Harm Farm – Spawn on vinyl LP. VG+. 1990 debut, Appalachian folk-punk produced by Henry Kaiser. Ships from Germany.
About Spawn
A VG+ vinyl pressing of the wild, violin-driven 1990 debut from San Francisco band Harm Farm, produced by respected experimental guitarist Henry Kaiser.
Spawn is the debut album from Harm Farm, released in 1990 via Alias Records. A San Francisco quartet frequently compared to Camper Van Beethoven for their prominent use of violin and spirited excursions into ethnic musical territory, the band built the album around Appalachian mountain music twisted through punk energy and wild tempo shifts. This listing is a VG+ vinyl pressing, includes printed inner sleeve and 8×10 black and white band photograph, from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were Harm Farm
- About Spawn
- Critical reception
- Pressing details and buying advice
Fast Facts
- Artist Harm Farm were a San Francisco quartet, featuring Noah Chasin on fiddle, Melanie Clarin on drums, Brad Pedinoff on bass and Tom Hallenbeck on guitar.
- Release Spawn came out in 1990 via Alias Records, produced by respected experimental guitarist Henry Kaiser.
- Sound Described as Appalachian mountain music on a skewer, blending violin-driven folk with punk energy and wild, twisted tempo shifts.
- Connections Drummer Melanie Clarin previously played in the Cat Heads and Donner Party; the band is frequently compared to Camper Van Beethoven.
- This copy Very Good Plus (VG+) sleeve condition, includes printed inner sleeve and 8×10 band photograph, shipped from Berlin, Germany.
Harm Farm – Spawn (LP, VG+, Includes Inner Sleeve & Photo)
Vinyl LP, Alias Records, includes photo and inner sleeve
Very Good Plus condition vinyl pressing of Spawn, includes printed inner sleeve and 8×10 black and white band photograph, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were Harm Farm?
Harm Farm formed in San Francisco, building a lineup around Noah Chasin on fiddle, Melanie Clarin on drums, Brad Pedinoff on bass and Tom Hallenbeck on guitar. Given their San Francisco home, prominent use of violin and spirited instrumental forays into ethnic territories, the band inevitably drew comparisons to labelmates Camper Van Beethoven, particularly after that band poached Harm Farm's original violinist Morgan Fichter. Rather than being derailed by the loss, drummer Noah Chasin deftly switched to fiddle, while Melanie Clarin, who had previously played vital roles in the acclaimed San Francisco bands the Cat Heads and Donner Party, stepped in behind the drums, and the band emerged stronger for the reshuffle.
About Spawn
Produced by Henry Kaiser, a respected and prolific experimental guitarist known for his work across free improvisation and world music fusion, Spawn was recorded at Mobius Music and Soma Sync Studios in San Francisco. Trouser Press aptly described the record as Appalachian mountain music on a skewer, waved about in all directions, raising up dust and spearing bits of whatever it finds along the way. The band hits its most impressive stride on wild, twisted-tempo medleys including Sleep/Señor Tuchus and Snapdragons→Greeneyedgirl, delivering a genuinely strong and distinctive debut that stood on its own merits despite the inevitable Camper Van Beethoven comparisons.
Critical Reception
- VG+ condition, includes printed inner sleeve and 8×10 band photograph
- Produced by respected experimental guitarist Henry Kaiser
- A genuinely strong, favourably reviewed debut
- Distinctive violin-driven Appalachian folk-punk sound
- Not a sealed or mint copy
- Deliberately wild, twisted-tempo arrangements won’t suit every listener
- Niche appeal outside folk-punk and Camper Van Beethoven-adjacent fans
What is Spawn by Harm Farm?
It is the band’s 1990 debut album, released via Alias Records, blending Appalachian folk with punk energy and wild tempo shifts.
What condition is this vinyl copy in?
The sleeve is graded Very Good Plus (VG+), and the listing includes a printed inner sleeve and an 8×10 black and white band photograph.
Who produced this album?
Henry Kaiser, a respected experimental guitarist known for his work in free improvisation and world music fusion.
Why is Harm Farm compared to Camper Van Beethoven?
Both bands hail from the San Francisco scene and prominently feature violin; Camper Van Beethoven’s recruitment of Harm Farm’s original violinist Morgan Fichter deepened the connection.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Worth The Spin?
- A genuinely strong, wildly inventive folk-punk debut produced by Henry Kaiser
- VG+ condition vinyl including original inner sleeve and band photograph
- Best suited to fans of Camper Van Beethoven-adjacent violin-driven folk-punk
Spawn stands as a strong, distinctive debut from the San Francisco underground scene, and this listing offers a VG+ pressing complete with extras from a highly rated German seller.