic flavor. This is what I thought Danzig's 'metal move' was gonna be.” Lollipop Magazine · 2004 · Godlovesasinner review (Craig Regala)
“A wide-bellied gut punch hard rock record born of kick ass alt/punk listening habits jammed into quality metal's 'thing.'” Lollipop Magazine · 2006 · Flores de Sangre review (Craig Regala)
“This is the sound of riffs upon riffs, compacted into layers so dense and sludgy they could level city blocks.” AllMusic (Eduardo Rivadavia) · 2005 · Flores de Sangre review
  • SXSW 2005 & 2007Austin, TX — Per Mike Vitali's 2012 Psychedelic Baby interview.
  • Compilation: 'Golden Arms' on Burn the Street Vol. 3 · 2004 — Daredevil Records — verified via Discogs/Metal Archives.
  • Small Stone Sampler 2006 · 2006 — Verified via Discogs.
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